The land moved under me in a blur, but I still have yet to see anything indicating where these humans are. I am not sure of where they could be. I am sure I was following the path correctly. I followed it to the hills, which seemed to be made of stone. Not much dirt over here. It's earth mana, but feels different. I had grown used to the dirt one, but this stone one is interesting. Lot more unmoving. Seems very strong. I guess there isn't much of a difference I think. It's like fresh water and sea water. They are both water mana, but they do act differently and don't mix well.

I shook my head, I was getting distracted. I looked down into these rocky cliffs, and spotting a well worn path which cuts through the mountains, I followed it to the best of my abilities. Having gone through all of it to the other side, I could see what I was looking for. A dust cloud approaching a large settlement of humans.

This big castle is much bigger than the one from the ocean. This large castle seemed to have a lot of white stone, and golden decorations which shone brightly in the sun. It was very beautiful and shiny. I wonder how pretty the rubble will be.

I gathered up my mana around me, when I felt a strange disturbance from within the castle’s walls. One I had felt only once before since I had been here. It was almost enough to make me hesitate on what I was about to do. Then I realized my only chance was to strike early.

I focused on gathering all my mana into one large attack, I felt the little serpent in my soul space lend its aid. All the mana started gathering into two large serpents one of water one of ice. I poured all my strength into it. Then I sent them at the castle aiming right for where that nasty horrid feeling was coming from.

Before the serpents collided with the castle a horrible screeching came from inside the walls. Then I saw it, the shade left the confines of the castle. It didn't stay in the air long however as I commanded my serpents to slam it back down into the ground and head first they both collided with the shade slamming it back down inside of the castle.

Not wanting any chance of this shade to escape I flew over to the castle quickly calling on more mana around me to gather into a large water reserve above me, creating a large sphere of water. I then called on the water and ice which made up the two serpents which collashed with the shade. As they were gathering the shade launched from the ground right at me.

I roared in anger, how dare this thing delay me from getting Hickory. The moment when Hickory asked to live with me flashed through my mind, then I remembered his smile when I first saw him with Sally. Then Sally's death flashed in my mind. I felt the abyss grew happy at my anger, but I was already spiraling out of control. I lost myself to my anger as my left eye burned in pain. The last moment I remembered was getting ready for a breath attack.

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***

The horses came to a sudden stop jostling me. Then the man started yelling at each other about serpents in the sky, and if they were too late. I had no idea what was going on, but I just got the rope loos enough that I got my hands free and with that, I grabbed onto the man controlling the horse and pulled him off with me.

We both landed on the ground hard, and quickly I ripped the covering off my face so I could see. I saw the man trying to reach for his knife. I quickly threw myself at him again putting both my hands to his face before calling on the fire mana and burning it. My feet are still tied up, but I wasted no time. I quickly took the knife from the man I just scorched, and grabbing his knife I cut my feet free.

Then a loud screech pierced the air, followed shortly by a crash hard enough to make the ground under me shutter. With my legs quaking I stood up and took in my surroundings. I saw Lost in the sky flying at that castle which seemed to be where I was being taken, and 6 men on horses which had noticed my scuffle and trying to divide their attention on the attack on their home, and the man they had captured trying to escape.

Taking this second to look at Lost and see how she is going, I saw an expression I had not seen on her before, anger. I could tell from all the way down here just how raw her anger is. That's when I saw the thing leave the capital and climb up into the sky at her, I couldn't tell what it was supposed to be, but it reminded me of the thing that attacked my town. Not a clear defined shape or animal, like it couldn't decide.

That's when something in Lost changed. She clawed at her face, before throwing herself at the thing, but before I could watch more the men on horses felt I was the much safer option. They all turned toward me and I knew I was seriously at a disadvantage being on the ground. I felt the core inside of me stir as I really focused on the mana around me. Responding to my will and emotions, I could feel the fire, feel it ready to jump at helping.

I had summoned up the biggest fireballs in each hand that I had ever called forth before. Without wasting any time I threw them each at the front two people ready to come at me, bursting and lighting the men on fire. I tried my best to not hit the horses.

Watching the men struggle to put out the fires, their friends come over to help them. Taking this chance I went to the empty horse and hoisted myself up, I grabbed the reins and thought I could improvise. I quickly learned it's much harder to control a horse. The horse started running at some point, but just holding on was all I could do. I need to get away then get Lost to know that I am safe.