The Chronicles of a Scalebound Sage: Wandmaker Vol.2

WM [4] All Hail

The group broke free of the alley as Viggo's roar echoed throughout the outer city. More people were on this street than the last, so the swerving intensified. Thorfinn squeezed between other vehicles and drove on the sidewalk, with near misses every few seconds.

The feeling of whatever magic was used to clear the other road intensified, causing people to flee this street en masse. The dozens of darkness constructs that were now chasing them and the massive dragon in the sky overhead probably helped with that, too.

"Tyr, get up here," Thorfinn yelled.

Tyr did not hesitate for a moment and jumped out of the crowded wagon, using Flash Step to run along the outside and reach Thorfinn faster. Tanisha touched Bjorn as the Marks of Seiðr tattooed across her skin glowed faintly while they moved across her skin. Instantly, she teleported the two of them to the wagon's roof. Teleporting Bjorn with her was only possible because of the familiar bond and their soul tethering. Typically, teleportation abilities like her Arcane Shift would not work on others.

"Keep going straight down this road no matter what," Thorfinn said as he handed Tyr the reins. "I need to prepare."

Thorfinn jumped onto the wagon's roof before Tyr responded, fully trusting the young man would not let his people down. He only spared Tanisha and Bjorn a cursory glance before he sat down and began his words of power. Three crystals floated from nowhere, creating a triangle over him. A thin but intensely powerful sheet of mana formed between them.

Bjorn gave the mage no more of his attention and looked around at the ever-increasing numbers of Darkness Constructs that moved on thin legs with blade-like arms. The constructs ran, jumped, and climbed on the street, walls, and rooftops. Now and then, Bjorn would suddenly see people in seemingly ordinary clothing ruthlessly attack and destroy several of them with magic he didn't recognize.

Vines rose from the street with thorns resembling swords and swung around, swatting three enemies simultaneously. Lightning in the shape of chains wrapped around and destroyed anything they touched. Swords with magic crystals for hilts and clockwork gearing that made up the crossguard flew through the air and cut up any opponent unlucky enough to be in their way. The magical effects tore into the approaching constructs and reduced their numbers dramatically.

"Everyone, look out!" Tanisha yelled.

Viggo swooped down, the massive beast's claws extended. Tyr managed to turn the wagon just in time to avoid being crushed by the creature's enormous hand. Viggo's landing caused a tremor that shook the road and ripped up bricks as he launched himself back into the sky.

The ordeal didn't even faze Thorfinn as he continued his spell unabated. A bright light shot up, and then the triangle of power slowly lowered the thin stream of condensed mana. It encased Thorfinn as if he were being covered in hot glass. Once the process was complete, he was glowing with a soft light.

"Everyone needs to get in, or hold on to the wagon," Thorfinn yelled. "Now!"

Everyone jumped onto the wagon momentarily, holding on to the sides or joining Tanisha and Thorfinn on the roof. The horses whinnied their displeasure at the added weight but kept galloping. Joha appeared beside Tanisha and Bjorn, still disguised as a random human.

"This is going to feel uncomfortable, but no matter what, hold on to the wagon," Thorfinn stated as he stood up. The man vanished for a second and reappeared next to Tyr at the box seat. "Get back in the wagon. I will take it from here."

Tyr looked at him momentarily, nodded, and climbed back into the cargo hold with the women and children.

The gate out of the city was now in sight, only a few blocks away. Viggo flew overhead, seemingly shrinking in size as purple energy sparked through the air. The dragon became more and more translucent as its form collapsed into itself. The creature flew like an arrow to the gate, stopping just in front, striking the ground like a meteor, sending a plume of shattered brick and debris into the air.