Trapped From A Wish

It Starts Now

"Alright, you're all done Storm, you can go now." I let my best friend go on towards all the rest of my friends, who were all gathered together in a small campfire cooking their food. I was glad nobody else had been hurt badly, but I was worried about Star, who was still pretty pale.

"Hey Leaf," I heard Star say beside me, "Hey," I replied gently. "Thanks for saving me back there, I owe you one," I smiled Nobody really owed me anything, I just allowed them to do that anyway. "No problem, are you feeling better?" I asked him, Fire had made a small campfire near Star to make sure he had warmth. "A little bit, it still aches but the ointment helps. "He gave a small smile back at me.

"I'm sorry we didn't come back in time." I apologized, Star shook his head, "You didn't know, don't blame yourself for everything, Leaf. " I could tell there were more thoughts going through Star's mind, but I didn't want to press him. I checked his wound once more and Shrew gave us some mouse to share.

"We'll be leaving tomorrow." I announced to everyone after Star and I finished our mouse. Everyone looked at me doubtfully, as if they didn't think this was the right choice. "Are you sure Leaf? What if we meet another monster on our way and it kills us all?" Fire asked me.

"Then we'll just have to make our skills stronger," I brought out the book that Star gave me, "In this book, there's a description of everyone's skills and spells you could all use. We should all train together for a few hours to make ourselves stronger against the virtual monsters." My friends' eyes lit up with wonder. "Well let's get to it then!" Bracken said enthusiastically. I smiled, he was always the positive one in almost every situation.

"Okay, Fire and Storm, you guys will train together because most of your skills are offense." I said to the two as I skimmed the spell book. They nodded and I went to Sorrel and Bracken, " You guys work together since you both have mostly defensive skills." I went to Star and Shrew, "We pretty much have a mixture of offensive and defensive skills so we'll train together."

I went to go to each pair to tell them what we can do to strengthen their skills. "Fire, try practicing these new spells to make your skills more powerful." I gave him a list of spells that he could do as a Fire Wielder. "Storm, here are your spells," After I went to all of my friends to give them their spells, I worked on my basic powers.

I tried out shooting both water and nature blasts at once making sure I hit the spot I wanted them to hit. After perfecting that move, I went to defensive spells. I created an orb of water and leaves making a solid forcefield around myself. It wasn't as powerful as Bracken's, of course, but it was good to know just in case there wasn't time for help.

"Hey Leaf, how come you don't have any special skills to practice? " I hear a voice behind me, "Oh, hi Star. The book doesn't have anything but one spell for me to use so I don't think there's much purpose in trying it." I said shrugging. "Well, why don't you try it on me? Shrew doesn't need me to train with him anymore." I hesitated, but Star's willing look made me want to at least try.

"Alright," I said. I looked at my page that held Sacrifice and closed my eyes. I focused on giving my energy to Star and felt myself feeling pain come across me. The pain started becoming worse and I made a small gasp, stopping myself from doing my spell.

I was breathing hard, and I looked at Star, who reflected my expression. "Let's not try that anytime soon, okay?" Star said after a few moments. I nodded, still slightly scared about that spell and we went to train with the others.

-------------

"I think I can hear the leopard coming!" I said, a loud thrumming sound was heard far in the distance but it could come close in just one night. I peered in the mountains to search for any shadow, and I found one. "It's running at full speed toward us, but I think we have time to move away for just a few moments. " I said watching as it leaped swiftly across the boulders and rocks.

"Well what are waiting for? Let's go!" Shrew said and started running across the mountains. We all followed behind him going across many twisting spaces.

We arrive at a small clear space that's surrounded by rocky cliffs. "I guess we stop here," Star said looking around. "I guess we do," I said listening for the leopard. Thumping was still in the distance, but it came closer on our trail. "Get ready to fight, there's no way we can get across these cliffs." I said making sure danger wouldn't come so soon.

We got into a fighting stance. If the monster wanted a fight, we'll be ready.

----------

It started with a few pieces of rock falling down the cliff, and then utter silence.

We waited just a few moments, but nothing happened. I decided to use my sensing skills to look for the leopard. A vision appeared in my head which made me flash back to normal vision, "It's here!!!" I yelled as the large creature leaped from the top of the cliff. It snarled showing all of its teeth dripping with venom.

"Make sure to stay away from its teeth!" I heard Fire call as he shot an arrow of fire straight at the leopard's neck. With such precision the arrow hit the exact spot, but the monster just turned and hissed at Fire as if it was only a prick.

It charged at Fire; claws unsheathed, teeth barred, but Bracken stepped right between them with a shield protecting them both. The shield held for a few seconds, enough to escape before those teeth would've caught one of my friends.

I looked around, making sure everyone was safe. Fire, Storm, and Bracken were attacking and defending each other from the creature while Shrew and Sorrel acted as distractions for the enemy. I searched worriedly for Star.

Where was he?