Senjira desert. Part 3

Sheyken touched Ruby uncourteously. The group had started moving again after they had finished processing the Wemongu. It was what Exzola had called the beast. He said it was one of the beasts that are born smart. They would try to copy the way its prey hunted other beasts from a young age and try to imitate it, taking what works for it and leaving the rest. Since humans have been traveling through the desert for many years now, their favorite prey had become them. It had come to grow arms and legs like that of humans and pass the traits to the next generation, together with how humans used mana.

'Scary.'

Sheyken had thought. He was still shocked that Victicus was a Beast warrior and some of what they had told him had gone in one ear and out of the other one. He had asked for more information from the two with them giving him a horror of an answer.

"Sorry young legend, information about him is limited out there. Even though you boys are Honorary guild members, we will have to ask for compensation. One mana crystal for every ear the two of you have."

The answer quickly brought his mind from shock to unconsciously protecting the guardian of his wealth which was Ruby. He and Falgur left after they had finished processing the Wemongu and saying 'No! is a full sentence' to the two as he could not help but think that everyone in the Desert guild overcharged for just information, especially the Guild Master. Ruby was still recovering from bleeding so many mana crystals just to hear part of the information about 'White sacrifice'.

As they walked and while playing with Ruby, making her appear all around his body, including the tip of his nose which made him laugh, he thought about how overpowered Seduralto was but given that she was a third-tier mage about to try and advance to fourth-tier, he thought to himself it was inevitable for her to have such overpowered spells. He looked at Lariote who was trying his best to not show to his new master that he was struggling and felt sorry for the guy. It looked like he had the resolve to follow Sheyken even in bad shape than staying in Senjira with him unable to grow and with death looming over his head in years to come.

He then looked at Falgur who was again walking with Esiyana even after he had received a scorching clap from her. Her mother was beside her and her eyes were curiously looking at Falgur for some reason. They were not wearing their armor as it made them seem out of place walking with the group. He failed to understand the curiosity in her eyes as she was so focused on him. Remembering what Sisilana said to Falgur before they left, he thought she was thinking something amongst those lines and that would explain her curiosity towards him. He looked towards the sky and thought of Victicus and the day he told them about the White sacrifice.

"Falgur, one of your presents must have sacrificed themselves, right?"

Falgur nodded like his father had asked him the question.

"And she was a White witch?"

"Yes, it was my mother who sacrificed herself the day I was born. My father also told me she was a White witch."

"I see. Well, boys, out there you will hear the words 'White witch' and Black or Dark witch being used a lot. Do you want to pay more Sheyken to learn about the differences between the two?"

Sheyken knew at that point that he had been targeted by the big bad wolf trying to take his eggs away by the sale of information he might get later in his life anyway.

"No, I am going to school someday so I am sure I will get to find out."

He said trying to stop the bleeding of Ruby who was for sure crying right then.

"Awe, I am not so sure about that, but there is no hurry, you are free to come to me anytime you need or want to ask something."

Sheyken nodded.

"In the magic society they have generalized good witches as White witches, but that name means something totally different to those who have come to understand Uros and the days of old. The saying that says 'White witches are loved by Uros' should not be taken lightly, for it is true. Do you care to pay some more to hear the history behind witches?"

Victicus asked. He would tease the boys with information dripping with honey but it being guarded by a Honey Bear which would trade mana crystals for just a test. Sheyken shook his head and Falgur laughed in his head as he saw this exchange. He thought the old man was crafty and a true mage who would do anything for mana crystals.

"Ok then, let us continue. The name 'White witch' long ago was given to those who receive a Blessing from Uros herself. This was a form of payment and retribution for what a powerful witch which Dark witches call All mother did. All mother is another name for Uros and you will hear White witches call her that. So boys, do not confuse the two."

The boys nodded.

"Since you paid such little amount, I shall move on."

Sheyken was crying inside. If 200 mana crystals were a small amount for this information, he wondered how much all of it cost.

"To put the long story short, 'White witches' worship Uros and Dark witches worship All mother. She had a name but I am sure you will find out since you going to school."

Victicus said trying to bait Sheyken to ask for it. Sheyken did not, so with a broken heart he continued.

"Your mother must have been a real White witch. I do not know if she knew what kind of Blessing she had received from Uros, but only White witches can make a White sacrifice. They give up the right to have the Blessing and their lives in order to perform a miracle."

Sheyken was surprised together with Falgur.

"In your case, it might be to protect you from something or to make you stronger amongst many things she could have sacrificed herself for. I shall not pry into why she did this but what I am getting at is that in many cases, the person's experiences get passed on to the intended person the sacrifice is for."

Sheyken was listening attentively.

"Sheyken, does he seem to sometimes talk like he is an adult with experience?"

Sheyken was surprised. If what Victicus was saying was true, it would explain why he sometimes talked like he had experience in some situations and gave advice a grown person would. He thought about all the time they spent together and everything clicked.

'Is this why Falgur's father was so adamant for me to put my trust on him and tell him my situation with him saying that Falgur will surely help me? Did he know all this?'

Sheyken asked himself.

"Yes, he does."

"Well then, I am happy to have brought you two closer. Understanding each other is a part of growing up as brothers."

Victicus said with a smile.

Sheyken was relieved. He did not know when he had started to suspect Falgur, but he was starting to play with the possibility of him being one of the 9 Guardian children. He did not know how to feel for even starting to doubt him.

As he remembered the conversation the group marched on. They reached an oasis that was also full of greenery after a month of walking and constant battles with desert beasts. It looked like the more Salina fought, the more she become an efficient killing machine. She was killing beasts left and right and Sheyken thought he once saw her smile while observing her slaughtering some beast that looked like Velociraptor dinosaurs.

"We shall rest here for 5 days so the children can recover their stamina. Make your selves at home and feel free to move around. I will make sure the place is safe during the 5 days we spend here. So, do not worry but stay close to the oasis, do not move away from it or you just might die."

The warning was clear to everyone. That night, the wine tested just a little bit sweeter for those who drank and the meat tested so flavorful for those who ate. Knowing they would have to not walk the next day made everyone loosen up. Sheyken who had come back from a swim with Falgur in the oasis past by some adventures who were having a great time with Lasore in the mix.

"Awe! young legends, come sit with us. We have some meat and sweets here."

Hearing the words sweets, Falgur just left his side and went to sit with the guys. Sheyken had no choice but to follow. They sat next to Lasore who's cheeks were red. As they sat next to the fire, they smiled to see Lariote coming to join them. He had recovered substantially during that month and if it was not for the bandage and missing eye, you could say he was back to his old self. The only thing was that the two girls did not even want to look at him. Exzola and Tapona also came and joined them.

"Well, now, I cannot miss a chance to sit with the young legends of Senjira. Make way you punks. The master has relieved as for the 5 days we are here. I need a drink that would make me dream of Uros in my sleep."

Exzola said while setting down with the three adventurers who were sitting and one laying down with Lasore making way.

"And how are you going to dream of her when you have never seen her, Exzola?"

One asked as he gave him a cup of wine.

"Solmo and Tsenuyi told me how she looks, and a goddess she is. You do know she was made for me, right? She comes to Beast warriors because she is still looking for me, her long lost lover thinking I would be a Beast warrior"

Exzola said making the other laugh.

"Who are Solmo and Tsenuyi?"

Sheyken asked Lariote.

"The two Beast warriors who tried to take your armor."

"Awe.

As he replied Lariote, Sheyken saw Falgur's hand going for Lasores wine which he had put down next to him. Plot Armor came out like a shark as he almost chopped Falgur's hand off with him slashing between his hand and the wine.

"Don't you dare."

Sheyken said like a protective brother with his voice full of gravel.

"What now... are we going to see a fight between two Finis!"

One of the three who were initially sitting down with Lasore said out loud.

"Fight, fight, fight."

All the people around said out loud trying to perpetuate a fight between the two except for Lariote. They were disappointed to see Falgur take his hand away like it had been slapped while he was trying to do something he wasn't supposed to do.

"Guess we know who the big brother is."

Tapona said. Sheyken just put Plot Armor back into Ruby in awe of everyone there. They chose to think that it was their wine that was making them see things and Sheyken did not just make a sword disappear with him not having a storage ring.

"Let me introduce you before they get too drunk."

Lariote said to the boys.

"You have already met Exzola and Tapona,"

He said pointing at the two.

"That is Laker."

He pointed at the man next to him who looked nothing but ordinary.

"Next to him is Pilalo."

He was an old gentleman who had a rough beard and black hair that was starting to go grey in some parts, signaling his old age. A section of his hair was already all grey almost like how Nanna's was and he did not like looking at the man since he reminded him of her.

"The last guy over there who can never sit on his butt is Butt Chaser."

He said pointing at an adventurer laying on the ground

"Who?"

Falgur asked and the rest of the group together with Lasore laughed

"As I said, Butt Chaser"

The boys joined in as they could not help but laugh. The adventurer was not in the slightest offended.

"Why would your parents give you such a name?"

Sheyken could not help but ask.

"He was not given it by his parents but by us."

Lariote said laughing.

"Butt Chaser, do you want to tell them the story or should I?"

Butt Chaser just sighed.

"I will tell them. You guys will just spice it up and say stuff that never happened if I don't."

The group laughed even harder. After they quieted down, he started telling his story.

"I once spent two weeks in the Trial Forest, facing trial after trial and winning my fights without a scratch. It was something akin to having to kiss the princes of Senjira. It would just never happen."

All the men nodded their heads like they knew what he was talking about.

"I had started going deeper and deeper after the first week since I had gained confidence. After two weeks of luck being on my side, law and behold, I had come to be in the Benevolent woods. A part only a few have seen as it takes some a month to even reach it from Senjira since you have to fight a beast of equal strength each day you are in the Trial Forest, making such a journey tiresome and dangerous since you could die any day."

The boys were surprised to hear about the Benevolent woods.

"I think it was a part of the Benevolent woods that stretched near Sinjira and I have chanced upon it by luck. Awe, the rules are different there, but I swallowed my fear and told myself to explorer it thinking I might come across something rare."

Falgur gulped. It was like his story had turned into a horror story for him.

"And something rare I did find. I chanced upon a cab that looked like a cross between a Sunga Bear and a slime."

Sheyken did not know what a Sunga Bear was, but he knew what beast had such cabs. A beast he was fine with never meeting again in his life.

"Now I came to think that the cab had come to find me rather than me chancing upon it. Anyways, praising my luck, I pounced upon it, attacking it and wanting to finish it quickly and get out of there. I managed to pin it down using my fire arrow spell but it let out a cry I had never heard from any other beast before."

Sheyken knew exactly what would come next in his story as he knew the mistake Butt Chaser made.

"Out of nowhere, a larger one that was big as a horse carriage come into view moving slowly in my direction. It looked so... Well, I still do not know how to describe it but it was a bigger vision of the cab."

"What happened next?"

Falgur asked impatiently.

"I froze. I did not know what to do as I knew I could not run away from that beast and it was walking slowly like it knew that. When it reached the cab, its hair that also looked slimy formed hands that looked like tentacles, removing the arrow and putting the cab on its back. When it finished and looked at me, I could see it judging me like I had gone too far with what I did or something. I had never seen such intelligent eyes from a beast."

Falgur gulped again

"At that moment something told me I should just run. I turned my back on it and started running. I felt a 'tag' on my buttocks but the fear of dying was too much such that I kept on running. I happened to look back to see if it was chasing me but it just stood there now having something in its jaws. I ran as fast as I could until I got out of those woods. When I realized I was not in the Benevolent woods, the adrenaline subsided and I felt that my left leg was wet."

"And?"

Falgur was so in tune with the story he almost looked cute as he asked.

"I thought I had pissed myself, but when I looked down, I saw that it was not the case. I had blood all over my left leg. Not knowing where it came from, I felt the back of my body. When I reached my butt, I felt that my left butt cheek was missing. It must have been what that beast had in its mouth."

"Wahaha, serves you right for thinking you can take a stroll in the Benevolent woods."

Exzola said laughing out loud. Butt Chaser stood up and turned around. When the boys saw that the right side of his butt was round and full and his left side had nothing but air and with the pants her wore making it obvious, they could not help but laugh.

"We call him Butt Chaser because he will always be chasing his butt and never find it as he vowed to never go into the Benevolent woods ever again. This makes him look at peoples Butts in envy, wahaha"

The boys felt sorry for the guy, but they could not help but laugh at his misfortunes. Him being unfazed and playful about it all made the evening memorable for the boys as the others shared their own misfortunes they had experienced in the Trial Forest. The boys had thought that they were one with the guild after the adventurers naming them 'Legends' but it was that night they truly felt like they belonged.

"So today is the day."

"What day?"

"The day we all represent all the man of Senjira."

Exzalo said with the others knowing what he was talking about except for the boys. They were amazed that Lasore also knew what he was talking about. The sun was about to come up and they had been up all night sharing stories.

"There is a place in the oasis that always has its water at a constant temperature. When we made this journey on other occasions, we have come to realize that when the sun comes up, it is when the two ladies take their baths before the other girls do."

Sheyken was not liking where he was going with his talk.

"The day we see the master and the princes naked is upon us man. Today we make history. Let us commence operation 'DO NOT DIE'!"

Even the name of their so-called operation was something he did not want to associate himself with. Them being drunk did not make him see the mission even having a chance to succeed

"Boys, we march to our deaths with pride. Let us share one last drink."

All the man nodded with Falgur nodding his head with vigor. Only Sheyken was having second thoughts as he knew if they got caught, they might actually die. Making the mistake of picturing Salina naked made the devil in him share the enthusiasm of the group and made him think with his third leg for the second time he was in Uros.