Converging Destinies: Part 1

Chapter 157

       Despite their terrible condition, Eris got up off the ground and ran towards the dragon. They pulled one of their shiny, magical daggers out and leapt at the dragon. Then, they plunged their dagger into the creature's heart. The creature roared in pain.

       Then, with a few beats of its wings, a blast of wind was sent outwards and the creature took to the sky. Ella was thrown to the ground, but Eris was able to leap away and get their dagger back from the dragon's chest.

       "My advice. Try to escape before I kill you like all the other pestilent intruders!" The dragon's voice shook through the trees and thickets, which shook all around the party. Everyone had to cover their ears to the thunderous boom of the dragon's voice, which sent shivers down their spine.

       A few sounds of wingbeats slowly faded away.

       Zerai got up off the ground again and his body glowed with golden light.

       "We should run." Zerai said.

       "Agreed. I can't take another one of those." Eris agreed. Ara' Sei looked around.

       "Which way did we come in from?" Ara' Sei asked. Eris pointed in the direction that led away from the grove's center.

       Ara' Sei put her hand forward, and let fire flow into her arm, then, a flaming spear flew from her hand and slammed into the thicket that stood in their way. The thicket burned away strangely quickly, instantly turning to ash.

       "Me and Cedric can clear a path!" Ara' Sei declared. Cedric ran forward, and a flame appeared above his hand and flew at the next thicket.

       "Everyone else, follow! We need to get out of here as quickly as we can!" Cedric shouted. The next thicket went up in flames and turned to ash as well. Despite being close together, the vegetation was burnt too quickly for the flames to effectively spread.

       But then, the wingbeats returned.

       "Get ready!" Cedric shouted. From above, green toxic gas was fired from the dragon's mouth. It encompassed a massive area, and easily blanketed the whole group. But this time, everyone was ready thanks to Cedric's warning. They were able to shut their eyes and whole their breath when the gas hit, avoiding its full impact.

       Despite this, Eris was on the brink of staying up.

       "Help." They said weakly.

       "Help them Cedric! I'll run ahead!" Ella shouted. She ran with her blade into the next wall of brambles and with three fluid strikes cut the brambles to harmless pieces.

       Ara' Sei muttered a word under her breath and Eris' body glowed with pale light. Then, she walked forward through the cleared path and fired another flaming spear ahead. The next cluster of bushes was set ablaze in a flash fire, and it was turned to ash.

       Cedric ran to Eris' side.

       "Come on, we need to go." Cedric said. Cedric placed their hands on Eris and their body glowed with emerald light. Their breathing was no longer as weak, but they were still worn. Then, Cedric dragged Eris a few feet forward.

       "Ara' Sei! Ella! It's up to you!" Cedric shouted.

       The wingbeats approached, and another cloud of toxin blanketed Cedric, Eris, and Zerai. The green gas filled Cedric's whole vision, but it didn't feel painful. It was strange being so disconnected from the suffering of his fellow party members.

       Eris was back on the brink of consciousness, but they were barely present. Glancing behind him, Cedric saw Zerai on the ground, unmoving. He looked to the two girls, who were far ahead clearing a path.

       "Help!" Cedric called out. But he knew that it wasn't their problem, this was up to him. He had brought everyone all the way here, and he would make sure they made it out.