LIGHTNOVELWORLD Loop 254 - Part 103
Pool after pool fell. Strangely, despite what had happened at the first pool none of their opposition seemed ready to expect them, let alone were anywhere near prepared for the overwhelming force they brought against the invaders. Equally strange there had been no sign of the Gryalth that had worried Cal. He had begun to wonder if he really had succeeded in killing it and that his fears were unfounded.
They had found fifteen pools so far, more than the original number they were looking for, and Excalibur was now bursting with energy, so much so that it had been letting loose in the last couple of fights in order to control the level of mana it was containing. The sword was ready to attempt a further bond with Stan. They just needed to find a safe, sheltered area to do so.
“We could just head back to the grove. That would be the safest bet,” Stan said as they debated a safe location. Excalibur had estimated it would take three days to forge the bond between them that they needed.
“Yes, but then we’d have to fight our way back inside, and I’m not sure our diversionary tactics will let us slip out a second time. I’d much rather we find a nice cave here. Take the time to do whatever ritual it is you need, dear husband, and then continue our hunt for anything the Gryalth controls down here. Hell, I’d really like to find a path up into the surface base before we are forced back to the grove,” Jen said. This wasn’t the first time they’d had this conversation, but it was nearing the last, as Excalibur had informed them that maintaining his energy levels was becoming increasingly difficult.
“I’m with Jen. The grove is stuck on the defensive right now, and us going back there just takes us off the board as an assault force. Right now we have the Gryalth confused and scattered down here. I don’t want to waste that momentum. Let’s just use this cave, and I’ll work to seal up the entrance. It’s three days away from the nearest pool we cleansed anyway, so we should have plenty of time,” Cal said. He agreed with his stepmom. It seemed like a giant waste of time and a tactical mistake to head back to the grove. He knew why his dad wanted to, of course, even if the man would never say it out loud. He didn’t like leaving the rest of them stuck protecting him in a hostile environment. Cal was sure that no matter how powerful he became his father still wouldn’t like the idea of leaving him alone to these horrors.
“Alright, if we are doing voting then I think it’s only fair Frank and Albert get a say, well gentlemen?” Stan asked, looking at them.
“Mom said the order I should listen to was Jen, then Stan, then Cal. So whatever Jen wanted,” Frank said. He looked bored with the entire situation, and Cal doubted the idea of sitting around for three days was something he looked forward to, so he was glad he was listening to Ethel, even if she had apparently told the tree man that his opinions on things were less than Jen and his father’s.
“Sorry, Stan, I’ve found it’s generally best to listen to Jen or Andy as much as I love both you and Cal. You are his father, and he is very much a think second type of person. So even though he may agree with Jen here, I’m going with her,” Albert said. He had already set his pack down and started going through what he had left for cooking. It was clear his mind had been made up as soon as Jen said what she wanted. Cal was really going to have to talk to everyone about their lack of faith in his plans eventually.
“Alright, I know when I’m outnumbered. Cal, get to work on closing up the way we came in then. Once Albert is done making us something to eat, Excalibur and I can start. From what he’s told me I’m going to be basically in hibernation for the next few days, so I’d rather do this on a full stomach. Anything to add, partner?” Stan asked the sword.
“I will also be unable to assist if anything occurs. In the case of an emergency Frank should carry Stan, and you should all leave me behind, as the explosive energies that will come from breaking the bond won’t end well for anyone,” Excalibur answered.
“Yeah, I’d really prefer not to leave anyone behind. It’s one of those things I’ve been trying to stick to,” Cal said. Though he wasn’t sure what the other options were, the sword was the expert here.
“I understand your emotional attachment to your friends and allies, especially given the unique situation you’ve found yourselves in, but try to remember the worst that happens if I’m left behind, is you attempt to rescue me again on another loop. I am disposable as of now. I don’t particularly like the phrasing, but it does fit. Treat me as just another tool until I am able to join your cause fully,” the sword responded.
“You can keep talking all you want about this, but unless he really can’t think of any other way at the time, he’s going to risk taking you with them on any emergency escape attempt. Albert put it pretty well when he said Cal was my son, and I’d do the same, so let’s stop the arguing over it and get some food in my belly before I get to play winter bear,” Stan said, settling the matter.
“Dinner today is the last of the fish in a strew with some of the tubers Ethel managed to propagate in the grove. I’m going to make a big enough batch that we can keep the stew going for the whole time we are here, but we may want to make finding another water source a priority as soon as we get out of here. We are officially out of protein after this meal,” Albert said as he started chopping ingredients.
“Alright, sounds like fishing before Gryalth hunting is next on our agenda,” Cal said with a smirk.