Mages: A Rise of Darkness

IIX Earth

As we walked further into the forest, Faura smelled something weird and as we walked passed a rock, I saw it. It was a Panther, eating an elk. We stopped and Sahra put a finger to her mouth, as if to say "quite." We backed away slowly with ease, then I stepped on a stick. The Panther looked up at me, hunger in its eyes. I drew my sword, all thoughts of magic expelled by fear. It snarled a low, gurgling noise. Then it pounced. I froze in fear and lifted my shield to protect my face and held it there, but nothing happened. I looked up at a Direwolf, holding the struggling body of the panther in its jaws. Then it threw the panther at the rock we had passed and it slumped down, dead. The Direwolf looked at me, now standing at full height, it was roughly five feet tall at the head and four at the shoulders. Its body was atleast eight feet long. Its fur was smooth and white. Its eyes were a icey glowing blue that went along with its shiny, inch-long teeth. I felt something when I looked at it, like a connection. I walked toward it, hand out stretched, eyes everted. Strangely it let me pet its muzzle. I remembered the word that Master Brenton had told us and recited them. Them I felt that humidity again, except this time I felt something on the edge of my consciousness. Then I head a voice, calming, but masculine. Hello, little one, I am Larenius. "Whats his name?" Asked Sahra. "He said his name is Larenius." "Oh, thats a very nice name for such a noble creature." She said. I like this girl, she is very kind. Came Larenius' voice again. "Me too." I said aloud, without realizing it. "What?" Sarha said, confused. "Oh, uh, nothing." "Hey, do you know the way back?" I asked her in return. "Oh shoot, I can't remember." She said frustrated. Get on my back, I know the way to Gehlios, that is where you are going, right? Larenius said.

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As we got back to the arena, we knew something was immediately wrong. Everyone was crowding a  big circle around a figure, though I couldn't see who. Larenius lowered himself so Sahra and I could dismount. As we walked over to the big crowd he walked with us. When someone turned around with a start and yelped, everyone turned. They cowered away from Larenius and let me pass and see what was wrong. I broke into a run. Nick was there in the center. Slumped over on the back of a Pegasus. "NO" I yelled. "No no no!" I couldn't believe it, my best friend couldn't be dead, he couldn't. "Wake up man, wake up." I tried to pull him down, but the Pegasus wouldn't let me. Then during the commotion, Nick woke with a start. "MART!" He yelled as he took in his surrounding. "We have to go back for him!" Then I noticed something, his partner wasn't here. Then Master Brenton pushed through. "What's going on? Where's Ben?" He asked looking at Nate. "W-we were attacked, I-I don't know." Nate explained exasperated. "It was big, a-and green, a-and it breathed fire!" " Ben tried to harness it but it fried him!" He said, filled with shock and terror. "Jentus took off as soon as it struck, and I guess I passed out on her back."Now he looked sad and at a loss for words. Brenton looked at him worried. "You, Alexander, take him to the infirmary and get Grand Master Ganhold." "Yes, sir." I looked at the Pegasus and decided to let her follow me, while Larenius took up the rear. Your friend must have been attacked by the Drakaenis that lives deeper in the forest.