Chapter 9: Gold mist

Chapter 9: Gold mist

The monster collapsed to the ground, going still. It hadnt been much of a fight at all. More like a slaughter. The hunter strode up to the corpse and pulled a small gray orb out of his pockets and tossed it onto his fallen prey.

Blue light flared around the creature and it vanished, turning into a stream of energy and flying into the orb. The glow slowly faded and the Shikari picked it up, turning back to them.

I dont recognize you. New?

Just arrived to Gleam today, Yeo said. Both of us.

Hm. Wheres your friends weapon?

I dont have one yet, Chance said, stepping out from the doorway hed ducked into. We were just getting dinner. I wasnt expecting a monster to show up.

Damn, youre green, the man said. Well, youll learn. Or die.

The dome surrounding them started to lose intensity. The Shikari yawned. This thing was barely worth the damn effort. I hope you kids enjoyed the show. Dont try to steal my prey again.

No promises. First come, first serve, Yeo said with a grin. The Shikari cocked his head to the side. Then he smirked.

Well see. Enjoy your night. If youre any good, maybe well see each other in a tournament.

He turned as the dome vanished completely, and sound rushed back into the city. The bustling crowd returned and swallowed the Shikari. A man nearly strode right into Chance. He veered to the side at the last second, heading off without a word.

Chance stared in slack jawed awe. What just happened?

Come on, Yeo said, grabbing Chances sleeve and pulling him out of the way. We were in a Ward. Alternate dimension with the monster. It wasnt a very strong one, so I wasnt worried.

How did you know it wasnt strong? I mean, that Shikari could have just been really strong, right? We had no way to know.

Nah. The stronger a monster is, the more itll affect the Ward. Its a fight of power between the Shikari making the Ward and their prey. Since everything still looked like the normal city, it meant the Shikari had completely overpowered the monster, Yeo explained. Sorry I didnt have time to tell you more when it happened. I knew we werent in any real danger I could have taken care of a Soothound myself.

Thats what the monster was? Chance asked as he and Yeo sat down on a bench along the side of the road. A Soothound?

Yep. Pretty weak, like I thought. The Shikari looked fairly strong, though. Hes probably around a Knight tier thats the third one, by the way or something. Those arrows were packing a serious punch.

Chance shook his head, trying to wrap his head around the last few minutes. Yeo barely even seemed phased, but he was still trying to figure out how theyd managed to change dimensions without him even noticing.

Dont think too hard about it, Yeo advised. Youve got way too much to adapt to right now. Just take it one step at a time, and get more in depth once youre comfortable.

I yeah. Thats probably a good idea, Chance admitted. Is this a common occurrence?

Getting pulled into a Ward? Ive heard it is. Doesnt happen too much out in the boonies. But in a big city like Gleam? Id imagine itll happen all the time. There are probably thousands of monsters roaming the city right now.

Holy shit. And theyre in this dimension? With everyone else?

Yeah, Yeo replied. Thats why the Shikari are needed. They keep the city safe both inside and out.

He had so many things he wanted to think about, but he never got the chance. As soon as his head hit the pillow, every last remaining thought vanished from his mind he was fast asleep.

Several thunks rang out. Chance bolted upright, catching himself on the covers and nearly falling off the bed like a clumsy caterpillar. He hurriedly untangled himself, barely managing to extract his limbs from the beds hungry grip before someone knocked on the door again.

Coming! Chance said, glaring at the stubborn sheets before walking over and opening the door. Yeo raised a hand in salute.

Still sleeping?

Chance glanced out the window. Heavy clouds hung in front of light orange hues in the sky. He could just barely make out the sunlight reflecting off some of the buildings in the distance.

Yeah, sorry. Im ready.

Great! Pete is going to join us too. He was up before me.

Oh, thats nice. Gibson did say he was supposed to teach us, or something.

Yeo snorted. I dont need to learn anything else. Ive been training for years. But thisll be useful for you, at least.

Chance wasnt so sure about that, but he wasnt about to question his cocky teammate. Its not like it would have accomplished anything, and there was always the possibility that Yeo really was some sort of prodigy.

They headed out of his room and down the stairs, pausing for a moment as they passed Bellas room.

Do you think

You really want to try asking her? Yeo cocked an eyebrow. I think I can predict how thatll go.

Yeah, Chance muttered. Especially if we wake her up. Its still the polite thing to do though, isnt it?

Depends on how rude you consider waking someone up.

Fair point. Maybe not. Ill ask her if she wants to join the next time we see each other.

If she gets her way, that time will be never, Yeo said with a chortle. They reached the bottom of the stairs and headed into the living room. A door at the rooms back led out into a small dirt courtyard behind the house. A circle had been drawn around it, marking out a sparring arena. Pete stood outside, leaning on his staff.

Are you two ready to begin? he asked. The faster I can get you into fighting shape, the safer youll be.

So Ive found, Chance said. We went into the city yesterday and got pulled into a Ward.

Not an uncommon occurrence, but if youre pulled into a Ward, you should be safe. It means a Shikari initiated it, and theyre probably confident they can defeat their target, Pete said. The bigger problem would be if a monster finds you outside a Ward. We can worry about that later, though. Gibson gave me some basic information on where you both stand, but Id like to hear it from you.

I already know what I need to. Yeo said with a one-shouldered shrug. Ive been training with a kusarigama since I was a few years old, and Ive been pursuing the Essence of Metal since the same age. Unless youve got insight into Metal, theres nothing you can teach me there.

I see, Pete said. And what about you, Chance?

I, uh, make gold mist.