Chapter five

I followed Jekyll into the den and laid down in the same spot as the night before. “Ok man let’s do it.” I said looking at my friend, Me and Cal had been planning this trip to the lake for a couple weeks now, ” This is going to be a fun weekend.” I thought to myself as me and Cal hopped in the truck and I began to drive off with the boat in tow.

The next morning I awoke and looked to where Jekyll usually sleeps every night, but he wasn’t there “I wonder where he’s gone” I thought to myself, I got and went outside to start looking for Jekyll. “Maybe he’s just gone to look for food.” I thought to myself, once outside I sat down and crossed my legs and began to practice my mana defense once again.

While sitting there practicing I heard a twig snap behind me and said “What were you up to this morning Jekyll?” I gained no response so I turned around and saw a person standing there staring at me.

I stood up quickly and with nervousness and said “ who are you?” The person looked at me for a second before responding and said “ Why are you so nervous, and why are you out here in the middle of nowhere practicing mana?” “I asked the question first, who are you?” He then responded “ There's something off about you I can tell… I'm just not sure what it is.”

“What makes you say that?” I said, getting a little bit more nervous than before. “Well for starters you look disturbed just by seeing me, and I can tell you're clearly struggling controlling your mana especially for someone of your age, I could sense you from a mile away, any decent magic user would not radiate their mana out like you do. So I restate my question, What's up with you?”

“I'm being taught how to use mana.” I said “Who would teach out here in the middle of nowhere?” “I don’t think you would believe me if I told you.” “Try me.” He said “ I'm being trained by a wolf.” he burst out in laughter then said “ A wolf you're either telling me a joke or you are deranged.” “ I told you, I knew you wouldn't believe me.”

He stopped his laughter and looked at me closely like he was trying to put a puzzle piece together then said “ Where did you get that clothing from?” … I stood there for a second trying to come up with a good answer but I found none.” Did you steal it?” “Uhhh n–n-No, What makes you say that?” I said with a stutter “ You did steal it, I overheard some people talking about a young man coming through town and he was acting odd then he ran off with some clothing.”

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“Your crazy dude!” I said with a swift response “ No I'm right, now you can either come back to town with me, or I'll force you to come back.” “I'm sure there are other options here.” I responded while backing up slowly “Ahh I see I guess you'll be choosing option number two.” He said as he raised his hand slowly. As soon as he raised his hand I began use my mana to increase my eyesight, then I began to flow mana into my hand to make a fireball to counter whatever element he was about to cast at me.”

As soon as I had begun to form my fire ball he cast a stream of fire at me, I thrusted my hand towards his stream of fire just narrowly avoiding the third degree burns that I was sure to receive, not but mere seconds after his first attack he thrusted another fireball at my chest. I jumped to the left just barely avoiding his attack then the fire ball exploded behind my body shoving me over my feet as I face planted hard against the ground. I rolled over moaning as I felt blood begin to pour from my broken nose I had received.

”Had enough yet.” My attacker asked, “We're just getting started.” I said as I stood up I tried to get in a sucker hit by launching a quick shot while I was only half way up. Not even acting fazed by my attempt he conjured up fire in his hand and swiped by away my futile attempt of an attack.

Putting both of his hands together he began to form a fireball, I had no hopes of blocking this one but I tried any way and began to form a fire ball of my own, He stuck both his hands out launching the massive fireball at me and I followed suit, as both our attacks met in between us his engulfed mine like in was nothing, “Damn this is, never thought i'd go out like this” I thought to myself,

Right as the attack was about to hit me I heard a loud crackling noise to my left… My attacker's move exploded with a resounding boom echoing through the forest, Jekyll had arrived at the last second somehow catching me and pushing me out of the way. I hadn't even noticed him before I was already moved out of the way. Jekyll looked over at the man. He had a terrified look on his face, seconds after seeing Jekyll he turned around and began to run back to where he came from, not even sticking around to try and fight him.

I stood there for a second then said “ I Thought I was dead, thanks.” “ We can't stay here, he’s going to go straight back to the village and tell everyone what happened.” I stayed in the same position not giving much of a response as I was lost for words. “WE NEED TO GO NOW!” Jekyll yelled. “ok” I responded in a quiet tone, Jekyll then began to walk and I followed close behind not saying anything

We had been walking for what seemed like hours, we went upstream following the creek going deep into the mountain range, I tried my best to keep up with Jekyll as he made swift steps up the mountain but I was falling behind. Jekyll paused for a moment letting me catch my breath. Even though I had spent most my days walking through the woods, trying to stay up to pace with Jekyll had me struggling, especially so as the air began to get thinner the higher up we went

“How much further do we have?” I questioned In between breaths. “ If I remember right there's a cave about a mile up from where we are at.” after his response Jekyll then began to walk again… I took another deep breath and began to follow him

We walked for probably thirty more minutes before we found the cave. I hurried inside as there were no trees around shielding me from the cold winds battling the side of the mountain. Once entering I sat down and began to use my fire element to warm the inside of the cave. Jekyll sat on the opposite side not bothered slightly by the cold winds, as he was protected by his thick fur coat.

After I had warmed myself up and relaxed slightly from today's events I looked over to Jekyll and asked him a question, “ I don’t mean to be rude but you seemed to get a little angry after that person ran off, is there a reason why?”