"Huff, Huff."

One foot after the other. No looking back, He needed to keep going forward. The weight of Alaina clanging on his back grew heavier with each step. The last of the sun's warmth faded. Joshua scrambled into the shadows of the darkling woods.

The bushes beside him rustled. Joshua dived to the right as a smoky wolf jumped out. It snapped at his arm. Swinging his spear he sliced the creature in half. The wolf dissolved into an inky gulp. Without pausing he jumped over the puddle into a clearing.

Alaina screamed. A wolf jumped out of the trees. Joshua dashed to the left, but another wolf appeared. He clicked his tongue. He turned to flee, but three wolves appeared. They were surrounded.

" Finally got you pinned down. Surrender the girl."

A pump lady with a husky voice stepped out.

" Not even in your dreams."

Joshua tightened his grip on his spear. The situation was bad. He couldn't defeat these many wolves well at the same time keeping Alaina safe. He looked back at Alaina. She was shriveling well burying her face in his back. He made his decision. Shifting his spear to defense he activated his Arts. A gold aura engulfed him. Even if he was ripped to shreds he won't back down.

two figures appeared behind the pump lady

" Yo, Cateline."

" Madame Cateline, you called. "

A Man and woman appeared next to the woman.

" Uros, Elena. Where have you been?"

" Accept my apologies. This meat head got into a fight."

" Nevermind it. Capture the girl."

" Oh, he looked strong."

" Not you Uros."

"Of course Madam Cateline." Elena gestured across her throat with her lace gloved hand. "Wolves rip him apart."

The wolves leaped aiming for his throat, but shadows shot up from the ground halting the wolves movements. The wolves thrashed around howling at the restraints.

" Hey, Don't just stand there. This way." A young voice called out to him.

Joshua turned to the direction and ran back into the woods. He came across a teenager with black feathery hair.

"Who are you?"

" No time to explain. Keep going. There is a person who will take you to safety. I will hold them back." The boy pointed westward.

"Can I trust you?" He tightened his grip on his spear.

" Do you have a choice?" The boy tilted his head.

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

" What a pain." Joshua clicked his tongue.

He dashed farther into the woods. There in the trees appeared a man with a purple mask. His right sleeves fluttered in the wind.

* * *

Joshua disappeared from Vincent's sight as he turned back to the howling wolves.

" How annoying, go to sleep."

Vincent waved his hand as shadow runes covered the wolves. The wolves dropped onto the floor.

" You." A husky voice called out.

Vincent turned and smiled.

" Yo, long time no see. Elena, Uros, Cateline."

" I don't remember ever meeting you?" Uros growled.

" Don't bother, He would have wiped himself out of your memory."

" Impressive. You can still remember, Cateline. You must have a strong will."

" Hardly. I can't even remember your name, traitor."

Vincent burst into laughter.

"Me, being a traitor. Funny. I need to originally be on your side to be a traitor."

" Don't lie, I can't remember much but I know for fact you were one of our best members. What happened to you? How did you stop being an Eldritch?"

" Hm, I wonder." Vincent tapped his chin pretending to be in deep thought.

" Enough games. If you are not part of our organization you have no right to stop us from taking the girl."

" Are you talking about the treaty? You were the ones who broke it first."

" What are you talking about?"

" Asked the people behind you?"

" Elena, Uros?"

" Well, you see," Uros diverted his eyes.

"Uros attacked and injured the boy."

"Uros!"

"Sorry, Sorry. I didn't realize it was him." He raised his hands up in defense.

" So Cateline, should I consider the treaty broken?"

" Fine you win, we will back off today. Elena, Uros. We are leaving."

" Yes."

" Yes, Madame."

" You traitor, I hope you don't regret going on the other side."

" Yeah, yeah. See you later."

Vincent waved them off as they disappeared into the darkness. He let go of his breath and slumped onto the ground

" They have left, Lili."

"Thanks for helping them in my stead."

Vincent look over to a transparent woman hovering in the air

" No problem no problem. You are helping me keep track of Aaron. So it is a fair trade. "

" This isn't good."

" You are right. The court of the lichs are making their move. I'm running out of time to convince Aaron to join my side."

"You fool. Leave him with the Varangian Guard for protection."

" Says the person who almost let their charge get abducted."

" And yet they didn't, did they? Though I can't physically affect the world outside my domain. I have the next best thing. Information. "

Vincent laughed.

" And sweet information it is. So what do you want for it?"

" For now, take Joshua and Alaina into your group and protect them. And leave Aaron alone. I believe your other companions had told you already."

" Fine, Fine. We have a deal."

"And Vincent. Don't think your magic can get you out of the bargain."

" Yes, I know." He weakly waved to her.

Lili nodded, fading away.

" Yes. It is finally going to get more lively." Vincent smirked as he laughed to the heavens.