Flashes appeared in the night in front of Norbert; looking down at the compass, Norbert quickly flicked through the markers, seeing the first two were right on top of each other, the third for the village pointing behind him. Finally, the two groups had come together; at least now his running would be a lot less, though they were now further than ever from the village.
Taking his attention back in front of him, Norbert saw a trail of light surge forward into the air, disappearing as it hit something; Norbert heard a scream a second later.
Taking in the energy, Norbert pushed himself, wanting to get out of the open as soon as possible, not knowing if there was another bat that might come and try to collect him. As he continued to run, several more flashes appeared in the sky, most of them missing as they continued forward, Norbert catching them with the corner of his eyes as they slowly streaked through the sky before impacting far away.
Hearing another roar, the shouts of people as well, Norbert focused ahead, seeing torches lit up all over the place, people running around getting in position. Slowing down, Norbert waited on the outskirts, watching the chaos before him. Norbert looked for the other scouts, not knowing where to go but just staying out, hoping they would know what to do.
Walking around the perimeter, Norbert spotted Mathaos at the front, battling down a raptor trying to climb up the canyon. The sounds of battle woke them up instead of the usual drowning.
Looking forward, Norbert was mortified that he would not be able to make it there; seeing above, another Giant Bat fly down, grabbing hold of Mathaos and taking him up into the air, his cry cutting through the battlefield.
Already Norbert saw a bolt flying towards the bat; before he could even move, its wing was struck; the lack of balance, the Giant Bat let go of Mathaos from its grip, the man once more screaming as he fell towards the canyon.
Norbert infused his entire body with energy, not caring about the backlash he might receive, only focusing on protecting the people he could. Jumping forward, Norbert flew through the air faster than ever before; as he started to dip, Mathaos appeared before him.
Holding his arms out, the two impacted the canyon's centre, gripping each other as they screamed and fell into the canyon. Hitting the other side of the canyon, the two scatted down, Norbert clawing his hand into the rock wall, feet skidding as he tried to slow himself down.
Legs hitting a ledge, Norbert was pushed to the ground, Mathaos somehow still clinging to him. Norbert looked up, seeing the fight still raging on several meters above him. Mathaos untangled himself, standing on the ledge next to Norbert, the two of them looking around at the situation.
Climbing up the wet walls, the raptors came, Giant Bats flying through the canyon and above, taking anything and everything with them; Norbert unsheathed his sword as one came by, slicing into its wing, causing the beast to smash into the wall before falling to the bottom of the canyon, Norbert just able to see it be swarmed by raptors, hearing roars from bellow.
Seeing the lights above him again, Norbert looked around, knowing he wouldn't be able to do anything down here and not wanting to wait for the water to start pouring into it. Turning to Mathaos, whose face was pale, having nearly faced death as he tried to calm himself.
Norbert sheathed his sword, pointing to the surface, asking, "Can you climb back up yourself, or do you need assistance."
Slapping his face with his hands, Mathaos looked towards the surface with the battle still going, the sounds slowly dying down, the timing between the flashes getting longer and longer. "Yeah, I can get back up there myself. What are you going to do?" He asked as he began climbing the wall of the canyon.
Norbert looked up to Mathaos, confirming the man would be able to climb up the rough surface fine "Seeing if there is anybody else that needs help", Norbert said as he started climbing up as well next to Mathaos, keeping an eye out for anyone else that might be falling to their death.
The two of them climbed up the canyon wall together, Norbert's left hand feeling numb as he looked down, seeing his trusty glove worn away at the fingertips, his fingers red raw. Shaking his head and forcing more energy into it to hold off the pain and repair it quicker, he could now see his fingers nearly glow in the dark as they reached the top.
Once reached, the sounds of battle were no more, just the random shout here and there as everyone tried to calm down after the attack. Nearing the top, Norbert saw two hands reach down, grasping them. Two warriors pulled them up the last of the way.
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Looking around, Norbert saw the line of mages already near the edge, waiting for the all-clear from someone on the other side before they unleashed their spells; each group of five joined together, releasing a stream of water.
Quickly Norbert saw it start to rush in the water, more and more coming out of each age group; looking down the canyon, Norbert could see the water rushing everywhere, quickly covering the bottom. With the water level rising, warriors and mages together that weren't busy threw lightning down the canyon; Norbert was able to see the flashes of light as it dissipated, smelling charred meat even though it was so far down.
Walking away from the canyon, Norbert headed towards the group of people already milling about, lying down as others trembled, the built-up adrenalin now having nowhere to go. Taking out one of his sacks, Norbert looked for someone in command to give it to.
Looking around, Norbert followed Mathaos as he walked towards the other scout's Flanch, shouting, "What are you doing on this side, Mathaos? I didn't know you liked me so much you couldn't resist."
Mathaos just waved the man down. "Felt like taking a lesson in flying; the instructor bailed out halfway through, so this one saved me", Mathaos finished, pointing his thumb to Norbert.
Norbert, just nodding in response, looked around the group. "Anyone knows who I can give this to?" He asked, holding the sack of items that were requested.
Flanch just gestured around. "Think Martitia also joined this side, likely just give it to her" Norbert nodded in response as he looked around, unable to see her.
Waving off, Norbert departed from the group as Mathaos lay down on the ground, looking up at the sky. Looking around, Norbert found Martitia standing by the canyon edge, looking down as the water gushed, shuffling with the mages as they slowly moved down.
Standing beside her, Norbert followed, holding the sack out for her. Receiving a nod in thanks, Martitia grabbed it, handing a piece of paper in return. Norbert looked down at it, seeing it was the following list. Groaning at needing to be moving once more, Norbert turned to Martitia, asking, "Is this the first time they have attacked?"
Martitia just shook her head. "Sadly no, they have been coming every night, been trailing past us even before we came together. Dousan had the worst of it, being attacked for several days now."
Norbert just nodded, shuffling down. "Multiple times yet?" He questioned.
Just receiving a nod in response, Norbert looked around. "Any casualties so far?" He asked, fearing for the answer.
"Not counted so far, will be a list at the end of the expedition when we all return," Martitia replied.
Norbert closed his eyes, taking that answer for a yes but not wanting it to impact him with the amount and thinking how many other people would have fallen to their deaths, like what could have happened to Mathews.
Wondering if Azalea or Mark or anyone else he knew could also be a part of the list. Exhaling a shaky breath, Norbert just nodded, realising the conversation was over and he best head back to the village for more supplies.
Continuing to walk with the group, Norbert found a narrow point, using it to take off and land on the other side; people from both sides looked at him as he launched, some gasping at his suicidal move. Quickly landing on the other side, Norbert walked, instantly spotting Dousan out of the crowd; holding the sack out, Norbert exchanged it for the list, making a note of which side was for which as he took off his torn glove, reaching in and getting his spare out of his bag.
Stopping, Norbert turned to Dousan. "Need any help over here?" He asked.
Dousan just shook his head. "You're helping more than enough already scout; just continue running; I feel this will be over soon."
Norbert nodded, hearing the others around him sigh a moment of relief as whispers came of the news that Dousan had given them. Norbert turned around and smiled at the hope the leader had given his little army.
Shouldering his bag, Norbert gave a salute, hearing rustling behind him, sure that everyone else was doing the same as he once more headed off to the village, taking his compass out, now not even bothering to put it back, just holding it in his hand as he ran over the plains during the night.
The only light source was the moon, but even that was starting to be enough to see as clearly as day.
***
Lily sent a wind blade ahead, cutting the head off the wolf charging at her. Around surrounded by similar wolves, she once more ventured on the plateau. , She said, "Oh yeah, sure, just go and look for some random temple; just follow the river. It will be easy."
As she walked forward, kicking at a stone, sending it skidding into the water, continuing to grumble as she looked around.
Picking up a stone from the river bed, she tossed it in the air as she continued walking. "At least I'm out of that office and not training anyone. Though it was cute to see them all trying so hard."
Continuing to walk forward, the time passed in the day, stopping once more when it pushed out the bank. She looked forward, spotting another cave.
Breathing in a reassuring breath that this would be the right one, she ventured forth, seeing the similar plants; taking a leaf off, she played with it between her fingers before dropping it on the ground and repeating.
As she ventured forth, much more profound than before, one of the leaves, as she dropped its veins, shone the light around the cave, following the path further down.
"YES!" she shouted, arms up in the air. Having finally found the right place after days of searching renewed, she went forward, finding the slit in the rock wall; knowing it was the same place that Norbert described, she quickly shimmied her way forward.