That's So Wizard

Chapter 29 - A Whole New World

"Come, little one. Proceed farther. Do not be afraid, for I am only here to help you."

The voice was of a woman's, and it was calm, like words spoken from one's own mother. It emitted a sense of warmth and safety despite it being so alien. However, it was unclear where it came from other than deeper into the woods. It was as if the gaps between the trees whispered—luring.

"Who are you?" asked the little girl. "I'm cold. It's dark, and I'm scared."

"Continue forwards and meet with me, and I will keep you warm and safe. I will return you to your home."

The child stepped cautiously between the density of the forest, rubbing her hands up and down her goosebump-covered arms. A chilling breeze caused a shiver to travel down her spine. She was lost, and this stranger's voice did sound trustworthy to her. There were few other options in her mind.

It wasn't long before she broke into a clearing. Up ahead, the speaker stood still. It was a beautiful woman with long black hair and crystal blue eyes. Her skin was fair. It reminded the child of her mother, and she made her way over with arms ready for an embrace.

"Yes, child. Come closer," it spoke.

They stood beside one another. Slowly, the stranger leaned down to the child with opening arms. The little girl saw into her eyes, and was mesmerized, so much so that it took her a few seconds to fully realize what happened next.

Like a snake, the woman's jaw unhinged and stretched open to extend a smaller, disturbing, toothy mouth from within her throat. Her irises pinched and stretched to resemble that of a feline's, and her teeth curved outwards like bloody claws. An almost deafening hiss sprayed the child with viscous saliva, and each of her encroaching hands distorted into what could be more accurately described as meat hooks. The sight petrified the child in place. Her eyes widened, and her skin turned the colour of snow.

The creature gagged. Upon closer inspection, a neon pink lasso was tightly bound around the creature's throat. She saw a man behind it, yanking on the other end, and he even had a cowboy hat to match. He was dressed in a strange, blue outfit as well.

"Yeehaw!" Eldrian shouted.

While the creature tried to snap itself free, the child saw another man of similar age burst out of the brush with a shield in his left hand and a sword in his right. A metallic pang resonated out from the point of impact as Kevin's Aegis of Light made direct contact with the monster's face. The lasso disappeared into sparkles and the creature rolled to its side a distance from the child—groaning in pain.

It soon stood back up, and it brought down one of its hooks to smash against the sturdy magic shield. Kevin then slashed horizontally to the creature's thin neck, lopping the head off and to the ground in a single movement.

"I got it!" Kevin said.

"Hold on," replied Eldrian. "It's still moving."

He was right. Even without its head, it still wiggled and hissed. Somehow, it even seemed to know where Kevin was. So the ginger boy distanced himself and tried to prepare for anything. However, in the world of magic, it's difficult to do that.

Like a gun, the wrist of the creature fired, sending its hook outwards at an incredible speed. It wrapped around Kevin's neck, and yanked him forwards and face-first into attacking range of the beast.

Eldrian quickly slammed his hands to the soil beneath him. A fractal of glowing webs came from his hands and made their way around the ground, and shortly after, a wall of stone sprouted straight upwards directly between Kevin and his foe. The sudden impact sent the hook flying off the top of Kevin's head, and the creature's attack was met only with solid rock. It was then that the wizard was right behind it. With a push, a burst of force sent the monster slamming against the wall of stone as well.