Ambush- The Neo Hero Party Vs The Dragons (PT.1)

Thorjen pov

After the feeling of disorientation had passed, Thorjen felt his world slowly returning to a calm. The warm sunlight beat a tremendous downpour of heat against his bones. Clothing him in what felt like a suit of fire. Softly he opened his eyelids, and his first instincts were of marvel. As he gazed at an endless blue sea stretching as far wide as his eyes could see. A song of pale feathered birds danced across the clear skies, with the glow of the righteous sun covering everything in gold. This would perhaps be the second time Thorjen had met a scene so breathtaking. And on the second side of things he could hardly believe the headmaster’s powers stretched so vast to the point he could transport them across many miles with a wave of his hand. Thorjen sensed a figure store beside him.

Arya had just rose up from the warm soil, dusting her skirt free of the dirt. Her eyes shifted around their surroundings before she finally beheld the beautiful seas before them both.

“Wow, that is quite…beautiful isn’t it?” She remarked shedding away her scowl with a look of wanderlust.

“Very much so, sometimes I wish I could spend my life staring at such beautiful canvases all day.”

Arya broke into a sweet sounding laughter in response , she tried covering her pink mouth with her dainty hands.

“Wha-whats funny?” Thorjen asked slightly embarrassed.

“Nothing-nothing ehehe, it’s just a little surprising that’s all. I didn’t expect you to be such a dreamer.”

‘A dreamer?’ Thorjen thought to himself, he remembered Threyja saying the same thing about him when they were still beneath the guidance of the Azure Feather sect. Suddenly he remembered his childhood friend’s unknown fate and felt a mixture of anxiety and determination rising through his chest. Thorjen joined Arya and rose to his feet. With an air of seriousness now around him, he casted his eyes towards west.

‘Wait for me…I’m coming.’

The borderlands of Gorn were just as the headmaster had depicted them: a harsh terrain teeming with golden underbrush and pockets of dense jungles that gave way to expansive swamps. Throughout their journey, Thorjen and Arya encountered few dangers. The most formidable creatures dwelled high above, out of reach. Thorjen was rendered awestruck by the sight of a griffin soaring overhead. This magnificent creature, with a wingspan that dwarfed any bird Thorjen had ever seen, was unlike anything he had encountered before. Arya reassured him that griffins were generally peaceful, only becoming aggressive if their nests were disturbed or their young threatened.

Their journey was long and filled with conversation, Thorjen and Arya discovering a surprising number of commonalities between them. In particular, Arya's dedication to martial arts struck a chord with Thorjen as it reminded him of his sister Threyja. Both had grown up with a relentless focus on honing their skills, and there was a sense of familiarity between them as they shared stories of their childhood experiences.

As they made their way through the jungle, thick with towering tropical plants and tangled vines, the unexpected heatwave of the west beat down on them mercilessly. They had shed layers of clothing in order to survive the sweltering humidity, leaving them nearly exposed to the elements. Despite the challenging conditions, Arya led the way confidently, her small map and keen navigation skills guiding them through the dense foliage. She seemed attuned to the winds and could even smell their direction, a skill that Thorjen had never encountered before.

While he was grateful to have chosen Arya as his companion instead of Julien, Thorjen found himself constantly distracted by her slick sweat-glistened body. The thin shirt she wore clung to her curves in a provocative manner, making it difficult for him to tear his gaze away from her hardened nipples poking against the fabric. Though he tried to avoid staring at her, he found himself weak against his desires at times.

Suddenly, Arya stopped in her tracks and twisted her head sharply from side to side. Her furrowed brows gave away her intense concentration as she listened carefully. For a moment, Thorjen feared that she had caught onto his wandering thoughts and noticed him undressing her with his eyes.

“ something is wrong. I…I can…I smell blood.”

Thorjen's gaze briefly widened before he composed himself to appear casual.

"Is there a beast nearby?" he inquired, mentally bracing for confrontation.

"I'm not certain. If we maintain our pace, we should reach the location in 600 steps. But there's an odd scent... like human blood mixed with that of numerous beasts," Arya responded.

A hint of apprehension stirred in Thorjen, intuitively grasping the grim implication. He shut his eyes firmly, centering his thoughts, and when he reopened them, they shimmered with a mix of purple and gold, his pupils now slit-like.

{Demon Eyes - Lv.1}

With this enhanced vision, Thorjen surveyed the jungle with unprecedented clarity, spotting the heat signatures of two figures some 600 feet to the north. However, they vanished as quickly as they appeared, overshadowed by the numerous, fading signatures scattered across the jungle floor.

After sharing his observations with Arya, who appeared uneasy yet resolute, they armed themselves and continued forward. As they neared their target, Thorjen felt an inexplicable excitement, a battle spirit awakening within him.

The jungle landscape abruptly shifted to a clearing marked by tall, stone totems, depicting half-beast, half-human figures. Arya's voice snapped Thorjen back to reality just as he was about to comment on the totems.

"Thorjen..." Arya called out, her tone laced with concern. Rushing to her side, Thorjen's heart sank at the sight before them: a slope strewn with dismembered bodies, a gruesome testament to a violent clash.

"This looks like the aftermath of a war," he murmured, unable to tear his gaze from the carnage.

"Thorj, didn't you mention seeing two people earlier? Do you see anything now?" Arya inquired.

Thorjen reactivated his ability, his vision transforming the scene into a detailed heatmap. Despite the clear visibility of even the smallest creatures, there was no sign of the two figures.

As Thorjen's energy waned from using his power, he noticed an anomaly—a rock emanating its own heat signature, suggesting life.

Pointing out the oddity to Arya, they approached what appeared to be an egg, encased in limestone. Close examination revealed swirling colors and vibrant runes within, reacting to Thorjen's touch as if alive.

Drained of Qi and visibly fatigued, Arya rushed to support him, puzzled by his sudden energy drop and the unusual grin on his face.

"Arya, you were right! There's something inside this... wait," Thorjen's realization was cut short by the arrival of mysterious figures, their powerful aura demanding immediate attention. Arya drew her blades reflexively, while Thorjen prepared for the worst, realizing the enormity of the challenge ahead.

"Chusi, look! I told you it fell somewhere around here," a childish voice exclaimed, belonging to a woman scantily clad in skimpy leathers that did little to conceal her pronounced curves. Her short, reddish hair and the freckles under her wild eyes added to her peculiar appearance. What truly instilled a sense of unease in Thorjen and Arya, however, were her two short horns and the reptilian, obsidian-like tail swaying behind her.

"No gain is worth the risk of provoking such a creature. We'd need the young master's help to stand a chance," countered the second figure, her voice carrying an air of authority. Her attire, slightly more elegant and green, also suggested a disregard for modesty.

Thorjen's anxiety deepened upon noting their reptilian, almost draconic, features. A dreadful thought crossed his mind, one he hoped was not their current predicament: the possibility of encountering beings he believed to be mythical.

"Arya..." his voice faltered.

"Are those two...dragons?"

Thorjen wasn't alone in facing the grim prospect unfolding before them. Arya's focus remained intently on the newcomers from the moment of their arrival. The indifference, almost dismissiveness, in their gaze as if Thorjen and Arya were invisible, was unsettling.

"Chusi, do you think the egg will turn into a rare-grade beast like its mother?"

"Who knows? It might even be dead after such a fall."

"It can't be dead; there's no way!"

"Hey, is that thing over there dead?" The girl with the childish voice turned her attention to Thorjen and Arya, who initially stiffened but quickly composed themselves. Arya responded,

"We're not sure. We just found it. But if it's yours, we apologize for the intrusion and will leave immediately." Arya's response elicited a curious look from the more composed woman.

"Leaving already? Do you have somewhere more pressing to be?"

"Not really. But we wouldn't want to interfere with your plans," Arya replied, maintaining eye contact.

Chusi chuckled lightly. "You're quite eloquent, my dear. But unfortunately, now that you've seen us, we can't let you leave." Her tone was almost apologetic.

Arya's gaze sharpened as she bit her lower lip out of frustration.

"Why not? Why won't you allow us to leave?"

"We have an important mission, a decree from our Queen, one that is very simple: to eliminate every knight or cultivator we encounter on these lands."

"Hey, Chusi, let me fight him. He's an Elf, look - remember those twins we killed before? Remember the one that punched me? I hate Elves."

Thorjen grimaced upon hearing that, realizing there was no real way to avoid this confrontation. He only wished his body wasn't so tired.

"Thorjen, be still, and listen. I'll deal with that one, but I need you to stay alive. Survive for as long as you can until I reappear. But if I lose..." Arya turned toward him, her green eyes betraying a hint of regret. A thorn twisted within Thorjen's chest.

"She can't possibly think we stand a chance if we split up, can she? So why does she want us to..." His doubtful thoughts were quickly drowned out as realization finally dawned.

"Arya, you don't have to—"

"It's okay, Thorjen," Arya replied with the sweetest smile he had ever seen on her.

"Remember what the princess told us; the Neo Hero Party exists to ensure you get stronger. So don't worry about me. Just survive." Before Thorjen could object, a surge of aura poured out of Arya. Two noticeably opposite energies shot furiously toward the skies, a surge of biting ice and a tempest of earthy wind roaring around her fiercely. Thorjen felt the sheer **** pushing him away, forcing him to shield his gaze. He peered through the small gap between his fingers, noticing a visible change in Arya.

Half of her body was now covered in an illustrious pale armor made of crackling ice, while the other was partially covered in thick layers of molten rock, with noticeable steam rising from between the cracks. Thorjen remembered watching her duel in the arena, witnessing a similar transformation then as well. But this time, he was almost certain Arya had released her entire Aura in one go.

She gave him a lingering look, a wry smile tugging at the corners of her mouth before she refocused her chilling gaze on the duo.

"You! fight me one on one," she pointed toward the rather surprised-looking Chusi, who couldn't hold back her laughter before softly nodding. Before Arya moved, she shared some final words with the short, red-haired girl beside her.

"Be mindful not to play with your meal. If neglected too long, it may sour. I'll return shortly."

In an instant, Chusi, the dragon woman, and Arya disappeared into the depths of the dense jungle.

Thorjen, swallowing hard multiple times within minutes, eyed the feral girl before him with caution.

“Why so glum? I usually disdain Elves, but you seem tolerable... curious. However, if I were serious, you'd be defeated in moments. How about a diversion instead? I propose a game— Oh, fleeing already?”

Thorjen, not waiting for her to conclude, pivoted and dashed into the shadowy entrance of the cave, driven by a single-minded urge to survive. He realized the gravity of Arya's implied warning: victory was impossible, and he risked becoming a hindrance or worse, a pawn. Despite this, a wave of sorrow washed over him at the mere thought of Arya and Chusi's formidable presence. Arya, outmatched, yet Thorjen had encountered formidable beings before, yet these two were among the most formidable, rivaling even Geary.

'Must ensure Arya's safety... I will find her,' he pledged silently.

Thorjen utilized every bit of his agility, racing through the terrain with the swiftness of a frightened gazelle. As he plunged into the enveloping darkness, the eerie, youthful taunt gradually faded. His initial fear of an impending void was quickly alleviated as he felt solid ground underfoot upon entering the cave. He surged forward, navigating through the pitch-black tunnel, his path illuminated only by the vibrant hues adorning the cave walls, reminiscent of luminescent veins.

'Could this be Qi? When did I gain this sight?' he pondered, observing the faint luminescence tracing his skeletal structure.

"Why flee? Your fear only fuels my wrath! You're in for a world of pain!" the girl's mocking voice resonated, drawing nearer with each stride.

Thorjen's heart pounded as he sensed the incline steepening, prompting a reflexive use of his [demon eyes] to assess the imminent danger. Realizing a precipitous drop lay ahead, he swiftly strategized, seeking a maneuver to gain the upper hand.

As he neared the drop, Thorjen spotted the red mist and its harbinger, a red-clad woman, approaching with malevolent intent. He braced himself, ready to confront her head-on.

Her maniacal laughter was cut short as she taunted, "So, the Elf concedes—prepare to meet your end!" But Thorjen, anticipating the ground's end, executed a deft movement, unfastening a dagger and imbuing it with Qi, anchoring himself at the precipice. The woman, caught off-guard, plummeted into the void, her confident sneer replaced by a startled cry.

Thorjen, clinging to the cave's edge, summoned every ounce of Qi for a decisive strike. Recalling the techniques taught by Mastramundus, he unleashed the [**** Ball], a vortex of dark energy, propelling it towards the falling adversary.

"GYAAAAAAAARGH!

Her screams echoed as she vanished into the abyss, defeated by Thorjen's **** gambit.

*****

Sweat dripped from every pore as Thorjen finally stumbled out of the cave. His right arm, almost charred black, bore the scars of the suicidal technique he had miraculously managed to conjure. Never before had he felt so utterly drained. Yet, a euphoric energy surged through his exhausted body, making him scarcely believe what he had accomplished. An ugly smile tugged at his features as he aimlessly wandered. His impromptu plan had worked, and he half-expected the girl to emerge from the abyss and exact her ****. But how long had he been dragging his now useless arm back up the tunnel?

She was dead, against all odds. He had prevailed...

"I did it. Now, where is... Arya?"

He swallowed hard, nervousness clawing at his throat, before gingerly dragging his battered body in the direction she had disappeared. Along the way, he noticed blood splatters, deep marks, and destruction along the ground, urging his legs to move faster. He pushed aside heavy bushes before raising his voice to call for Arya.

"ARYA! ARYA! WHERE ARE YOU!"

Initially, only the fleeing birds responded, but after his fourth **** call, he heard rustling within the foliage. Thorjen hurriedly turned towards the source of the disturbance. A figure emerged from the cluster of bright leaves and overgrown plants, with looping vines, half of her body encased in a shell of ice. Seeing her brought a surge of happiness to his heart. Although Arya appeared as though she had just emerged from a war, the fact that she was walking dispelled his immediate fears.

"Arya! Thank goodness you're okay. We need to leave this place. First, we should rest, then... Arya? What's wrong?" A fractured smile appeared on her face before a spray of blood erupted from her mouth. "Th-thorg... s-sorry..." She collapsed face-first as the remnants of her ice armor shattered like glass.

"ARYA!" Thorjen roared as he sprinted to her side.

"She fought valiantly, but without a holy gear, the die had been cast," a chilling voice remarked. Thorjen shuddered as he pinpointed its source. The woman with blonde and green hair appeared, her narrow eyes devoid of emotion. Thorjen could hardly believe his eyes as her entire body was covered in green scales, and she had unfurled wide wings from her back. Fear washed over him in a way he had never comprehended until this very moment.

"Edna, stop playing around... I can smell you," she said.

The revelation shook Thorjen to his core. Before he could even turn around, an overwhelming **** descended upon him. A thick, muscular tail coiled around his neck and forcefully lifted him off the ground. His air supply dwindled as the pressure constricted around his neck. His legs flailed helplessly, finding only empty space. To his horror, the girl with short red hair stood before him, her tail suspending him in front of her. Half of her face was scorched, and a crazed glint shone in her eyes—an image Thorjen was sure he would never forget.

"KUKUKUKU—found you... Fucking Elf!"