The scan results hovered in front of Aryn's vision as he processed them carefully.
[Scan complete]
[Entity]:
Gregk Fen'Rukan
Physical, Spiritual
[Classification]:
Orc Scout
[Threat level]:
E (Growth Possible)
[Physical output]:
Enhanced
[Physical integrity]:
Enhanced
[Control]:
Medium
[Power types]:
Physical
Spiritual
[Abilities]:
[Predator sense]
[Veil step]
[Horde Call – Scout]
[Skills]:
[Stealth I]
[Scout movement I]
[Archery II]
[Dagger combat II]
[Throwing knives II]
[Tracking III]
[Ambush I]
[Notes]:
Death results in summon's permanent loss
[Behavioral Notes for summoned]:
Excels at reconnaissance and elimination of isolated targets
Effectiveness drops in open swarms without cover
Aryn frowned slightly as the information settled in.
'His threat level is low… but it says growth possible.' His brow furrowed. 'Then why did it feel like he would've killed me during the trial? Was it pure experience? Or does an E-ranked orc mean something different compared to other creatures? And those notes explain why he was getting so hurt in open combat.. I'll have to adjust my way of directing him…'
'And why does he have a classification? I didn't see this on myself, or Kaia and Jaxon.'
He exhaled slowly. 'I'll have to ask him questions later. Carefully.'
His attention shifted as he noticed one ability in particular.
[Horde Call – Scout]
He focused on it, pulling up the detailed description.
[Horde Call – Scout]:
Allows the summon to signal his brethren to battle. A small scouting unit linked to the same Spirit source may respond. Up to five scouts can be called, each operating at a reduced capability tier. Summoned units prioritize reconnaissance, harassment, and stealth/support actions. Loss of called units does not affect the primary summon. Summoned Units death, results in permanent loss of specific unit(s) summoned.
Aryn's jaw tightened.
'Even my summon's summons can die for real…'
But they needed them.
Aryn let out a much needed sigh.
"Gregk," Aryn said after a moment. "Can you call your scouts?"
Jaxon and Kaia exchanged confused glances, clearly unsure what Aryn was asking for.
Gregk looked at him for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Then he closed his eyes.
Five wolf-headed totems rose from the ground in a loose circle, etched with tribal markings that glowed faintly as Spirit energy pulsed through them. Colored lights shimmered within the summoning rings, and one by one, figures stepped forward.
Five orcs emerged.
Each scout was built lean and powerful, muscles defined without bulk. Dark gray animal hides hung from their waists in triangular cuts, leaving their chests bare. Deep brown hoods shadowed their faces, obscuring most features except for the occasional protruding tusk and sharp, watchful eyes.
Aryn instinctively scanned the closest one.
[Scan complete]
[Entity]:
Layn Featherfoot
Physical, Spiritual
[Classification]:
Orc Scout Initiate
[Threat level]:
F (Growth Possible)
[Physical output]:
Enhanced
[Physical integrity]:
Enhanced
[Control]:
Low
[Power types]:
Physical
Spiritual
[Abilities]:
[Scout coordination]
[Skills]:
[Stealth I]
[Tracking I]
[Archery I]
[Context]:
Death results in permanent loss
[Behavioral Notes]:
Effective in reconnaissance and harassment
Low survivability in direct confrontation
Performance improves when operating in groups
Aryn scanned the remaining four quickly. They were identical in everything except their names.
'So Gregk's scouts are weaker,' he thought, 'but they're meant to work together. And they are Orc Scout Initiates.'
He counted silently.
'Eight of us now… and if we link up with those humans Gregk mentioned, that gives us even better odds.'
Jaxon and Kaia stared at the orcs in open amazement. Tall, powerful, and disciplined, they looked like living weapons. Leaner than bodybuilders, but wrapped with lethal intent.
Hope stirred in both of them.
At the same time, the reality Gregk had mentioned weighed on their minds. These orcs weren't constructs. They weren't disposable. If they died here, they were gone. Even though they had the look and build of monsters, it was something about them… The intelligence in their eyes that gave of a human feeling.
Aryn felt that weight more than anyone… The risk of loss, the responsibility of others lives resting on his choices. Still, the thought of extra help steadied him. He just had to manage it well.
"This helps," he said firmly. "We don't have time for introductions. Gregk, can you take us to those humans?"
Gregk nodded. "They may already be engaged, I would assume.. So the goblins attention should be on them. We must move quickly."
The group broke into a controlled jog. Gregk led them ahead, his scouts melting into the surroundings so completely that even Jaxon lost sight of them. Aryn couldn't see them either, but he could feel them, like distant tugs through the Summoning connection.
Minutes later, they spotted the fight.
About 15 goblins clashed with a small group of humans and surprisingly, the humans were holding their ground.
At the front stood a red haired woman surrounded closely in flame but not burning her clothes. Fire poured from her hands, sometimes enveloping her entire body as she hurled herself into the goblins. Their skin charred black as they shrieked, spreading the flames to their allies in blind panic.
Aryn blinked. Seeing how effortlessly she was handling the goblins, Aryn spoke out. "Gregk might've been right… we should've been demolishing these goblins."
Jaxon grinned. "Say less."
He grabbed a stone from his pocket, his fist glowing with more violet kinetic energy than he had been using, and hurled it toward a group of goblins rushing to reinforce the fight.
The explosion shook the lot.
The goblins vanished in a spray of debris, leaving nothing behind but scorched pavement and scattered remains. The shockwave rippled outward, startling both combatants before they refocused on their own battles.
As Aryn moved to join the fray, Gregk threw an arm out, stopping him.
"Destroy these insects," Gregk said calmly.
Five orcs materialized behind the goblins, bows already drawn. Their arrows flew for goblins.
Each shot was precise, merciless. Goblins dropped instantly, except one that tried to shield itself with another's body. It didn't matter. Before it could flee, the red haired young woman seized it by the skull, flames consuming it as it screamed and burned until it stopped moving.
She turned toward the orcs, fire flaring in her hands. Ready for the next battle to take place.
"Wait!" Aryn shouted, stepping forward with raised hands. "They're with me!"
Her eyes narrowed. "So what? We've already lost people to other humans. And you say they're with you!? How do I know you're not the same as those backstabbing, lawless punks?"
'Other humans…' Kaia murmured softly.
The implication hit Aryn hard.
"No," he said quickly. "We're looking for my friends' parents. That's it."
"If you wish," Gregk said coldly, "we can remove these soft fleshed humans as well."
"No," Aryn snapped. "That's not the plan."
Gregk hesitated, annoyed that they would fight back after being helped, then he nodded. "Lower your bows, brethren."
The scouts obeyed instantly and the tension eased. The redhead woman extinguished her flames and stepped forward.
"I'm Mirella," she said confidently, offering a tired smile. "But you can call me Milly. Mirella can be a mouthful."
She reached out with a fist toward Aryn.