Chapter 8: Unexpected Danger

*Chirp*2Melodies sung by the birds pronounces the morning comes."Waky-waky", Wain playfully wakes Fay up.Fay had buried himself under Wain's arm, probably sniffing him while asleep. Wain wonders what he smells like that Fay liked it so much.'mmmhh', Fay frowned and turned around and lift his blanket more, not wanting to wake up.Wain went to poke his cheek and sniffs his neck.He smells like vanilla. It's a perfume he happens to get when a wandering caravan visits.'I will bite if you don't'.Wain went to put his ear's under his lips.Fay grumbled and turned around.His eyes are still closed but he just hugged Wain and drag him back to laying down on bed. He moves his hand to grope Wain's tower and caresses it making it stand proud."W-We have an escort mission today remember?".Fay moved his head a bit to lay on top of Wain's 6 packed stomach. His fingers went to fiddle the bells under the tower. He kissed Wain's tummy while at it."Fay-". Wain voice already becomes weak.Fay woke up sleepishly."Okay…". His eyes are half closed.And Fay just went to the bath to wash himself.…Why Fay like to tease him like this. He always makes him late to the party's meeting doing this to him.Urghh how can control himself.Fay really do like to tease Wain. Seeing it excited, he felt loved and wanted. Sort of. You know, its like having someone you liked showing their desire towards you.Wain followed Fay to the bath. A little here and there to freshen up they say.After so, Fay went to wash Wain's hair. Although he's higher than Fay, his hand can still reach it. He took the liberty to play with Wain's ears, folding it as he got reminded of scottish fold variety of cat. He even washes his back for him and caresses his tail. Wain muscly arm makes it hard for him to reach his own back after all.Wain looks at his lover.What happens to the cute and shy Fay? It's been 2 months since they were dating but it felt like they were married at times since they moved in together.He noticed Fay really starts to give him undivided attention since they dated properly. They get very close quickly as Fay gradually loses his shyness towards him day by day, as they shared their body more and more.Fay seems really happy to be with him. He never asked anything from him. He really just likes his company. He really just likes to look at him and be with him.Honestly it even scares Wain. No one has ever shown that much affection to him before.He never thought about settling before. And when he dated new people, it was really just because of mutual liking and he wanted to feel some excitement or something.He felt that he was too young to commit and settle for a single person. And his parents told him they wanted him to bring a wife or two and have many grandkids when he left the capital to be independent.And he really is not confident at how his parents would take the news of him, settling with Fay, who's a guy. Maybe he could adopt some children but… does Fay want a child? He's not sure.When it comes to the same sex relationship, while no one condemns it or anything, there are a portion who might have negative view on it. Saying it's 'unnatural', or that when they would feel disgusted if it's them – so they project it onto others.Although he never really sees Fay as a man, but he acknowledged he had that part. He can't say he's gay, and Fay is the first guy he ever dated and did things with. And the only person he felt so close with.These things that never crossed his mind eventually got brought up into his head at some point.Wain felt like trash thinking this. He does likes Fay. He likes him very much. Committing however, is a very different thing. He can't immediately firm himself to love Fay and marry him for life.Maybe Fay haven't said it verbally, but Wain is sure he loves him. Love is a very heavy word.And the way Fay had looked at him, had treated him, it's beyond just girlfriends/boyfriends. When Fay went to cook for him, do his laundry for him, fold his cloths for him, massage his body after he got tired fighting beasts, he felt loved truly. Although he do feel bad when Fay do things that he considers he as a grown man should have done it himself.He's not ready for commitment really. And although he felt very happy, he felt anxious and scared for petty reasons.He feels like a jerk at times, thinking like this.They keep all items necessary for the escort mission. It's to escort a massive trading caravan from a very large company. They are bringing luxurious goods from another kingdom to the capital.His parents also happen to live in the capital. He should visit them when they reach them. He starts to make his plan and firm his resolution. He wants to introduce Fay to them. He's anxious at what they would think.Everyone gathered at promised time. A long march of caravan is definitely very enticing to rob on the way.Half of them guard the front and other half guard the back. Fay, Wain and Amber are together in the carriage at the back.There are also few normal guards around riding horses to survey and scout the surrounding area.They travelled across villages and small towns. It's all good and dandy.…But something unexpected (but possible) happened.Unfortunately, at night on the 2nd day when the hunchback beasts carrying the caravans is resting, the bandits had come to attack when it's passing through a desolate road in a sparse forest. "Bandits!". A guard screamed out when he noticed them.The robbers had been eyeing the caravan. They are luxurious goods after all. Every member is ready to protect themselves and the goods.The robbers of this world are ruthless. They would kill.Fay is afraid because it's his first-time handling humans. He's afraid to hurt them. He's afraid of killing another human being. His hand and feet are slightly shaken.Eventually the robbers come with masks on their faces and weapons in their hands.It's a very large group! More than 20 people! This is very unexpected.The party felt anxious.The fierce burly bandit leader screamed out his command.'Kill and plunder! Who killed most gets the most!'. The bandit with scarred cheek and fierce look said loudly, commencing it.The caravan is surrounded. The supervisor and caravan driver had already hidden themselves inside a carriage.Few of the bandits threw projectiles magic, arrows and throwing knives at the 2 different teams.Amber and Fay use Waterwall + Windwall. Wain block with his explosive flaming sword attack.On the other side, Lisa makes a durable earth wall to protect the sides. Trevor tanked any that missed.Then the melee assault comes. The bandit leader and 9 others went straight to Fay's team. While the other 10 bandit group went to Trevor's team."Target the mages at the back first", the leader spoke.The bandit leader went to attack Wain, the melee of the group. Although Wain is already promoted to Gold level, he struggles with the bandit leader. But that's not the problem.The problem is 9 people are assaulting Fay and Amber!Fay!!!Wain starts to think they are really underpaid for this.Elvis spins his head. He too felt the same way as Wain.He climbed the earth wall and shot his arrows swiftly. And Lisa occasionally threw some rock bullets across. They manage to kill or incapacitate 3 of them.The rest of the bandits managed to climb the earth wall and went straight to them. Trevor blocked the 3-melee assault with his smaller shield and short-sword fighting in melee.While 2 bandits team went straight to Lisa and Elvis.Elvis took out his curved sword and used wind enchantment on his body. Elvis managed to take out one of the bandits but he got hit with a Wind Cutter cutting a wound on his chest and sent him flying back. The bandit now is casting magic towards Lisa. Elvis won't let him! He shoots an arrow straight to his head.Lisa too manages to incapacitate the 2 guys approaching here with her fast control of earth magic.Lisa uses a mini-Earth wall to make the bandits approaching her lose their footings.One of them threw a throwing axe but Lisa intercepted it with a stone bullet in an instant. But it only manages to redirect it sideways, still managing to slash her thigh.She winced in pain before regaining her focus.She simply uses more stone bullets to finish them off.'Shit'.Trevor cursed as his arm got stabbed by one of the bandits.Thankfully his pain resistance is the highest as he takes the most beating for so long. He already incapacitated one bandit.Lisa took the liberty to shoot stone bullets to finish off the guys assaulting Trevor at front.Elvis just lay down and sat bat, poured anaesthetic and healing potion onto his large wound. It's deep but not fatal. He looked at the side to see if they could handle it.Lisa probably is close to running out of mana. He hopes they can fend them off.Lisa winced in pain and took an anaesthetic potion and healing potion pouring them all over the wound as well. Lisa had run out of mana and still went to the other group to throw last 2 or 3 more stone bullets to help.On the other side. This bandit is crazy. They don't care if they destroy some of the products. The caravan few losses isn't much since they do have much more to loot.The number of bandits and their skills surpassed their expectations.Wain fiercely counters the leader bandit sword like they are dancing.Clang! Clang! Clang!The bandit leader cursed seeing his other team get annihilated just like that. It's 10 vs 3 and they still can't do it?He looks at what happens on the back.While Fay had always kept his space magic a secret to outsiders, he had no choice this time.Amber uses her water bullets spell fast shooting heavy balls. It can't be compared to earth magic instant spells because it lacks structure and power.It's not strong enough!She only manages to take cause 2 of the bandits to be pushed back and slightly injured, while the other 3 fierce men managed to close in to her.A bandit swings his blade.Amber can't even scream and only close her eyes in fear. Her death is coming.The blade slashed into a white portal!And another portal appears behind the bandit at the same time, slashing him with his own attack!Spurt! Blood flashed out a straight wound on the bandit's back.Amber opened his eyes in surprise and look at Fay with his hand hovering towards her."BOSS! WE NEED HELP HERE!".The other bandit is hesitant to attack now. What the fuck was that?Fay used his space magic to redirect a fireball thrown at him and hit the mage back, killing him by surprise.He used his portal again as he is stabbed in his chest by an assailant, only for the blade to comes out of the assailant owns chest.Of course, he can't dodge or redirect everything.An arrow flies straight Fay's neck piercing it completely! A spray of blood spurted before stopping.But Fay already closed his pain senses and his body is a zombie so he really is fine.But Wain saw this and lost his composure!Fay!!!He screamed out and looked at the arrow piercing Fay's neck."Kid, your opponent is me!".The bandit took the chance to slash a wide wound open on Wain's shoulder.He winced in pain and took held his sword firm. His eyes still went to Fay.Fay…Fay is still holding well and is close to killing them all. He overreacted it seems… Although the arrow still sticking in his neck.He looked at Fay, with an arrow sticking out, still have the ability to use his spells and cut the limbs off the bandits one by one. He had a confusion in his head.The bandit leader took the chance to do another big swing.Wain lost his focus and got slashed deep into his chest. Blood spurts out.He fell down from his injury. Blood flowed out of his body forming a pool of red under him.Burning pain, followed by tiredness.The grip slowly loosens, releasing the sword he held. He can't move anymore.Fay finally does the last swing to the last bandit. He dodged, but Fay stabbed the air in front of him, into a portal, the blade stabbed out from the bandit side, fatally injuring him.He looks at the Wain."W-Wain!".He saw Wain had just fallen down with blood pool forming beneath him.Lisa and Amber quickly shoot all projectile spells onto the bandit leader.The bandit leader decides to retreat under the assault. But he glared at Fay one last time."Space magic…", he muttered.He can't believe his assault failed. The earth mage is very strong and can instantly cast basic spells with high accuracy.He didn't expect a mage capable of such combat. As for the black-haired boy there. He's the worst problem.He thought a mere Silver Tier adventurer party of 6 won't be too much so he brought a third of his bandit group that's staying at their base.He clenched his fist. He will remember that kid. He fled like the wind into the dark forest. Lisa still tried to throw the Rock Javelin she had chanted for a while but it missed. Lisa fell down on her knees due to her mana exhaustion.Amber, Lisa, and Trevor went to see Wain who's resting on the ground filled with pool of scarlet with heartache. And noticed the arrow sticking out of Fay's neck.…"Wain… Wain…".Fay already crawled and poured all anaesthetics and healing potions he had onto Wain's body.His wound only heals slightly but the blood is still flowing."Wain…". Tears flowed down his cheek. So much tears covers his eyes, even blurring his vision.Wain opened his eyelids. Only half of them."Fay…". He looked at Fay who still had an arrow deeply embedded into his neck. Blood trickled from there as well.He's a bit confused. Maybe it's because he's felt like dying. Maybe it's just an illusion. But Fay is still fine it seems.Fay… I am sorry for still thinking of petty things. You cried so much for me… Wain had his last thoughts.'I love you…'. Wain let out his last word before closing his eyes."No! No!! Wake up… Don't close your eyes… No….". Fay soul gem is tainted and filled with grimes.'Please…. Not again…'. The dark grimes almost fully fill his soul gem.Kyubey who had watched the battle spoke urgently.'Fay. Quickly transform and use your portal to go to Eli. She can heal him'.Fay is shocked. He remembered now. His power with space magic had grown enough. He can cross long distance now with people but he needs to transform to unlock his full power still.The soul gem in his hand shines a bright silver light covering him.[Transformation scene]Lisa, Amber, Trevor and Elvis are all shocked at this transformation and the aura emanating from Fay.A fairy warrior adorning silver armour. That's the word they could describe.Fay quickly carried Wain's body with his enhanced magical form strength. He used remaining magic to form a portal with Eli in his mind. White spatial cracks slowly open a portal. Fay stepped inside.… Eli who's asleep is awakened by a bright white light blinding her eyes.???She looked and saw a white spatial crack. A silver elegant warrior with white hair carrying a bloodied body comes out of it. She was shocked. And she realised who it was."Fay!?".'Eli! Please save him. Please. Quick!".Fay quickly rushed and put Wain down. Fay had tears in his eyes. He prayed to the goddess who brought him here to let Wain live.Eli without hesitation use all her healing power. But the wound doesn't change.Eli finally uses her magic transformation for the second time.[Transformation scene]She wore a white outfit with green vest and a green mushroom hat with white polka dots.She held a White Bell flower (her magical girl weapon), ringing them.Ting! Ting! Ting!Green light illuminates as phantom grass, mushrooms and butterflies and greeneries grow around Wain's body. Green light forms around his wound, finally closing it and healing them at a speed visible to human eyes."Wain…".'Fay, quickly purify your soul gem. You won't hold up for long'. Kyubey quickly reminded Fay.Fay felt his soul gem. It's really blackened and very dimmed. If he stayed in his magic form another few seconds, he would die.He quickly takes out 2 magic crystals from his inventory space and cleanse his soul gem. It becomes clear and bright as new.Kyubey does wonder if the law of the cycle works in this world. And to be honest, he had wanted to experiment and let Fay fall into despair. He could have not reminded him about his power and just watch what happens.But something in him changes slightly with the time he spent with Fay. With him separated from the hiveminds, and no longer care about heat death of the universe, he does care for Fay in his own way. You could say, if Fay died, he truly loses his 'purpose' in this world. And there's always other magical girls he could contract and observe. It's not worth losing Fay for.So, he tells him he should go to Eli.…"He's safe now. His vital signs are completely restored and stable. He just needs to rest for awhile before he wakes up". Eli let out a sigh of relief.Fay took another magic crystal and gave it to Eli.'Eli. Thank you. Thank you so much'. Fay finally cried it all out.His hands are shaking from killing humans for the very first time. And from almost losing Wain. If he hadn't hesitated and used his power all out Wain don't have to suffer this injury. Eli went to hug and pat Fay's back.…[Back at the caravan]They are very confused at what the hell is going on.The caravan goods are slightly damaged. But that's alright because ultimately lives are more important.The Supervisor of the caravan felt his heart moving here and there from the beginning. From being scared, to relief, to scared again, and then to aww and shock!He watched what's going on from the small glass window.Not to mention that power of space. There's another power as he sees Fay transforms into a white angelic warrior. He wonders if he is a hero from the legend, or a saint representing a god. Should he keep it a secret or tell his boss about it? He considers it.Elvis also is heavily injured and Fay completely forgets and didn't notice him. But still, with potions he already closed his wounds and he just need rest now.He does have an idea where they went to. Fay naturally has power of space and it doesn't take a brain to guess he can travel across vast distance now.Elvis don't take it to the heart that Fay forgets him. Those couple loved each other too much that everyone else is really just a side character. Elvis sighed. Maybe he too should find a woman soon.Trevor, Lisa, Amber and Elvis all had their mouth open seeing the scene just now.Seeing Wain dying is already making their hearts break down. And the arrow sticking across Fay's neck is already so bizarre. But seeing Fay's true power shocked them even more."Do you think, Wain is safe?". Trevor spoke. He's worried and can't handle the thought of losing his close friend.Elvis shared his thought.'I think he went to see Eli'.Everyone nodded at the assumption. And they are right on the money.Elvis finally says his final complaint."We aren't paid enough for this".Everyone nodded.…[Eli's house]"Fay, what happened?".Fay starts to talk shortly about their escort mission. She nodded in understanding."They must be injured as well. Take me to them".Fay agreed at this idea. Fay once again opened his spatial portal. Cracks forms and opens.… "Hey, look!". Lisa noticed the light cracks in the air.A crack in space opens up and Fay, with Eli, went out together. Eli is in her mushroom hat Magical Girl uniform."Fay!".The team members flock to them. They asked how Wain is, and instead of talking nonsense, the team members directly enter the portal and see Wain, resting on bed peacefully with no wound in sight.Everyone let out a breath of relief."Let me heal everyone".Eli once again rung the White Bell flower, her AOE healing magic as phantom grasses and greeneries grow surrounding all of them. All their injuries visibly healed.They all are shocked again. Only Saints can use this kind of AOE healing magic at this fast speed. What is this? Everyone is confused and shocked once again."Uhh… I can accept magic crystals as payment". Eli nonchalantly said.The team is quiet. They had to pay? Although no one asked to be healed, Eli just went out of her way to heal them, and they still had to pay?Still, no one complains and gives a crystal they had and pass it to Eli.Eli shamelessly took them and used one to replenish her soul gem.Everyone thanked Eli and returned back to the caravan. Kyubey on Eli's shoulder said he could tell the other Kyubey when Wain is awake so they could pick him up. Fay nodded. Thanking Eli again.They went back to the caravan through the same portal. Fay untransformed himself back into a normal person.The team is quiet watching this. A lot of emotions that night really. A lot of questions. But they knew Fay kept it hidden because it's his secret. And they respect it.Everyone continued to rest for few more hours while still staying on alert in case the bandit comes back. But they aren't worried much since they already killed all of the bandits that approached them. Sadly, the leader manages to get away.Thankfully the hunchback beast is untouched so they can carry the remaining caravans.They finally reached the capital in the afternoon the next day. Fay is notified Wain is awake the morning he woke up. He will fetch him once they arrive at the inn.They are truly tired. And they planned to stay in the capital for a week as a vacation for the party.Finally, they can rest.