My Servant System

It felt so much more real the moment we entered the trial together, the sudden loss of any sort of escape sealing my fate as we both stood together in this copse of trees, looking around at all of the open fields and wildlife that roamed around freely.

"We're here to hunt something... but they didn't leave us a real description. I suppose that means exploration first, actual hunting later. Hnn... That's irritating, but if we're quick we can figure everything out sooner rather than later. C'mon."

Lady Fenyras was unbothered by my plight, the Demon Wolf stepping out from the copse of trees and looking around for some sort of indicator of where we might need to go; the sun bathed her gray skin in harsh golden rays, making that single silver eye all the sharper as she glanced back at me and frowned.

Her lips had a few scars marring their otherwise smooth exterior, and when they pulled into a thin line each of her scars twisted, causing her face to become alive with displeasure rather then just briefly illuminated with it.

"I said come on."

The tone she took also brooked no argument, and I found myself walking out to her side not even a moment later, my body moving before my mind could tell it to do so; it was an order from my current 'leader', from someone who was in charge, and there was no way I was going to disobey.

And she knew that too since a small smirk tugged at her lips, but before she could enjoy herself too much we both turned towards a growl that came from nearby, one that open and not directed at us; the moment we made eye contact with the horse sized hybrid monster we realized just how dangerous this place was going to be.

The reason we realized that was simple; it hadn't been there a few seconds ago, since both of us would have noticed the scale legged, feathered headed reptile wolf eagle hybrid thing that stood before us, and we would have definitely seen it because of its golden plumage, red scales, and reddish gold fur coat that did not blend in with the bluish green grass around us.

Each of those red scales flickered, becoming translucent and revealing the grass that rested behind it, meaning that this thing had some sort of camouflage abilities that it knew how to make perfect use of.

That also meant that it had either already been there or it had a borderline silent movement alongside no scent at all, making it the epitome of a predator; what made it all the more fascinating and dangerous was its ability to control itself as it just stared at us.

Before Lady Fenyras could move her hand towards her weapon I muttered "Let's... just step away for now...", making the Demon Wolf growl - and in response having our new friend here growl back - before she reluctantly took a step backwards, which was mimicked by the monster.

We all stepped away from one another before eventually coming to the mutual agreement to just leave, with the monster keeping most of itself visible as it turned around while we just continued to watch it warily.

When it was gone from our sight completely we remained on guard, but that didn't stop the Demon Wolf from asking "Why are we not just killing the damn thing?! It was probably our prey!", her sharp tone cutting a little now that I had only her to rely on.

And because I only had her - and because we were both Caninekin - that disapproval hurt on an instinctual level since I needed to make her happy, but the blessing of sentience and free will allowed me to reply "Because it could go 'invisible', sneak up on us, and because we have no idea if it is only one. Besides, look around us."

The earlier 'hunters paradise' that we had been dropped into - open fields of grass, some trees and shrubbery, and dozens upon dozens of healthy animals - was no just an empty set of bluish green fields devoid of any animals, meaning they had all sense the monster the moment it appeared and instantly turned tail to run.

I had no idea what animals they really were and how strong they might have been, but for every single one to unanimously agree to just flee meant this thing was top of the food chain, especially because I do remember seeing other monsters and predators mixed in with the rest.

"If it goes invisible I'll just burn everything around us and force it out of hiding. Your wind amplifies my flames, my rock or metal will keep us safe and then we set the tone for the battle. There was no reason to let it go like that, not when it is likely our target."

Now she was looking down at me like I was an idiotic child, and after stamping down on the pang in my heart I replied "Or it could just be a monster that is here. A piece of our puzzle. All that we were given was to hunt; not directions to hunt the strongest, nor to hunt a monster. We need to look around first."

She clicked her tongue and crossed her arms over her chest, causing her biceps to flex against her fitted leather armor perfectly while also drawing my eyes towards her neck, which looked like it was made from different kinds of ropes as she looked towards the horizon.

"Fine. I did say no hunting earlier, so let's not hunt; let's explore. Pick a direction then, pup. Guide me around and make yourself useful."

The disdain was both stinging and warm as she treated me terribly, my own desires flaring a little while the desires Cali had suppressed knocked against her chains, only to eventually have me push everything down myself as I nodded and summoned a bit of magic to my fingertips, casting a spell that would help me parse through the scents in the air.