MHA Fantasy Quest for the SOL

Part 8: Test and Pact

A whole squad of bandits came out of hiding in various places around them to surround the small knot of questers. Some of them recognized Momo and Kyoka. One looked Denki up and down and winked. A lot more looked at Shoto. Most of them were girls, but a few males were in there, they looked tough. The strangest thing was there was no one more than a couple years older than Camie herself. Denki commented on that, and received the explanation that no one older than Camie would be in her command, princess or not. A strange custom that Momo's tribe apparently didn't share.

"Now, the rules are simple," Camie explained. "I like to warm up with a duel, so each of you can fight one or two of us, and if you're strong enough to win, then we'll go on to the real challenge."

"That's not a real challenge?" Denki squeaked.

"And if we win, you'll let Deku go?" Shoto said.

Camie made a scoffing sound. "Hey, this spell isn't permanent. Time it right and you can win right about when it wears off."

"Most Illusion Magic lasts only a few hours," Momo said.

Shoto sighed. "So, we have to beat one or two of you? Let's get this over with then, who's it going to be?"

"Any volunteers?" Camie asked of her whole squad. 

They eyed Shoto, then a couple people stepped forward. The same for Denki, who was really unhappy with this arrangement. But Kyoka and Momo were another story. The bandits said that it wasn't fair when their skill level couldn't compare to a Paladin and her right hand. So Camie fixed that by saying no magic would be allowed in their fight; she was impatient to go on. Eijiro got assigned a couple too, but Bakugo was sitting it out. Which was fine by him, as his only interest in winning was to prove a point. Getting Deku free didn't matter to him in the least.

The fights commenced, and went predictably how they expected. Shoto won his easily, as did the two Warriors, and Ei. Denki struggled, but he used a song to lower his opponent's attack power to a more manageable level before they could club him, and he charmed them into surrendering. This all took a lot out of him, in fact, he went into some kind of daze afterward.

"What's wrong with him?" Camie asked bluntly.

"I don't know..." Momo waved her hand in front of his face. Suddenly, out of nowhere another girl appeared panting.

"Ugh, I can't hold it anymore, I need a rest." She flopped onto the ground.

"This is Tohru," Camie said carelessly. "She's our very best rogue in stealth."

"You jumped us!" Kyoka said. "I don't remember you." 

"New recruit," Camie explained. "Pretty impressive huh? Jealous yet, Bakugo?" 

"Hmrf. Being invisible isn't that impressive." Bakugo said.

"Are you kidding, it's literally the most terrifying thing ever," Camie said. "Oh look, right on time."

She pointed. Deku's tower had poofed into smoke and blown away. Deku, tired and hungry, looked over at them in surprise. "How'd you all get away? What was that? Was that illusion magic? Who are all those people?" 

"That's the idiot you were so worried about?" Bakugo raised an eyebrow. "He looks like a sick puppy." From him that didn't sound like a compliment.

"Are you all right?" Shoto asked Deku. 

"Oh, yes, I'm fine," Deku said. "I'm just... sorry I couldn't do anything. I really am completely helpless. I even lost the knife you gave me, Princess, I'm sorry."

"Oh, it's fine, I can make another one." Momo said.

Camie tossed Deku's knife at him, he caught it.

"It was boring anyway." She stretched and yawned. "Well, this is dull. I guess you all passed, let's eat."