CHAPTER 6

A fool, there had never been a more appropriate word that could describe a person than that word was befitting of me at that moment. I was nothing but a fool, who, carried by a newfound strength that had been a great improvement from my previous self, had risen to a great high and because of the folly of my foolish self I was about to fall to the lowest of lows.

I had a feeling that if whoever sent me here was watching right now they were either disappointed at my stupidity or greatly amused by it. I simply couldn’t accept death so easily, not after I had been given a chance that could turn everything I thought I knew, around. Death was not an option back in my old life where things were far from ideal, let alone here where a whole new world bloomed with possibilities and chances.

I watched my enemy, Arrin the Twisted, stab yet another bandit as he drew blood from the victim all the while smiling ear to ear as if he was drawing the greatest pleasure of his life along with each drop of blood. The blood hardened again into a scarlet spear.

“That face alone makes it all worth it.” Arrin pointed at me and then at the three adventures behind me. “That look of hopelessness and terror, I could practically see the last spark of hope fizzle out of your eyes as it becomes replaced with the pit of despair.”

That pleasure he should not have. I forced my expression to shift into a look of defiance, if I looked at my reflection it probably looked nothing like it but at least I was making attempts. I hope that my new friends had it in them to try the same.

“The pit of despair is bottomless; I wish to explore its depths even further with you.” He laughed as he launched the blooded spear at Meili and the rest. They managed to jump out of the way as the spear stuck into the log of the tree with a loud thump and a few moments later, it was restored to its original form as a small river of blood splashed down the bark, painting the white tree in red.

I jumped back and joined them as Arrin moved to the next bandit with slow carefree steps. This bandit had been awake, writhing in pain; it seemed as if his arm was broken. I could hear his cries, he begged Arrin not to do it. Arrin’s response was a maniacal laugh and a boot inside the bandit’s mouth after which he stabbed the man, drawing out the blood.

“What do we do?” Asked Remen, he was visibly shaking.

“That’s what I’m trying to figure out…” I said, peeking out from a tree.

“Where are you my sweet little mice, the playtime is not over yet.” He shouted, chucking another spear in our general direction.

I watched the spear land close by as it dissolved into blood once more.

Damned bastard! This is what we were to him. Mice, pets, playthings, he planned to play games with us, frightening us, round us up and then when we thought that there is a chance for escape he would cut it short, along with our lives. This is the kind of sport that brought him pleasure for sure. The same way a cat chases around a mouse before it devours him.

I would not give him that pleasure. I could not get a victory against him, not with the strength that I possessed at this moment, but my loss would not mean death, far from it, it would simply be a promise for a rematch.

“What can you do?” I turned to Alt.

“What…”

“Your powers, what are they?” I asked.

“I…I can harden objects, enforce them, I usually use it for protection, on shields and such.” He explained in a hurry.

“But you can technically use it on any object?” I asked as I listened for Arrin who was circling around in a seemingly random pattern, but he wasn’t getting close just yet which was good.

“Yes I could, but of course the more breakable an object is the less effective would my power’s effect on it be.”

“Understood.” I nodded.

“You,” I turned to Remen, “you can jump really high?”

He nodded, swallowing his saliva in fear.

“Could you reach the top of these trees?” I asked.

“Not with a single jump, but since most of the trees are close to one another I could probably bounce from one to the other and reach the top. Why do you ask?” he said at last.

“I am just curious.” I replied.

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“And you, how far can you shoot your fireballs?” I finally asked Meili.

“How far do you need me to shoot them?” she asked.

She probably couldn’t guess my plan exactly but she was quick to catch on and seemed ready to act if it was needed. I appreciated that.

“The boughs of the trees for example.” I said.

“I could probably do it, though I can’t guarantee minute precision.”

“I don’t think it will be needed.”

I carefully laid out my plan to my three comrades all the while I heard Arrin shouting promises of pain and suffering. I really could not stand him at this point, it was such a shame that he was basically untouchable compared to my current prowess. It went without saying, but the desire and need to get stronger was now more pressing than ever.

Once the plan was explained the faces of my comrades gave nothing but doubt of success and they seemed as if death at Arrin’s hands seemed a much more desirable outcome compared to the lunacy of my plan. Meili however seemed to be torn without that doubt and the slightest bit of hope and willingness to trust me.

As soon as Arrin chucked another spear at us, it was time to act. I ran first and my comrades followed behind me. Remen and I picked up the ruined back of the carriage and raised it up, as we all hid behind it. Before I hid I picked up the piece of rope that was attached to the carriage as I cut it loose with my dagger as fast as I could. This was a good length, I sighed in relief.

“Do it.” I said to Alt.

Planting his open palms on the wood the carriage flashed with a white and purple glow which could only be seen faintly afterwards, enveloping the entirety of the carriage.

“Getting desperate already?” I heard Arrin say.

Remen and I , this time with Meili’s help, raised the carriage as we started moving it to the left from where we were standing, right underneath one of the giant trees. I listened once more, mustering as much concentration as I could and yes there was no doubt about it. There was a griffin resting up there.

Using the wooden carriage as a shield was perfect. The wood, even with Alt’s reinforcement would not hold out against Arrin’s assault for too long. This would only make it all the more exciting for Arrin and that is precisely what I was counting on.

“Are you ready?” I asked Meili who pulled one of those sticks that she had attached to her belt.

“Yes,” she nodded.

“Do it now, the one right above us.” I pointed up.

She broke the stick in half as one half of it was burst alight with a small flame that burned in a deep blue color. She turned her back to me and I wasn’t sure what she did exactly but the next second a ball of flame burned in her palm as she swung her hand back and threw it at the leaves of the designated tree.

Please work, I said to myself, because if this fails we are done for. I noticed Meili prepare another stick in case her first attempt failed.

I listened and heard the beast stir, and then it roared, it was loud enough that anyone could hear it even without the super hearing. The leaves shook, a few of them were torn free from their branches as they began their descent towards the ground and then the majestic winged beast, the griffin itself emerged from the bough of the tree. I couldn’t help but stand in awe at the beauty of a creature that previously I had only heard off in legends and myths. But this was not time to gawk at this mythical creature. This was the time to act.

“Remen it’s your turn now.” I handed him the piece of rope.

He jumped up, from tree to tree with incredible speed and in no time he had closed the gap between himself and the griffin which was just now launching into flight. Nice, so far so good!

“What is this nonsense?” Arrin barked, thinking that this was a desperate attempt of four cowering little mice who were trying to survive.

Perhaps he wasn’t too far off from the truth, but you should never undermine one’s strength just because of their size, after all even mice like all living things, are driven by the will to survive, and when someone is trying to survive no one can foresee the crazy ideas that may enter their minds.

“This is the kind of nonsense that you will never forget.” I shouted as Remen got close enough to the griffin and tied the rope around its hind leg.

The griffin roared trying to shake the rope off but hopefully it won’t have much success with that just yet.

“You miserable idiots,” Arrin said.

I watched him through a tiny opening in the carriage as he created two spears of blood at once and on his face there was no smile any longer. He seemed dissatisfied.

I was glad I could catch a glimpse of that.

“Quickly,” I shouted, “grab on.”

Meili ran and grabbed the rope as the griffin flew higher into the sky, the rope would be out of reach if we wasted any more time. It would be a shame if we missed our ride out of here.

“You too,” I said to Alt, “let go of the carriage, you’ve done well.”

He let go and grabbed onto the rope as well. Now there was just me. As soon as Alt released his influence on the carriage, Arrin threw another spear, blowing the carriage to smithereens.

In the cover of the dust that arose from this I also ran and grabbed the bottom of the rope that was just barely within my reach. I looked up and saw the three adventurers hanging onto the rope that was attached to the leg of the griffin that coasted among the trees, roaring in distress. It was a sight too bizarre and too amusing for words.

Arrin wasn’t done just yet, he flung the last remaining spear in his hand at us but there was no way I would let him take us down, not after everything else worked out in our favor.

“Sorry, although our time was quite short, you have served me well,” I whispered to my dagger which, now that I inspected it closely seemed chipped and near breaking.

I flung the dagger as it successfully intercepted the bloody spear. The two weapons clashed, falling to the ground.

“Ha,” I heard Arrin laugh, the twisted smile was back on his face again, “how amusing, more amusing than death even I daresay, until we meet next time.”

I knew that this was directed towards me specifically.

You better pray that we never cross paths again; I wanted to say, because the next time we meet I will be ready for you.