The Chronicles of a Scalebound Sage: Wandmaker Vol.2

WM [75] The Chaos Hydra

Bjorn and Aurelius strolled side by side, their footsteps crunching softly against the rocky terrain of the mountainside as they patrolled for anomalies. The night sky was surprisingly colorful thanks to the forming mana storm aurora. Aurelius, ever the conversationalist, filled the air with animated chatter. Unlike many others who might simplify their words for a beast, he had quickly learned to treat Bjorn as an equal, speaking to him as if he were any other person.

Luckily Failsafe had completed the translation spellform the day prior during the attack they had with monsters that hid underground in volcanic soil. Apparently they were called a magma burrower. They were a tenacious pack hunter monster. He was only able to coordinate properly because Failsafe finished the translation in time so he could understand what Aurelius was telling him.

The mountain air was thick and stifling, an unusual mugginess given their altitude. Bjorn, however, relished the warmth. For once, the chill that often accompanied these high terrains was absent, and his scaled body welcomed the heat. His heads swiveled around the area for any signs of a new threat. So far at least the only living creatures he could pick up with his senses were their group. The unusually high ambient mana in the chaos lands hid the presence of most monsters so sight was the only way to be sure.

Aurelius chuckled to himself as he continued his story."... and then he went flying. Still I can't believe Draco, the crazy man, actually tried to ride one of the shellbound behemoths. Ma chewed him out for a week after he broke his arm! If you'd seen it, you'd have sworn he was an aerokinesis mage with how high he got launched!"

Bjorn's heads tilted slightly, a gesture he'd come to use as an acknowledgment of interest. The shellbound behemoths were some kind of furry insectoid monster that would roll their bodies up and would look like a cow. They were apparently one of the most docile monsters when in the Chaos Lands. Getting one mad was apparently something that took talent. Over the past few weeks, he'd grown accustomed to Aurelius' storytelling. The chaos elf had a knack for weaving vibrant tales, often centered around his adoptive family. Draco, the older human brother Aurelius spoke of, seemed to be the perennial troublemaker, always at the center of some misadventure.

Since the mana storms had grown more intense and unpredictable, Aurelius's family had relocated to the Force Isles, a safer haven far removed from the chaos lands. He was the sole member of his family capable of navigating mana storms without issue, thanks to his unique affinity for chaotic mana. Acting as a bodyguard and escort in these treacherous lands had become his way of providing for his family which was a contribution he carried with pride.

Bjorn got the feeling there was more to his desire to come out here though he seemed to genuinely like helping people. He was a good young man with a good head on his shoulders. Bjorn couldn't help but wonder if his Past life would have been any better starting out if Isin had someone like Aurelius on his team. Bjorn could tell from the visions that he was getting that Isin was on the cusp of something that would take him down a road he would later regret.

Bjorn gave a low, rumbling growl that might have been mistaken for a chuckle. As Aurelius continued his stories going on about another monster he saved his previous charge from a monster called a sanguine traveler. It is a type of monster that could infiltrate groups of people, altering memories and changing its appearance to look human. It will make people think it was always part of the group and lead them astray. Aurelius is immuned to the effects of that monster and Bjorn assumes it is because of his primana core.

"It is because of the sanguine seductress, enchantress and traveler that it is recommended that a party doesn't let anyone they see out here join them especially if they are alone." Aurelius continued. "There are some runes and spells that allow people to detect them but unless you're me, or a light mage it's better to steer clear. Unfortunately, that means that some people that get lost out here can't get help as they are viewed with suspicion."