Scale of Reality

Prism Swamp: Part 2

Mari POV

"Walking in this swamp is so lame."

My group and I were still walking through the swamp, it had been a day since we arrived here. Most of us were unable to fall asleep last night, so we had Muji knock us out and wake us up when it was time to switch.

The fact he could willingly go to sleep in this place was nothing short of amazing.

"Vas."

I looked to my brother, who raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah?"

"Am I doing a good job? As party leader I mean."

He hummed.

"No."

"I knew it. I'm not cut out for this kind of thing."

He laughed.

"You'll get better. You tend to freeze up a bit when you're about to give instructions. You also tend to go against your own plan a lot, like breaking formation or doing something you said don't do."

I gaped.

"R-Really?"

"Yeah. Everyone knows you're a bit nervous so they're cutting you some slack, but only so much slack can be cut before someone gets upset or hurt."

I looked down sadly, but felt an arm wrap around go around my neck.

"Don't get too sad though, you aren't doing a bad job either. Especially for your first time as the party leader."

"Thanks man."

"Mari, Vas, get down!!"

Muji dashed in front of us and blocked a spear that was headed straight for us. Another Lizard man jumped out of the water next of us and went to attack.

"Shit, I can't grab my shield in time!!"

Adjest dashed over and blocked its strike, struggling to push it back. Chris laughed and rushed over, hitting the back of its neck with his mace.

I quickly grabbed my shield and go into a battle position.

"What's the plan Mari?"

I could feel my breath shaking up.

"I-Ill guard from the rear! Vas, You and Adjest take the front! Iris, you and Chris stay behind me. Muji, locate the enemy and wait for a chance to strike."

Muji just vanished as everyone else got into formation. Sweat dropped down my face as I nervously waited for the enemy to attack.

I didn't know which way they would come from, I didn't even know how many of them there were.

"Where are they?"

A spear came flying at us as Vas blocked it with his shield. A Lizard man jumped up from the water behind us, causing me to turn around and dash behind Iris.

It swung its spear at me as I blocked it, a vibration being sent through my entire body.

"Crap, it's strong!!"

Muji appeared in front of me as he slit its throat before vanishing once again. I turned around to see three Lizard men attacking the front of the group.

Chris coated them in snow, slowing them down and weakening them. Vas blocked one of their attacks as Adjest decapitated it from below.

One of the other ones dashed behind them, heading straight for us. I raised my shield, ready to block any attacks.

As the beast went for an attack, I blocked it and pushed it back. Chris threw his Mace as it blew its head off, it's body hitting the ground.

The last one seemed to have pushed Vas out of the way, seeing as he was on the ground. It was going for an attack on Adjest but was stopped by a dagger cutting its stomach.

I seen Muji for a split second as he vanished again. The cut was enough for it to be stunned for a brief second, allowing Adjest to finish it.

I let out a deep sigh as I fell back, Iris catching me a bit.

"That was scary! It happened out of nowhere too...."

I quickly stood up, clearing my throat.

"Is everyone alright?"

Muji appeared beside Adjest, cracking his neck.

"I'm good."

"We're good as well."

I walked over to Vas.

"You alright dude?"

He laughed a bit.

"Yeah, just a few scratches."

A small plan wrapped around Vas and my leg, I could feel my strength coming back.

"I healed up everyone just in case."

"Good job Iris. Everyone did great in that fight, even when I was caught off guard. I'll try to be more observant in the future."

Chris laughed.

"No need to be sorry, it was fun."

"Someone could've died Chris."

Muji and Chris locked eyes.

"Is dying fun?"

"When it's the other guy."

I didn't know what to do, they seemed to want to fight.

"Uh...can't we all just chill?"

"Mari's right. Muji this is no way to act, and you know it."

Muji groaned and scratched the back of his head.

"You're right, sorry."

Chris just laughed to himself before picking up his mace.

I let out a sigh.

"Let's just keep moving guys."

Everyone began to move as we continued to walk. We went another few hours without running into anything, prompting us to take a break and eat.

"It's a shame we can't have Muji cook anything out here."

Iris nodded in agreement.

"Muji cooks like the chef from the palace."

"Umm, thanks?"

I laughed.

"Sadly we're stuck with these nutrient bars."

Vas bit into his.

"They're actually not that bad."

"Vas you have the tongue of a dog. These things taste like wood."

Muji bit into his.

"Mmm. I've had worse."

"Really now? Must've been tragic."

"Do not let Mya into a kitchen. Ever."

We all laughed a bit as we continued to eat our nutrient bars. I was glad that we could all laugh at a time like this.

As we all ate, Muji suddenly looked up and to the left of us.

"What's wrong Muji?"

"I'm sensing something."

He hummed.

"It's a group of adults it looks like. They're headed our way."