Chapter 24: Lose some, win some
Irwin stood in the burning light as it poked through two towering buildings. It was the only little bit between the shadows that surrounded them, though more areas would quickly appear as the light in the sunless sky rose. A few hounds loomed around, and he tried to ignore them as he let his body heal. There had been more appearing during the morning, but most had left again, only a few remaining around the portal.
He sighed and closed his eyes for a moment. The heat was soothing, almost seeping into his bones, and after a second, he looked at his thin arm. The puffy skin had returned to its normal pale, and the lacerations left by the teeth were scabbing over noticeably.
High-rank cards are amazing, he thought.
He had been pondering the events that had happened, his mind surprisingly sharp and clear for someone who hadn't slept and was wounded. Lingering on the present for a few more moments, he finally focused on his future problems.
With people knowing about Ambraz, even if they thought he was the summon of his first card, he was bound to get into trouble. He could take up Daubutim's offer, but they would want him to enter all sorts of portals, hunting for those that Ambraz could harness for his so-called card upgrading.
No, he was in deep shit, and he knew it. Either people would figure it out, and some might try to kill him so his 'anvil' card would drop. Or they would force him into dangerous portals.
Irwin looked around at the few hounds on the edges of the shadow, most of which were still staring at him with hungry red eyes. Then he looked at the portal, hovering amidst the sea of hounds. He wondered what would happen if they all stormed through the portal. There had been large surges before, but this felt like it would be over the top.
I hope we can find the Linchpin before that happens, he thought.
With enough time to think, he realized how dangerous it would be to exit. Out of the portal, they would be back in the forest. Although he had never heard of plant monsters coming from portals, what if some vines had made it there? With the sun blocked by the canopy, nothing would hold them back from growing almost unstoppable.
Irwin sighed and looked at Ambraz, who was sitting on his shoulder. The Anvil had been quiet all morning. Irwin looked at him, gazing at the wings, when a sudden realization pushed his worries to the back of his mind.
He can fly, he thought, staring dumbly at Ambraz's wings.
Why hadn't he thought of that before? Ambraz could just fly up and search for the Linchpin.