Asher the Survivor

Chapter Twelve

‘’Dylan, what are you doing with that Boltcat!?” The Salt Sorcerer rasped. ‘’Asher is my companion now!’’ Dylan announced. Xer lifted his hand, ready to cast his powers on Dylan. ‘’Not today Xer,’’ The Sorcerer of the Sea spoke, he casted a protective shield of water around him and his Boltcat. Woah! Asher looked up at the bright blue aura surrounding him; highly impressed by Dylan’s sorcery. Xer bashed his sledgehammer against the protective orb, only for it to fling in his direction, temporarily knocking him off balance. ‘’Fight me Dylan!’’ He demanded. Dylan then turned to Asher, ‘’Shall we fight him?” … ‘’Yes, we shall fight him until he is dead!’’ Asher scuffed his paws on the ground. He often got too excited about battles he cannot win.
The shield over them then disappeared. Dylan pulled out an arrow from his quiver and shot it at Xer, for a moment salt gushed out of his wound, he had no blood so he could not bleed.
He ripped the arrow out of himself and violently threw it on the ground. ‘’You can’t kill me, i’m almost an immortal.’’ He taunted. As Asher tried to attack him, all his claws did was sink into the endless salt Xer was made of.

‘’Just let me do this.’’ Dylan insisted, pulling his staff out of his tunic. From the power of his staff he encircled Xer in deadly sorcery. And thus Xer was cursed by Dylan, whom he hated so much. The magick then gathered at Xer’s palms, and he re-inflicted that power upon Dylan. ‘’No!’’ Dylan fell to the ground… ‘’Fight him!’’ He pleaded. With claws extended Asher hurled himself at the Salt Sorcerer. There was not much he could do, and this was going nowhere. ‘I- i got this.’’ Dylan stammered, reaching for his twisted oak staff. In an instant he healed himself, and suddenly he was well. Dylan then re-inflicted magic at Xer. ‘’I’ll be back later.’’ The Salt Sorcerer taunted. He then dissipated into thin air.

‘’Hello! Is everyone alright?” A voice shouted in the distance, and pretty soon a boy ran down the small hill that separated the ocean from the forest. He was a little older than 12; he had shaggy blonde hair, and hazel eyes. ‘’We’re alright.’’ Asher hissed, though the boy could not understand animals. ‘’Who are you?” Dylan asked, noticing he carried a magick wand. ‘’I am Nester the rock- well sort of a conjurer.’’ He replied. ‘’As i was making my way to the beach, i thought i heard a battle.’’ Nester sat down and started fiddling with sand. ‘’We were in a battle.’’ Dylan confirmed… ‘’A Boltcat!’’ Nester completely ignored Dylan and rushed to Asher. He stepped on his paw, and Asher hissed. ‘’Stop that!’’ Dylan commanded, and pushed Nester away. ‘’This Boltcat is a sentient being; i would know because my power is communication with animals.’’ He gently stroked Asher. ‘’Errrrrr! I hate hi-!’’ Asher growled. ‘’Woah! what did he say?” Nester asked not knowing a clue. Embarrassed, Dylan nudged Asher with his boot. ‘’He said you hurt his paw.’’ … ‘’Oh sorry.’’ Nester was not in the least bit apologetic.
Dylan was standing there looking at Nester, seeing those hazel eyes instantly reminded him of his wife; and if they had kids, would they look like him?
‘’Alright Goodbye.’’ Dylan was about to retreat to his lifehouse. Nester explained that he wished he had a Boltcat, and since him and Dylan were together, they should go to the Tree of Death and Skulls; because it will reveal how you die.

After the annoying boy had left, Dylan and Asher decided to go to the sacred tree. Asher sighed, knowing today he’d learn his fate.