“I have previously informed you of my immunity to this monster’s ability. You need not worry.”

  ?elare grits his teeth and steps back, watching as Astraea grips the beast by the head and rips it from her body. Her clothing is torn, revealing sickly green veins spreading from the bite, but in mere seconds her shoulder returns to normal, as if there were never any injury.

  She throws the snake’s head to the ground and stretches her arm. The creature backs away slightly and stares at her, and she hears a male voice in her head.

  “What are you?”

  Chuckling slightly, the girl talks aloud.

  “That is irrelevant. I propose that you and we make a pact. I have something I need done, and doing it will benefit you greatly.”

  She glances back at ?elare for a moment, who has a bemused look on his face, then refocuses on the Worldgorger, who responds.

  “You wish to bargain with an ancient being such as I? How naive. However, I will listen to your request and if I care not, you shall be devoured like all the others.”

  The healer smiles and says, “Very well. ?elare, explain our circumstances. Simply state them verbally and you will hear it respond.”

  Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

  The boy hesitates before he speaks.

  “Alright… Are you aware of a man named Novus? He is really powerful and we need to take him down as he is mind-controlling our friends.”

  He winces as a voice enters his mind.

  “I know the man you speak of. One of the few even potentially capable of slaying a being born of divinity such as I. It surely would be an appetising meal.”

  The mage's eyes open with surprise and he says, “If we support you in defeating him, might you be able to win?”

  A long sigh is followed by more words.

  “I am the Worldgorger. I have the power to consume all, even so, the additional security would be preferable. Very well. You have yourself a deal, so let us discuss both the terms and our plan."

  Hunter takes a deep breath as he nocks an arrow and draws his bow and looses an arrow at one of the four dirt mounds in the distance. Just as debris is launched in all directions, another projectile is released until the final pile is annihilated. He drops his bow and collapses into a sitting position, gripping his right arm with a groan. Looking to his side, he sees Vis staring with an impressed look.

  “Heh, that's impressive. Do you even use any magic for these shots?”

  The bowman shakes his head and says, “Only to form the arrows and to stabilise my stance. It's pure muscle and aiming skill beyond that.”

  The warrior grunts and glances around. Both remain silent for several seconds until Hunter sighs and speaks.

  “Something has to have gone wrong with Astraea's mission. I think both Novus and ?elare are trying to help her.”

  Vis responds with a thin smile.

  “Teacher’d never make such a mistake. Just trust him.”

  “I have been, but don't you think she had a point back-”

  “No.”

  Several more moments of silence pass, eventually broken by an exclamation from Vis.

  “Wait, Astraea's just come out of the building! Wonder what's happened to her shoulder.”