Rise of the Erifs (The Fire Song Chronicles Book 1)

Chapter 15

Earth

AURORA FELT THE SWEAT POURING DOWN HER NECK. HER BREATHS CAME sharp and short. She was running full pelt. Branches hit her in the face, scratching at any exposed skin. But she didn't notice. Not with the Erif just behind them, lapping at her heels. Gunning for her blood.

Byron was right beside her as they charged through the forest. He just ran, ignoring the branches and thorns catching at his skin. He concentrated his full attention on not tripping as Aurora hurtled along with the speed of a cheetah. He was barely keeping up but there was no way she was going to slow down. Not with that monster just behind them.

They burst out of the forest and into a small clearing. She saw they were beside the cliff, so close she could reach out and touch it. She knew just over the next hill was a river. She threw a glance behind. The Erif wasn't that far away. They had to move. Aurora put on a burst of speed.

At that moment a fireball exploded into the bushes beside them igniting them with a whoosh! Aurora skidded to a stop just in time. The flames danced and flickered, casting a red glow on the land. Growing rapidly with each passing second. 

"This way!" Aurora raced off up the hill. They had no other choice with the flames blocking their path.

"Look out!" Byron screamed, grabbing Aurora's arm halting her. He pointed up at the top of the hill.

Another Erif stood there. As Aurora watched his long hair ignited into a swirling mass of fire. In one hand he held a long curved sword and in the other a tall shield. He grinned at Aurora, his violet eyes burning straight into hers.

Aurora glanced from the Erif at the top of the hill to the one at the foot. The fire like a furnace at their backs. She felt the fear grip her throat. There was nowhere to hide. They had only one option left. They had to fight. She reached over her shoulder for her quiver. Her hand clasped around an arrow and she drew it out.

Byron watched her with wide eyes.

Aurora nodded at his sword. "Can you use that thing?"

Byron's hand shook as he raised the sword. "Not very well."  

"Keep an eye on the one at the top for me," she said, quietly.

Aurora pulled her bow back to full draw. She touched her forefinger to the side of her mouth. She breathed deep to calm herself. She was shaking slightly. She had to stop otherwise her aim would be off. She was aiming for the Erif at the bottom of the hill. The moment he saw her take aim he dived for the ground.

"He's charging," Byron whispered. 

At the last second Aurora spun around, firing the arrow at the charging Erif. The arrow soared through the air. It slammed into his left shoulder. Aurora already had another arrow lined up. She released. It slammed into his leg less than a second behind the first. His leg buckled beneath him and he crumbled to the ground. Aurora drew a third arrow. She pivoted, firing at the Erif behind them. He dived out of its way, the arrow just grazing his arm.

"Go Byron! Go!" Aurora shouted.

"What?!"

"Over the hill and across the river! Go now!"

Byron took off up the hill, giving the Erif a wide berth. His legs strained, his muscles aching as he pushed on up the steep incline.

Aurora fired another arrow at the Erif below them. She turned around, racing up the hill as fast as she could. As she passed the Erif on the ground he swept his hand towards her, a stream of fire bursting forth. Aurora gave a yelp of surprise and leapt over as the fire blew past under her legs, scorching her shoes.