Headed by a Snake

Ptolema swayed her head backward to avoid Karodin, bowing for forgiveness. The Legionnaire's speed surprised her a little bit. Wasn't this person a Bronze-Rank?

"I hadn't meant to take advantage of you, Miss Ptolema." Karodin apologized, "--grabbing you like that, I mean."

Was he referring to when he helped her sit up? Ugh. It wasn't like he did anything creepy or touched anyplace questionable. This man had a shite sense of propriety.

"Tch. It's fine," Ptolema grumbled.

"The fourth and final seal, Mister Karodin," The green-haired Tactician prompted. "Will you be accompanying us?"

"Yeah! I'm coming!"

Without as much as a goodbye, the two sprinted off, the tall mage going along with them.

Ptolema's arm felt hot, the fracture steadily repairing due to the potion. It was how she knew it was working... that, and how hungry she felt. Standing up, she waved her good arm to greet the approaching Acolyte Diantha.

Diantha trotted over quickly and gave a sharp salute, "Leader."

It was rare to see her with her hood down. Her baby face and cute, dark curls betrayed her young age. In a similar betrayal, the dark rings beneath her reddened eyes showed that she'd had her own share of difficulties.

"Glad to see you still in one piece, girl," Ptolema wore the most assuring smile she could, "Report."

"The third seal has been completed but Mister Eugenios is suffering mana exhaustion," Diantha coolly explained.

"Hm. Very well," Ptolema nodded in thought. "Help him withdraw. I'll pass word to our archers that we're heading back."

The Acolyte shook her head, "Our guild members are still in danger, Leader. I will go to them and provide support as we fall back."

The girl's plan made sense. Ptolema didn't like it, but it made sense.

Even with one arm, Ptolema was stronger and could assist Eugenios more easily. Conversely, the Acolyte class could support their other ranged classes at a distance.

"Tch. Alright," Ptolema grimaced. "Do so."

Diantha bowed her head, "I hear you, Leader."

"Ehh..." Ptolema sighed and shook her head, "You can just call me Ptolema from now on."

She deserved it, especially concerning how difficult the fight had been. It looked like she gained some confidence, as well. If anyone in the Snowy Village adventuring company needed more confidence, it was the reticent Acolyte that tended to hide quietly underneath her hood.

Acolyte Diantha raised her head and curled her lips up in a small smile, "Flame guide your path, Ptolema."

Ptolema nodded, "Flame guide you safely back, girl."

...

"Did you use a Tactician skill on me, Sir Tycon?" Karodin asked as the trio jogged towards the fourth seal. "It felt like all of a sudden, I could fight the Lake Eels singlehanded-ly!"

"I highly advise against it," Tycon frowned, not bothering to meet the bounding Legionnaire's inquisitive gaze. "Do not take unnecessary risks, Mister Karodin."

"You got it, Boss!" Karodin grinned.

...Hm. It had been a while since he'd been called as such. It gave him a sense of nostalgia.

Tycon, his tall friend, and his slightly-ridiculous friend arrived at the location of the fourth and final seal. They were supposed to receive a warm and hearty greeting by the members of Pyromancer Photios' group, easily the strongest of the three caster-centric groups. Instead, they were greeted by the sight of their corpses, strewn about in pieces or crushed and bled by Lake Eel teeth.

Tycon took a deep breath and sighed. Duelist Ptolema's group had to defeat nearly three times the number of eels as the other groups. Whatever had happened at the fourth seal had likely factored into that.

"Brother-Zenon..." Tycon turned to the Centurion, "How confident are you in reactivating the seal on your own?"

Zenon averted his gaze, "I don't have enough mana to complete the channeling by myself."

It might have been possible, had he not wasted-- no... used his energy in assisting Acolyte Diantha.

...As frustrated as he was, there was no sense in berating Zenon for it. The Centurion already keenly knew he was at fault. Further, it was probable that his recent friend, Mister Photios, lied amongst the dead.

The closest seal beside the first was the third... and Diantha had no mana left. By this time, the group at the second seal should have already withdrawn to the back line.

Tycon briefly considered seeking assistance from one of the mages from Bannok's group? ...No, a rogue factor entering into combat with the Throne Giant carried a substantial risk. Anyroad, every single member of that group would be focused on keeping Bannok alive. Taking one or two had the possibility of offsetting that balance.

Tycon shook his head, his expression grave. The plan was a failure. They needed to move as fast as possible, in order to find a hornblower to sound a retreat. Thankfully, they had the advantage of Zenon, who could boost their movement with his mana-efficient ⌈Wind Walk⌋ spell.

...In retrospect, he should have asked for one of the horns and instruction on its usage.

Karodin's sharp whistle pierced the silence, "This sun keeps getting worse and worse."

Tycon and Centurion Zenon immediately glared at the Legionnaire.

"Whaaat?!" Karodin grinned in embarrassment, "I was trying to lighten the mood!"

The frozen lake beneath them began to rumble violently, Karodin dropping to a knee and Zenon reflexively using his magic to levitate.

"Karodin!" Zenon shouted, "Come on, man! You don't say these kinds of things!"

A familiar creature emerged from the ice. The red-scaled Dire Lake Eel surged up, towering over the trio. While it sported a few new arrows and crossbow bolts stuck in its armored plating, it remained relatively undamaged overall.

"When you tempt the fates, Mister Karodin..." Tycon massaged the bridge of his nose, "Do not be surprised when they answer."

The creature's roar drowned out the Legionnaire's frantic apologizing.

...

⟬ A few moments earlier. ⟭

"Save your strongest skills for when the fourth seal is released," Tanamar spoke calmly. Divine arrows like rays of the sun shone from the Holy Lancer's bow, finding their marks upon the undead giant's chest, "It'll be soon."