Eric and Silvee fell asleep in the burrow and woke up in the midday. The two were silent, neither speaking. Eric was lost deep in thought.
'Judging from the map, we are another 3 months off from Dragon Fish City. That's the closest city that will be holding the military assessments.'
'That leaves us with 5 months of time to prepare. Why have Silvee turn into a human form when spirit creatures are accepted all over Shattered Goliath Continent? Why would my masters' clans demand a century of servitude out of the blue? Why have I never heard of Aramoth from all the books mother forced me to read, she was an avid history buff.'
"Whatever, moping around isn't going to help. Hey Sil, let's go on an adventure." Silver Cloud dried her tears and smiled as the two conversed. Taking a look at the map, Eric still wanted to get far away and decided to go to Yucca City. A well-known city with diverse races and opportunities.
Silver Cloud had no qualms with Eric's decision as the two just enjoyed each other's company.
"Eric, what else is in the ring?" Slapping his head Eric took a thorough look in the ring and found a boat load of items. Eric simply took everything out and the room was 90% filled with items.
Silvee and Eric looked through the entirety of everything and found a multitude of things.
'Man there's herbs, metals, book/scrolls, clothes, everyday mundane items, food, water, seasonings, and spirit crystals. Wow, I've never seen so many spirit crystals before.'
Silvee folded up all the female clothing and brought Eric some armor.
"Mother and Father probably made sure that we had armor as well. I can't transform back into by animal form at will yet. These snake scales look like mothers and the fur looks like it was from father."
Donning the armor, Eric wore some white and blue vambrace. His shirt sleeveless, while his pants were a smidge baggy they fit well. For his shoes he wore a pair that split the big toe from the other four toes. Eric tied the silver blue leg guards on and Silvee helped him put on a leather cuirass.
Stepping back to look at Eric in all his gear she smiled lightly. "You look good Eric, it suits you. Can you help me put mine on?" Laughing Eric helped Silvee through the same process. She had white and blue vanguards/ leg guards. Yet her cuirass had heavier padding towards the thigh area.
Both armored Eric and Silvee took one last look at the map and set off.
"It's going to be kinda dangerous Sil. The Ormanu Forest holds orcs, demons, and spirit creatures."
Sil gave Eric a light punch, which sent him flying. "Don't worry about me, I'm still stronger than you are."
Rubbing his bruised shoulder and giving his comrade a wronged look, Eric and Sil detoured going into any of the villages and cities until they reached their set destination. Whitin hours the two had bypassed the nearest villages while speedily making their way to Ormanu forest.
By nightfall the two were before the forest but Eric's anxiety increased, as did Silvee's. They could see large flying creatures that seemed to be heading towards their mountain and confusion filled the two.
"Sil, we aren't going to rest until we get about a third of the way into the forest." Sil nodded as the vague sense of danger lingered.
Feeling the strain, the two cautiously walked through the forest as they came upon a scene. Orcs, ugly, heavy, and demented creatures. Spawns created from the occult and forced breading, Eric could smell them even at a mile distance.
Dragging some unfortunate women from God knows where, Eric felt anger at the scene before him. Silvee's eyes glowed a silver blue as she turned to look at Eric. Not a word, but the two of them knew what needed to be done.
'Alright eight Orcs in total, ten female captives. They're throwing them onto a wagon, that wagon doesn't seem too sturdy. Their numbers make up for the lack of stability it may have. Orcs have strong bodies and usually a large vigor reservoir. I'm in the Bronze ranking of the 1st order while Silvee is at the Iron rank of the 2nd order. Our bloodline is at the knight level."
"We should be about even. They seem like they're all 2nd order but with plebian bloodlines. This'll work."
Nodding one to another the two moved in a flash as Eric initiated his totem transformation. Having been the first time entering it since he was on the mountain, the boy felt strange. This time he grew a tail, the appendage was slithering like a snake while also having small silver eyes, and a tiny mouth. it was only a half a foot long but Eric felt as though there was another piece of him that had been previously missing.
The scales on his joints started to take on a rugged appearance, like that of a mountainous pattern. Taking out his whip, Eric attacked with full force, 100% of everything he had as he aimed for one of the orc's heads.
CRACK!!!! The sound resonating throughout the forest. The Orc's head had become mush as Eric looked on in shock.
'Damn, I didn't think it would be this strong. Let's do this!' Silvee performed [Tidal Wave Fist] and [Snake Warrior's Slide]. A heavy fist technique in combination with an erratic and quick movement technique. Catching one off guard, Silvee's fist tore through it's skull as if it was tissue paper.
Feeling the effectiveness of their techniques, the two of them slaughtered the orcs. Only two of them were able to put up a fight while the other six were killed in quick succession. Blocking the orc's punch with his forearm Eric's eyes narrowed as he slid back, drawing two long lines.
"Damn the orc's bloodline is strong. These are mere plebians but they're able to push me back at my bloodline level." Switching to his short sword, Eric used one of the three foundational human techniques for short swords [Southern Empire's Execution]. It was over in mere seconds as Eric's short sword lopped off his opponent's head.
Sil slammed a fist into her opponent's stomach and twisted. Heavy water qi erupted on the orc's body, turning it's insides to mush. The two came to the wagon where the women were kept in individual cages.
"Are you women alright?" Fear sparked the women's eyes as they saw Eric. Seeing them tense as he approached, Eric undid his transformation.
"See, I'm human too. No need to be afraid." Sil was quiet but a few of the women still turned towards her.
Seeing they were still guarded against him Eric signaled to assist the women while he kept guard.
Helping the women from their encasements Sil heard their comments.
"I'm so glad to see a woman, thank God almighty. I think I have had enough to do with men for a life time."
"The cowards, the lot of them. They sold us to these bastards at the first sign of trouble. How is it that we are supposed to let them be head of the house if they treat us like prostitutes." Through the women's rants, Sil was able to piece together what had happened.
'Guess they're from a nearby village that sold them when the orcs threatened invasion. Sad, but even sadder that their men sold them out. Eric's not a coward.... is he?'
All of the women were in there 20s or 30s, with only one being in her 40s. The oldest of the women, although shaking, bowed to Silvee and then to Eric.
"Benefactors, to what should I call you?"
Eric heard the question and shared a look with Silvee. Answering first Eric gave his pseudonym.
"My name Blaze Boulder."
"My name is Selene Macaque."
The women gushed with approval and joy. They were finally saved, the nightmare over.
Eric ripped the cages from the wagon and once more the women got in. Yet Eric and Sil had no idea of where to take them.
Asking the oldest woman she answered, " You can take us to the monastery in Fish Bowl town. It's about an hour from here. The monastery takes in widows, and orphans."
Nodding, the two set off with the women in tow as they made their way through Ormanu forest. A fat boar pulling the carriage along the way.
Requesting the oldest woman's presence, Eric tried to get some information.