Shifters

Escape

It was time. It could feel their presence strongly. All it needed to do was break the barrier before it and its sole purpose would be completed. Whipping the now thorn-covered vines aggressively on the shimmering wall of energy, the plantlike monstrosity let out a terrible wail as the hindrance began to show signs of giving way. Continuously bombarding it with a slew of attacks, several cracks began to form on the transparent wall before shattering into colourless pieces. However, just as the barrier collapsed, the presence of its targets suddenly disappeared into thin air.

'Where is it? Where could its prize be?' it wondered, slowly slithering to the now open doorway.

Realizing that the fugitives had more than likely escaped through the destroyed exit, the vines attempted to give chase through the doorway. For some reason however, despite its intention, the exit itself seemed to oppose it's entry. After a few desperate attempts, the vines concluded that the energy on the other side of the doorway was directly responsible for the sudden blockage. Frustrated by this discovery, it returned to the center of the room which had been encompassed with its ever-expanding vegetation. Choosing of its many limbs that best embodied the essence of the original, severed vine, the sentient mass swiftly constructed a door-less frame of its own. Satisfied with the result, the sentient vines promptly chose its two most solidified pieces, rubbing them vigorously together at terrifying speeds. Generating smoke as it carried out the continuous action, a spark fluttered into being momentarily before giving rise to a brilliant green flame. Sensing as the supernatural flame spread through its entire body faster than a lit fuse, the plantlike monstrosity wailed mournfully. In its last moments, the mission that was entrusted to it weighed heavily on its now fading sentience due to its incompletion. Burning brilliantly as it disintegrated the being into ashes, the remaining green flames flocked towards the doorway's inner frame, calming almost instantly as it solidified into a thin, placid wall of energy.

Without any hint of a warning, the surface suddenly rippled as two lightly armoured men cautiously made their way through the portal, crossbows at the ready. Surveying the room, both men ignored the plants remnants as they stalked past the carnage. Spotting the open doorway, they briefly made eye contact before heading towards their target's escape route. Crossing over to the ajar doorway, one unsheathed a short sword that had previous hung from his waist as he approached. The larger of the two still held his crossbow tightly as he covered his companion from behind.

Inspecting it closely, the smaller of the two spoke up, "Looks like we're too late!"

Relaxing his grip on the crossbow, the larger man was just about to speak, however, he was promptly cut off by the gentle rippling of the portal behind him. Exiting the makeshift gateway was a woman of average height who plainly wore an annoyed expression on her face.

Immediately recognizing her small yet distinctive stature, both men swiftly stood at attention, "Ma'am!"

"At ease you two," the woman relayed, sighing as she strode over the ash covered floors, "I can't believe they called me all the way out here to deal with something so minor."

Neither dared to voice their thoughts as the woman spoke, however, their postures relaxed a tad.

"It's always, Silva, do this, Silva, do that!" she said mockingly, "it's not like there aren't any others they can call, am I right?"

Again, both men remained silent. After several years of serving as her most trusted subordinates, they were more than accustomed to the rantings of the infamous Silva Delandros. Although the youngest of the trio, both her power and status as one of the Grand Discerners was nothing to scoff at. It was by no accident that she'd managed to maintain a seat on the council which, until a few years aback, had been solely populated by those old monsters.