Vermillion season (4): A gloath

*SWISH!*

The silver scythe slashed right above Alara's head. The speed of it caused the wind to change its direction, following the movement of Melissa's attack. Alara ducked at the nick of time, a few strands of her hair flutters and landed on the ground from the attack.

"Quick, but not sufficient," Alara commented as she swung the grip of her sword, targetting Melissa's abdomen.

"Obvious enough," Melissa replied as she counter-attacked with a kick, changing the trajectory of Alara's momentum.

Alara chuckled at the sight, her sword still firm in her grip. Once Melissa got back on her two feet, the scythe flew again, slashing from right to left in an amiable speed.

*CLANG!*

The two weapons clashed with each other. Sparks of mana formed from the contact of the two weapons, proving the power behind it. Melissa pushed the scythe forward with her mana, causing Alara to stagger a bit, but not for long. Alara's eyes shone and she stood back to her stability.

*CRACK-CKLE!*

Alara glanced down on the ground that began to crack from the single clashing, then back to the fiery eyes of Melissa.

"The mana control is good," she praised before parring away the scythe.

Melissa got pushed back, leaving her guard down and open for an attack. Taking the chance, Alara targeted her scythe instead and thrust it onto the ground.

*BOOMM!*

The ground exploded from four points in a line, separating the two by the impact of it. Alara managed to sense the mana prior to the explosion and jumped away just before it went off, causing the trajectory of her attack to miss her aim. Melissa also leaped to her right, catching the scythe that was thrusted away by Alara.

"Mana trap?" Alara asked with interest.

"I just learned how to fill spaces with mana. It sorts of act like an invisible explosives," Melissa explained.

"Impressive!" Alara exclaimed in response.

She had always seen the potential in Melissa, especially in creating something unthinkable. Melissa is someone who could use her powers to the optimum level. If anything happened to Alara, Melissa is her hope to be the next 'Leader'.

*But her meek personality needed fixing,* was what she thought to herself.

Melissa stood firmly, holding the scythe in her right hand before asking,"Does that mean I can go to Arlos tomorrow?"

"Hm….," Alara pondered awhile before replying," You should at least leave a scratch on me."

"Just a scratch?"

"Yes, that's all."

"Then," she pointed at Alara's left arm before continuing, "does that mean I passed?"

Seeing that reaction, Alara moved her gaze onto her left arm. Indeed, there was a scratch that almost healed at the moment. When she turned to her back, she could see a small needle shining, reflecting the ray of light from the rising sun. It has been the break of dawn without her noticing.

"Did you threw it during the explosion? I didn't saw it," Alara admitted.

"I blocked it from your view by adjusting the space around the needle. The skill is still sluggish, though," Melissa replied humbly.

"Had it been poisoned, it could be lethal."

"….it is poisoned," Melissa corrected.

"Ah, no wonder it healed slightly slower," Alara nodded.

Fiddling her fingers, Melissa shifted a bit before adding rather excitedly, "I-it's the latest version of poison I made using Blightbloom!"

At the mention of her creation, Alara could notice the spark of passion in her eyes. Alara looked at her proudly as she nodded in understanding. She slowly approached her, placing a hand on Melissa's shoulder with a satisfied smile. At the sudden gesture, Melissa blinked a few times and stared at her leader cluelessly.

"You may go to Arlos."

"Really??" Melissa jumped in joy. "Ahhh, how I've waited for the chance! I can't wait to see the babies!" She squeeled in a high pitched tone.

As Melissa began to make her plans while muttering to herself, Alara stood quietly, watching the light came to life, both from Melissa and the morning sun.

*It must be pleasant to have such compassion,* Alara thought to herself.

Melissa is four years older than her, although she doesn't look her age. However, they both entered the team on the same year. Alara at 15, Melissa at 19. Due to her shy personality, she doesn't stand out. The only time she would speak was when mythical creatures were discussed. That was also why Alara became the candidate to be a leader instead of her.

"Then, leader. I shall return first!" Melissa told her rather excitedly.

"Go ahead. When will you be leaving for Arlos?"

"First thing in the morning tomorrow! I'll have to unload the things in my storage first. I'll help out as much as I could today, too!"

"That would be much appreciated."

With obvious joy, Melissa turned and left for the camp, leaving Alara by herself. She sat there, enjoying the breeze of early morning when another thing approached her yet again.

*Mbekk!*

Hearing the peculiar sound, the surprised Alara immediately searched for it's source.

*Mbekk?*

Her eyes came to a halt on a small animal. White fur, silver horn. The eyes especially shone so brightly.

"A gloath? Perhaps you're the one Melissa was looking for," Alara mumbled as she reached her arm to that particular animal.

A gloath is a hybrid of a goat and a mythical creature named Glimm. The creature usually resides in a stony area or a desert. It's size is the same as a normal goat, but particularly light in weight and has a uniquely patterned, twisted horns.

*This one is still a baby,* Alara thought.

*Mbek!*

The gloath jumped around and produces sparkles of light everytime its feet tapped the ground. Alara withdrew her arm and quietly watched the gleeful gloath.

"Is it happy?" Alara pondered. "Melissa would be in joy if she got this little one."

After she regained her energy, Alara got onto her feet again, putting on her coat and sheathing her sword by her hips. The gloath was still there, playing around by itself.

"I'm leaving, go find your parents," she said.

However, the little gloath followed her, instead.

"The terrain is rough, I won't bring you along."

"Mbek-ek!"

The gloath insisted on following nevertheless.

"…suit yourself then," Alara sighed.

She began to jump down the cliff and landed cleanly on one small surface. She followed back her tracks all the way until the soil became visible from her eyes.

*Sparkle*

The dumbfounded Alara turned and stopped on a large boulder. She could see the white-furred gloath still tailing her.

"Mbek!" The gloath exclaimed happily.

Sigh.