Road to Mhaura Part 2

With Twinki leading the way we cautiously made our way thru the southern part of Tahrongi Canyon. Surrounded by tall rock walls, the canyon was a perfect place to stage an ambush. Only one way in one way out.

"The faster we get thru this rock wall the better." Twinki said. There was a sandstorm blowing in our midst that slowed our journey.

We got thru the rock wall without incident. I've only been to this place once or twice in my life. The land is rocky and barren. Creatures that live in this place were bees, rabbits, vultures and tall large beasts called Dhalmel. Dhalmel meat was a prized food for people in Windhurst.

A loud stomping sound could be heard in front of us. With the sandstorm brewing in our midst it was hard to see what was making the sound.

"Uh oh." said Twinki.

"What is wrong Mr. Twnki?" Icon asked.

"SCATTER!" yelled Twnki as a huge hoof appeared out of nowhere.

The earth shook as a dhalmel tried to stomp us to death. What the hell was happening these creatures were suppose to be docile.

"Tiny Heart Don't just stand there take cover run!" yelled Icon.

The dhalmel seemed to be after me. I ran as fast as I could but it was catching up with me. It swung its long neck and narrowly missed me by inches. How can I defend myself against a large beast. Twinki jumped in front of me and took out a small pouch mumbled something I couldn't understand. The dhalmel stomped on him and he didn't even move one bit.

"TWINKI NOOOO..." I shouted as i helplessly watch a hoof hit him. "What the...?"

The hoof hit him alright but Twinki seem to just disappear as the hoof hit him. What strange magic is he using? He got hit again and just disappeared. He took out another pouch and blew something towards the dhalmel. The dhalmel froze in his tracks. Twinki then jumped, swiftly drew both of his katana and slashed the neck of the dhalmel. It was an unbelievable sight, a tiny Tarutaru fighting a beast many times larger than him. With the dhalmel unable to move Twinki made short work of it.

"Unbelievable... how did you evade the dhalmel?" I asked.

"Ninjitsu" Twinki replied. "It's one of the things you learn when you train as a ninja."

"But I saw the dhalmel hit you and u just seemed to disappear?"

"What I did was called utsusemi. It casts shadows or mirages. The attacker may think he hit you but in reality it was just a replica of you they hit." Twinki explained. "We better move fast. The faster we get the Mhaura the better. That dhalmel didn't just attack without reason. Someone ordered it to attack us."

"A Beastmaster..." Icon said.

"Yes a Beastmaster. He should be following us. With this sandstorm it will be hard for us to spot him. One Beastmaster is already hard enough to deal with I dread if there are more than one in our midst." Twinki replied.

As we walked toward the entrance to Buburimu Peninsula, I saw a towering edifice in the horizon and pointed towards it. "What is that thing in the middle of nowhere?"

"Crag of Mea. It is used as a teleportation point. There are three of them in Vanadiel. Crag of Mea, Dem and Holla." Icon explained. "Mr. Twinki can we detour to the Crag and get Tiny Heart a teleportation crystal?"

"Yes but hurry up I don't like the feeling I'm having." Twnki answered back. I could see for the first time Twinki was tense. He seemed rattled by the attack awhile ago even though he took care of it with ease.

We reached the Crag and walked upped the stairs towards a large crystal suspended in midair. Icon instructed me to touch the crystal. I touched it and could feel something within my hands. it was a small sliver of crystal.

"Come now... hurry hurry my friends" Twinki beckoned us.

A flash of light radiated within the crystal as we reached the bottom of the steps. Six hooded figures materialized out of nowhere beside the large crystal. Icon and I turned our backs to see who they. All you could see from their black faces was two menacing sinister eyes.

Twinki shouted to us. "Run now!"

Icon and I ran towards Twinki. "Mr. Twinki what is wrong?"

"Shadows..." said Twinki with a tone of fear from his voice. "I don't know who you two are but from the looks of things someone wants you both death at all cost."

We ran as fast as we could with the Shadows closely stalking us. Later I would learn that shadows where dead Elvaans who only exist in a place called Fei'yin.

Things got bad all off a sudden when Icon stumbled. The Shadows caught up with us and started attacking us. I fought the one carrying a great sword. I couldn't believe the strength it had. I would stagger back each time I parried his weapon with my great axe.

Twinki was engaging two Shadows who looked like Rangers. Twinki was fast that the shadows could not hit him but there was a problem. Physical attacks seemed to have little effect on the shadows. Twinki quickly called us to his side.

"Icon, you know the spell of Banish or spell of Fire?" asked Twinki.

"Yes I do." Icon answered.

"These are creatures of darkness. Physical attacks would take a long time to destroy them. Light or fire should take them down fast. Tiny Heart, you and I form a barrier around Icon. Protect him at all cost."

"Okay."

Icon cast a spell of Banish on one of the Shadows and it seemed to have more effect on them than physical damage. Problem was Icon's magic wasn't enough yet to destroy them fast enough. One of the shadows weapon seemed to be glowing with darkness. It attacked me with his weapon and I was thrown back several feet leaving Icon vulnerable to attack. I was dazed and it seemed my life force was growing weak."

"Dimensional Death. Watch out for that move, very deadly." Yelled Twinki.

Twinki then took out another pouch and blew something towards one of the Shadows. Flames suddenly engulf the Shadow and it ran away shrieking. The shadow carrying the great sword swung his weapon towards Twinki. Twinki blocked it and got thrown away from the force of the Shadow's Dimensional Death move.

Icon was defenseless now against the shadows. He used his remaining mana to blast one of the Shadows into oblivion. Without mana to cast magic all he could do was to defend himself with his hammer and shield. He was taking a beating from the Shadows.

Another miracle then happened. A Mithra Ranger appeared out of nowhere was shooting quarrels at the shadows. Each quarrel that hit the shadows, the Shadow would shriek in pain.

"Holy Bolts. Thank Altana." Twinki murmured.

The shadows had enough of the holy bolt barrage from the Mithra. They quickly stopped attacking and retreated.

"It seems my friends Altana is keeping watch over you. You were saved in the nick of time again." Twinki said.

"Yes and I hope it won't be the last. Each attack seems to be getting stronger. Thank you may fair Mithra. May I know what is your name Milady?" said Icon.

"Mourn." Answered the Mithra.

"Lady Mourn. Thank you for the rescue if it were not for you I'd be dead by now." Icon said.

"Now is not the time for flattery. Let's go to Mhaura now. The faster we get there the safer I feel." Twinki said.

"I'm going to Selbina also. We can go together." Said Mourn.

Soon we reached the gates of Mhaura without incident. The ferry had already arrived and was about to leave for Selbina. We waved goodbye to Twinki as we ran to catch the ferry. Twinki ran towards us also and jumped abroad as the ferry was leaving port.

"Mr. Twinki, what are you doing onboard?" I asked.

"You both seem to be in a lot of trouble. It wouldn't be a good idea to leave you in the middle of your journey. Besides I'm very curious to know why someone wants you dead at all cost." Twinki replied.

A figure was looking at the ferry as it left the port of Mhaura.

"Master, they still live." Said the mysterious figure.

"The ferry trip will be their last. Even if they survive the ferry, I have a welcoming committee waiting for them when they arrive in Selbina. Get to Crag of Dem. And await further orders."

"It will be done."

To be continued.