“Please repeat that again. I don’t believe I heard you properly through all the screaming bats.” Florence said looking at Bryson as if he had gone insane.

“You know what I said.” Bryson said matter-of-factly as he raised his hand and blasted a bat that moved too close towards them.

Florence looked up at the lowest of the tree branches, “I can’t get you all the way up there.”

“How far?”

“This is a bad idea.” Florence said as she continued to fire at the increasing swarm of monstrous bats that formed around them back away from Bryson.

“Yeah? And tell me, how much longer before we get overwhelmed and have to run?” Bryson argued.

“You’ll be thrown into the danger.”

“It won’t be long. I just need three flowers and drop back down.”

“They’re just three flowers. Magical or not, your mother won’t care if it meant that you’ll die!”

“Thanks for that vote of confidence.”

“Stop joking around.”

“Look they’re coming towards us, you’re just throwing me away from where they’re headed.”

“But you’ll be going where they’re coming from.”

“I have a plan.”

“Why are you so adamant about doing this?” said finally letting out some frustration in her voice.

“Same reason why you stayed at that village.” Bryson shot back.

Florence paused for a moment before turning her head over to face Bryson. A look of anger plastered on her usually emotionless face, “You are so frustrating you know that?”

“Hurry up!” Mary shouted.

“How far?” Bryson demanded.

Florence looked back up at the nearest tree branch that could support Bryson’s weight, “A bit over two-thirds.”

Bryson did some quick math in his head before nodding, “That’ll work.”

As he said that another wave of bats came emerging from the tree. It seemed like there was an endless number of creatures lurking up in that hive.

“If you’re going to try something do it now! Before we’re all dead!” Mary shouted out to them as she began to give orders to the adventurers to prepare a retreat.

“Now or never.” Bryson said.

Florence gave a beleaguered sigh before blasting away some more approaching beasts before crouching down and extending her hands out together waiting for Bryson to step up and boost him.

“What the hell are you two doing?” Viola asked as she noticed the two. She was too late to intervene however as Bryson took a couple of steps back before running towards Florence.

Here goes nothing. Bryson thought as he leapt up. With his foot landing on Florence’s palms, she immediately threw him upwards with all her strength.

The first thing Bryson did when he went airborne was regret ever coming up with this plan. As the wind blew past his face, he flew past several bewildered bats as they tried to divert their course away as he came rocketing up.

This rocketing speed he was travelling at however began to slow as he got higher up. He didn’t have much time before gravity caught up to him. He could already tell that he would not be able to make it all the way up with Florence’s throw alone. Frantically his eyes darted around for the nearest branch that could support his weight.

There. Bryson thought as he spotted one. What’s more, was that the branch he was aiming for had new budding magnolia blooming flowers on the ends of it.

Okay, now just breathe and go. You don’t need to be perfect. Bryson thought as he closed his eyes for a brief moment before opening them again, now with a pure white glow. He focused on the branch and everything seemed to move in slow motion.

He looked at the branch and he wanted to be there. He felt his body become weightless in his peripheral he saw outstretched hands and fingertips turn glowing blue before spreading down the rest of his arm. As the blue glow passed his wrist his hand disappeared into the air. As it moved down to his elbow his forearms vanished along with his hands.

He could feel his legs and torso following suit, then his head. For the briefest of instances, his entire body disappeared into a luminescent blue mist. But Bryson could still see and felt a calmness wash through him.

In reality this occurred within the blink of an eye but for Bryson at that moment it felt as if he was slowly and gently floating towards the target tree branch. As he moved closer toward the tree branch, he reached his currently nonexistent left hand out toward the branch.

This was an action that Bryson regretted immediately. The moment he did, he found his body return back to normal. As he felt his body return to him the pull of gravity grabbed him once more threatening to drag him back down.

All calmness he felt while the spell was taking place disappeared as the absolute fear of falling to his death gripped him. Quickly he grasped his hand around the branch and clung on with dear life. Shooting magic through his arm to secure his hold.

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He grabbed onto the branch with his other arm and pulled his legs up to straddle it. As he hung upside down, he looked downwards. It seemed that the bats were too busy travelling downwards to notice Bryson thankfully. But the sight of dog-sized monsters flying past him down to the floor when he hung several stories in the air did not do him wonders.

Oh, I’m scared of heights. Bryson realized. He took a deep breath as he tried not to panic looking back up he decided the best thing to do was to focus on climbing atop the branch. Shimming around he managed to scamper his way up onto the branch.

Taking a relieved sigh, he hugged the branch now far less likely to fall. Looking forward he saw ahead of him several magnolia flowers hanging on a small branch. Crawling forward he snapped the twig off its base and stuffed it into his front pocket. Okay, that’s done, just need to get out now. Bryson thought as he looked left and right and then up.

For the second time in less than thirty seconds, he made a mistake. Above him he could see the entire colony. Hundreds if not thousands of them lay perched upside down on the tree or flying about in frantic circles ready to exit out.

One of them saw him and emitted a high-frequency screech and suddenly all the bats around him noticed. In an instant, they expanded their wings and began to fly towards him. Bryson did the best thing he could think of, and he jumped out of the tree.

As he plummeted downwards, he immediately regretted his decision as he saw the ground rapidly approaching. Looking upwards he no longer regretted his decision as a torrent of bats flew down after him.

I need time. He thought as he noticed that the bats around him started to notice his presence. They in turn along with the ones following Bryson began to close in. Looking upwards he blew with his mouth, and gusts of freezing cold air started to blow towards the bats.

Those unfortunate enough to get caught by the blast of cold air found their wings frozen in place and plummeted down to the ground. Now with more space Bryson took his jacket off midair and raised it above his head.

Imbuing magic into it he used it like a glider and made his way down as he weaved past the flying creatures. As Bryson was making good headway, he glanced down towards the others noticing Sable pointing towards him.

Confused Bryson turned to look back only to be struck by a bat that flew blindly towards him. Colliding hard into him both the bat and Bryson began to hurtle down uncontrollably into the ground.

“Bryson!” Viola shouted. A blur moved past her and began to run up the tree. It was Spencer Khan.

He ran parallel up the vertical tree, slicing down any bat that came in his way once he made it as far up as he could he leapt towards Bryson. Bryson noticing Spencer near him, he raised a hand up and sent a gust of air outwards. Using the force of the blast to guide him toward Spencer as he fell he was caught in midair.

“How are we going to land?” Bryson shouted.

“Was just going to try and take it!” Spencer said back with a helpless look.

I hate this. Bryson thought as they were about to hit the ground. Only they never did. Bryson looked down and saw that walking suit of armour The Omen caught them.

“Woah, this thing has shock absorbers?” Spencer said impressed.

“Hey move it we’re leaving!” Mary shouted to them, “They won’t chase after us once we near the forest!”

“Get them to safety!” Sable ordered The Omen. It immediately began to run towards the woods. Viola quickly grabbed Sable by the hand and the two ran towards the trees. Mary made her way next to them and pulled out a small toy Pegasus. It expanded out until it was life-size and the three piled on.

“What about them?” Viola shouted.

“No space, I’ll go back after.” Mary shouted as the Pegasus began to take flight.

Many of the adventurers did the same, using whatever item or spell they had to quickly make their way out. Florence ran next to The Omen keeping pace.

“They’re catching up.” Florence warned as the bats came flying in.

“It’s too slow with the both of us.” Spencer said.

“Marsh go on ahead. I have a plan.” Bryson said sternly.

“Another one?”

“Now’s not the time!”

Florence looked back before giving a sharp sigh and without another word she leapt forward, bounding far ahead of them.

“Get this thing to drop me.” Spencer said.

“Are you insane?”

“You’ll make it.”

“I don’t need your stupid ideas, I have a plan.” Bryson said as he grabbed Spencer. As long as I tap into my power, this should be possible… right? He thought as he began to concentrate.

He made sure to turn away from Spencer to avoid him seeing his trick and focused on a spot to land. His eyes glowed bright white for the second time today and he felt his body disappearing again.

“Woah.” Spencer said as he felt his body change.

Bryson quickly learned that the Flash Step spell, or at least his weird variation of it required a lot more time to cast when he had to carry extra weight with him. He found himself having to do a lot more thinking and planning in his head.

“Hey, they’re catching up.” Spencer said getting nervous.

“Shut up.” Bryson muttered. But he too could hear the bats getting closer and closer. He could see that Mary who had safely dropped his siblings and was ready to charge back to grab the two.

Got it. Bryson thought as he felt Spencer and himself turning to mist far faster. Once more the two of them no longer had physical forms and surged towards the trees. They flew and flew, moving at unbelievable speeds.

Then, Bryson lost it again. Fortunately, they were right in front of the forest. However once more, there was a caveat. The two of them were floating in the middle of the air before they started to plummet down.

They didn’t need to worry about hitting the floor as Florence caught them both. With one hand each Florence held the two up. Spencer looked down at Florence clearly impressed while Bryson held a scowl.

“You’re strong.” Spencer said impressed.

“Put me down.” Bryson growled. Florence obliged and gently put them down. Florence made sure to put Bryson down second and slower in an almost playful manner.

“You’re okay!” Sable said in relief and hugged Bryson. Who froze up in response, eyes wide.

After a pause Bryson slowly muttered, “Stop hugging me.” Once he noticed Viola giving him a mischievous grin.

“Ah, right.” Sable said embarrassed, breaking the embrace.

“What about the suit?” Florence asked. Looking over they could see The Omen was making its way over to them. It was consistently getting struck and clawed at. However it was able to take the hits in stride.

“Tufnut said that these creatures won’t do any serious damage to it. Besides the bats will stop harassing it once it get closer.” Mary assured them.

“Why?” Bryson asked.

“Not sure honestly, probably something scientific about it but the bats only reside within the tree. They seem to live off it and will never venture far away from it.” Mary explained, “Now more importantly did you get the flowers?”

“Yes.” Bryson grunted as he dug into his front pocket and pulled out the twig he plucked earlier. The flowers were crumpled but there were three of them.

“Hmm, could be better quality, but they’ll do.” Mary said with a shrug.

“Why didn’t we just have that stupid suit of armour go ahead of us?” Bryson said irritated.

“Because we needed to challenge you three. The Duchess’s orders.” Mary said with an amused smile on her face.

Bryson gave an annoyed scowl as he looked back over to the tree. Sure enough several bats had already begun to fly back towards it as The Omen approached. Looking at the base of the tree, Bryson noticed a figure standing at it. The beasts seemingly ignoring his presence.

Bryson squinted at the figure trying to discern it. Am I seeing things? He turned to Sable. But before he could ask a question both he and everything else simply stopped.