Garnet Pentagon

Chapter 4: The Fallen Angel

The three of them froze as the large wolf stared them down, like he was ready to attack at any second.

"Oh look a puppy!" cried Gaius upon lifting his head to see the wolf.

But he kept growling threateningly at them, almost warning them to leave immediately. Rough winds had picked up and it had even started to snow a little as they stood there, dropping the temperature even further.

Eri looked back at Jin. He hadn't taken his eyes off the wolf since he saw him. "Jin......" she whispered.

Without looking at her, he replied back quietly. "I assume you know how to fight, Miss Gray."

"What?" Eri was surprised. Jin was actually going to fight this wolf? "Well, I'm no expert but I'm pretty good....."

Jin reached into his jacket pockets and gripped his two handguns in case of an emergency which seemed imminent. "Good."

The wolf continued to growl ferociously at Eri. He was much, much larger than an average wolf, and clearly meant business. Nevertheless the three stood there silent and careful not to take any sudden movements in slim chance that the wolf would give up and leave them be. All of a sudden, the already mad wolf charged towards Eri at full speed.

Almost as if expecting it, Jin was prepared. "Get down!"

All within close to perfect timing Eri got down as Jin drew his two handguns. He shot at the wolf repeatedly but he cleverly managed to dodge every bullet. Jin continued to shoot, determined to hit him. Gaius who was finally free, got up from the ground and grabbed Eri by the shoulder, pulling her up onto her feet. Eri looked at Gaius suspiciously. For all she knew he was going to run off and leave them especially after Jin's treatment of him. But to Eri's surprise, Gaius grinned at her.

"Don't you worry, I'm not going anywhere." He distanced himself from Eri and pulled out a bow and arrow. He aimed the arrow towards the wolf elegantly, his concentration proving to be a serious side of Gaius that Eri didn't even know existed.

Jin continuously fired bullets at a seemingly bulletproof wolf as it crept closer towards him until it unexpectedly charged and tackled him, pinning him down into the snow. The sudden attack caused Jin to lose his balance as he accidentally tossed the guns out of reach.

All within a matter of seconds Gaius sprinted at paranormal speed to where he could get a clearer shot of the wolf. He once again took aim at it with a look of determination on his face.

"Hey!!" He shouted loudly to gain attention of the wolf.

It looked up at him and charged towards him and away from Jin almost as fast as he was. Gaius was taken by surprise at his speed, making his long distant weapon redundant at close range. Upon approaching him, the wolf turned to kick Gaius with his hind legs but he was too fast for him, dodging in a way that would almost defy gravity. The wolf landed harmless, yet unprepared for Gaius to then kick him hardly, forcing the wolf back into a nearby tree trunk.

Eri watched the fight go down in awe. Not only did she have no clue what Gaius even was or what his abilities were, but this larger than average wolf was fighting him in a way that was almost human-like fighting ability.

Then it struck her. "Jin!" She called out. "He's a werewolf!!"

Jin, who had already got to his feet, sighed. He had come to the obvious conclusion much earlier than she did. "We wouldn't be fighting him if he wasn't."

Even Gaius had stopped what he was doing. "Did you seriously think all wolves were this size?!" he called out to her.

"Oh shut up!!" Eri snapped back at him.

Gaius' attention turned back to the werewolf who had gotten back on his feet. Without a moment to spare, he jumped side on to a tree trunk and ran from tree trunk to tree trunk almost as if he were flying. Once he got closer to the werewolf, he used one hand to swing up onto a tree branch and take aim at him again.

Jin quickly made his way to his handguns which laid in the snow and grabbed them. He took aim at the werewolf in case he tried to attack again.

Feeling safe with two pairs of eyes keeping an eye on him, Eri approached the werewolf as he looked at her helplessly. "Hey, we just want to talk."

The werewolf growled once more at her before retreating further into the forest. Gaius jumped down from the tree as Jin and Eri tried to run the werewolf down.

But he had practically disappeared into thin air, fortunately leaving a trail of paw prints for the three to follow. So they decided to slow down to regain their breath.

"Gaius." Eri looked at him as he walked beside her. "What are your abilities?"

"My abilities?"

"Or rather, what are you?"

Gaius smiled charmingly at her and winked at her. "Whatever you would like me to be, Miss.......?" He looked at her, realising he hadn't caught her name.

"Gray." she replied quickly. "Eri Gray. But seriously, I'm curious."

Jin, who was walking ahead of the two, abruptly joined the conversation. "He's a fallen angel."

So he really did fall from the clouds. There was a surprise. Even if it was true, Eri was still convinced Gaius was crazy.

"And an excellent archer I might add." smiled Gaius as he played with a spare arrow in his hand.

Eri rolled her eyes. "So, what you're cupid or something?"

Gaius burst out laughing. "Says the girl who is named after a tea!"

"That's Earl Gray you dumbass!" she exclaimed as she stomped her foot in the snow angrily. "It sounds nothing like my name!"

Gaius smiled mischievously. "I may not be cupid but I won't hesitate to shoot an arrow at you if you piss me off."

Eri smiled also. "I'd like to see you try."

Jin came to a sudden halt, forcing Gaius and Eri to both stumble behind him. They both fell quiet as they looked ahead. The werewolf's paw prints lead into a dark damp cave hidden amongst the trees in the forest.

"He's in there." announced Jin as he made his way forth.

Eri looked forward as Jin and Gaius approached the cave. "You've got to be kidding me....."