"The monster we are hunting is the Fleshspike Ravager. They are part of the fledgling ranks," Kade said.
The two of us were walking behind the team, far enough to not be in the way but close enough in case anything happened. There were fewer still-usable ruins here. Most of them were abandoned and long looted, leaving behind empty shells of buildings.
The Flagbearers made sure all their active ruins were closer to the camp. This way, they could keep tight control over them. Any ruin found farther than this was quickly looted for all it was worth. Also, it was hard to defend isolated ruins because they constantly attracted monsters.
I looked at Kade. "Fleshspike Ravager? Fledgling?"
"You don’t know about this too? Well, all monsters are ranked based on their level of power and strength. We have the fledglings, which are common in the first layer here. They usually hunt in packs and have one ability.
"Then we have Lesser Beasts. Don’t know why they’re called that, honestly, but they are considered a moderate threat. You’ll find them here in the first layer too, but not as much as the fledglings. Greater Beasts come next, and they’re the real deal. Even Knights can’t face them successfully.
"Then we have the Aberrations. They are the strongest type of monsters we have in this Borderland, except for the monster that guards the Rift, of course."
"Guard the Rift?"
"They are called Guardian Aberrations and are what you must kill to successfully close a Rift. They can also be called the overall generals of the Rift, with very high intelligence. They direct the other monsters."
I shook my head. ’The more I learn about the Borderland, the more complex it always turns out to be. Nothing is as simple as it should be.’
We passed many abandoned ruins of different designs. Some we walked past as if they were nothing, but most we gave space to because of the monsters that had already made them their lairs.
And not all ruins were buildings, I noticed. Some were like forests, strange, blooming, fresh greens in a barren land. Some were mud pits, and I even saw a strange mountain.
Eventually, the team slowed and then stopped in front of a small black-brown mountain with a tunnel entrance.
"This is the Fleshspike Ravagers’ lair. They are nocturnal creatures, which would make this easier but not by much. The Alchemist wanted their intestines, and this team has been carefully hunting them for it."
Kade turned to me and stared at me intently. "We should just watch. Learn how the monsters fight. Maybe another day, then you can participate. But for now, learn from the experienced team."
I nodded. "Okay."
Kade was surprised. He thought I would argue, but I didn’t see the reason to. What Kade said made sense. Learn before doing anything else. Right.
Garran turned to me then. "Alright, just follow behind us."
We entered the tunnel, which smelled of damp earth and something fleshy, like a fresh wound. The tunnel wasn’t long, and soon we entered a dark chamber.
Garran’s soft voice carried to the back. "We will begin to attack soon. The monsters will fight us a little, but then they’ll run through the other tunnel entrance. Do not give chase. We are only here to harvest a little."
I knew the memo was for me because the others were already getting themselves ready for the hunt. They removed their weapons and checked their potions. Then one of them threw up a small glass globe that gave off a soft yellow light, driving back the darkness.
It was then that I saw the mass on the ground that was the sleeping monsters. Spikes and disjointed flesh met my eyes. Even the darkness couldn’t pierce through it all.
And then Garran raised his sword. He moved it back and then slashed forward from his place! An essence arc leaped forward and slammed into the mass of monsters, cutting through waiting flesh with a hum.
There was a moment of silence, and then the cave exploded into grunting sounds as the monsters began to stand. I held my breath as I got my first look at the monsters.
They were as tall as a grown human, with bone spikes on their limbs and backs. The spikes dripped with black liquid that sizzled on the ground. Their skins seemed to be made from different animals’ flesh sewn together. No wonder they had the name Fleshspike Ravager.
Kade spoke in a hushed voice. "They are tough monsters that you don’t want to fight in a cramped space. Target their heads, and they’ll fall. Don’t get hit by the spikes, the poison on them is no joke. You might not die, but the pain will feel like it. And when desperate, they can shoot them out."
I barely listened as I watched them do battle.
The monsters were slower than the Knights, but they made up for it with their long limbs that ended in spikes. Yet the team made it look easy.
Garran swung his sword with practiced ease, using the same technique the whole team was employing. He’d isolate a Fleshspike Ravager, construct a shield in front of him to resist the long limbs, and then lash out with his sword, taking off its head.
It was a quick and efficient way of dealing with the monsters, and soon bodies were littered on the ground. I narrowed my eyes as I watched. "This... it’s not like hunting. More like killing domesticated animals."
The monsters were timid. I remembered the monsters that had ambushed me and Taiwo on our way back. That one actually wanted to kill us, not these ones, which looked overly timid.
And just as Garran had predicted, the rest of the monsters ran. The team got down with their knives to remove the intestines of the monsters.
I sighed in disappointment and moved closer to the team. ’I should at least get a closer look at the monsters.’
Just then, a tune blasted out. It pierced the air like an arrow, and everything seemed to stop. Another tune followed, low but gripping the heart like a monster’s claw.
A pause, and then everything changed.