Adventures Beyond The Void (Season 1)

Chapter 17: New Spears and New Friends

3RD POV

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

Zana waved her hand with a smile.

   Zana: - Don't mention it, sir. It's my job, after all. Next time try carrying less load in your cart. Can't have them spilling all over again, now can we?

The civilian chuckled.

   Civilian: - I'll keep that in mind.

He loaded the last of his goods, hopped onto his cart, and drove off down the street. Still smiling, Zana turned toward a nearby shop, only to freeze when a sudden commotion erupted overhead. Shouts broke out across the bridge. People scrambled past her, yelling for everyone to clear the way. Her eyes snapped from one panicked face to another, when suddenly a mage was shoved too close to the bridge's edge. Zana's stomach dropped as the man slipped, arms flailing before he managed to catch the ledge with both hands. His fingers dug desperately into the stone. He attempted to summon vines, and for a moment a few thin strands sprouted, only to snap one after another under the strain.

The last one broke.

The mage's weight shifted, his body tilting forward falling. Zana didn't think. She lunged. Her hand shot out just in time, grabbing his wrist. With a grunt of effort, she hauled him upward and over the ledge, pulling him onto solid ground. He collapsed onto the stone, gasping, eyes wide with lingering terror. Zana exhaled heavily, knees bending as she crouched beside him.

   Zana: - You okay?

The mage nodded, still trembling. Zana's relief faded quickly, replaced by growing irritation. Everywhere she looked, people were running blindly and shoving into each other, turning the street into a mess of noise and panic. She spotted a man barreling forward without a shred of awareness and, with a swift motion, grabbed the back of his shirt, yanking him to a halt. He spun around, startled, only to find Zana's face inches from his own.

   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 moves, she began climbing up the building. The moment her feet landed, she rushed forward, jumping from roof to roof.

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

Zana prayed to Teres, (the crystal Celestial), that she'd make it in time. But just as she finished that though, the massive vortex 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 a crystal wall, successfully blocking the incoming attack, then kept on going.

Meanwhile.....

In the center of the plaza, Hunter stood frozen in place. It was like the world had stopped moving. Then he heard it. People applauding. Both humans looked around and saw the civilians that had stayed behind to watch the fight, applaud 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.