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Guerilla Tactics

As days turned to weeks, it was even more apparent that the threat of the Agents's witch hunt had become something real and not imagined as many previously thought. A week after their arrival, following the Wanderers' promise for protection, the Agents decimated a whole settlement after realizing that they had been hiding the mages, burning it to the ground. The mage in question was stripped of every dignity she had left and was burned at the stake, like witches in a long-forgotten savage era before the acceptance of magic.

The news was treated with mixed feelings from many settlements around the Creolean Waters (the free-town Aranis originated, and the characters' current position). Others, afraid of what the Agents might do for them, started to reverse their protection of mages and betrayed them to their enemies. These mages fought with their might, but with the Collectives gone, they were no match for the technological horror the Agents possessed. Their anti-mage machine was enough to kill them, and if it wasn't enough, Aether bombs would do the trick.

Not every settlement was afraid of them. Like Creolean Waters, many settlements became a safe place for the mages, both the mages who were still free or those who had been captured. Unfortunately for them, the captured mages were fitted with a collar that negated their magical abilities and their speech, so they couldn't fight the Agents, or even talk, for some time, at least until a compromise had been made.

Creolean Waters was the only free-town there with the most defense, not because of their protection to the mages, but because of the Wanderers and the crocs living within. The crocs were ready to defend the mages, especially since it was their job to protect the town anyway. The Wanderers, especially Narati, knew how to deal with the machines, and he shared his knowledge to others. The gnoll who helped him with his project, Rezzie, also contributed in creating defenses worthy of defending a fort.

Knowing their enemy's weakness is the only way to achieve victory in the overwhelmingly disadvantageous situation. Thus, Jek, Raine, and Narati decided to stalk some of the Agents and dispatch them to know their weaknesses. They had been doing that for a while, with various success. Their first outing was a disaster on its own, not because they lost, but because of the mayhem it caused. Narati didn't know how to deactivate the whole armor without blowing it up, so when he tried to tinker one of the armors, it set of a chain of reactions like the one he found back in the market, causing an explosion that killed five of the Agents and burned a whole building down to ashes. They managed to get away before anyone knew what happened.

Unbeknownst to them, the sabotage actions inadvertently caused riots within the settlements they went into, causing many Agents to be driven out of the place. While it was not their initial objectives, the sabotage was enough to cause the Agents to be careful, as they realized their enemies did not use magic at all.

Slowly but sure, their attempts in 'sabotage' attracted support from the oppressed citizens, which was not their original intentions. They tried to keep in the shadows to not attract more attention to them, and for a while, it worked very well. No one seemed to think them as heroes that would lead them, which was something they needed. Attracting too much attention could make their little project harder.

It wasn't the case, though, and occasionally, they did side activities, such as freeing the people caught by the Agents. This was, however, Narati's urging. As Jek and Raine knew, Narati had a serious problem about slavery, to the point it became murderous. Any form of slavery, be it real or imageries, could trigger his psychosis. It was like a convenient 'justice system' planted within him, despite of him not having an evidence of being enslaved himself. When Narati found a group of Agents taking a group of defeated mages, the imagery itself made Narati think that it was slavery. The mages were stripped of almost all garments except the ones covering their private areas, with their hands attached to wooden yokes that restrict their movements. The humanoids' mouths were covered by cloth, and the beast races were muzzled, possibly to prevent worded spell. It was not necessary, though, because they all had the muting collars around their necks. They were led by an Agent in front of them, pulling a rope attached to the front mage like a leash, while another rope pulled the others behind him, forming a line.

It looked like a march of slaves, so to prevent Narati causing more harm than necessary, Jek and Raine devised a plan to free the slaves. Surprisingly, Narati went on with their plan smoothly, and after some side activities, managed to find a weakness in the armor that they could exploit without causing it to explode. The mages were freed and found refuge in Creolean Waters. Like most defeated mages, they were mute due to the collar, but thanks to the help of Narati and the others, they found out that it, like many locks, had keys (being obvious).

It was, in many ways, a satisfying result that could be a sign for their own strategy to work. Of course, like many plans, it had many flaws and could end up in disaster, so they tried to adapt as best as they could. Things went on without any problems for a while, which was for their liking. Being too deeply involved with the Agents had cost them a lot. Some settlements refused to help them, and others became outright hostile upon realizing that the three of them killed the Agents in their suits.

Fortunately, words did not go around that much, possibly because of the Agents too. The three of them managed to go back to Creolean Waters with no resistances. Upon reaching the now-fortified place, they were greeted by both Aranis and Karkas, who had been waiting for them for almost a month. While Karkas was indifferent, he still asked Narati about his travels, to which he happily said, "It was a blast."

Raine, who noticed their apparently friendly conversation, approached Jek and said, "Are they always like that or did I miss something?"

"Those two are complicated," said Jek with a sigh. "Just don't mind them."

"Do you think they are..."

"Of course, not! Why do you always have the weirdest ideas? Narati's clearly underage!"

"Calm down, Jek! I'm just suggesting that they start to become friends. You're the one having weird thoughts."

Jek quickly cleared his throat, embarrassed by his remarks. "So," he said. "They become friends, huh?"

"Seriously, Jek, you start to become overprotective towards him. He's already 16. It's time for him to find something to work on. He's no longer the coward we met a year ago."

"But still..."

"Don't worry. He's going to be alright. Focus on our efforts. Let's not waste more time."

Jek nodded and walked with Raine to the meeting grounds, while Narati and Karkas walked elsewhere.

In the meeting ground, Aranis and the mayor had gathered with a select few who could fight. They were mostly crocs, but freelance mercenaries who were hired also gathered there. They were mostly Raine's associates and had crossed path many times. Some others were mercenary groups who had made their set around the area, and was willing to help if the muns were flowing. Muns were not their primary concern, though.

After the elf noticed them, she looked around, but could not find the people she expected.

"Where's Nara and Karkas?" asked Aranis.

"They're off somewhere, talking," replied Jek.

"Huh. Strange. But no matter." Aranis then looked towards the audience. "We will start this meeting, ladies and gentlemen. As you all know, the Agents started causing chaos and mayhem in the hopes of eradicating the magical community. This is becoming even worse when the Collectives, the only group that poses as a threat to them, is gone from public eyes for almost a month. Now we are in danger of this witch hunt."

"Most of the mages here are refugees, and they couldn't fight with the magic dampener collars around their necks. All of you are here because of that reason. Without magic, the Agents will not be able to pinpoint the target, as they will be confused whether the non-magic users are threat or not."

Someone raised his hand.

"Yes?"

"Are you sure that's the case? They are nutcases and will shoot any resistance."

"That's why don't hold back," said Aranis short. "Shoot them if possible. Their armor had a weakness that can be exploited. Based on Nara's observation and report, we found that there is a flaw in their armor that will force it to explode or otherwise incapacitate the operator. While their weapons are dangerous, the magical shield our mages have formed can hold them off, at least until the Aether bombs were dispatched. For them...do not hesitate to shoot. I know they are just victims of their machinations but...we cannot do anything for them. Aether is dangerous, and if we get contaminated by it, it is over."

"What about long term restoration?" said one of them, a mage. "Aether contamination can stay for hundreds of years. If they use it in here, this place is a goner."

"I know that, and that is why Creolean Waters will be evacuated before our fight with them."

There was a murmur among them. One of them, a croc living in the swamp, said, "Can't you do the same thing you did back then, in the swamp? Can you clean it somehow?"

Aranis could not answer that question. Aether is a substance known as 'anti-magic'. Any form of magic used on it wouldn't work, and that was the reason why she tried not to make Creolean Waters and the swamp as the battlefield, unless if it was inevitable. The actual battlefield was further away, in place where Aether contamination wouldn't reach Creolean Waters. While it would be safe, the people would not feel the same. Aether contamination could not be contained without proper knowledge of the metal, and the Agents found that lost knowledge. If they could go find an Agent's stronghold and gather information about it, then it should be safe to return to Creolean Waters.

But that was wistful thinking. There was no way that they would return to the place after the battle. The crocs were somehow safe from it, but then they would lose one of the settlements used for trade, and it would be a disaster for their village. Even if Creolean Waters wasn't the only settlement being attacked, the chaos of the fight would inevitably destroy the settlement, too.

The meeting went on with the strategy used for the inevitable skirmish, with the mercenaries positioned with ruined buildings and employed some guerilla tactics. They would conceal their presence and then attack while the Agents were incapacitated. Then, they would escape the area while trying not to alert the enemies, so it wouldn't be easy for the opposition to learn their strategy or anticipate anything.

They finished the meeting, hoping to reconvene tomorrow. The mercenaries were then off to do their job, guarding the positions they had been assigned to. Jek and Raine went in on first watch, while Karkas accompanied Narati, for he was the only one in charge with the traps.

That night, after eating his fill, Karkas yawned and tried to find Narati, who said that he would be in Rezzie's workshop, which was now open for anyone to enter. As the owner and other workers were busy elsewhere, Narati was the only one, along with Rezzie, who stayed in the workshop all night, making traps out of scavenged junks.

The croc walked in to one of Narati's moments of creating his mines. He did not immediately notice Karkas, who did not made any sound at first. The Fa'ar was buys making lethal mines out of the junks beside him. Rezzie the gnoll was nowhere to be seen, but from the sound of metal clanging and saw, Karkas could conclude that she was busy in her own way. The Fa'ar was excited by his work, evidenced by his long tail swishing around like it's a giant living worm. Karkas noticed that he had sustained more injuries ever since he was gone collecting information about the Agents. His arm was wrapped in bandages and parts of his ear was bandaged, possibly from a cut. His tail had parts that were covered in bandages. Other than that, however, there was nothing major. He looked perfectly fine.

In Karkas's eyes, the Fa'ar was almost the same with the others, except, now that he knew the young rat person better, he could see that he was a tortured soul. Like Jek before him, Karkas was not sure if Narati was faking it or not, but his youthful attitude and his generally lovable character made Karkas felt like he was wrong in trying to kill Narati. But then, he wasn't all that sure if he could fully trust the Fa'ar. Yes, he might not be deceptive like his target, but he was a Fa'ar, and it was in their nature to be a pretty little liar and cunning fighter with many things in their hands.

The croc wanted to talk to Narati, so he cleared his throat. Narati was shocked by it, and he turned around quickly to find the croc he had known for a while.

"Oh, Karkas. You gave me a shock there," said Narati while catching his breath. "Sorry. I wasn't paying attention."

"Do that every time and I'm sure you'll have a short life," said Karkas while sitting on a nearby stool. "So? Any progress?"

"I'll be ready to put these mines at the indicated places. Rezzie will help with some other death traps and I'll make the mechanisms work."

"What do you have in mind?"

"Hmm...I might cause more damage to them than us. Some of these traps have gory finish. I know it is not strategically sound. Some people are good with these, but I can't tone it down if I want to make it superb."

"Superb, huh? Well, do what you want. I don't understand anyway." Karkas then noticed the spear. "So, kid. I noticed that thing beside you, but you never use it. Why bother carrying it around?"

"Oh, that?" Narati looked towards the spear. "I'm trying weaponize it so I can actually use it properly."

"Can you use a spear, though?"

Narati went silent. "No," he said, after a while. "But I want to learn."

"You do realize that thing's too long for you, right? Let me give you a tip. Cut its length so its tip is above your head. That way you can twirl it and use it within your optimal distance."

"Won't that make its reach shorter, though?"

"At least you can use it instead of it being too long. But, it's your choice. That's your spear, not mine."

"It's not mine, though. It's my father's."

"Your father's?"

"I knew my father for a while. I don't remember his face very well, and this is the only thing he left for me. And then I heard my pack was massacred and captured. I have a feeling that they were dead, so I travelled alone...before meeting with Jek." Narati smiled. "It has been a year since I met him and Raine. Travelling with them make me feel alive again. I mean, yeah, it didn't start well, but time heals all wounds, right?"

"Not every wound, you know," said Karkas. "Not every wound."

"I know. So, Karkas. What will you do when this is over?"

"Going with you for a while, then go alone a hunt for Asran," said Karkas.

"Don't be a loner. You're a Wanderer now. We can sort it out together."

Karkas grunted. "You won't understand the problem anyway."

"Like I said. We can work it out together. That's what friends are for, right?"

"Don't assume we're friends just because we are on the same team."

"Allies, then."

Karkas grunted and became silent again. Narati returned to his works, where he quickly became distracted from his surroundings. Karkas couldn't stay silent for long, however, and asked, "So, kid...how does it feel like...to have people you trust after a long time alone?"

"It's overwhelming at first, but you learn to trust them when you know them better. Is there other pattern?"

"No, I guess not. Carry on."

After another moment of silence, Karkas felt bored and wanted to go out. He looked towards Narati and, making sure that he wouldn't harm himself, walked away silently from the room.

Upon getting out, however, Karkas felt...weird. He wanted to think the didn't trust the Fa'ar, but he felt that he needed to protect the young Fa'ar from harm. True, he wasn't as innocent as his age suggested, but he was righteous and kind. Narati liked to help others he knew, and he could even convince Karkas to join and somehow forgive him for their earlier conflict. How could a Fa'ar do that, even if he had met with predicaments most of his life.

That line of thought what's made Karkas worried, and even scared, for Narati's future. The croc kept reminding himself that the world he lived in was crazy, unapologetic, and evil, even. Narati, who had never found friends throughout his life, was the most vulnerable.

No, he wasn't vulnerable because he was weak. It's his choice to brave the dangers. Karkas knew one thing that made him survive this long, and that was non-attachment. Narati had begun to consider his friends family, and it could be disastrous, especially then.

He had never lost someone who he considered family, and that trauma, if it happened, could cause sadness very overwhelming that it's like suicide.