Chapter 19: Disaster stage creature
Hex led the team away from the path they were on.
The mountain goats proved their worth. They traversed steep walls and paths with ease. Compared to them, Allie's team had trouble keeping up.
Hex focused on the sounds of the screeches. He continuously adjusted their route in response to the direction he heard the noise coming from.
But it was not easy. With each passing moment the creatures seemed to spread out. At first the noise kept coming from one direction, but now he heard it in different spots.
"What are these creatures?" Alice finally asked. She seemed on the verge of a breakdown. And they had yet to face these creatures.
"Heartless are humanoid creatures," Duter replied in a soothing voice. During this whole excursion he remained calm. He even volunteered to close rank by staying behind everyone.
"The stories tell that they were once humans living in the mountains. To survive they offered their hearts to Heavens. In exchange they were gifted with sharp olfactory sensors, great strength and demonic bodies."
"They are one of the scariest creatures to meet in the mountains. They live in tribes and hunt in packs. They are never alone. But their most fearsome aspect is that they always reach demonic levels upon maturing and have a few that reach the level of Fiends."
Hex's heart skipped a beat. Fiends were at the level of Knights. That was not something he could fight against. But there was something he didn't quite understand.
"But why do you guys fear them? Aren't they equal in power to you guys?" He asked without turning his head. The goats were great climbers but were at the same time dependent on the rider's instruction. One mistake on Hex's part and they might all disappear into the darkness of the mountains.
"Haven't you heard Duter?" Hestia chuckled wryly. "They hunt in packs. And not in weak packs like those wolves. Only the strongest of their groups hunt. We can fight a couple of them, but not tens of them."