The air crackled with the raw energy of unleashed magic as Dae and Nare stumbled back into awareness. The once tranquil atmosphere of the void was shattered, replaced by the deafening clamor of battle. The clash of steel and the roars of combatants filled the air, a chaotic symphony of violence that echoed through the valley.
Vanguard members fought with a ferocity born of desperation. They formed a protective circle around Dae and Nare, their bodies a living barrier against the onslaught of the Circle and their minions. Blood splattered the trampled grass, painting a gruesome tableau of sacrifice and defiance.
Elias, his eyes blazing with a fierce determination, appeared beside them, his voice cutting through the din of battle. "Hurry, run!" he shouted, his words barely audible above the cacophony. "We'll hold them off long enough for you to escape. You have no control collar on, so you can flee and survive if you get away."
Dae and Nare, still reeling from the intensity of the summoning, exchanged a bewildered glance. The sudden shift from the ethereal plane to the brutal reality of combat was jarring, their minds struggling to process the chaos that surrounded them. But they knew they had no time to hesitate.
With a shared nod, they turned and fled, their newfound abilities propelling them forward with astonishing speed. The Vanguard members, their ranks thinning with each passing moment, fought valiantly to buy them time, their bodies a testament to their unwavering loyalty.
As they reached the edge of the camp, Dae's instincts screamed out a warning. He could sense figures moving in the shadows, flanking them, cutting off their escape route. He grabbed Nare's hand, pulling her towards the dense undergrowth that bordered the camp.
They plunged into the forest, the thick canopy of leaves providing a welcome cover. Dae, his senses heightened by the dryad's blessing, could feel the pulse of the forest, the hidden paths and the subtle movements of the undergrowth. He guided Nare through the labyrinth of trees and vines, their footsteps silent and their movements swift.
Behind them, the sounds of pursuit grew louder. The Bloody Pack, sensing their prey slipping away, redoubled their efforts. Dae could hear the heavy footfalls of their pursuers, the snapping of twigs, and the occasional curse as they struggled to navigate the dense forest.
Dae, his mind racing, reached out to the shadows that surrounded them. He could feel the succubus's power coursing through him, a dark and seductive energy that responded to his will. With a thought, he commanded the shadows to deepen, to thicken, to obscure their forms from view.
The forest seemed to darken around them, the shadows stretching and twisting, forming a protective veil that concealed their movements. Dae and Nare slipped through the undergrowth like ghosts, their presence masked by the shifting darkness.
Their pursuers, momentarily disoriented by the sudden shift in the environment, hesitated. They could sense their prey nearby, but their vision was clouded, their senses dulled. They stumbled through the forest, their frustration growing with each passing moment.
Dae and Nare pressed on, their bodies moving with a grace and efficiency that surprised even themselves. Dae, his strength augmented by the phoenix's blessing, felt a surge of power with every stride. He could leap over fallen logs with ease, his muscles rippling with newfound power.
Nare, her own abilities enhanced by the summoning, kept pace with Dae, her movements fluid and precise. She could feel the warmth of the phoenix's energy coursing through her, fueling her every move.
As they ran, Dae noticed something strange. The forest seemed to be aiding their escape. Thorns and branches that would have impeded their progress seemed to bend out of their way, allowing them to pass unimpeded. The soft earth cushioned their footfalls, leaving no trace of their passage.
Dae realized that the dryad's connection to nature was not only enhancing his senses but also influencing the environment around him. The forest, sensing his presence, was protecting him, guiding him, helping him to evade his pursuers.
Their pursuers, growing increasingly frustrated, began to fan out, hoping to cut off their escape route. Dae, sensing their movements, altered their course, leading Nare deeper into the forest.
They ran for what seemed like hours, the sounds of pursuit gradually fading behind them. Dae and Nare, their bodies aching and their lungs burning, finally slowed to a walk. They found a hidden clearing, surrounded by a thick wall of brambles and ferns.
Dae collapsed onto the soft moss, his breath coming in ragged gasps. Nare, though exhausted, remained alert, her eyes scanning the surrounding forest for any sign of danger.
"We lost them," Dae said, his voice barely a whisper.
Nare nodded, her brow furrowed with concern. "For now," she said. "But they won't give up easily."
Dae knew she was right. The Bloody Pack was relentless, their thirst for power and control driving them to hunt down their prey with a single-minded focus.
"We need to keep moving," Dae said, pushing himself to his feet. "We can't stay here."
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Nare nodded in agreement. "But where do we go?" she asked. "We're surrounded by enemies."
Dae looked around, his eyes scanning the forest. He could sense the presence of other beastmen nearby, their scents mingling with the earthy aroma of the forest floor. But none of them seemed to be from the Bloody Pack.
"We need to find a safe haven," Dae said. "Somewhere we can rest and regroup."
Nare nodded, her eyes filled with a newfound determination. "Then let's find it," she said.
Dae's heart pounded in his chest, a frantic drumbeat against his ribs. He could feel Nare's trembling hand clutched in his, a silent testament to her fear. They had to keep moving, but their pursuers were relentless, their dark forms weaving through the trees like shadows.
Suddenly, a guttural growl ripped through the air, followed by a crashing behind them. A hulking figure, its body covered in thick fur and its eyes glowing with an unnatural red light, emerged from the undergrowth. It was a giant wolf, one of the bodyguards of the Circle, and its presence sent chills down Dae's spine.
Nare, her eyes wide with terror, squeezed his hand tighter. "Dae, we can't fight him!" she whispered, her voice barely a tremor.
Dae knew she was right. The wolf was a powerful creature, and they were already exhausted from their escape. But they had no choice. They had to fight their way through.
With a deep breath, Dae summoned the shadows again, swirling it around him like a cloak. He could feel the succubus's power coursing through him, causing his enemy to be distracted. He lunged at the beast, his claws flashing in the dim light.
Nare, fueled by the phoenix's fire, swung her sword, which started to flicker with fire. The beast roared in pain, fur burned where the sword hit but did not break the skin. Its return attack by just twisting its body hit Nare fully and she flew back into a tree, the cracking not only being the branches but her ribs as well.
But the creature was not easily defeated. It lashed out with its bite, tearing through Dae's cloak of shadow and leaving deep gouges in the flesh of his left arm which he raised in defense.
They were fighting a losing battle. The beast was stronger, faster, and more relentless than they were. Just as Dae felt his strength waning, he saw a flicker of movement in the corner of his eye.
Another figure emerged from the shadows, its form cloaked in fire. It was Elias, his eyes blazing with determination. He had come to their aid, but would it be enough?
The beast turned its attention to Elias, its guttural growl echoing through the forest. Dae and Nare, their bodies battered and bruised, watched in fear and anticipation as the two figures clashed.
The battle was fierce, a whirlwind of teeth and fire. Elias, his agility enhanced by the heat, danced around the giant wolf, his claws striking with deadly precision. The creature roared in fury, its powerful blows raining down on Elias, but he dodged each attack with a grace that seemed impossible for his size.
Nare, her voice hoarse from exertion, cried out, "Dae, we need to help him!"
Dae, his own wounds throbbing, nodded in agreement. He gathered the last of his strength and launched himself at the wolf, his own claws glinting in the firelight.
Together, Dae and Elias fought with renewed vigor, their combined attacks driving the beast back. The creature, weakened by the flames and the relentless assault, began to retreat.
With a final roar, the beast vanished into the night, leaving Dae and Nare panting and exhausted. Elias, his breath ragged, stood beside them, his body covered in cuts and bruises.
"We did it," Dae said, his voice barely a whisper.
“No, we survived but so did he. We will be surrounded if we don’t move.” Elias spoke as he removed the pack from his back and threw it over to Nare. He then pulled some objects from his own pouch to treat his wounds.
Nare opened it, searching inside and pulled out some bandages. Dae joined her, but noticed almost all the bite wounds on his arm had already stopped bleeding and were already sealing. Nare’s bleeding was slowing but not at the same rate, and her ribs were still either cracked or broken.
Dae grabbed one of the larger bandages and started to assist in removing her armor. Even though it was leather, it was tight, and the release caused her to pale and breathe easier. Then he helped her remove the shirt underneath, her breasts still bound to avoid them shifting during battle, and Dae didn’t think they also needed to be removed.
Starting low, he began to bind Nare’s torso to keep the ribs in place. It would be difficult for her to run until they were healed.
“What now?” Dae asked, pulling the bandage tighter. Nare’s shocked intake of breath and her jerking away let him know it was tight enough as he started to tie it off.
“You two will continue on, and I’ll head that way. Get somewhere safe and remember your training. Nare is going to need some time for those injuries to heal, although it appears you both got some healing out of your familiars.” Elias stopped to eat something from his pouch. The herb concoction was one to grant energy and pain relief.
Dae and Nare pulled some out as well, knowing that the crash would come in a few hours but it would be worth it if they could gain more ground. The bitter combination was difficult to swallow, but the pain relief which caused their mouths to feel odd had begun.
Elias looked torn for a moment. “You will search out my sister. You’ll find more information in the pack about her, I had to be careful so no one found out before now and tried to get a ransom for me. If you find a village or city to the northeast, get your bearings and move on to the main capital.”
Elias looked drained and tired, almost old as his memories clouded his emotions. “Just let her know I’m ok, and not to search for me. And that I love her and my nephew and wish I had never had a desire for adventure. I know that won’t work, but you can explain about the pack and she can make her own decisions.” He paused, looking carefully at them both.
“Was it worth it? Beet told me it was, but I still wonder.”
“I don’t know, but I did get three familiars which wasn’t what I expected,” replied Dae.
“And I got a strong fire and healing familiar, I don’t know much about what they do, but I can feel them and I had fire appear on my weapon earlier.” Nare added.
“Three?” Elias looked shocked. Then he began to laugh. “Three, damn you Beet, you win. Yes, it was worth it, even more so if you get away.”
“We’re ready,” said Nare as she struggled up with Dae’s assistance. “Thank you.”