Gary
"Strength is more than just might, Akiko." He said in response as he crouched down and examined the tracks. Once he'd been raised to hunt and gather, and had done it for many years alone before he met Scipio. After that, he'd trained with the elves and demigods of the hunt to hunt down fleeing foes across the realms. Yes he likely couldn't compare in magical power to even a first year student at the Magios Academy, but he was still a skilled fighter and well trained. 

"You said they're trying to summon a False God and have a leader- we can assume then that what we see here isn't an accident. Whatever happened had purpose, we should be wary of that. 

"Still, I think avoiding fights where we can is best. Our goal is to cut the head off the snake, so we should do all that we can to avoid detection. I've rested enough to make a few small jumps with my teleportation, so we can use that our advantage. 

"I don't have a weapon, but my fists are deadly enough as is." He said, half to himself as he gazed into the dark trees. 

"Let's get a move on, these tracks are old which means these Gnolls could be up to anything right now." He said, sighing and straightening up to continue along the path with the Kitsune.
Patrick
*The forest was dense and dark, yet the trees protected them from the cold winds that were as cruel as they were strong. The full moon provided enough light to avoid walking in complete darkness, the blue glow of the moon illuminated their path. Although, Akira did not allow herself to get too distracted as even she could get lost in the forest if she allowed her mind to wonder.*

*Noctis was a fun company, a pretty corpse if he should meet his end tonight. Perhaps even the most beautiful of corpes, the demigod was amusing. So desperate to be a hero and so eager to face death, bold or simply hungry for blood himself. Upon realizing he had no weapon, she began to wonder if he could truly kill a gnoll with his bare hands. However, his life was not her responsibility as the gods surely had their plans for him. Who is she to interfere.*

*The duo would hike on for an hour, venturing deeper into the forest. Akira took the opportunity to arm the demigod with her daggers, making a chilling comment as she gave them to him.*

```"This one offers more, perhaps the demigod is too shy to ask. Makes the mind wonder if Noctis needs a moment of survival and raw animalistic will to grow. Forgive this one, it won't matter."```

*Akira said as her smile dismissed her words, the fox had a odd feeling in her heart. Cold, she felt a cold and sharp pain in her heart upon looking at Noctis. Although, she wasn't sure why. Was it disappointment? Mourning him already? Or simply fear? The fox was not enjoying a flooded mind during a mission, normally her head is as clear as a fresh stream of water.*
.

*Another few hours past, and the forest began to lead to a cliff. The scent of smoke and blood filled the air, it was faint but present. Looking down the large cliff, a horrifying scene came to view. The deep forests of the valley surrounded a deeper valley where a massive war camp could be seen. The lights of torches were vast and the tents of mixed feral leather filled the empty space below completely. Gnolls by the hundreds it seemed, even a prepared army would have a struggle with this many savage beasts. The center of the war den seemed to have the most activity, as a large bonfire was surrounded by chanting gnolls. Rows of tied up slaves could be seen in preparation.*

*All hidden in a dark corner of Yronis, Akira watched closely. As the sounds of distant hyena growls and laugher was heard nearby, she'd put her hand on Noctis. Pushing him down and into a bush, as a patrol of hyenas came running by.*
Gary
"Well... Shit. Have you spoken to the Shogun about this? If not, why?" He asked, crouching low and peering at the camp. Before he'd have been able to enhance his vision to easily scan the camp and identify weaknesses, entrances, food supply locations and barracks. He had perfect vision for a man, perhaps even above what a normal man could see- but he was nowhere near superhuman. It was all just lights and tents and bodies. Not enough to gather off. 

He heard the group coming and moved with Akiras pull. The demigod waited until the patrol had passed before brushing a leaf from his hair. "Any chance we can save the people they've captured? We could free them before we attack the leaders, they're likely to get slaughtered in the confusion of the assassinations." He mused, speaking of their deaths as casually as he might discuss the chance of rain. The truth was he would let them die if he had to, if it was the greater good. It was the kind of decision making he'd needed to make back in his own time as a leader of the Empire, it wasn't one he enjoyed and never made lightly and yet- he could make it. 

He tested the daggers on his thumb, sharp. His forte was the sword of course, but his dagger skill was likely beyond most. It would be more than enough- he hoped. He *Was* More than his magic. 

He turned his grey eyes to look at her as he slid the knives into his coat, watching her closely. Part of him was sure she'd like nothing more to see the slaves killed, to see *Him* Dead and to laugh over his corpse. Yet here she was actively seeking out threats to Yronis and the realms. Why couldn't his father create something that wasn't batshit insane, himself included.