Strange Invasions (Part 4)

{Meanwhile...}

In the deep forest where thin rays of light shine through the dense forest. Countless monsters flood the area and is arranged in multiple rows. The two winged beings who stand at the top, above the army of monsters sit down on a throne of bones of various beings.

The first winged being is a man that has deep red skin and silver eyes. He has two large black horns pointing upwards with red lines in a spiral. The being wears a black and purple leather vest that has no buttons, displaying his toned body. He also wears black leather pants.

The other one is a woman that has purple skin and have bronze eyes. She has two horns that acts as a crown. She has a long lavender hair tied into a ponytail with a hair ornament that have a skull design. The woman wears a black bikini-like garment and high heels.

The purple skinned woman suddenly smiled.

"Fufufu..."

"What tickles you?" the red skinned man asked.

"I found something interesting. That little boy managed to kill some of my scouts before any other person saw." said the purple skinned woman.

"That Forest Bird is known for enhanced Concealment when it's in dense forests. It's able to hide from C rank monsters." the red man said.

"But that boy noticed quickly, far more perceptive than those strong looking beasts."

"Can you find the boy again?" said the man, holding a cooked piece of meat and chomping it down. The woman frowned.

"After finding him in the village of the orcs, I lost him. So, we'll send an army to the other villages to make him panic." the woman said, smiling devilishly. The man chuckled.

"Once we conquer Dystoark, we'll attack the neighboring kingdoms." the man unsheathed a red blade and twirls it around. "I bet there's someone better than that Oni, Ogre, and that bird girl."

{Meanwhile...}

In the shadowy world where the murky lights above is the forest of Dystoark, we used Shadow Sneak to fly through underneath the foliage and the monsters. I look back and see Friis faring much better than before.

"How you feeling, Friis?" I asked.

"I feel fine, young Kain. I have gained Shadow Sneak from you so easily." Friis said. "I can see much more clearly. If you see a strangely shaped wooden gate, that is where the Onis and Lizardmen reside."

I cancel Shadow Sneak and see a wide stream of water flowing about. It's that river Exor mentioned.

"Ah, the river. We are going in the right direction. Follow the river." Friis said.

Zala began galloping along with the river and kept going for 20 minutes. Then I see the river taking a curve.

"At this point, keep going forward." said Friis pointing forward.

Zala continued going straight unlike the river's direction and have found the strange gate Friis mentioned.

"It's a Torii gate." I thought. Those are the kind of gates in Japan. The one I'm seeing is out of stone unlike the usual ones out of wood and is painted red.

I see two onis wielding spears that is guarding the gate entrance and have noticed me. They crossed their spears in front of the entrance.

"What is your purpose? We are in the middle of a crisis." one oni stated.

"I am Friis, the goblin chieftain. I request that you let us in as it is serious." Friis said. The two oni's look at each other.

"We know who you are, chieftain Friis. We will let you in, but can you guarantee that the human child beside you is trustworthy?" the oni guard said, pointing his finger at me.

"I'm trustworthy. I promise I won't cause trouble." I said, pointing my thumb at myself. The oni guard is unconvinced.

"You say that, yet you hold a halberd and ride a large horse." the oni guard said. I understand they're not convinced. A human child wielding a big-ass halberd and a black big-ass horse coming up to someone's crib is suspicious.

Just before I begun to speak, a loud booming voice.

"I SMELL A STRONG PRESENCE!!!"

A voice so loud, the leaves quivered, the smaller animals ran away, startled from the voice.

*Neiiigh!*

Zala whined and began kicking the air, the oni guards pointed their spears at us when she became startled.

"Calm down, Zala! You'll throw us back!" I said as I tried to pet her, but we felt our Perception skills kick in.

Zala turned around and ran away from the onis as the guards are no longer a threat, there is a threat that overwhelms them.

*Whooosh!*

A speeding figure jumps over the stone torii gate and over the guards.

*BOOM!!*

The figure crashes into the ground, kicking a plume of dirt and debris. We jumped off of Zala and I ready my halberd.

"So, who just jumped over the gate?" I said.

"I feared that he would come, of all people." Friis said. "He's very aggressive when he senses a strong opponent, even the ones stronger than himself."

Friis turns to look at Zala, assuming she is in danger of what is to come.

[Warning! Incoming attack!]

I looked and saw a big red fist coming at my face.

*SWOOSH!*

I dove out of the way and I felt a strong gust of wind coming from that fist. A fist that large and that fast could at least give someone a skull fracture. I dashed away from the fist while holding my halberd.

"How can you attack an innocent ordinary human!?" Friis yelled. Friis must be trying to guilt trip him.

"That 'innocent' child not only noticed me, he dodged my fist. He's neither ordinary nor innocent." a deep angry voice said.

As the dust settles, I see a tall oni with red skin. His red skinned body is muscular and his arms and torso have various scars in the form of claws and blades. As I see his face, he has a white thick mustache, a goatee, thick white eye brows. He also has two dark red horns slightly above his forehead.

The oni began emitting red aura from his shoulders as I see his angry face. I stand up straight and plant my halberd upward.

"Wow, you must really hate children, don't you?" I said in sarcasm.

"I do not care if it's a child or an elder." the oni said.

"Gourai, stop this madness! He did not come here to fight!" Friis said.

"Stay out of this, Friis. The Hellkins have made our living harder than it is and now Humans are involved." Gourai said. "And you, boy. Take your horse and never show your face again. For I will not repeat myself!"