He Who Fights with Monsters, #1
He Who Fights with Monsters
by Shirtaloon
Contents
16. Rescue Party
Overview
Rufus, Farrah, Gary, and Jason reach the lush Vane Estate and prepare for a stealth rescue. They discuss attributes, gear up, and move through extravagant grounds. At the manor, a cultist flees; Anisa annihilates him with searing light and descends to meet the group, confirming she’s free and battle-ready.
Summary
Rufus, Farrah, and Gary sprint across the desert with Jason carried on Gary’s back, crossing a stark boundary into the verdant Vane Estate. Exhausted, Jason learns that Rufus and Farrah endure the desert thanks to high recovery attributes. At the estate’s edge, he notes warding pillars sustaining the environment.
They refresh with water and spirit coins. Gary manifests heavy rune-engraved armor; Rufus forms a radiant scimitar; Farrah equips a summoning materials belt. Jason outlines his limited cloak abilities. The group sets a plan: move quietly to the manor, find Anisa, and kill any enemies.
Traversing cultivated woods and ornate gardens, they critique the estate’s extravagance and briefly discuss other races and cities. Rufus warns Jason to stay quiet as they approach the manor’s lawn, intending stealth to avoid endangering Anisa.
A cultist crashes from a second-story window and flees. Three luminous orbs pursue and repeatedly lance him with beams until he dies. The caster, Anisa—an immaculate, confident platinum-blonde healer—steps from the broken window, walking on light to the lawn.
Anisa greets Rufus, Farrah, and Gary as if expecting their escape and pointedly questions Jason’s presence. Her lethal display establishes she is free, hostile to the cultists, and ready to rejoin the team for the ongoing confrontation within the estate.
Who Appears
- Jason AsanoOutworlder, exhausted from travel; observes estate wards, discusses abilities, and follows the team despite limited combat utility.
- Rufus RemoreLeader; sets a stealth-first rescue plan, manifests a radiant scimitar, explains attributes, and prioritizes Anisa’s safety.
- FarrahMage; provides potions, equips summoning materials, comments on ward systems, and supports the quiet approach.
- GaryStalwart fighter; carries Jason, dons heavy rune-etched armor, and stays ready for direct confrontation.
- AnisaHealer and combatant; annihilates a fleeing cultist with light orbs, descends to meet the group, and rejoins them.
- Fleeing cultistCultist who escapes a window but is chased down and killed by Anisa’s light orbs.