Callie's Heroes

PART I - MISSION COMPLETE, RETURN TO BASE

Tazrok’s sudden words caused Callie to open her eyes, and she pulled her head back slightly, breaking the kiss. Pixyl likewise pulled away, feeling warm and embarrassed, detangling herself and dropping to the ground, but still looking up into Callie’s beautiful purple eyes.

“We … uh … we should probably go deal with that Rift,” Callie said, trying to change the subject as quickly as possible. She coughed lightly, still looking at Pixyl, and smiled awkwardly again, unsure what to do next.

“What did we miss?” Vanis asked, walking up to the rest of the group and seeing their odd expressions, Maugra on one side and Juniper helping to hold him steady on the other..

Major Celeste chuckled once, turning to the Warlock. “Callie and Pixyl,” she said mockingly, using two hands to form a heart shape against her chest.

“Really?” Vanis said, a surprised look briefly on his face, which quickly turned into a smile. “It’s about time.”

Callie turned slowly, looking back at her housemate, before finally realizing that Tazrok had said the same thing. She shifted her glare to the big Ogre and then to the rest of the team. “You knew?”

There were grunts and nods in agreement from Ambria, Maugra, Lhawni, and Celeste, with Tazrok and Vanis also confirming again. “It was obvious,” Celeste added for good measure, a laugh in her voice.

Shaking her head slowly, Callie threw out her arms in exasperation, letting them flop to her side. “Let’s just go take care of that damn Rift.”

Making a quick assessment before they moved, it turned out there were a few serious injuries, but none were life-threatening for the moment. Tazrok was still hurting from his ramming-speed Brontorn attack, fairly sure he had dented a couple ribs at minimum. Bratig was likewise in pain from even before the fight with the huge elemental, wincing, but still mobile. Rowani hit them both with a generalized healing spell, but it was a stopgap on the promise that a proper examination was done once the Rift was tapped.

Unfortunately, Ambria had also been hurt, and actually somewhat seriously. During the fight, she fell while dodging out of the way of a boulder, hitting her head. With the hard hit, she snapped a few centimeters off of one of her antlers. As a result, her entire head was covered in blood, which had dripped heavily down her face, staining her armor. Of course, the one that had been damaged was the one that hadn’t been broken while healing Kaisess, and she tried to laugh it off, pointing out how even more ridiculous she must look, despite assurances that combat scars were sexy.

Despite all the blood, the Healer continued to brush everything away, saying that the injury was minor and antlers simply bled a lot when broken, but Callie could see that there was a lot more to it. It took a little cajoling, followed by a straight-out order from the Major, before the Faun revealed the extent of her injuries. Hitting the ground antler-first had wrenched her neck fiercely. As a result, not only was it quite sore, but she had pain, residual tingling sensations and weakness in her arms and legs, as well as occasional dizziness. Thankfully, she was able to move all her limbs, including wiggling her hooves and tail when ordered, so it didn’t appear to be any kind of paralysis. While the Faun stated her own examination showed everything was fine for the moment, Cheena ordered her to the ground for a proper Shaman examination, which quickly revealed some seriously bruised neck muscles and one of her vertebrae slightly misaligned, which explained the ongoing tingling sensations and weakness. It would likely have corrected itself without help, probably within a day, but there was no way the Shaman was going to let it go untended.

“I can fix this easy enough,” Cheena said, “but it’s going to take a bit of time and concentration. You don’t want to rush a neck injury, especially one to the bones.” She then looked across the battle area, past the Elemental statue. “Why don’t you all go close that Rift. We can join you in fifteen minutes or so, when I’ve finished.”

Callie was about to offer to stay behind, to assist or offer protection should it be needed, but Wallir beat her to it, with Melga also making the offer.

“You don’t need my help?” Rowani asked.

The Shaman shook her head. “I can handle this.” Then she looked up at the two Druids staying behind. “I’ll send one of them if I need you. In the meantime, get that Rift tapped and then everyone else taken care of.”

Rowani nodded in response, and then generally gestured towards the Rift in the distance. As one, the remaining team walked forward, Callie again imagining an epic movie slow-walk. They passed under the remains of the huge Elemental, marveling at what they were seeing towering over them, and boggling that only a short time before it had been animated and trying to smush them all.

As they were approaching, a pair of normal-sized Elementals rose from the rift, assembling themselves from the scattered remains around them. Pixyl charged ahead, zipping through the air to expertly blast both of them. Another Greater that came into being soon after was quickly killed by Callie, although she was thoroughly chastised by Maugra for using mana so soon after suffering mana exhaustion. Celeste made an important point of firmly ordering Callie to stand down going forward, unless there was absolutely no choice, even if she was feeling fine.

This Rift was as uninspiring as the first one had been. As before, it was simply a hole in the ground with fog burbling out before rolling for several meters across the stones. This hole was larger, though, a little under one-half a meter in diameter, and Tazrok quickly started to assess the boulders available around him to see which were good candidates for sealing it.

Maugra summoned her Totem, which this time fell nearly completely into the Rift’s hole before catching as the summoned construct finally grew wide enough. “Alright, I’m going to start,” the Goblin warned, waving for everyone to get back as she distanced herself as well. With a flick of her finger, the Totem roared to life, blasting a cone of blue-hot fire straight upwards, visually extending a good twenty meters before dispersing. The flames were far hotter than the first time, and everyone needed to retreat even farther, Maugra quickly joining them, her face covered in sweat.

“That is magnificent,” Vanis said, essentially stating the obvious.

Callie kept glancing at Pixyl, trying to maintain some semblance of professionalism, or something, as she resisted the urge to scoop the Pixie up again. She could tell their display had made others uncomfortable, and wanted to avoid that. Pixyl, hovering several meters away, kept looking her way as well, a sly, embarrassed smile on her face. They needed some time alone to talk … and other things.

“What do we need to do next?” the Major asked, this time deferring back to Vanis, apparently restoring command to him now that the threat had been neutralized.

Vanis looked at the Major, and then to Callie, a little shocked to be back in charge, considering what happened. He wore the shock well, and quickly composed himself. Looking at the sky, the sun now starting to grow a little red, his face put on a frown.

“Let us concentrate on those with injuries for the moment. A decision needs to be made whether to return down the hill tonight, despite the rapidly fading light, or perhaps make camp up here on the ridge and make that journey in the morning. We’ll need to leave early to get someone back before the camp sends reinforcements, if we don't send word tonight.”

Before departing, there had been a debate about whether the camp should send additional people immediately, even if they wouldn’t arrive until dusk. They would then be onsite to assist with the attack in the morning, assuming the team teleported in by Juniper hadn’t succeeded.

Eventually, it was decided that if nobody reported to the camp by the end of breakfast the next morning, then a full wagon of reinforcements would be sent, placing them onsite by early afternoon. Now, with the threat cleared, Juniper would teleport someone to the camp as soon as they could get back to the trees. Otherwise, one of the flyers, or even Tazrok in Curvax, could race back and let the Legate know there was no need to send more.

With the roar of Maugra’s Totem blasting away the Rift’s overflowing power, Rowani and Lhawni took some time to look over each person. Bratig was the most-heavily injured, his back sore from the multiple boulder hits he’d taken in his Guardian form. The Druid trainer was actually surprised that, thankfully, nothing appeared to be broken, Bratig’s natural armor on his Cyophroda serving him well. She pushed some direct healing into the shirtless Dwarf, and while it helped with the crush-injuries, it did very little to fade the dark-purple bruises he wore.

Tazrok had been nearly as injured as Bratig, but he’d slapped some durational general healing onto himself during the fight, so was in overall better condition. Still, Lhawni, with a little oversight from a partially-distracted Maugra, needed to focus on fusing a couple cracked bones back together before dealing with what bruising she was able. Some internal organ bruising also needed a little care.

The rest of the team was largely unhurt, outside of some minor bruises from trips and tumbles, or pieces of flying rock. Nobody had been hit by any boulders directly, save Bratig and Tazrok, amazingly. More importantly, nobody had been squished into paste.

While everyone was being examined, Pixyl sidled closer to Callie, looking up at her. Neither were sure what to say to each other, especially with an audience. Instead, they simply held hands with each other, their fingers intertwining, acknowledging what had happened, and implying a promise to discuss it as soon as they could. Callie saw a few people glancing at them, and most seemed to have a smile on their face on seeing the pair. Rowani and Maugra were in huddled conversation low enough that Callie couldn’t hear the pair over the roar, but smiling glances seemed to indicate it was somehow related to Callie or Pixyl, or the both of them as a pair.

Eventually, Cheena arrived with Ambria and the others. The Faun was no longer in pain, but she was embarrassed because she had suffered another antler injury. Wallir had summoned fresh water, and used a cloth from his Healer’s kit to clean Ambria’s face and wipe her armor down as best he could. Still, dark stains of crusty red remained, clearly showing that there had been a very bloody injury.

Ambria took a seat on the ground, sheltering from the intense heat behind one of the Elemental’s legs, needing to rest a bit. Between the fight itself, and likely the impact of the bloodloss, she was simply feeling exhausted. Cheena did thump out a Refresh pulse to help, which everyone else appreciated as well. Still, the Faun looked to be in rough shape, and she commented on her plans to sleep in as much as possible the next day, or at least go back for a nap if there was another early-morning debrief.

Eventually, getting a little bored, Pixyl left Callie’s side, flying off to inspect the now-statued Elemental. Wallir also did the same, skipping happily up the inert outstretched arm like a long ramp, before finally sitting on the edge with his legs dangling as he leaned back against the dead Elemental’s body, watching the sunset. Melga joined him after a bit, choosing to fly up rather than walk. Callie couldn’t help but notice the two of them were a little extra cozy with each other.

Gradually, slowly enough that nobody really noticed at first, the hot flames from the Totem started to wane as the pressure in the Rift eased. This was a relief for Maugra. While controlling the Totem’s magic only required a light channeling, the long duration and last several hours were finally catching up with her, despite the enhanced power from the Rift. Cheena lended an assist, tagging her with a Rejuvenation spell to add a little mana and stamina to the Goblin’s reserves, but the Goblin eventually had to down a mana potion, making an awful face in the process.

“Alright,” Major Celeste finally called out, gesturing towards Vanis again. “The Rift is almost tapped and everyone has been healed. What do you want to do?” She had been hoping that Vanis would have called for this discussion already.

The Warlock turned towards the setting sun, and then back to the East at the forest a few kilometers away. Looking at the rest of the group, Tazrok was the only one that didn’t have some form of enhanced or low-light vision, and the Ogre had it in alternative forms and could fly, too. The Dwarves, Goblins, Juniper, Callie and Pixyl each had Darkvision, and the Elves and Catkins had Nightvision, so would need just the barest of light to see.

“I believe we will be able to get safely down the hill,” Vanis said, speaking his thoughts out loud. “We may need an occasional flare or other light, and may encounter a remnant elemental or two, but I’d much rather camp well away from this ridge if we’re able.”

“Juniper may even be able to take some of us back this evening, depending on her teleport cooldown,” Olin added. “We just need to get to the treeline.”

“Oh a bed sounds wonderful,” the still mostly-exhausted Ambria commented. A few murmurs of agreement sounded in support.

“It’s your call,” the Major said flatly, again gesturing towards Vanis. “You’re in charge.”

Vanis eyed everyone, including glancing up at those on the Elemental statue. As he looked towards Callie, she gestured subtly with her head in the general direction of the trees. Nodding, he made a concurring decision. “We’ll go. If we are able to return this evening, we can do that, but I think we’ll need an extra trip for the Major and Tazrok, unless the right people head back on their own.”

A few eyes looked to Callie for an agreement, since the travel logistics had been her doing, and she simply shrugged, saying, “Sounds good.” As far as she was concerned, Vanis may have asked her to take over briefly in the middle of the fight, but this was still his mission. If he or Celeste said otherwise, she’d step up permanently, but the Warlock seemed to have his wits back. In the meantime, she’d give some thought to the best way to get everyone home.

“I can’t believe you used my underwear as a flag!” Major Celeste grumbled, as Wallir rejoined them on the hike back and handed them to her. She then glared down at Loki, who Juniper had resummoned once they reached the bottom of the hill. “And you, stop taking my things!”

The little plant-monster only seemed to grin, before another piece of lacy red fabric emerged from his mouth.

Celeste growled, pulling out what was the sexy top piece to what was a matched set of lingerie. “You little shit!” Quickly, she stuffed both pieces of cloth into her backpack, before putting it roughly back on, while several others chuckled good-naturedly.

Wallir and Melga had flown off to retrieve the provisions and the makeshift underwear flag, while the rest of the team decided to make a direct path through the prairie grasses to the treeline. Nobody was quite sure what the plan was for getting back to camp, but were grateful for getting off the ridge.

“So, who’s the underwear for?” Callie asked the Major, a sly bit of innuendo in her tone.

“What?” Celeste responded, horror on her face.

“The underwear, who’s it for?”

“Why do you think it’s for someone?”

Callie shrugged, and smirked a bit, too. “Come on, nobody has sexy red lacy underthings unless they are wearing them for someone.”

“Never you mind!” Celeste scowled defensively.

There was a bit of a teasing ‘ooooooo’ sound from much of the party.

“Bah!” the Major snapped, before looking down at Loki. “I blame you for this!” Then she looked at Juniper. “And you, for that matter. Keep your little thief away from my undergarments.”

“You heard the Major,” Juniper cooed to her familiar. “Do not be taking her pretty clothing. There are plenty other of the Major’s things you may take if you wish to play.”

The laughing at the Dryad’s response drowned out any angry response the Major may have tried to argue, and she eventually threw her hands out in exasperation before storming ahead of everyone.

As they walked down the hill and out into the grasses, about a dozen Elementals were encountered, most of them being of the pebble variety, which Pixyl, Olin or Tazrok in Hellhound form quickly dispatched, Eventually the group was far enough away from the lingering Ley magic that no more Elementals threatened.

The sun had fully set, and now with the barest of light in the western skies, most of it hidden by the ridge, everyone had to rely on some form of enhanced vision to see where they were going. Thankfully, the clouds were absent and the stars were coming out, providing just barely enough light to at least move ahead carefully.

Callie walked, enjoying the twilight and using her Darkvision as needed to see where she was going. Even with the light gone, the air was comfortably warm, and her head kept circling back to the idea of simply finding a quiet, out of the way spot to sit with Pixyl and see what might happen. Then, as she thought about it, the idea of what might happen made her face feel flush, especially when Ambria looked between her and Pixyl, adding a wink of apparent knowing.

Trying to distract herself, Callie decided to give some focused thought on how to get everyone back to camp. The problem was that the addition of the Major and Tazrok required a third wave for transport, and Juniper had effectively a two-hour cooldown between round trips. That meant, for a couple people, it would be at least three hours of sitting around waiting. Originally, it was assumed Tazrok would get back on his own via Curvax form if his weasel couldn’t fit in somehow, or that Rowani might fly. But now, Celeste just made the math more complicated, since she couldn’t shapeshift. Maybe Callie could rearrange people? Or other people get back on their own, too? Or maybe …

“Hey everyone,” Callie called out, bringing the group to a halt. “I just had a thought.”