Shapeless Hero

58 - Range

Boom!

An explosion in the lower parts of the city shakes the cliffs, dislodging a few rocks in the process. The less fortunate buildings get demolished by the massive stones on their path down into the fjord's water. The chaos and tumult draws attention of course.

"What the hells?"

"What was that?"

"Oh crap! Bernard was supposed to work at the docks today!"

I lean forward on the stone railing to get a better view. By following the onlookers' gazes, I spot the commander, Liszka and August. The three must have seen their fair share of ambushes, considering how well they look despite standing in the enormous blast zone, in stark contrast to the guards or adventurers nearby. Both of the latter lie unconscious or dead in the rubble and dirt, the few survivors overwhelmed by the wolf-kin.

Before the trio can find a more defendable position, several operation leaders appear and surround them, dozens of their lower ranking assassins not far behind.

Shit, what do I do?

The wolf-kin don't wait. They try to catch the three off guard with attacks from all sides, but the commander deflects the projectiles while August intercepts spells. Liszka is already chugging her third potion, the commander provided.

August tries to fly up several times to cast something bigger, but the moment he stops countering the operation leader's spells, the commander and Liszka would be blasted by their magic once more, a fatal outcome too likely.

As the three deflect and block attack after attack, the wolf-kin slow down from exhaustion - until they swap with their backups, that is. It's a battle of attrition - a battle that the commander, magic bird and fox rogue will lose with the comparatively little mana they have.

How can I help? How do I even get there in time? It's only thanks to my non-human eyesight, that I can see the battle so clearly from about six thousand yards away. I still have to run or fly there the whole way.

I try to think of a similarly non-human creature that could travel the distance and arrive before the battle concludes in a defeat. A bird perhaps?

No. A minute in combat feels like an eternity. Dozens of spells and fighting maneuvers happen in such a short time, exhausting both sides rapidly. And at my current distance, even the fastest bird of prey that Tyllat has to offer would need that whole minute to arrive.

Teleportation maybe? On second thought, that's not feasible either. I don't have the mana to turn into a creature with teleport skills, and even if: No mana would remain after the transformation, leaving me useless against the wolf-kin.

While I mull over my options, the fourth wave of assassins steps in. More and more attacks make it through the commander's defensive maneuvers, her armor scratched and dented. Liszka manages to create a bit of a tactical breathing room with her skills, but only for a handful of seconds.

Wait, I don't have to get close. What about ranged attacks? Longbows sound good at first, but they don't shoot that far. Plus, there's only so much, mere skills can do when I'm less than a beginner in archery. Crossbows perhaps? The coastal ranger's crossbows are pretty hefty, but based on what I saw in the caves, there's little evidence for their weapons to manage a hit over a distance of six thousand yards. 

Dammit! Why are there so many wolf-kin in the first place? Why aren't the three moving away from the docks? I don't think I can't help them at this point. 

The despair vanishes from my mind, a burden lifted in lieu of accepting their fate.

I wasn't a hero in my old world, I'm not a hero in this one. It's not like their loss is devestating to me. I barely know them. I can stay low and survive with my current abilities.