Scale of Reality

Prism Swamp: Part 1

Muji POV

"S-Stay in formation! We don't know which direction they'll attack from!"

Party two was currently engaged in a battle against a group of four baby Lizard-men. They had just attacked us but retreated back into the nearby water.

The difference between the babies and the adult Lizard men was their noticeable size difference and toughness in skin, scales included.

Baby Lizard men were about the average size as a human male, while adult ones stood very tall at ranges from 7-10 feet tall.

Our formation had Iris and Adjest in the middle whilst Mari and Vas was on both sides of them.

Not to my surprise, Chris was like Adjest in the way he battled like a knight despite being a support. With this information, Mari decided to put him on the outside of the inner defenses alongside myself.

"I always find myself in Knight positions...this is annoying."

I looked around, I could sense the Lizard men swarming around us. I wanted to go attack them, but leaving my spot could endanger the party.

Plus I'm not party leader, so I can't just act as I want.

"Just wait for a bit longer! They'll definitely attack again!"

I could tell Mari was nervous, but I was glad to see she was holding up well. We continued to wait as the Lizard men circled around us.

I quickly dodged and caught a spear that came flying out the water, another one jumping out of the water and attacking me.

"Now!"

Chris dashed over with a laugh and bashed the Lizard man in the head with his weapon. He used a mace that had pure blunt force, it was a weapon that crazy people used.

Another Lizard man jumped out the water but Mari rushed out and blocked its attack. I pulled one of my daggers out and sliced the lower of part of its jaw, where it's scales weren't protecting.

It's blood burst out as it collapsed and hit the ground, the last two attack from both sides. Chris dashed over and bashed one in the head, smashing its skull in.

Mari blocked the last one as I took care of it swiftly.

"Is everyone alright?"

I nodded, everyone else did so as well.

"Good job everyone, we took care of four of them with ease. Don't get cocky though, those were babies. Let's keep this up."

"Yes mam!"

Mari let out a nervous chuckle.

"This so embarrassing...let's keep moving!"

"Yes mam!"

We continued to walk, avoiding as many areas of water possible. The solid ground had all sorts of vines and sticky swamp liquids on it.

It was pretty hard to walk on, let alone run.

"This could be a problem..."

I looked up to Mari, she seemed to notice as well, but we probably weren't thinking the same thing.

"Muji, what's on your mind?"

Adjest seemed to have noticed.

"Well, I'm sure you've noticed the ground. I'm just thinking about how the ground could be a factor in a battle."

Adjest hummed.

"Muji, I'd love to read your mind."

"Uhh...thanks?"

Mari laughed a bit.

"I can see where she's coming from. Sometimes you think about the best stuff."

Vas grunted.

"Well, I for one would like to see inside of Lapis's head. He looks sleep all the time but I'm sure he's up, observing, calculating."

Mari gasped a bit.

"You're right! How does he always know when to wake up?"

I shrugged.

"Maybe his ears work? Just a guess though."

Everyone began to laugh aside from Mari.

"Never thought I'd hear you making a joke at a time like this Muji."

I looked to Iris.

"Well it's obvious everyone is a bit tense-

I looked over to Chris, who was whistling and minding his business.

"Well, almost everyone. If we're too tense and we get attacked by a group of adults, we'll definitely die. Everyone's on edge since I'm not the party leader, so they need to calm down."

"True."

We continued to walk for a bit, everyone making idle chatter along the way. I began to sense two figures coming straight for us.

"Mari!"

Mari raised her hand.

"Everyone in position! Brother, you protect Iris and Chris. Adjest, Muji and I will fight on the front lines!"

Everyone did as Mari instructed as the two figures leaped out the water and attacked us. Mari put her shield up and blocked the first ones attack, it was a very large lizard man.

Adjest drew her blade and slashed the lizard man as it stumbled back from its wound. The second one went to attack, it was a bit smaller than the last one.

Mari blocked it's attack as I ran behind it and slit its throat with my daggers. The Lizard man collapsed as the last one jumped back into the water.

Adjest closed her eyes before coating her sword in ice and launching it. She flew off and seemingly took care of the Lizard man, coming back to us.

"Great work everyone, but next time Lady Adjest you can't just leave like that."

Adjest bowed her head a bit.

"Apologies. I didn't want the Lizard man to go tell it's friends, then we'd have an entirely different problem on our hands."

Mari nodded.

"I know, but like...don't do it again."

"I won't, unless you tell me to of course."

Mari nodded.

"We managed to beat two adult ones guys, and since they don't go around in more the groups of five we should be alright. We've got this!"

Vas laughed as he put her in a headlock.

"Look at you trying to be all cool."

Mari blushed in embarrassment.

"S-Shush! I'm gonna tell Dad you keep bullying me."

"He won't care!"

I smiled upon seeing the two of them. They reminded me of how I messed with Daiki from now and then.

"I miss you guys."

I smiled.

"I'll write them another letter as soon as I'm out of here."