Extenuating Circumstances (6)

"You're just full of surprises today, aren't you?" Jim says with a smile. Sakura's face lights up at his praise. We've basically only ever been criticized by our instructors, so his words are like food to the famished. It feels good to have someone validate your hard work, and I can't help but grin at her sparkling eyes.

"Stay focused," Travis warns. "I know we're all still getting used to each other, but we have to keep alert at all times."

"Right."

"Sorry."

"No need to apologize. I expect you to call me out if I get distracted as well."

"Of course." As if to prove Travis's point, a small group of Acriporcos comes charging out of the darkness. His voice booms against the sudden threat, "Form up!"

Josh raises his hand to form a moat of liquefied soil.

"Just wait a second." Travis pushes the boy's hand down while keeping his eyes on the targets at the front.

"Accelerate!" Sam cries from the middle of the formation. A two-foot wall of dirt rises between us and the hog monsters. They try to avoid the obstruction but end up tumbling to the ground before us.

"Take 'em out." Travis and Josh pounce on the disorganized enemies while arrows fly in from the sides.

"Metapardus!" Yuki shouts from my right. A chill runs down my spine as I see three black panthers stalking toward us. "They must have been hunting the Acriporcos."

She dashes forward to assist the vanguard, but I hold my position. The worst-case scenario right now would be if we were attacked from behind. If it looks like they need my help, I can always jump in, but I'm more useful as a scout now.

Yuki flies past the front line and slams her fist into the face of the front Metapardus.

"Accelerate!"

"Current Wave!"

A sharp boulder rises from the ground and slams into the panther on the right while a bolt of twisting lighting zaps the one on the left. The battle erupts into chaos. Of the seven initial Acriporcos that attacked us, four are still alive. Taking advantage of the disturbance caused by their former predators, they dash past our vanguard.

[Goddammit. Now I've got to get involved.]

I activate Flash Step and cut two of the hogs off before they reach Sam and Shinobu.

"Ironflesh!" I'm not sure if I can kill the two monsters in front of me, but I should be able to buy some time.

"Sakura!" Unconcerned with her own safety, Shinobu shouts to the flower girl who is being targeted by the other two hogs.

"Clean up the rear; we'll hold the front," Travis shouts orders from over his massive shoulder. He and Josh stand side by side to prevent the Metapardus from taking advantage of our weakened center.

I aim my spear point forward to accept the charge of the frontmost Acriporcos and brace myself. The monster is run through the entire length of the shaft, killing it instantly. The weight of its corpse wrenches the spear from my hands. I lower my shoulder as the second hog crashes into me. Pain shoots through my arm as innumerable spines dig into my flesh.

"Converge!"

Two spike-shaped boulders lunge through the ground and impale the monster attacking me. I can see our blood mix together as it drips onto the ground.

"Thanks," I say over my shoulder to the Kinesis mage who just saved me.

"No need to thank me for that; we're just getting started."

I drag myself out from underneath the fallen beast. My first thought goes to Sakura who's being attacked by the other two Acriporcos. My worries prove unfounded when I notice bolts of lighting frying them to a crisp.

"Nice one, Shinobu." She shoots me a thumbs up from her spot near the roasted hogs. Sakura doesn't even look our way. Her attention is completely focused on shooting at the Metapardus. A cool rage glows in her eyes.

I look at the front and see Josh deftly deflecting a swipe to his face. The line is holding. I move to the rear and keep a look out for any more ambushes.

"Hydraulic Punch!" My attention is drawn to Yuki, who seems to be defying the laws of physics right before my eyes. Her fist collides with the shoulder of a Metapardus. It swerves off course due to the force of her attack but then slams against the wall as if hit by an even greater force just a moment later. Yuki moves in and pummels the panther to the ground with the help of the additive force. Each punch is followed by a concussion that gouges the earth. The cavern trembles. After satisfying her lust, Yuki stands up with her fist covered in blood. The other two Metapardus are easily dealt with by the rest of the squad.

"Is everyone okay?"

"I think so." Having stayed at the back for most of the fight, I have a good view of the party and can roughly gauge their condition. I give Travis a quick reply to soothe his worries and then gulp down a health potion to heal the scratches on my shoulder.

"Yup."

"I'm fine."

Everyone gives the green light. Despite our perilous situation, we came out ahead.

"Perfect," Travis says as he claps his hands together. "Let's recap. We held the front well until the Metapardus showed up."

"Then I ran up to support you while Nick stayed back." Yuki accuses me with her glare.

"That was great, actually. I asked the two of you to act at your discretion because I trust you, and that's why Nick, I'm sure, knew you were more than enough help to take on the Metapardus, so he stayed back in case something unexpected occurred." I nod for him to continue. "And it's good he did because our center was opened up by those stupid hogs."

"We should have killed them while they were on the ground," Josh speaks up in a mournful tone. It's clear he blames himself for the formation breaking.