The Legendary Eagle Bearer Odyssey
(Chapter 1)
Previous Chapter(Chapter one: A Mercenary is Born)
Now then… where do I go from here? I look down at my mercenary armour realizing that I don’t have my Achilles armour. It seems like I’ve been downgraded.
I looked around and I couldn’t see any structures nearby in the thick forest. So I did the best thing I could do.
Get ikaros to help. With a whistle for my mouth I could hear the eagle screech as it swore down onto my arm.
“Chaire, my feathered friend, do you mind if I borrow your eyes?” I asked my bird companion.
With a squawk Ikaros soared high into the sky and soon I begin to see through his vision. As I looked around I noticed a plume of smoke far off into the distance. It looks to be east from my location.
With my mindset and my eagle friend in the sky, I marched off to go see this village. Along the way I saw so many interesting plants, trees and animals. Of course I could name all the animals but they look to be a different sub-race completely. I am unfortunately not a tree or plant expert and wouldn’t be able to tell you if something was new. But they definitely look weird compared to our regular trees.
After a long walk, I finally made it. I used Ikaros to see through his eyes to get a better look at the village above.
I can safely say what I saw surprise me. I know I said I didn’t care where I was placed but maybe not in a fucking, your human and you universe!
It seemed like griffins ran the town so I guess I’m not meeting the main six anytime soon but seeing a human meat store made me almost throw up.
I did a few speech practises and realize my speech wasn’t fucked up. So at least that’s a plus.
Using Ikaros eyes, I peered into the shop. I had to look away instantly after looking at all the meat. Looking around some more I noticed that very few of them even have a pet human. That’s when I noticed that a fifth of the population were ponies. I’m guessing they brought their customs about humans with them. The only question is am I in Griffin territory or equestrian territory.
I was about to leave and go find my answers somewhere else but that’s when I sought in the corner of Ikaros eyes somethings standing on a hill. Looking closer it was a person. A griffin to be accurate. Then more griffins appeared. They had the setting sun to their advantage as it made them look like a shadow. All of a sudden they charged down the mountain with weapons raised.
There had to be hundreds if not 1000 running their way to the village that hasn’t even realized it yet.
I mentally started arguing with myself whether I should stay and fight or run away. On one hand if I help it could help establish my mercenary status. But on the other they’re human eaters. I was about to walk away but then I saw through Ikaros a griffin girl spotting the army and was running away. By the looks of it she won’t make it with a sprained ankle as she tried to limp away.
“Phoibe...” My body moved before my mind. I ran into the town not caring what would happen to me only caring about the little girl. As griffins ran away from the danger I ran towards it. Through my friends' vision I could see that they’re gaining towards her, as I turn the corner I sprinted right for her.
I Readied my bow and prepared, multi shot, I locked on to eight enemies automatically as if it was a switch in my mind. I let loose instantly bringing down eight.
I did it again and again and again until finally I was out of adrenaline. With 32 dead I continued forward and all of a sudden I noticed one Griffin in particular flying towards her at super fast speeds. It was a race to get her and I didn’t plan on losing. As soon as we were both on top of her he aimed one of his blades for her head so I quickly grabbed her and moved her behind me. Using my left arm gauntlet to block it, thankfully it did. Letting go of the girl I grab my broken spear and thrusted it forward into his neck.
After he slid off my blade, the girl stood right behind me as she looked up at me in fear. I proceeded to get in a stance that would give me a chance while protecting her as she clutched my leg in fear.
The army stopped right in front of me as they were uncertain what to do. Slowly they moved forward at a steady pace.
One got impatient and rushed at me. He raised his blade but I quickly parried it with my broken spear, then I brought my father’s blade into his stomach spilling his guts on the ground.
Another one jumped me from the other side, using his wings to get the height advantage. I quickly threw my broken spear straight at his face. He fell right in front of me which I then grabbed my blade from his face As he fell past me.
‘How the fuck did I do that!’ I panicked. I realize I can’t take on an army by myself. I need to figure out a way to get out of here. I suddenly heard a whimper as I saw the little griffin girl clutch my leg harder. “Please don’t go, I don’t want to be left alone again.” she said it just above a whisper. My heart sunk after hearing her voice sounding so broken. After all she was just in rags and the smell of manure covered her.
I realize if I try the run I would have no choice but to leave her behind. The only safe spot would be the village and they would just be able to fly over the building while I have to make turns while I run. No doubt a few of them will be able to catch me and I’m going to need my weapons with me if I stand a chance. She won’t even be able to keep up on foot as she has a sprain ankle and if I carry her I won’t be able to use my weapons.
No! I am Alexios! I have fought army’s before and I’ve always come out alive! If I can’t fight them today… “I won’t to leave you.” I whispered loud enough for her to hear. She looked at me with wide eyes as I spoke. “But I need you to stand tall and negotiate with them. I know I’m asking a lot of you, but all you have to say is that we will move aside and not bother them but they leave us alone. It’s the only way for both of us to live.”
She clenched my leg harder not wanting to let go but slowly stood up and walked a little bit in front of me as she limped on 1 foot. “H-Here’s the deal!” She spoke in a shaky breath. I unfortunately had to stay silent not wanting them to see and hear my real self. “We will just walk away if you don’t bother us. We give no importance to anyone. It will only be meaningless slaughter.”
The army looked confused as the little girl negotiated. On cue I picked her up and reached for my blade which they all reacted, reading themselves for an attack. To their confusion I simply took a few steps to the right and a few more, getting out of the way without bloodshed. Slowly my few steps turned into a slight jog as I ran away with her in my arms. The army proceeded to continue the attack.
I just ran without saying a word into another part of a forest. I didn’t hesitate to look back only caring for the little girl in my arms. She did nothing but clinch onto me as I continued my run through the forest, not even feeling winded. Eventually after an hour I finally stopped my run. Noticing a cave I slowly made my way over to it. I proceeded to do so with caution making sure it wasn’t inhabited by Bears or bandits.
Eventually the cave got dark and luckily enough for me I had the ability to pull infinite amounts of torches. I handed it to her meeting to make sure that I could still wheeled my blade in case something was here.
After a minute of walking into the cave it came to a dead end with no signs of another being living here. I let out a sigh of relief as I noticed a small rock which was perfect for a stool and sat the girl onto it.
Now that I got an opportunity to get a good look at her I noticed that she was completely filthy and didn’t always smell like manure but was also covered in it in a few spots. She had scars running all over her legs and arms that the feathers couldn’t pass over yet. Her right wing was badly damaged as if someone had forcefully broke it. Lastly there was the sprain on her ankle. Luckily it wasn’t broken but it would still take time to heal.
I suddenly heard a squawk as Ikaros flew into the mouth of the cave and landed on my shoulder, shocking the little girl. I then realized that I never got her name. “Greetings” I said, shocking her with my voice again. “My name is Alexios and this little companion of mine is Ikaros. What is yours?” I asked her with a smile as I removed my helmet.
“My name is Garbage, I’m the village trash can.” She said as she looked down.
“Little one, you are not trash. At least not anymore. By the sounds of it you do not have parents, or if you do they are shitty.” She responds by shaking her head no but I asked. “What do you mean by not anymore?”
“Well I seem to be having a problem which you can fix, and you seem to be having a problem that I can fix. You see my problem is that if anyone were to find out that I am actually intelligent it could cause some problems. But if you were to do the talking for me, problem solved! Now you have the problem of having a shitty life, but come with me kid and I promise you that you’ll get a life that you deserve.”
Her eyes start to water as she sniffles before saying “you promise?” to which I respond by giving her a hug.
