The Lone Wanderer

The swamp reeked of decay as Percy and Nesha dragged their feet through the murky waters. Each step sucked their boots deeper into the mud, almost like the bog itself was trying to pull them under.

Had this been a year ago, they might have been attacked by an oversized crocodile or python by now. Luckily – or perhaps unluckily – the local wildlife had really taken a hit during Micky’s reign of terror. Whatever animals had survived to this day had done so by learning to keep their heads low. Consequently, the only living things they had to worry about at the moment were the irritating insects constantly buzzing in their faces.

“So, are you going to carry this stuff everywhere?” Nesha asked, staring at the oversized sack slung over Percy’s back.

Its contents were spacious enough to fit a human body, though that wasn’t what was inside it. Every time Percy moved, countless objects rolled and tumbled within the bag, making crisp metallic sounds upon colliding with one another. Thanks to the multitude of concealment runes he’d sewn on the fabric, it was impossible for anybody to peer inside through Mana Sense. Of course, Nesha was already familiar with its contents, having spent months watching Percy forge them, one by one.

“What’s the alternative?” he shrugged. “We need to be ready. House Tantalus could attack us any day now.”

Despite his words, Percy wasn’t particularly happy with this arrangement either.

Naturally, the sack contained the pieces of his magical armour. It had actually been over a month since Percy completed his new spell. That said, he hadn’t had a proper opportunity to use it just yet. Even worse, he’d been forced to replace the components a couple times already. Plus, he would continue having to do so once every few weeks, until their enemies deigned to show up.

“If they attack us right now, we’re screwed.” Nesha said, her expression grim.

Normally, it was Micky’s job to patrol around the town, keeping an eye out for them. Unfortunately, the crow was otherwise occupied today.