Chapter 5: Followed

He heard a terrifying wail and looked up, surrounded by demons glaring at him laughing in their demented wraith like voices. They then proceeded to stab him with their sharp blades as he screamed out.

Xev woke with a shudder. He quickly realized he had screamed loudly into the air hoping no one had heard and remembered the sensation of multiple blades tearing into him. He felt sick. He remained sitting up staring into nothing as he tried to calm himself.

Next to him Zanir stirred and groaned as he woke.

"Xev, you're alright go back to sleep." mumbled Zanir.

Valon seemed undisturbed and continued sleeping. Xev couldn't fall back to sleep his heart was racing and he was sweating. He got up and paced around the camp not knowing if he might trip Valon's defensive wards. He didn't care he wanted to wake them so they could get to Arinstall sooner.

Since the entire mess, Xev had been unable to remain calm. His hands continuously trembled and he couldn't focus on the smallest of tasks except the thought of getting somewhere safe. He walked between two trees and he heard Valon stir behind him but Xev continued in the direction of a nearby stream. He needed a splash of cool water on his face to wake him up out of his dark dreamlike state.

Xev knew that he needed to be able to clear his mind and control his thoughts in order to progress through Valon's basic tests. As he approached the bank of the stream he bent down and splashed water on his face and took a drink. He stayed watching the stream as it flowed by slowly and effortlessly the sound of the birds and crickets surrounding him. He slowed his breathing and closed his eyes slightly enjoying the peaceful energy around him.

Valon approached from his right and kneeled next to him, "You have the right idea, but you need to practice how to separate your feelings and emotions from the world around you. Then you can see and think clearly. Try holding onto an object in your mind and visualize only that while excluding all other thoughts. You can also do the same by counting your breaths in groups of ten. Do this mental exercise often it will prove beneficial in your future training."

They enjoyed the silence for a few minutes more.

"Wake your brother. We are going straight to Arinstall. We cannot afford to spend another night out here. Go." Valon said as he got up.

The remaining time was spent sprinting through the forest. Trees whipped by them. Branches sliced their exposed skin. They tripped and tumble many times but continued on their frenzied pace towards Arinstall.

Night fell on them yet they continued on. Their energy had been nearly spent. It was now raining and the sky occasionally lit up with lightening. Harsh winds made the trees sway above them as they struggled to make ground. Zanir took a hard fall and remained sprawled out in the cold mud breathing heavily.

"Stop!" Xev yelled in the direction of Valon. "We need rest!" He fell to his knee as his left leg gave out.

Valon slowed to a stop and leaned against a tree. They were all soaked through and if they stopped for too long their muscles would seize and cramp up.

"We are almost to Arinstall." Valon said as he looked off in the distance through the trees. There was a gradual slope and at the bottom of the hill he could make out the outer walls of Arinstall beyond the treeline the faint glow of torches atop the towers. "We can make it!"

Zanir slowly lifted himself onto his knees. He was completely drenched and mud soaked. Xev moved back to him and helped him to his feet.

Valon made his way over to them, "Here. I can use some energy from our surroundings to warm us so we can make it to Arinstall faster. I do not have much energy myself but the trees can lend some. It takes a great deal of concentration to keep the spell constant." He then cast a spell which made the air simmer and warm around them.

They instantly began to feel warmth engulf their limbs and rejuvenate their moral. It lasted for several seconds before Valon had to stop before he killed himself and all the vegetation around them.

"Let's go. Arinstall is only a few leagues away and I intend on sleeping in a warm dry bed tonight not out in this mess." Explained Valon. "Stay close and let's make this quick." He ran off.

As they struggled down the hill, the loose soil giving way beneath their feet, Xev noticed a shadowy figure loomed to their left, obscured by trees. Lightening ignited the sky briefly revealing the dark furry beast that had attacked Zanir a day ago. It had been stalking them ever since. A few more dark beasts followed behind moving slowly and effortlessly staying low to the ground.

Nearly half way down the hill now, Xev yelled up to Zanir who was further back, "We need to move faster." He made a gesture towards the dark figures.

"Curse them. They won't be a." Zanir lost his footing and slid down the hill rolling end over end.

Xev tried to reach out and grab him as he slid by but he lost his balance and began to slid awkwardly face first down the hill. Valon shouted something and they both froze in place before they collided with him at the bottom.

"You two are the most clumsy, ungraceful bastards I have ever seen. Shape up and watch your step. We're nearly out of this forest." Valon said.

Xev got up, "Did you know the beast is following us and it seems it has brought a few friends?"

"Yes. That is why we cannot waste any more time. They will not leave the forest to kill so once we are beyond the treeline we are safe."

"Go on then I won't be far behind." Zanir said as he got up and wiped himself off for the second time.

They began to pick up the pace hoping to reach the forest's edge before the beasts could attack them. It was only fifty yards until the open fields outside of the city. As they ran the beasts had split up on either side and were gaining ground much faster than them.

"They're going to close us off before we reach the treeline!" yelled Xev as he frantically pushed forward.

Xev kept glancing to his sides and every flash of lightening revealed the beasts advance. Thirty yards, then twenty. They were not going to make it in time.

"Quickly go!" yelled Valon, he cast shields on all three of them.

Valon jumped up onto a fallen tree trunk and leapt out into the open field followed by Xev. Behind them Zanir was almost out but just as he jumped over the fallen tree, one of the beasts launched itself towards him colliding in midair. The force of the collision broke through Zanir's shield and the energy dissipated with a violent explosion sending Zanir sprawling into the field and the beast back into the forest. Valon managed to slow Zanir's decent cushioning the drop.

Faint purple eyes peered at them from within the shadowy brush and deep growling emanated throughout the field. Valon fell to his knees panting. He had expended his last bit of energy and could barely remain conscious.

They grouped up and Xev asked, "Can you walk Valon?"

"Yes just give me a minute." his eyes glowed blue and the grass around him turned to ash.

Thunder roared and the rain began to fall ever harder. They made their way slowly to the city. Xev had never pushed himself so hard and the past few days were the most difficult in his life. He just hoped they had made it in time to warn the city before the demon army led by Vraeza shows.