The Legacy of the Alliance

Chapter 21

For maybe a week, the six had peace on in the mage island. That was until the journey they took to get there didn't seem so worth it anymore.

After a long journey, Celeste had completely forgotten about why they moved away in the first place. It was almost like deja vu when she realised it. Just like that fateful morning, the crow was doing a morning fly to stretch her wings when she heard boots and wagons trekking in the forest. Celeste hid in a nearby tree and scouted for the people in the woods.

Two men on horseback came into view, hauling a large crate of some sort behind them. One of them, a human, appeared to have a bow and a quiver of arrows slung across his back. The other, a mage, with a sword sheathed on his hip. They were there the first time back in the avian forest.

'They were following us...' the haunting thought intruded Celeste's mind.

Without hesitation she pounced on the archer - scratching his face with her talons. The sword wielder tried to slash at the crow; only missing by a hair as the avian jumped back. Unsheathing her dagger, Celeste readied herself for a fight.  

Suddenly, the crate burst open behind her and something pinned her down onto the dirt. Whatever it was had a strange strength but only where they pinned Celeste on her calves. The avian tried to look up but before she caught a glimpse of her attacker, her head was pushed back to the ground - knocking her unconscious.

Back with the other five, they were all huddled around the campfire, preparing breakfast before Celeste got back. 

Theo spoke up "Everyone quiet,"

Worried, everyone stopped talking until Zeke asked "What's the matter?"

"Listen," the mage whispered.

The group sat there for a few moments until Atlan had a look of realisation across his face.

"Someone's coming,"

Val quickly put out the fire and took the pan into a nearby tent while the others quickly scurried behind the trees. As the researcher herself was about to hide, someone grabbed the collar of her coat and quickly yanked her back. She let out a yelp of surprise, alerting her friends to come out of hiding.

"Back off, dickwad!" ordered Lyra.

A human man with pale skin and blonde hair held Val at her coat. He silently signalled for others to appear. Within a second, three men came out from the bushes. One, a human, the other, a mage and the final one an avian.

"We don't want to fight you! Just let our friend go and we'll all be on our merry way." Atlan tried to deescalate the situation but his nerves got the better of him this time.

The man did not waver.

"Final chance..." Zeke began to creep closer.

With a scream, a redheaded woman with falcon feathered ears but a lack of wings jumped from a tree and onto Zeke - quickly being pushed off by Theo. With no hesitation, Theo threw a ball of purple flames that manifested on his hand.

"Well, that's new," chuckled Lyra.

Theo began to rush over to Zeke before the woman tried to tackle him - quickly being stopped by Atlan. 

As the man holding Val was distracted with ordering his men, the researcher kicked him hard in the knee, freeing her from his grasp. As if on instinct, she reached into her pocket and pulled out a small test tube filled with a purple substance. She threw it against the ground - creating a large smoke cloud.

Val ran up to the mage and stole his sword from right under his nose - attacking him instantly. She slashed at his legs until he was on the ground and she moved on to the avian. Using the hilt of the mage's sword, Val knocked him out in one hit. Next up, the human who had grabbed her. 

As she sneaked up, the potential employee of the human ran off into the woods after being yelled an order. Just as she was about to strike, the man spun around and knocked her back into a tree.

"Foolish little girl..." the man towered over her.

Val only smirked.

"Think again, pal," Atlan swung at his head only for the man to dodge and the redheaded woman from before drop-kicked the demon.

"Oh, I don't think that will be necessary..." the man walked away calmly.