Adventures beyond the void

Chapter 17: New Spears and New Friends

ZANA'S POV

     Civilian: - Thank you so much for your help, magic warrior! I don't know what I would have done without you!

Zana waved off the man's gratitude with a friendly smile.

     Zana: - Don't mention it, sir. It's my job, after all. But next time, maybe try carrying fewer things in your cart? Can't have them spilling all over again, right?

The civilian chuckled.

      Civilian: - I'll keep that in mind for next time.

He finished loading the last of his goods onto the cart and drove away. Still smiling, Zana turned toward a nearby shop when a sudden commotion overhead caught her attention. Shouts filled the street. People ran past her, warning others to get away. Zana's eyes darted around, trying to assess the situation when she spotted the source of the panic, up ahead, a mage had been accidentally shoved near the edge of a bridge. Her heart lurched as the man lost his footing. He clung desperately to the side, his fingers digging into the stone as he tried to summon vines to save himself. A few sprouted, but one by one, they snapped under his weight.

Then the last one gave way.

Just as he began to fall, Zana lunged forward, grabbing his wrist in the nick of time. With a firm pull, she hoisted him back up onto solid ground. The mage collapsed onto the stone pavement, panting in shock. Zana let out a relieved sigh and knelt beside him.

     Zana: - You okay?

The poor mage was too stunned to speak, and just nodded his head. Zana's relief soon turned into annoyance, as she kept seeing people running and bumping into others, causing chaos and disturbing the peace. Extending her hand, she grabbed a guy from the back of his shirt, forcefully pulling him backwards. Turning him around, she got closer to his face, and with an authoritative tone she spoke.

      Zana: - What's going on?! Why are you running?

      Mage: - It's...I... criminals attacked the plaza!

Zana's eyes widened. She let go of the mage's shirt, and began running towards the center of the town. Seeing the roads blocked from the commotion, she lunged into the air and with graceful, yet calculative moves, she began climbing up the building. The moment her feet touched rooftop, she rushed forward, jumping from roof to roof and gaining significant distance; far more than she would have if she were to travel on the ground.

Suddenly, she felt a powerful surge of magic being released in the air. Her gaze was immediately fixated on where all that power originated from. Wind magic, she deduced as she watched the intense wind currents swirling around the area, throwing ruble and debris everywhere. Zana cursed underneath her breath. If she recalled correctly, there shouldn't be more than one magic warrior patrolling the area. Which meant that if the situation wasn't yet under control, then either the fight was still ongoing or...

Shaking her head, Zana prayed to Teres, (the crystal celestial), that she would make it in time. But just as she finished that though, the massive wind ring was torn. Compressed air waves were ejected in multiple directions, one of which, was heading towards her. Thinking fast, she used her magic to raise five pink crystals in front of her, successfully blocking the incoming attack. After a few seconds, she came out of hiding and started to advance towards her destination once more.

3RD POV

Meanwhile in the center of the plaza, Hunter stood frozen on place after what he did. It was like the world had stopped moving. Then he heard it. People applauding. Both humans turned around and saw the crowd of civilians that had stayed behind to watch the fight, applauding for them. Hunter's mind began working again. He stared at his hand, the same hand he had used to punch the thug, the same hand that was enveloped in lightning.