Paranora

Chapter #8 TRIALS

"What is it?"

"I don't know, but I don't think we should use the ground. Can you fly us across? " Cloe asked

"Yeah, right!" Nora laughed

"Then, we might be out of options," Cloe suggested

"You ever pole vault? It's a really goofy looking sport, I tried it out in high school and ended up having fun. But let's use the bamboo sticks and our depleting magic. To throw ourselves across, then we don't have to touch the ground." Nora said

"Okay, show me how to pole vault."

"Grab two bamboo trees," Nora said

Cloe clenched her fist and the two trees begin bending back towards them.

"Grab it and let it throw you as far as it can, then grab another one," Nora said

"And this is pole vault? Not goofy, crazy!" Cloe commented

The bamboo trees were within arm's reach, and as soon as they grabbed ahold; the entire tree glowed. Nora two-handed clutched the tree while Cloe just hugged it near her left shoulder. Cloe released her hands and the two glowing bamboo trees launched forward. She held on as tight as she could, watching and waiting for Nora to let go. Their faces were rippled by the force of the wind as they let go and zoomed over the tops of the trees. Nora saw Cloe in her side-eye, she was flailing about, doing countless front flips. Trying anything to right herself. Nora reached out and grabbed her leg. She was thrown off course as they started falling. Her back was facing the ground while Cloe was in her hand facing forward. They missed the trees they were supposed to grab and were headed for a crash landing. Then Cloe flipped around and Nora pulled her down, wrapping her arms around her. Nora's eyes glowed as the wind tunnel was emitted from all sides, suspending them in the air for a few moments. Before going complete haywire and slamming them into the ground like a crashed helicopter. The wind sent waves of dust and debris flying in every direction, clusters of bamboo were clacking together making loud acoustic noises. Bamboo trees in the distance glowed as they were touched. By the time Cloe hopped up off the ground, the bamboo forest behind them was glowing like the electric jungle but brighter. Almost looked like fire. She could see large shadows rising from the ground and start to take shape. Cloe saw Nora still unconscious, she wrapped her arms under Nora's and started dragging her away. Putting some distance between them and the overgrown shadows as the glowing bamboo trees held a steady advance.

Nora could feel her legs being dragged across the ground as she attempted to stand, but her legs were rubber. Cloe looked down as she started to stir and sat her down. Nora looked at her, Cloe was surrounded in flames wearing something similar to that elder.

"Cloe! When did you get that?" Nora was in awe by the fire that blazed inside the one-piece body suit. Cloe looked up, the glow had caught up to them and they would soon be discovered, several shadows approached. Cloe stepped in front of Nora and was preparing to take on the first one through. When a powerful roar snapped Nora out of her funk and she jumped to her feet. Cloe flames died down as she stared at whatever produced the roar.

"Shit, we didn't make it." Nora let out.

Nora grabbed Cloe and pulled her behind a cluster of trees. The beasts were visible now and even scarier then Nora had hoped. The enormous gorillas walked naturally on two legs and stood over seven feet tall. Cloe watched the gorilla as it started jogging somewhat in their direction but looking off. Slowly speeding up, Cloe turned to Nora in a full panic. Nora's tattoo glowed and they blasted off as the cluster of bamboo trees were wrecked by the approaching gorilla.

The slip didn't get them that far but it saved them for the time being and gave them a head start. They were sprinting now, dodging trees and jumping over other obstacles.