"Mira… stop blowing in my ear," Jax murmured, half asleep.
Mira didn't respond.
Jax pushed himself up, assessing what was going on for a second. He heard small growls and light footsteps.
Something lunged into the tent. Ripping through the fabric and smashing the frame. The cut fabric entangling Mira.
"Stone Shield!" Jax shouted. "Mira, get up. Something's here. I think we're being hunted."
"It's too dark," Mira yelled, her voice muffled by the fabric. "I'm stuck. What's going on?"
As Mira struggled with what was left of the tent, Jax was already moving. Stone Shield after Stone Shield flared into place as fast attacks struck from the dark. He blocked them by instinct more than sight.
"Mira, I could really use some help out here," he said. "I can barely see, let alone fight. Whatever these things are, they're fast."
Mira panicked at the strain in his voice and cast Frost Cut, tearing through the tangled fabric. She broke free with less resistance than she expected.
"Where are they?" she asked as she moved to his side. "Gods damn it, I'd kill for some fire magic right now."
"They're hiding," Jax said. "Waiting to rush. They aren't strong, but they hit quick."
When did Jax start sounding so confident?
Mira didn't dwell on it. Her pulse was already racing as she settled into a fighting stance.
"Jax," she said, steadying herself. "Let's kill these pests."
"Agreed," he replied. "I've got you covered."
Another Stone Shield snapped into place, blocking an attack from behind her. His eyes never leaving hers.
"Thanks, Jax," she said, drawing in her magic. "I trust you to keep us safe."
His face warmed despite the cold night. "No problem, Mira."
They fought until the sun began to rise.
Working together. Adjusting without words. Each covering gaps the other didn't notice.
"How many more are there?" Mira called out as light finally spilled across the forest floor.
The creatures were visible now.
"Skittermaws," Jax said. "I knew it from the speed, but needed daylight to be sure. They move in numbers."
"And apparently breed like wildfire," he added. "Nothing more than varmints. Easy to kill. Drop nothing."
"So we've been wasting our time?" Mira asked. "What's the point if they don't produce a drop?"
"That's exactly why there are so many," Jax said. "They aren't worth hunting. Eventually they swarm like this and outgrow whatever forest they're in."
He paused.
"Oh they attacked us first remember."
Mira laughed despite herself.
They finished off what remained of the Skittermaws and started back toward town.
Half a day away now.
Two hours if they ran.
Beaten and exhausted, they walked.
After a long while they reached the outskirts of their destination. Both tired with ragged breath. Walking tightly together more for support than anything.
"Guess when you aren't escorting delicate items, it doesn't take so long," Mira said nudging Jax. "You also ran far more than I thought you would."
"Yeah, other than the Skittermaws and you constantly teasing me." "It was a successful quest," Jax replied. "We should probably check in at the guild before we rest."
"I wonder if any more news has surfaced since we left," Mira asked. "Wait the dive is in two days isn't it."
"Yes the dive is scheduled to happen in two days." "We'll have to use that time to recoup our resources," Jax said. "Plenty of time to get proper rest as well."
With that the duo headed to the guild hall only stopping at one spot before reaching their destination.
"Hey if it isn't the young love birds," a familiar voice said letting an audible snort out after. "It's been a while. Stuck in the dungeon again," Jacob asked. "Let me grab you two some food."
The cart stall owner prepared two large plates filled with rice, potatoes and you guessed it boar meat. He handed the plates to the duo and asked, "So where ya been."
"We went on an adventure," Mira chimed in grabbing her plate. "I had this guy all to myself."
"We escorted someone to the next town over." "Standard guild work," Jax said. "It was a pretty eventful quest."
"Oh, you'll have to fill me in." "Did you just get back," Jacob asked. "You look starved."
Jax agreed and explained how the quest went. Mira blurting out things he had left out, even with her mouth full.
After they finished talking they said their goodbyes and headed toward the guild hall. Still exhausted but fed at least.
"Do you want to grab another quest after turning this one in," Mira asked a few feet ahead of Jax. "Or should we take the downtime."
"If you want the next dive to go better this time, I suggest we rest," Jax answered. "At the very least we need to rest tonight."
"Man I could have gone another couple days before stopping," she lied smirking at him. "What's the reward for the quest by the way. You never told me."
With a sharp grin Jax turned toward Mira. "It's ten thousand," he exclaimed. "And a possible class bump."
"So you knew it was important," she asked looking puzzled. "You lied to me."
"I didn't lie, Mira." "I simply noticed the possibility of getting the team rating upgrade." "You can't earn that without doing something the guild needs done that minute."
"Why they let us do it I'll never know." "A newly found duo team. Entrusted with the care of someone as important as a doctor," Jax finished.
Mira stopped after he finished explaining. Something grabbing her attention as she looked at Jax.
She felt a tightening in her chest and her heart raced whenever she saw Jax smile. His smile was brightest when he was explaining how things worked.
"You won't leave me alone tonight." "After we finish at the guild," Mira asked shyly. "We'll definitely have enough for two rooms now."
"I promised I wouldn't leave you alone again." "I'll make sure you understand I mean to keep my word," Jax said, faking confidence. His face began to become flush.
After that Mira turned around and ran at full speed toward the guild hall.
Jax quickly followed.
Running toward whatever the future held.