Claire awoke halfway back to the carriages. She was slung over Hannah's shoulder as they walked back to the rest of their party. She stirred and nearly fell from Hannah's grip, who readjusted her into a prince's carry.
"Morning, sleepyhead," Hannah grinned down at her. Her helmet was off at the moment, so Claire could see her devilish grin.
"Wh-where? What happened?" Claire groaned.
"Passed out after using Ursa's axe," Hannah whispered. She motioned her head to the Ravian, who was still in her wolf form. "Had to explain so much to them."
"Is everyone okay?" Claire asked, gripping her forehead. She had a migraine coming on. She looked around as best she could.
"They are," Hannah nodded. "Just… really fucked up. That strike before you passed out was gruesome."
Claire felt a pit in her stomach begin to form. She was slowly remembering what had happened before she passed out. "Split her in two?"
Hannah's smile faded, and she grimaced. "That, and probably two feet of the ground. Was not pretty."
"How is Elsie?" Claire asked after closing her eyes.
"Also pretty fucked up," Hannah chuckled. She glanced at the twin, who was busy biting her thumbnail. "But more about explaining Ursa's transformation and keeping our secret."
"That's good," Claire mumbled. She relaxed back into Hannah's arms and let herself be carried back. "I think they are trustworthy enough. Clara's wife is one of Anka's devotees."
"Maybe," Hannah glanced at the warrior a bit ahead of her. "Clara and her rookies did pull through when we needed them."
"We'll have to see what Toni thinks," Claire could feel Ana's magic seep into her. She'd have to remember to thank her. "He'll know. Or Anka will."
"Alice would smack you if she heard you say to consult Anka," Hannah chuckled. She thought back to Toni's mother with new, lust-filled eyes. For a moment, Hannah remembered just how pretty the woman was. It took her almost a full minute for her to continue.
"Ahh, sorry. I know she hates Anka for choosing Toni, but I'm starting to understand Her more." Hannah shook her head. Claire giggled before her migraine punished her for moving. "She's smarter than I assumed. And, she did guide us to you."
"Yeah," Claire winced. "My Goddess is very fond of her."
"Definitely not just for her beauty, right?" Hannah joked.
"It definitely helped," Claire smiled up at Hannah. "But, She didn't even have Her 'gift' before recently. So, it was more than that."
"We'll see," Hannah got more serious. "She did likely send this other party to us. But that makes me worry about Jasmine."
"Right," Claire thought about her lover. "We don't know where the other party is right now."
"Or if they are friendly, like these gals," Hannah added. She nodded at the two younger adventurers walking idly by the twins. "We lucked out with their help. Or maybe we wouldn't need it with how strong you looked."
"I think it was more Ursa's axe than my strength," Claire pursed her lips. Her migraine was lessening the more magic Ana used.
"Nah," Hannah shot it down quickly. "You were overpowering the women before that. And they were on Dream Drop, so their pain receptors are dulled. They can push past normal human limits on the thing. It's no small feat to fight bandits on the drug."
"Really?" Claire furrowed her brow. Nothing felt different when fighting them besides their erratic movements. "Didn't seem stronger…"
"I need to take a closer look at your class after this," Hannah chuckled. She had a feeling Claire was far stronger than even she realized. "But now, we should focus on getting to Jasmine."
"Right," Claire stretched her arms and motioned for Hannah to set her down. Her body felt incredibly sore, but she ignored it to stretch her whole body. She took a moment to stretch and get her blood flowing before calling for Ursa. "Ursa, come here."
Ursa bounded towards her in an instant. Claire knelt before the white wolf and petted her.
"Find the wolf pack," Claire whispered to her. She scratched behind Ursa's left ear as she continued, "Then guide us to Jazz."
"Woof!" Ursa yipped at her. Her tail was wagging and she pelted Claire with a few licks to the face. She turned and sprinted off towards the west.
"Isn't it a bit strange to pet her?" Vanessa asked. Claire looked up at the ranger, who looked to be on the verge of puking.
"Um, not really?" Claire took a moment to think about how best to explain it. She went with how she understood Ursa's wolf form. "Her wolf form is a bit different from her human form. It takes over when she transforms, I think."
"I'd find it weird," Vanessa's voice trailed off. "Petting a human and all. Unless she was your lover, I guess."
Claire bit back a laugh. She didn't want to admit it. That explanation could come later, and when she was less traumatized. "We are close."
"I guess," life returned to Vanessa's eyes upon seeing the carriages in the distance. "Oh, thank the Gods. We're almost here. I'm thirsty…"
"What are your plans now?" Clara asked Claire. "I heard one of your members is off somewhere. Guessing you sent Ursa after her?"
Claire nodded. "Um, how much did they tell you?"
"Enough," Clara smiled. She offered a hand to the still kneeling Claire. Claire took it, and Clara hoisted her up. "Hannah said Ursa's lycanthropy came from Lady Rava, not like those women. And about your Goddess."
Claire nodded. "Good. And, sorry for not explaining anything. Didn't know if we could really trust you."
"That's fair," Clara nodded. She rubbed her chin and glanced towards the carriages. "I had a weird feeling when Heather was so insistent on coming out here. Part of me thought it was suicide, but I'm glad I listened to her."
"So are we," Claire nodded and walked alongside her. "Wouldn't have lasted if it were just the five of us."
"Somehow, I doubt that," Clara snorted and shrugged. "You're the strongest novice adventurer I have ever met."
"Am I really?" Claire felt a bit of warmth enter her chest. It was nice to be praised after all.
Clara gave her a bewildered look and nodded. "Yeah. If you didn't look so young, I'd assume you were a veteran."
"Really?!" Claire said a bit too loudly.
"Yes, Claire," Hannah giggled from the side. "You are that strong."
"I-I didn't even notice," Claire mumbled and looked towards the ground. She could feel her face heat up. "My bad."
Hannah shrugged. "As I said, I need to see your class again. Only really glanced at your stats."
Clara raised an eyebrow. "Well, I'm curious now. But only if you're willing."
"Sorry, Clara," Claire smiled nervously. She glanced at the veteran, "Has private information about my Goddess."
"All good," Clara shrugged. "Curious what level you are, though."
Claire finally paid attention to the stat sheet that was pinging her. She took a glance at the level-ups she got from those women.
Claire:
Level: 16
HP: 33/33
Mana: 5/16
Exp: 10
"Level sixteen now," Claire smiled at the invisible screen only she could see.
"What the fuck?" Clara nearly tripped over her own feet. "You're literally the same level as me after three years of adventuring."
Claire smiled nervously at the woman. Clara's eyes were wide as she realized the two members of Clara's party were also staring in disbelief at her. "Um, yeah. My Goddess enhanced our leveling…"
"What about you two?" Clara asked the twins.
"Thirteen and fourteen," Elsie spoke for Ana and herself. "Just barely out of level Ana at the moment."
"And here I thought I was helping…" Clara rubbed her forehead. "You three are insane. Three months of adventuring surpassed three years for me. What the fuck are they feeding you in your village?"
Claire:
Level: 16
HP: 23/33
Mana: 5/16
Exp: 10
Bestower's Love II: Lovers in your aura increase your strength: Increases the area of your aura and increases your strength and defense based on the number of Bestowed Lovers within your aura. (1 = +2, 2 = +3, 3 = +4, 4 = +5)
Commanding Shout: Your commands empower your allies within your aura. Allies following your commands gain magic or strength when within your aura. Strength/Magic based on your bond.
Stats:
Strength: 25 (+5) (+1)
Magic: 1
Dexterity: 18(+5) (+1)
Resistance: 23(+5)
Constitution: 13
Wisdom: 18 (+5)(+1)
Charisma: 15(+5) (+1)
Divinity: 18 (+3)
Defense: 31 (+5) (+1)
Elsie:
Level: 14
HP: 17/17
Mana: 04/30
Exp: 04
Gemini's Assistance: Your twin shares more than just your appearance. You and your sister can share a portion of your pool of mana.
Ice Golem: Summon a Golem of pure ice. Golem is stronger the more mana you put into it. 5 mana lasts for one minute, 10 mana lasts for two minutes.
Stats:
Strength: 5
Magic: 24
Dexterity: 6
Resistance: 18
Constitution: 7
Wisdom: 16
Charisma: 16
Divinity: 9
Defense: 16(+5)
Anastasia:
Level: 13
HP: 21/21
Mana: 10/25
Exp: 86
Gemini's Assistance: Your twin shares more than just your appearance. You and your sister can share a portion of your pool of mana.
Stats:
Strength: 4
Magic: 10
Dexterity: 6
Resistance: 23
Constitution: 7
Wisdom: 14
Charisma: 9
Divinity: 22
Defense: 21(+5)
Hannah:
Level: 17
HP: 15/30
Mana: 8/15
Exp: 05
Bestowed Protector: Protect the Bestowed entrusted upon you. Fighting alongside, or protecting one of the Bestowed enhances your Constitution and Defence by 5.
Stats:
Strength: 20
Magic: 1
Dexterity: 17
Resistance: 12
Constitution: 14
Wisdom: 9
Charisma: 13
Divinity: 0
Defense: 30 (+5)