The plan took place immediately.
Zephyr went ahead, distracting the beast while Carlos took the lead.
" Nifa, Cintia! Stay close to the girls and go up that ridge. " He pointed above us.
The two looked at us and, after a quick nod, quickened their pace.
Carlos felt the need to shout after us. " Take your time with those arrows! Make them count! "
We were full tilt at this point and didn't even look back but heard the man cleaning the way for themselves to join my husband as quickly as possible.
It took us less than a minute to find the high ground, and I remembered the plan ..
Took a few deep breaths and let Cintia do her thing.
I looked and saw her catching her breath as well before her hands got covered by a white fog.
I knew her illusion was primed and ready.
We took an arrowhead position with me at the centre surrounding them.
" Alright.. here we go .. let me see. " Nifa took out a bunch of papers and laid them out on the blanket she brought. " Eli, help me with the..
( ROAR!! )
I stepped forward and looked down the small clearing neatly stomped out by Hori. It was his home.
Hori was just as unbelievably large as Zephyr described him .. I saw the beast standing on two legs doing his best to squash my husband, who avoided it by using his powers just enough to lead the beast away.
I saw 5 tiny men with what looked like sticks standing side by side as the beast closed in.
" Let me see. "
I heard Nifa's words and felt her hand on my back as she leaned over, taking a better look.
Carlos took the lead and used his water powers.
A large but slim line of blue was visible from this distance formed in front of his hands, and without hesitation, he swung at the beast.
The line broke on his skin, leaving nothing behind but a slightly greyer skin patch.
" Well, that didn't work. " Cintia pointed it out.
With our position in place and the beast attention fully occupied, she allowed herself a few steps forward along with the others.
" .. he tries again! " Demelza pointed.
Indeed. A now even larger, more robust blade was formed while the others surrounded the patch of clearing where the fight took place.
This time, it was a slower build-up, and he actually aimed it.
The water hit Hori's head .. it didn't do much damage but stopped the beast from charging forward.
At which point Alexander and Lucian both appeared and stabbed their rapiers into the thick skin.
The rapiers didn't fail them. Even from this point of view, we could see small trickles of purple blood where their blade was a second ago.
" Looks like those nasty blades can handle it. " Eli sighed, clutching her chest.
I looked at her .. and us as a whole. Aside from Nifa, who came to draw .. we were supposed to provide support from above, but if we make a bad move ..
(SWISH)
An all to familiar wind hit us from the behind, but this time, it sent us into a frenzy as we all took aim..
" That won't be necessary. " Zephyr spoke from my left.
He anticipated our panic move and moved himself to our right.
I quickly forget my previous fears or even the battle going on underneath us and felt a heavy rock lifted from my chest.
Seeing him with that sideway smile gave my breath back.
" A-are .. are you trying to scare us to death!? " Nifa clasped her wife's arm for balance.
He took a quick look down before answering.
" Just wanted to check on you lot .. " he walked closer, landing a kiss on my cheek. " .. and see if you haven't lost your .. cool. "
I saw the others wearing those relived smiles now that must adorn my face.
" And now? " asked Cintia, keeping her eyes on the battle.
He stepped ahead of us and crouched down.
" Now .. we watch and wait. "
We shared a quick look and stood a little behind him.
The boys didn't waste any time.
Hori, the Elephant King of the East, was bleeding from a dozen different wounds now.
The training we did helped a lot from the looks.
They moved in and out of danger like a cat. Weaving around the beast with ease. They looked energetic and ready to finish it.
Demelza and Eli were the most elated hugging one another.
" Look at them .. they are doing amazing. It's much better than I thought ..
" They need to speed this up, Dem .. they look tired already. "
Zephyr voice cut through their happiness like a hot knife through butter.
Eli and Demelza smiles died instantly, and all of us refocused on their efforts.
It's funny .. from my perspective, they looked fine. Even better than fine .. but then I saw it.
Manata jumped backwards and leaned next to a large oak tree, looking extremely out of breath.
He was immediately covered by the others, leading Hori to the opposite side of the battle.
Not a minute passed until Stuart needed the same as well. The other three still fought, although slower and much more carefully.
" You're right .. " Cintia nodded. " They covering each other well but the beast ..
" Yes, he looks as energetic as he did when we started. " Zephyr finished for her as he stood up.
" You s-stepping in? " asked Eli, almost hopeful.
" No .. you will. " he smiled at her, raising his hand.
It took us a second before understanding what he wanted, but as if the lighting struck us all, we all raised our bows at the same time.
" Take your time, girls .. release when you feel ready. "
I saw the beast standing up again, and it allowed me for a quick shot. I let the red arrow gently slip through my fingers and heard Eli and Demelza timing it more or less the same way.
Three arrows took flight and hit Hori in the face .. we didn't just hit him. The arrows struck deep in its face, making Hori roar in pain.
" Cintia now! "
Zephyr words followed by an almost perfect camouflage of trees covering us.
Hori stomped around cheking in our direction but soon gave up seeing nothing but nature in front of him.
" .. Now reload ladies .. release when you ready. "
We done as he told and held 7 .. 5 .. 3 ..
We released in perfect sync this time struck him in the around the trunk and forehead.
This time, our camouflage held, and Hori without hands had no way to dig out the arrows from his face.
" That should give them some time to recover. "
Zephyr showed a big smile to the group, which we all returned.. well, almost all.
" Hello!?.. " Nifa stepped forward. " Some of us need to capture the perfect image here. "
Zephyr narrowed his eyes and bored into her. To her credit, she stood up to him.
" I need you on that field attacking the beast.. " she pointed. " .. and take off your shirt! "