Hiking through the snow, we come to the foot of the hill where we can already see a snowstorm raging near its peak.

  Rayla speaks up, “Alright guys, it’s best we don’t fight at an elevation so, Thoma you start the dark ritual while I attempt to coax the sapphire tigers out of the cave and get them to ground level. Everyone else, stay close to Thoma at all times so he can tell you where the attacks are coming from. Any questions before we begin? No? Good.”

  I then begin to dance and when I’m about to be done, Rayla walks up the hill making weird noises. It sounds like she’s screaming and laughing at the same time and occasionally just screams in a very hoarse voice until the snow storm starts to move.

  My ritual then finishes and Rayla rushes back down the hill making more weird animalistic noises, “Everyone! Start your boosts and stay close to Thoma, they’re coming!”

  Thoma Ahad: “Minor boost strength, minos boost speed, minor boost endurance, minor boost defense.”

  Rayla: “Minor boost strength, minor boost speed, minor boost defense.”

  Sher Aka: “Major boost defense, minor boost strength, minor boost endurance.”

  John: “Minor boost speed.”

  I begin to feel the snowstorm starting to surround us as the wind speeds up and it suddenly becomes darker, though thankfully thanks to my dark crown my sight is not affected. I’m able to see the sapphire tigers leave their cave and start to move downwards. They look like huge ferocious cats made of ice with two long teeth and shining blue eyes. Seemingly trying to make as few sounds as possible, they sneak their way down the hill. One going to our left and one to our right.

  “They’re approaching! One left, one right!”

  They then begin to circle to us, seemingly waiting for the perfect moment to attack.

  “Sher Aka, eight o’clock!” I yell as the tiger starts to run towards us.

  John yells, “Where is the other one!?”

  “Three o’clock!”

  John begins to cast, “Cake! Light, come forth in a burst, overwhelm the sensory nerves and disperse! Blinding Light!”

  And a burst of light comes forth that blinds the tiger at three o’clock and distracts the one attacking us enough that Sher Aka can block its jumping attack and successfully counterattack into its belly, causing a huge crack to appear which Rayla attacks right after, causing the crack to widen and the tiger to shatter. The snow storm’s intensity then lessens and the surviving sapphire tiger starts to pick up its pace and runs around us in a circle.

  “Eleven o’clock!”

  The tiger pounces at John but Sher Aka intercepts it, blocks its bite and rams her sword into the side of its head causing it to crack. Rayla seizes the opportunity as the tiger reels its head back in pain, attacks the same spot again and shatters the tiger causing the snow storm to disappear.

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  “Thoma! Do you see anything else in the distance?”

  “No.”

  “Alright…Seems like we did it. Good job everyone! Don’t lose concentration on your dark crown yet though, I want to make sure there isn’t anything else in the cave they lived in.”

  John looks a little bewildered as he says, “That was…Surprisingly easy.”

  “Only because we had Thoma Ahad who was able to point them out to us. Imagine fighting them without that, we would probably have died.”

  “That’s true, but it still means we’re doing well. To be honest it gives me a bit of confidence that we can reach the south, Sherry.”

  Raising an eyebrow, Sher Aka says sarcastically, “My little brother being hopeful? The snowstorm must have gotten to your head, haha.”

  Suddenly getting a solemn look on his face, John answers, “Maybe…But I think we might actually be able to do it Sherry…Maybe soon you will be able to show me the flowers that bloom in a warm place of friendly people…”

  “Yes, perhaps we will…” Sher Aka says with a warm smile as she puts her arm around John.

  “Pfft, and they call us the lovey dovey ones. Seems like we’re rubbing off on them, oki.”

  “Haha maybe, by the way Rayla, what were those noises you were making before to lure them out?”

  “Fox calls. You know how Wolf-Beastkin can howl and imitate the sounds of wolves right? I can do the same with fox sounds.”

  “Foxes…Sound like that?”

  “Yep, most people think they don’t make any sounds but they’re actually quite vocal.”

  After moving up the hill, we inspect the cave. It is completely covered in ice but besides the occasional frozen bone pieces we do not find anything of interest so we return to the village after gathering the elongated teeth of the sapphire tigers as proof.

  It’s the late afternoon when we get back, it only took us about two hours to finish the quest so the village elder looks quite skeptical when he notices us approaching, “Were they not there?”

  Since he only seems to respect me, I answer him, “No they were there and we killed both of them. Here are their teeth. You can keep one of each dead tiger as proof.”

  He inspects the teeth excitedly and starts laughing, “Marvelous! And here I thought the guild just sent the chaff. I humbly apologize, Mr. Ahad. I should have never doubted your capabilities. I should have known that getting so far in the guild while having to work with demi-human scum takes considerable strength.”

  “Thank you Sir, though I have to say that they weren’t holding me back, without them I wouldn’t have been able to complete this quest.”

  “Of course not, what would a houndmaster be without his pets after all! Will you stay here for the night Mr. Ahad? We will gladly cook a feast in your honor!”

  “Unfortunately we are on a very tight schedule so we have to leave as soon as possible but I still thank you for your offer.”

  He looks like he's sulking a little when he answers, “Ah of course, you must be busy. I shan’t keep you here then but I will remember you Sir. Thank you for saving this humble village of ours.”

  “You’re welcome, when you are in a time of need call out for the stars and if you’re lucky the Shooting Stars will appear.”

  “Huh…I truly understand your party's name now. Thank you Mr. Ahad and farewell.”

  “Fare ye well as well.”

  We then enter our cart and leave the village.

  The second we are out of earshot of the villagers Rayla starts laughing and imitating my voice, “‘When you are in a time of need call out for the stars and if you’re lucky the Shooting Stars will appear’ seriously oki? How long did it take you to come up with that one!? Hahaha.”

  “Well…I just thought since we have a party name now we should have a catchphrase! I came up with it while we were training at Uli’s place. I just never had an opportunity to use it. Is it too much?”

  John chuckles, “It’s definitely tacky.”

  Sher Aka adds, “I like it, it’s very idealistic and wholesome. Though it does border on being too much, haha.”

  “Yeah, it’s very like you though oki, so I can’t hate it despite how cringe it is, haha.”