3 . 6 . 14

Frickin' Geniuses ~ Chapter 33

(Kathrine's P.O.V.)

"I couldn't care one bit about what else we need." I huffed. "I don't even know why I'm doing this so why the hell should I care?"
"Yeah, plus they are people just tried to kill us." Tiberius nodded. "We don't need their opinion."
"So you say...I've just learned eavesdropping can lead to a lot of incredibly important information." Astrid shrugged. "I just feel like it's important or something."

I looked at the gorgeous scenery below. When you weren't attacked by bloodthirsty ravens, the forest was actually quite mesmerizing. The greenery was still untouched by man's doing as if it were still the same as millions of years ago, unaffected by the changes in this current world. I stroked the skin of Astrid's summon, my focus diverging. I stared at the mythical beast. It wasn't the same as what Astrid usually summoned. It had become much, much bigger and its blue, radiant glow was almost non-existent. It was really quick to adapt to our need to quickly escape hidden. In fact, it was 5x it's normal size and was practically transparent. The watery form it had gave an odd feel to the skin, as if breakable but unbreakable.

"When did you get idea to ride water?" I asked out of the blue.
"I dunno. Did it on a whim." She admitted.
"Huh." With all of us deep in our thoughts, the ride was silent. I dwelt on what the (quote on quote) "Elders" said just moment ago. Sure, I didn't care what they thought us and what we were missing but I did care on how it would affect us. This place is...ancient? Would it really affect us that badly? We were missing something? Is it that crucial?

"Hey, why are you two trying to get the gemstone?" I asked, looking back at Clint and Tiberius. "You do have a reason for risking your lives here, right?"
"Of course we do..." Clint grumbled, his glum mood blatantly obvious. "And it wasn't to loose our horses."
"Is that what you're thinking about? Your horses?" Astrid snorted.
"Yes, that's what I'm thinking about!" He barked.
"We're getting off topic..." I irritatedly moaned. "Why are you here?"
I turned to Tiberius. He sighed. "It's for a potion we're making. There's an unknown birds spreading in our hometown and it's been making a lot of people unable to do basic things. We found a recipe an old book of ours that explained a potion allowing us to fix this exact problem. We weren't expecting to encounter stuff like this."
"There are people suffering at your home and you're complaint about your horses?" Astrid snickered.
"I never signed up for this! They just insisted I come for my "skill in alchemy". Since when did the ability to 'combine stuff to make stuff' help me fight off flesh-eating birds?" He whined.
"Hey, you can't complain mister." I said, an 'be-grateful-brat' tone. "I don't even know why I'm here."
"Hey- you two should shut the hell up." Astrid suggested, her voice sweet and polite contradicting the words that flew out of her mouth.
"Whatever-"
"*squawk*!!!!" I was cut off by loud squeal from below us. Astrid's phoenix was squawking repeatedly, each one becoming louder than the previous. Our speed dramatically decreased and our ride didn't seem to be very happy. Its screams echoed through the forest, filling in the empty void of silence.

"We need to get down before my fella disappears into a million droplets and we die from fall damage." Astrid announced.
"Ok." We replied in unison. Astrid merely looked for a safe landing spot and the phoenix quickly followed the silent command. We all hopped of the water phoenix and watched as Astrid waved goodbye.
"Bye, bye." Astrid smiled, watching as it morphed into a huge puddle of water. "I guess he have to stay here now."
"I'm still tired..." Clint complained. "How much longer will it take until we get to gemstone?"
"How should we know?" Astrid questioned in the same tone.
"We're never gonna find it in time at this rate..." Tiberius worried. "Our village..."
"We need to quicken in pace. Don't you guys have any potions that can help us?" Astrid asked, expecting something.
"If we haven't used any, what do you think?" Clint sarcastically said.
"I'd think that you may have one saved up?" Astrid stated. He face-palmed in reply.
"Astrid, can't you summon something to look for the stone?" I thought up.
"Considering my mana now, I doubt I'll even be able to hold it for an hour and half. I guess I could try, but if we're ever attacked again, I'll be no good." She begun. "And considering how huge this forest is, I'm not all too sure a couple minutes of travel would be enough."
"Ugh...what a pain..." I rubbed my skull. "Hmmm...."
"I think we should rest first and foremost." Tiberius spoke up. "I know I just said that we were going to slow but we aren't going anywhere like this."
"Uhh...okay, commander." Astrid nicknamed. "What fancy words you use."
"I'm gonna go find some fruit. Im actually quite well versed in biology." He said, ignoring Astrid.
"I'll join you." Clint raised his hand.
"Ok." Tiberius nodded. "You two should stay here. Never leave."
"We'll be fine..." I waved off. "But don't expect too much."
"Hmm..." Tiberius looked like he was hesitant in trusting us.
"We'll be fine. We want our food too." Astrid reassured. "You two better not go to far and get lost."
"Oh, we won't." Tiberius solaced. "We'll come back with a crap ton of fruit."
"Uh huh, uh huh." Astrid crossed her arms. "Well then hurry cuz' I'm hungry."