United (Magics AU - Part 1)

Chapter 45 - Caynen

Pain exploded up Caynen's spine and darted through his shoulders as he landed harshly on his back and skidded a few feet. His lungs froze in his chest as the breath was knocked out of him, but he could hardly pay attention to that as he slid into a chair, head first. White flashed in his vision as his skull struck the legs of the chair, and he slammed his eyes closed against the pain that was now searing through his whole body. 

But as he heard the rumbling growl of the Shadowbeasts around him, Caynen snapped open his eyes again and struggled to shove himself to his feet, gasping for air. Agony cut through his spine again, dancing down to his hip and through his right leg; but he forced himself to ignore it. The Shadowbeasts were nearing quickly, and he needed to get up now. 

Filthy beasts, Caynen thought angrily through his pain, planting his left foot underneath him and using the chair he'd hit to get to his feet. He inhaled sharply at the fire that darted through his spine, impatiently straightening and pushing the pain to the back of his mind. His vision was blurred, but he blinked it clear just in time. 

A Shadowbeast descended upon him, its mouth open in a roar of triumph and fury. Caynen grabbed the chair with his other arm and swung it over his head, striking the beast directly on its head. The monster stumbled sideways, but another one appeared behind it, flashing its teeth and opening its massive wings. 

Caynen's magic automatically flew to his hands, and he crossed his arms in front of him. A Light shield shimmered into place, and when Caynen pushed his arms forward, it slammed itself into the attacker. The beast let out a long roar of pain at the impact of the Light Magic, staggering backward while flapping its wings in a frenzy. 

The magic shield vanished, and Caynen risked a look over his shoulder. Falte and Emily were already inside the kitchen, but they were the only ones out of sight. Caspian was reaching for Chase, who had shoved his sister off of his back and pushed her in front of him. Ruby and Marcus were right behind the siblings, and Rachel and Gabriel were a few paces behind them. Amy was in front of them, practically dragging Linda toward the kitchen doors; but Artemis and Kai were farther back than Caynen liked. Ozai was carrying Nanami with Luke behind him, and they were the closest to the Shadowbeasts. 

Grunting out a muttered curse, Caynen wheeled back around and flung his arm to the right, scattering two Shadowbeasts that were hurrying toward the fleeing group. A faint wisp of air behind Caynen made him spin and duck to the right, despite the torment in his back, just before a Shadowbeast slammed its claws into the floor where Caynen had been standing. 

Where the devil was Shintaro? 

A roaring beast leaped over Caynen, completely ignoring the Light, and darted toward the kitchen doors. Caynen thrust his arm outward, and a Light shard impaled the Shadowbeast through its back. It collapsed immediately, but several more Shadowbeasts passed Caynen and charged toward the kitchen, destroying tables and chairs on their way. 

No! Caynen surged forward, gritting his teeth and nearly stumbling against the crippling pain in his spine and hip. His heart nearly froze in his chest when he saw Artemis trip and fall, allowing Luke, Ozai, and Nanami to pass her. Kai, who had been running behind the young bainue, skidded to a stop and grabbed her arms to help her back to her feet.

But there wasn't enough time - the Shadowbeasts would be on them before could even reach their full speed. 

"NO!!" Caynen screamed, his heart seizing. He wouldn't - he couldn't - lose Artemis, not like this. He couldn't lose her, too. He'd already lost so many people, there was no way he was about to lose another one dear to him. 

Without thinking, Caynen lunged forward and teleported himself mid-jump. He appeared again directly behind Artemis and Kai, who were just beginning to run again. Though he knew he would be in so much more pain afterwards, Caynen tackled them from behind and teleported them with him while they were still falling.