Chapter 88: Tortoise formation.

Chapter 88 - Tortoise formation.They're dead ... Lee didn't say it loud, but the words resonated in the ears of the two devils like a thunderblast.

They froze in their tracks and looked at each other in confusion, then back at their witch, who already turned to walk away. The result of the upcoming encounter was clear to everyone except for them, but strangely enough, despite the adrenaline pumping through their veins, they both heard what Lee said.

"Whaaat?" Thorax said, unable to put his feelings into words. A split moment ago he burned with excitement, but somehow it was extinguished with a single phrase.

"Why did you stop?" Lee said, glancing over his shoulder, "Didn't you want the sparks?"

Realizing that making fun of the brothers was probably a bad idea, he added, "When we first met I got the impression you were smart and capable people.

That's the only reason I could be persuaded to team up with you. I don't care if you have a godly weapon or other incredible things – if you are going to act stupid, we'll have to part our ways."

"But ... there are not that many of them ..." Thorax tried to argue.

"Arax, you should've realized it by now." Lee said, "After you charge down there, you'll kill two or three beasts almost in an instant. Thorax will smack a couple, breaking a few bones at best and provoking the beasts even more."

Then he paused for a moment, giving each brother a stare, and said, "Either he'll break the club again or the beasts will sense he's the least dangerous one and will gang up on him, but this time he won't be able to escape – these are not the lizards from yesterday. Seeing your brother hurt will drive you mad, and you'll go all out, killing, probably, most of the beasts, but in situation like this ... nine out of ten times you'll die in the process or will be lethally wounded."



Lee saw Arax's fingers turn white with how tight he gripped the handle of his sword, but the guy didn't say anything. It was hard to tell whether he had inner struggle deciding if they should go through with the earlier plan, or retreat and give up on sparks, or maybe he was inwardly kicking himself for almost picking up a fight they would die from.

Thorax's expression was ugly, though. From Lee's words it sounded like he was the reason why the brothers would fail. He already got injured yesterday, but Arax saved him, and while these kind of were their regular tactics, Lee's patronizing words hurt.

Seeing he might've pressed too hard, Lee quickly changed the approach, "Don't get me wrong, guys! You're incredibly strong. But. You're not invincible. Sometimes you have to think of different approaches, for example – currently you lack defensive options."

Seeing his words were getting the reaction he wanted, Lee said, "You're quick and your reflexes are good, but the beasts will quickly surround you, and sooner or later get you. Arax can swing his sword around as much as he want's, but what if he misses? If one of you had a large shield, for example, you could go against enemies like these. Remember the tortoise? It hid under its shell and stroke as a lightning when there was an opportunity! It didn't stick it's neck out!"

"But Arax killed it." Jiraxa said, thinking out loud, and Lee had to hold back the impulse to smack her butt. The girl could stay silent the whole day, but had to speak at the worst moment possible.

Fortunately brothers were too busy with their own thoughts.

"So you mean we could deal with those beasts if I had a large shield?" Thorax asked.

"Ye, probably." Lee said.

Obviously it would help, although he wasn't sure, but the reaction the two brothers had made him feel helpless.

Almost at the same time they shouted tortoise! and rushed past Lee towards the spot where it was killed. Apparently they took his words too literally, and decided to make some kind of shield out of its shell. Lee's last hope was that it'll be too big, heavy and clunky to carry, in addition, they had to walk several miles back, conveniently wasting time.

Even more time was wasted when the two devils began to clean the thing. They had no other tools than Arax's weapon and a couple of large knives, but Lee underestimated their dedication.

Tortoise's meat and organs quickly piled up around the place, attracting the attention of several dogs, but they didn't dare to approach. Like hyenas they looped the group, but this time they eyed the tortoise remains, and not the people.

But the two brothers were energized with the prospect of acquiring more sparks, and it was barely past noon when they finished cleaning the shell. To Lee's great despair, Thorax managed to lift the shell, although with some effort, and the light that shone in his eyes indicated he was about to carry the thing towards the valley with the beasts.

On the way he had to stop. Lee saying that Thorax will be too tired to properly fight had the intended impact, and made the guy realize the idea to use the tortoise shell might've not been the best.

But the damned devils found a solution – they picked up the shell, Arax in front and Thorax in the back, and easily carried the thing together as if nothing happened.

And Lee found himself in another predicament.

He could let the two guys attack the beasts, and if they somehow managed to defeat them, it would be fine, but if they died – he had to return to the rift on his own. And it was hard to tell whether he could pass the packs of dogs that were currently feasting on the tortoise's remains.

Then there was another problem – the endless wandering back and forth under the scorching sun was not only exhausting, they urgently needed something to drink.

While the devils didn't seem to care, judging by the light nausea, Lee was certain he already had a heatstroke and Jiraxa looked so exhausted she might soon start to shed her scales.

The girl did do her best to not be a burden, but it was clear she would've given all the riches in the world to be able to hide under the tortoise shell the two brothers carried.

Lee knew there was a solution to the problem – all they had to do was kill the beasts around the pond, right? But he wasn't certain the two wouldn't mess that up.

When they finally arrived at the valley, Lee already made the decision. Only this once he would lend a hand, but afterwards, after getting back to Ashland, get rid of these two, change back to his regular looks and reconsider the whole revenge thing.



Victoria was a bitch and had to die, but the whole process of getting to her was making him miserable. Either it was the unbearable heat, the dehydration or the heatstroke, Lee was ready to give up.

But first he had to get some water.

"Alright!" He said. The two brothers were already itching to charge, but Lee somehow managed to hold them back for the final briefing, "Thorax, you hold the shell and charge, but only at the speed I and Jiraxa can keep up. We'll cover your left side, but don't expect us to be capable of killing anything. If, or rather – when, the beasts will target us, we – all at the same time, will turn hundred and eighty degrees, and Arax will deal with them while we keep your left side safe. In under no circumstances get carried away and start running around – that'll be the end for all of us, is it clear?"

Seeing his three companions nod, Lee finished his little speech, saying, "Good! So, what did we learn today? What's the most important thing? ... right! Staying alive! Let's go!"

They rushed down the hill slope, and it was obvious the two brothers were doing their best to hold back. Thorax held the tortoise shell above him, probably empowered by the excitement, while Arax patiently ran at his right side, a couple of steps behind. He was throwing impatient looks at the slowest and weakest members of their squad, but Lee's theory sounded persuasive, thus he went along with it.

But when they reached the bottom of the valley, the two brothers realized that the witch was incredibly wise.

The beasts being in the size of a cow was fine, but the quills they were covered in, in the shape of knives, were not. It was obvious that anyone directly clashing with these beasts would've instantly turn into sieve, especially because they immediately tried to surround the attackers, and attack with their bodies, not fangs or claws.

By the streak of lucky coincidences Lee's strategy turned out to be the natural nemesis for these beasts. He named it – the tortoise formation.

It was basically the fortress's squad formation, except more than six months long practices allowed Lee to modify it. Instead of creating a spearhead formation for the maximum attacking power, Lee went with the maximum defense. Of course, it all came down to how the two brothers would perform, and so far it was good.

The problem was that the beasts were not as primitive and weak as the lizards yesterday.