Teran Savorr was faced with two diverging paths, one leading to the main roads to the city of Fenral, the other leading to the vast forest that stretched out for many miles. His hunter was persistent and was closing in quickly.
I can’t outrun him. I need to find more spirits. Teran thought.
Teran heard a wolf’s howl in the distance, its call echoing in the night. He strode towards the forest. His hunter was not a normal man, he was the famed bounty hunter and dishonored knight, Geffar Bluesteel. Teran quickened his pace to a jog and used his arcana to locate the place with the highest density of spirits. He took a right turn and headed towards a lake. It was very small, but the number of water spirits congregating around it was a good sign. The blue ethereal specks of light were swimming all around the lake, giving it a radiant glow that reflected the crescent moon. Teran would have stopped to admire such a sight, yet the magus hunter was close behind. Teran turned his back to the lake and stood poised to face his enemy.
“Spirits, heed my call,” Teran whispered the mantra. He sent his arcana towards the lake. Suddenly, the spirits shifted in the glistening water and began to rise from the lake. In moments, Teran was surrounded by a myriad of water spirits. Most of the spirits had responded to his call. He was surprised to find a few fire spirits buzzing around him as well. Today is my lucky day.
The snapping of branches followed by heavy footsteps attacked the silence of the night.
“Give it up, there’s nowhere to run Savorr” The hunter sneered. He was covered head to toe in steel armor. Enchanted runes littered the steel plates of his cuirass, helmet, and reaves, no doubt to counter Teran’s elements.
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How does he always catch up to me with all that armor? Teran wondered
“Sir Bluesteel, my friend, you don’t give up do you.” Teran chuckled. Teran was still gathering the primal energy of the spirits, he needed to stall as much as possible.
Geffar removed his helm, revealing a bald head, poorly shaven beard, and a scar across his right eye.
“You angered the wrong crowd kid; Richter Baldwin wants your head and his pockets run deep. Our little game is over.” Geffar said with confidence. He wore his helm and drew his steel sword, which was unsurprisingly also enchanted.
Teran was well aware of the gap in skill and experience, after all, he was only 17 years of age. His only chance was to seek sanctuary in the Arcanum Academy within Fenral. From the palm of his hand, Teran gathered the arcana of the fire spirits and condensed it to a ball. He remembered what his uncle had taught him. Summon, Convert, and Release. The ball of swirling red energy transformed into a ball of flames. Teran threw the fireball directly at Geffar. The flames were weak, but he needed to draw the man closer. Geffar advanced, his boots leaving deep impressions on the soil. With seemingly no effort, he swung his sword and vanquished the fire in an instant. The hunter advanced towards Teran with impeccable speed. Teran noticed the trees around him and smiled.
Just a little closer
Teran harnessed the contracted water spirits to control the water of the lake. He swung the water into an arc and froze it to hardened ice, cutting the trees to his right. The tall pine trees crashed downwards towards Geffar. Teran doubted it would kill the man, so he wasted no time to use the remainder of his arcana to convert the water vapor in the air to a deep mist. He used every ounce of his control to spread the mist into the forest. Without looking back, Teran Savorr sprinted as fast as possible towards the city.