Always protect the Healers

Kurochi had been tossing and turning around in bed but he just couldn't fall asleep. As exhausted as he was, bones and muscles tired from the eventful day and all he wanted was the sweet siren call of restful sleep to rejunivate his body, it just didn't happen. His head was way too full, racing with thoughts, scenes from the day replaying in his head. Situations kept flashing up and Kurochi was thinking about what luck he had in missing a swipe or how he should have done something different. And worst of all was the knowledge that while he was supposed to be sleeping the battle raged on. He had to be ready for the next day to give his best again. He had to give his best again or he would be a liability on the battle field and endanger his fellow fighters.

When sleep come it wasn't the peaceful affair he was hoping for. He had dreams, dreams of being chased and of setting off traps. Blood and rage and screams. Then finally plunging into the ocean, being surrounded by water and peaceful quiet... Quiet....

He didn't feel well at all the next morning but he still got ready. Despite having no appetite he made himself breakfast, knowing he would need the energy later when adrenaline was coursing through his body and he needed to push the last reserves he had. Kurochi had also borrowed some armor to protect himself better. It was simple chain mail with leather strips to secure them around his body. Something heavier would just slow him down too much and hinder his movement. The chainmail also needed some getting used to but it wasn't that difficult to move around in it. Once he was ready he went outside and headed towards their meeting spot at the base. The big building was the citys town hall where large ceremonies and festivities were usually held. Right now it looked like a mixture of hospital and armory. He went to the front desk to "check in" so to speak and got directions for room three. The door was open but he still knocked on it to announce his arrival before stepping in. There were 8 Stelciar and 3 Phosray in the room already around a table that had a big map on it.

"Ah, there is our last team member, now we are complete! Please close the door and take a seat."
Kurochi did as he was instructed by the Phosray standing on top of the table and walking over the map. he took a seat and looked towards where the Phosray was pointing.

"Our groups keep getting ambushed by this mountain pass and it is hard getting any aid through it. Our healers have a hard time getting through it to help those being wounded in the mountain battle. Flying across the mountains is too taxing and the supplies are too heavy to just carry them. As smaller groups have failed so far we need to try going as a big group and defending the healers so they can get through with all of their needed supplies. We have three healers and a wagon we need to defend which should be easily doable with our numbers. Four of you will cover the front, four of you will cover the back. In case of an attack from above the meelee fighters are to remain near the healers and the wagon while the ranged attackers eliminate the threat. Are there any questions before we move on?"

Kurochi was looking around the table but noone said anything.

"Good. We will have to depart shortly so I hope you are all ready. Most of the attacks had been coming from this direction."

The Phosray moved around on the map to point at different locations.

"Sometimes the attacks came in the middle of the mountain pass, sometimes right before the healers were about to exit it. The road itself is pretty uneven so towing the wagon is not an easy feat either. Pulling it along will be the responsibility of the healers so you can all save your energy for fighting. Should there be a problem with the road or the wagon and the healers can't manage to get it going you are to assist them. The healers themself are extremely capable but those supplies are badly needed. I will now sort you into teams and we will be heading out. If there is anything you need to prepare to be battle ready then now is the time to take care of that. We will meet outside and head out in 15 minutes."

All of them gave an affirmative and took their team directions, then they dispersed. Some immediately went out front while others were checking their equipment to see if everything was working. Kurochi was ready and headed out front, along with five of the others. He took this time to look at his team members. 

There was Rugor, a Stelciar with a strong and big shield. He would be furthest out front and block any threats that would stand in their way. He was really tall and big but with a friendly smile and soft eyes. His muscles definitely showed his strength though and Kurochi was pretty sure he wouldn't even be able to lift the big shield, yet alone swing it around this easily, not only blocking attacks but throwing the foes away afterwards. He smiled as Kurochi introduced himself and promised to protect him from the beasts so he could do his best to attack.

Claude was the second meelee attacker. He was equally as big and strong looking but instead of using a shield he had his natural armor in form of scales. Despite his size he was very fast and used his speed to block off enemies trying to sneak past or ambush them. Claudes horns were another form of defense, being able to protect himself from incoming attacks while also dealing damage to the enemy. Kurochi was at first a bit worried about him as Claude looked like he could be an easy target but after he saw him easily cut through a tree stump with his horns he felt more humbled. Claude knew his body and movements and was able to use them to perfection.

The last member of the front group was Bo, a smaller Stelciar with bow and arrows. They were very nimble and quiet, preferring to stand in the back and not talk that much, which worked out great so they could hide behind either Rugor or Claude and be protected from attacks. They had a ton of arrows on them and to Kurochi it seemed like the pure weight of them should slow the Stelciar down but they didn't even seem to notice. The arrows had different colors and Bo told him that some were just normal metal arrow heads while others had black powder on them so they could be used to scout out a dark area or to set a void monster aflame. They said it so casually that Kurochi had to remind himself that they were dealing with creatures of darkness and not with real living beings. Whatever it took to make them retreat was necessary in this fight.

After everyone was there they started their journey, meeting the group of healers and their wagons. Together as a big group they set out towards the mountain pass. Being together with so many others made Kurochi feel more safe and secure and he was actively telling himself to stay vigilant and not get lulled in to a false sense of peace. This was especially important once they reached the mountain pass and began travelling through it. Just like they had been briefed, at around the middle of their way they got attacked by foul void monsters, both from the front and above. Rugor and Claude took on the monsters in front, while Bo and Kurochi focused their attacks on those in the sky. The group behind the healers and wagon were holding out on fighting so they wouldn't get ambushed for a bit until the ranged attackers joined the fight with the meelee fighters still carefully observing the scenery. With their combined forces - and even one healer shooting ranged attacks - it thankfully didn't take long to take out the monsters.

"Good job everyone! Remember, we defeated these ones but the danger is far from over. Stay vigilant!"

Kurochi nodded, heart beating fast and determined.