Chapter 133: Dock Dangers

Chapter 133: Dock Dangers

Aaron pulled against the ageing rope, rending it taut with a sharp tug and tying it against one of several cleats lining the fishing vessel's upper hull. Men, sweaty and rough looking, much like himself, sprung into action as the lower docks of Ahle-ho approached. Before him was a wall of sheer stone stretching from horizon to horizon, a cliff whose sole purpose was to hold back the sea from washing over the land.

Tiers of wooden scaffolds and platforms jutted from the cliff below the midpoint of its structure, warehouses and elevated drydocks, slaughterhouses and workshops. Each building was worn, layered in salt and grime, and had seen the attention of a dozen generations of hands all working to keep it at least somewhat functional.

A wave picked up the fishing vessel, carrying it towards the jetty they were aiming for as if by magic. Which was exactly what it was, paired enchantments built into the ship and its destination working in tandem to bring the vessel, its crew and contents home, without smashing it against the Ahle-ho cliff.

Once they came within range a dozen hooks attached to ropes were tossed down from overhead, Aaron and the rest of the crew grabbing them and evenly distributing the ropes across the ship. Then, as the entire boat was being pulled skywards they each sought out nets and crates filled with the day's catch. His own net, filled to bursting with small silvery fish slapped against his back as he hefted it over his shoulder. It was wet, slimy and smelled like death, but if you weren’t able to ignore the many unpleasant fragrances of the job then the fishing crews weren’t for you.

He departed the vessel, booted feet smashing into the wooden platform the boat had been raised alongside, his coworkers doing the same with their own burdens. The weight of the day’s work pressed down into him as his muscles ached and bones groaned. The exhaustion fled as he activated [Last Stretch], the burst of stamina and strength flooding his body, accumulated from the energy expended while out at sea.

He trudged along the jetty, then up a short set of steps and onto the platform that acted as a road running lengthwise along this level of the docks. A single fish, smaller than the rest, slipped free from his net, falling between the gaps in the wooden planks below him and plummeting to safety. He ignored it, marching purposefully to the drop off point, then he could wash off and head home to the wife and kids, have a hot meal and-

A scream broke through the efficient clammer of the docks, then a yell of panic and alarm. He spun, fishy burden knocking into the man beside him as Aaron turned to see the cause. A pillar of brine had risen to the level of the dock, a large orange shape, all spikey shell and wicked pincers fell onto the jetty and began scurrying forwards, beady eyes locked onto the nearest dockworker.

Another pillar burst from the waves below, this one likewise carrying another monstrous crustation. Then another, and another. Aaron didn’t have time to count them all, he had already turned and ran, dropping his bundle of fish, fleeing for dear life. But the crabs, Brine Reavers, were quick, they darted forwards, pincers flashing and blades of salt water slicing out to injure and maim.

“Shit shit shit.” Aaron hissed, a compressed stream of water cutting overhead, a man behind him letting out a cry as he fell to the wooden planks below. The strength granted to him by [Last Stretch] flooded through his body, his every step carrying him closer to safety at a remarkable clip. But it wasn’t fast enough. He was only human, and a non combatant at that. Whatever his meagre attributes were the things attacking the dock had far more.

A large wooden beam fell from overhead, it crashed down into the path, almost crushing him as wood splintered, sending tiny shards of brittle timber peppering his body. Aaron swore and fell, raising a hand to shield his eyes. Monster attacks were rare, but not unheard of, especially towards the tail end of turbulence. The thousands of fish, squid and other sea critters in the slaughterhouses were an easy, and tempting target.

Aaron tried to stand, blood streamed down his forearms and legs where they had been struck by the explosion of splinters. It hurt, but he was-

Another beam of water carved overhead, this one aimed not for him but the walls to the nearest warehouse. The crabs were going for their prize, but they wouldn’t turn down the free meal of any humans that got in their way. There was a scream and Aaron twisted to look behind him. An older man, shirt torn and blood streaming down the side of his head had his arms raised defensively, a monstrous crab looming above him, pincer clacking and soulless eyes staring down at their victim.

He wanted to close his eyes, to turn away from the execution of his fellow [Labourer], but he couldn’t. Like watching an out of control carriage veering towards a fruit stall, he couldn’t avert his gaze. Then something fell from above, slamming into the crab and pulverising it down, and through the wooden pathway. It was a warhammer, heavy and wide, constructed from woven bands of wood and shaped by a deft hand. The weapon fell with the crab, both dropping out of sight, the splash that followed being drowned out by the screams coming from all around.

Aaron scrambled back, pressing up against the beam and muttering prayers under his breath. He looked up, desperate to see the source of the attack that had crushed one of the monsters in a single hit. The older man let out a low groan from where he still lay, Aaron blinked, forcing himself to refocus as he ran forward to help him up. Two more crabs scurried towards them, pincers clacking as they sought out an easy meal.

“Cmon, cmon get up.” He hissed, pulling up the older [Labourer] even as the two crustaceans closed in. From somewhere off in the distance the crack of skills being activated could be heard. “Help!” He yelled, stumbling down the water strewn platform. “Somebody! Please! Help-

The walkway rippled, each individual plank of wood rising as if they had turned liquid. Then a figure burst through the fallen beam blocking the way forward, it seemed to melt around them, parting like cloth as it twisted and rose. The split halves of the beam warped into twin lances, tips jagged and wickedly sharp. Then both spears launched forward, zipping through the air with a sharp whistle. One of the projectiles was deflected by a defensive skill from a crab, the other found its mark as it impaled itself within the other crab’s mouth.

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The stranger was clad in layers of billowing grey and white cloth, gold and red detailing lining each fold of fabric as their clothing billowed in the harsh sea breeze. Aaron couldn’t see the person’s arms, but his attention was fixated on their face instead. Or rather, the brightly coloured animal mask that covered their visage, a grey hood draped over the back of their head. Sharp golden eyes glowed from within twin slitted eyeholes, a promise of power and violence as they burned behind the mask.

“R-right, thanks.”

Leif conjured a dozen golden hands from within his multi-layered poncho-like garb. The fabric parting as each limb darted out to place a palm on each injured human. With an effort of will, he pulsed healing energy down each arm, the power spreading into every target simultaneously, wounds closing with visible speed. Retracting the conjured limbs he mentally connected with each patient, pushing the importance of rest into their minds, the direction bestowing the effects of a skill should they choose to follow it.

By the time he had stood and was walking over to where Jason was leaning against a shed half of the men were breathing deeply, eyes closed. One was even snoring.

“It’s crazy how everyone stops panicking when you show up, I had to pin down some of them just to get them to stay within my [Domain of Spring].”

“I have several skills that all help with that.” The scion replied, nodding to a group of soldiers that were carrying blankets. “Here, take these.”

Jason’s eyes went wide as Leif summoned a handful low grade mana shards into his upturned palm. “N-no, mentor I couldn’t. Aren’t these from the monsters”

“They are, and they won’t do me any good, I’ve outgrown this grade of mana shard.”

“But, still, that’s a whole lot of money.”

“I’m not giving you all of them, not when my new spatial ring has so much free space. I’ll sell them once we’re back at the guild.”

“Fine, but I owe you.”

Leif snorted, ignoring the offer. “Let’s go, we’re not needed here any more.”

“Did you know?” Jason asked, following after him as Leif strode away.

“Did I know... what?”

“That monsters would attack the docks, is that why you chose to train down here today?”

“Nope, I just wanted to have a look at the water. The last time I was this close to the sea I was in a fairly precarious situation.”

“More precarious than a bunch of murderous crabs trying to kill everyone.”

Leif thought about it for a moment before replying. “More dangerous for me. More birds too.”