Over an hour later, Arin stood in the village square. His silver dragon lounged a few paces behind him, while seven other people stood before him, all facing his way.
In a village of thousands of people, only these seven had managed to defend themselves in time and escape from the needleworms' attack.
Only seven...
Arin seriously had to marvel at the little killing machines' efficiency.
The seven villagers were all covering their faces and necks with hands, objects, or even one villager's magic-cast fire, that burned golden in a criss-crossing loop around his head.
Multiple small, slender shadows still flitted around their heads, barely perceptible in the flickering light of the fire shield-net's glow. The occasional sight of them only served to exacerbate the lingering sense of horror.
Muffled voices were overlapping in a frenzied clamoring.
'Sir Rin, why have you gathered us here? What is happening in our village? To our people!?'
'Keep your face covered!'
'Is that the tower magician we've heard of? The one who broke that sleeping curse...?'
'He's saved us again!'
'Why... only us? Say, what has happened to the others?'
'I saw someone... fall, when one of those things landed on him. I couldn't see what it did to him. What is it? A poison touch of some kind?'
'Gah! Get away from me!'
'We should leave Silvershade at once, and call for help! Sir Rin -'
'What happened to that person? The one who fell over?'
'Dead. He's dead! They're all dea-'
'No! It cannot be! M-my son... everyone... They can still be saved. If only you would do something!'
'They're dead!'
...
Arin himself had pulled the stiff collar of his shirt up high, and was covering his mouth and nose with a hand. There was no need for him to do so, of course. The needleworm beetles wouldn't come after him until - as per his own instructions - everyone else in the village had successfully been killed.
Even so, he had to make an effort to at least seem as though he shared the plight of these survivors.
'Quiet down!' he called out. 'Quiet down, please, and listen!'
And... all the seven survivors listened.
'Silvershade has been attacked by a swarm of needleworm beetles,' he said.
A voice interrupted him, to say 'Ah, I thought I recognized those creatures, from that compilation issue - 'The Lesser-known Killers of -''
Another voice yelled hoarsely, 'Killers!? Then, besides the seven of us, everyone else really is -'
'Quiet! Listen!' Arin cleared his throat, before continuing. 'I know of a way to defeat them, but that would require all of yours' help -'
Another voice cut him off. 'Why defeat them, when we can simply flee? My talent enhances my speed - that's the only reason I haven't - d-died like...'
'I will not leave until my son has been saved!'
'I was getting to that! Listen!' Arin yelled, somewhat annoyed now.
He knew he'd never be able to defeat all of these seven people in combat, let alone kill them. And since they'd already successfully escaped the needleworm beetles...
He'd have to employ some trickery for his purpose.
'I know a way to save the- the fallen people,' he announced. 'It's not too late! But for that, we must make haste to cleanse Silvershade of these terrible creatures.'
The gathered villagers looked at him for a moment, before one of them slowly nodded.
'Oh, thank you, tower magician!' exclaimed another.
Then, a few more broke out into scattered cheers, still taking care to keep their faces and necks protected.
...It was jarringly easy to get people to believe in something they sincerely wanted to believe.
'Right, then,' continued Arin. 'First, I shall have my dragon here destroy the ones that are hunting you with its fire. As we've already seen, flames deter them.'
'When these ones are gone, and before the others can get to you, shut your eyes, and help me summon -'
'Don't listen to him.'
Arin frowned. Why did all these people seem to enjoy interrupting his words so much?
'Do listen to me! My beast talent allows me to summon -'
'Silence! Killer!' The voice rang out loud across the square.
From around a corner stepped the village head, sir Grif. His large frame approached Arin step-by-step. There was a long, thick, dull gold-colored snake wrapped around his neck and chin, that protected his mouth and nose from the needleworms.
So, he'd failed to consider this; there had been an eighth survivor.
'You are the one who has done this, you repulsivething!' the man snarled. There was no hint of his previous, jolly demeanor left on his face. 'You! You summoned these things. You killed everyone! You have destroyed everything!'
...oh.
Shit.
Arin swallowed, then glanced back at the gathered villagers. At their headman's words, all seven had taken a few steps away from him, and were now glaring suspicious at him. The fire talent-user's flaming cage had already extended a couple of fiery tendrils in his direction.
Damn it!
'That's not true!' he exclaimed. 'Calm down, and let me explain -'
'Kill him!' the man roared, before breaking into a run in his direction.
...
Damn it all!!!