I woke up to feet pounding on the dirt above. People were running all over the place. I even heard swords clashing. Which means there are even more people than just one village full on this side of the mountains.
The clashes and thumps moved further and further with more and more people joining. Eventually, it stopped and the footsteps moved back to the camp.
The only problem was that the footsteps were wrong. There were too many to have been from those who I was with before. Umara and her team had been driven away. And I was left in this tiny hole, with hostile people above.
The new people started making lots of noise as they apparently went through the little that was left behind by Umara and her guards. Since my ears were still enhanced I listened in to their conversation with ease.
"They didn't have much. There's only some food and blankets in these bags. Not even a change of clothes."
"Keep looking. They must have something else. They're clearly here for a reason. Umara is smart. She wouldn't have come through here for no reason. Especially with such a small group."
"There are no traces of metals."
"I have a strange find just under here. There's a hole under a thin layer of dirt."
Shit.
Thumps as they walked over. Creating a circle around my little hole.
“You mean to tell me they have something buried here?”
“Uh. Yes. Well. it’s odd.” A pause. She’s probably trying to figure out what would fit. “It’s a cylindrical hole. Ninety centimetres in diameter and height. It’s not smooth either. I have no clue what could be down there.”
“How far down?”
“Oh. It’s one meter down. Wait. There are holes going down to the space. They’re tiny but why would holes be needed?”
“Where are these holes?”
“They’re all over the place. But they were done in a way that they connect to the main area all around and come above ground everywhere. Actually, it looks like they were done in a way so that it doesn’t cave in too. I think there is something living in there!”
"What?!" Oh no.
"What should we do?"
"Unearth whatever it is right now!"
My mind went blank. How was I supposed to fight back or escape all tied up? They'll be ready for just about anything and they already drove away Umara and the others. Normally I could probably shift into something tiny and hide that way or escape out the holes they mentioned, but with the bindings, my wrists will stay the same and I won't fit. The colour isn't even helpful so I can't camouflage and they'll see my clothes anyway.
"There's a piece of wood here. I think it's just there to keep the dirt we just removed from falling in the hole. It's definitely hollow."
"Well then remove it. Hurry up!"
I closed my eyes and sighed. Times up. I guess I'll just be winging it.
As the wood was finally removed and just before the sunlight hit me, I made sure all my alterations were only on the inside. It wouldn't go well if they see me as a mix of strange creatures, especially when some don't even exist in this galaxy or century.
"There's a person!"
"Pull them out. Be wary though. They may be tied up but Umara must have had her in there for a reason."
The dirt around us shifted as the hole was filled under me and as soon as I was close enough to their level I was pulled to my feet.
"Who are you."
I opened my eyes and looked around. Umara and her guards had definitely been ambushed and their stuff was all over the place. But other than that all evidence of a fight had already been removed.
"Answer me! Who are you!"
"I was sent by the Dytamotous government to judge the lands beyond the mountains."
"They're still trying? What is wrong with them?" I wonder the same thing sometimes.
"And that's not what I asked for. What is your name." He was gritting his teeth and I could tell it would not end well if I didn't give it this time.
"Rina Silvest."
"Folixpa?"
"Tragmilshif."
"No wonder you were down there. I suppose there are to stop you from using it? Well, let's clear out and head back home. You're coming too."
Everyone scrambled at the orders and packed up all of the bags in record time. Too soon we were heading towards their village and I had no ideas for how to get out. But while I was wracking my brain for options I remembered that there was an animal that could use photosynthesis. I quickly shifted two long tails attached to each of my ankles that ended in a large leaf-like structure, ever so slightly floating above the ground. The animal this comes from was much smaller than me but I made the tails much larger to account for the difference in size. I just had to hope no one noticed them since they were bright green and took up the whole path a few meters behind us. Or that they noticed when my eyes changed to green too.
Noon came and went before the village finally came into view. It was much bigger than Arydas and complete with walls armed with spikes and guards out patrolling. There was no way for me to escape like this now.
"Were you thinking of running just now? You must be very brave. Or desperate. Or maybe it's stupidity. You came to this side after all."
"She obviously was going to run. They always try to."
"And then when they see our fortress they know they've lost."
"It's also definitely stupidity. Those Arydas people are hopeless you'd have to be stupid to be caught by them."
They all burst out laughing. The whole time we travelled they ridiculed every aspect of Umara's village and speculated on ridiculous possibilities of what they do or do not have. Why would these people think that the villagers take hours to do a ritual every day before they eat?
"Hurry up or we will get scraps for lunch!"
They picked the pace up as I decided that I should remove the leaves before they were spotted by the village guards. I kept my eyes as they were though, no one had noticed and no one here knew me.
The last few hundred meters were the worst. I knew each move I made was being watched by many of the guards along the walls and that every step closer lead me to a locked room that was surely awaiting me.
As soon as we arrived, the gates swung open and a group of villagers greeted them inside. Everyone looked over me curiously, waiting for an explanation from my captors.
“Rina Silvest. Says she’s from Dyta’.”
Gasps went around those gathered. The weapons that were at rest snapped to attention, poised to destroy me if I made one wrong move.
“The six of you managed to capture her? How?”
“Don’t be ridiculous, Biln. We took her off those Arydas people. Umara was even there!”
“Too bad we didn’t get to injure her.”
“Yeah, they fled without even really putting up a fight.”
“We took all their stuff and her though so it was worth it.”
“You’re telling us that Umara left her village and had this girl captured? And then they just let you take her like that?”
“I’m mean yeah that’s pretty much what happened.”
“Start the lockdown procedure! We can’t let them take her back! You are idiots, they were probably following you this whole time!”
No one better have been following us. They would have seen my true level of shapeshifting. And if they find out I lied... I didn’t sense anyone following us though. I still have my enhancements so I should have noticed.
But maybe...
"Tie her to the post in the square. We can keep track of her there."
The group pushed and pulled me along clearing a path through the now chaotic streets. And it was when we were ten meters away from the post that Umara made her move.
The bindings on my wrists loosened and fell to the ground, dissipating upon impact, while at the wall there were loud bangs and people shouting.
I quickly shifted into a Verpitav. The species speed, strength and claws were most useful in this situation. Plus it was a body I was very comfortable in and similar to an Irregiloes.
Fully changed, I jumped up and kicked at the heads of those surrounding me, instantly knocking them out. Leaping over their bodies, I headed for the roof of the nearest building. By going along them I can easily make it to the wall and escape without many confrontations.
Using my claws, I scaled the tallest building, something akin to a watchtower attached to their main building, I surveyed the area. I needed to find a way out. My first option seems possible, the buildings were close enough together and I could definitely get over the wall. The only problem was I also didn't want to run into Umara and her guards again. Which was going to be difficult since they were positioned in a way that I would be seen no matter what. Two were on the walls and the others were hiding just within the protection of the trees conducting long range attacks. And Umara was further in, judging by the sounds I was picking up, probably using her Folixpa to make sure they recaptured me and stopped these villagers.
This was just great. There is no way for me to escape without being noticed. Guess I'll just have to improvise as I go. And I should get going now, the villagers will start attacking me soon—they were already organising too.
With a small running jump, I leapt off the tower and rolled a landing two rooftops away. Out of the corner of my eyes, I could see people gapping at my display, which isn't really a surprise since I was now two hundred meters away and shouldn't have survived even if the jump was possible.
Other villagers were on the move though, chasing after me and calling out to those further ahead. Despite all my experience with it, I still hate fighting. But this time is so much harder. I'm in my world. I'm thousands of years in the past of my world. Some of these people could be my relatives or friends with them. I tried so hard to avoid this. It’s too late now though.
I should just keep running and defending. That should give me the highest chance of getting out too.
They will be using long range attacks with their Folixpas or arrows. What species do I know that can defend against that? The Plongerdeph is sturdy but it wouldn’t hold up, especially since I’m not in water. The skin of the Julecastice could be useful with all the teeth covering it but ultimately it will be useless for this. The Brelgin! They have the toughest scales! Okay. Having that paired with my suit should stop almost anything.
I continued running along, more confident that I will come out unscathed, but I still worried about having to face them. I’ve been in enough battles to guess what they’ll do but avoiding them will still be difficult. If not completely impossible.
I made it only five jumps before they started their attack. They threw spears that seemed to be aimed at my stomach. It was clear some were using their Folixpas to make the throws from the power, accuracy or speed behind them. Some missed and others I managed to somehow dodge but I was still struck. Luckily they didn’t pierce my armour. Though that doesn’t mean I wasn’t thrown off course or hurt, in fact, I’m definitely going to have some nasty bruises.
The spears slowed me down enough that some soldiers managed to get on the roofs ahead to block my way. Those with Erriblogan Folixpas even made barricades from their elements and more weapons. More projectiles came my way and I was forced back onto the ground.
Waiting for me were even more weapons and I ended up forcing my way into a building and slamming the door behind me. I needed time to think. My first approach wasn't working and it seemed like now my best bet was shifting into an insect. I didn't want to have to do this because Umara would be more alert. Plus escaping through a battle is pretty tough. But I don't have another option. Not one that I can think of at least.
Just as the door was starting to give way I shifted into a horsefly. Despite not being native to Erriblogan, there are now just as many as there were on Earth since some managed to somehow stow away on the 1000’s ship. Which means no one will think twice if they see me. Unless they can somehow tell it’s me. Like through someone with, oh I don’t know, a seer Folixpa perhaps.
I buzzed around the warriors' heads as they crowded the room, many splitting away to search the other rooms and check windows. No one paid me any mind and I flew out the open door and headed for my original destination.
Everyone started panicking soon after, finally having noticed they’d lost me. Umara’s people on the walls leapt off and retreated to the forest. As soon as they made it and I was almost to the last line of houses a blue glow surrounded the village. I couldn’t see well past it and I knew that it was the binders powers at work.
The magical fabric started to constrict and everyone it touched was bound before it moved on. I’m guessing it’s just looking for me and as it scanned everyone for my power signature it let them go since it doesn’t match. That Traniv wielder is definitely talented and powerful. Which means I’m caught in their trap and have no way out, no matter how small or large of a creature I become.
I quickly moved to where I would have the most time to prepare while working out which form will give me the best chances when stuck in it. I should try to have one that is number to pain and can defend and attack easily as well as having heightened senses. Honestly, the Verpitav is my best bet again so I shifted to the first form I had ever been stuck in on my first trip with my full power.
I landed fully changed just as the glow made it to the square. Immediately it spend up, not even bothering with testing anyone as I was in a form easy to spot and capture. Within seconds I was squashed before my hands were pulled behind my back and bound.
The constricting fabric disappeared around everywhere but my wrists and waist before pulling me up into the air and over the walls into the clutches of Umara’s people once again.
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