Chapter Three

We had to move.

The smart thing to do was to stay where we had activated the comm link, so when Providence finally showed up we would be nearby, but with an unknown number of enemies advancing toward us it would be impossible to stay here anymore. We would run and hide for now but return once the coast was clear.

I nudged Noah's shoulder with mine. He started, and besides the sharp intake of air, he didn't make a sound. He looked down and noticed my jacket and wordlessly pulled it off and returned it to me. I tugged it on and then held out both hands. I pointed to myself and then to him. I opened my left hand, palm up. With my right, I placed my index and middle fingers in the middle of the left and then make them hop off and then pointed to into the distance in front of us. He grimaced but nodded in understanding.

I zipped all the way up to my chin and then motioned for Noah to do the same with his. It would provide some cover in case one of the creatures managed to swipe at one of us. It was poor protection and would do little to keep the creatures from attacking us, but it was better than having our skin exposed.

Once I was sure Noah's coat was closed I held up my hand again, this time I had three fingers up. "On three," I mouthed.

One.

Two.

Three.

I jumped down and sucked on my teeth as a shockwave of pain shot through my legs. I had misjudged the distance, hitting my knees hard on the ground.

Noah did a better job. He lowered himself off the branch closing the distance between himself and the ground, and then gently dropped down next to me. The second I heard him land I jumped to my feet, grab his hand, and we were running.

What I thought were several winged EVOs ended up being three. Even at this distance, I could tell they were massive. With wingspans longer than my height they flew and flew fast. The vulture-like creatures had no problem hunting down its prey which at this moment included me and Noah. They dove as one giant EVO, gathering speed as they spiraled towards us.

"Run!" I shouted spurring Noah on. I tried to gather my nanites but nothing formed. I was too worn out. Even if I could have built something it would have broken apart at the slightest touch and left Noah and me completely defenseless. I was going to have to rely on my other skills to keep us alive.

The forests of Abysus was a desolate place.

I didn't know where we were going only that we needed to get there fast. I held my forearm arm up as I ran using it as a batting ram as I tore through bushes and brambles uncaring of the damage it did to the sleeve of my jacket. There was a clearing where the treeline broke. The ground appeared flat for a dozen meters or so before a tightly packed copse of trees sprung up. If we could make it we had a chance to escape. It would be harder for the beasts to get at us. As the clearing drew closer I pulled Noah ahead of me. "There!" I shouted pointing to the treeline and I let go of Noah's hand. We would be at our most vulnerable here. We had to run like mad.

A screech rent the air, the only warning I had that something bad was about to happen. Instinctively, I ducked as talons the length of my head scraped past me. Too late did I realize I wasn't the target-

"Noah." I was barely able to say his name, but it was loud enough to distract him long enough to cause Noah to trip over his feet, giving those talons the moment they needed to wrap around his torso, lifting him into the air.

I reached out to him trying to bring him back down to earth. My hands met air and Noah called out to me, twisting in the EVO's claws in a panicked attempt to loosen their hold.

Without thinking my nanites activate and my right hand started to transform. I started after Noah barely aware what my nanites were forming. I didn't care what it was as long as it gave me the power to save Noah. A blade to form even as my strength leeched out of my body. It wasn't enough. the metal broke apart before it was half formed. I crumbled to my knees and screamed in frustration as the build shattered around me. I picked up a jagged piece feeling it bite through my gloves to my skin as I tightened my grip around it. There wasn't enough time to do the math. I took aim and prayed that I had judged the distance correctly and hurled the makeshift spear at the creature. There was a roar of protest as it sunk into the creature's flesh. But it was enough to make it release Noah. He landed on his side with a sickening crunch and groaned in pain, clutching his shoulder. Exhausted as I was I gathered up chunks of jagged metal and continued to throw pieces of my broken build at them whenever one swooped down and try to claim Noah for their own.

A blade to form even as my strength leeched out of my body. It wasn't enough. I wasn't strong enough to keep the nanite active long enough to stabilize. The metal broke apart before it was half formed. I crumbled to my knees and screamed in frustration as the build shattered around me. I picked up a jagged piece feeling it bite through my gloves to my skin as I tightened my grip around it. There wasn't enough time to do the math. I took aim and prayed that I had judged the distance correctly and hurled the makeshift spear at the creature. There was a roar of protest as it sunk into the creature's flesh. But it was enough to make it release Noah. He landed on his side with a sickening crunch and groaned in pain, clutching his shoulder. Exhausted as I was I gathered up chunks of jagged metal and continued to throw pieces of my broken build at them whenever one swooped down and try to claim Noah for their own.

I saved the biggest piece for last, making sure I had it to defend the both of us as made my way over to Noah. I stood over Noah and took a deep breath before letting out the loudest roar I could muster mimicking their sounds at best I could. I snarled at them and bared my teeth at them, doing whatever I could do to communicate that Noah was mine and it would be a mistake to challenge me for him. To my surprise and utter relief they relented. With a great show of beating their wings, they flew into the air in search for a new meal. No predator wanted prey that bit back.

Noah groaned behind me. I think I made it two steps before realizing I was no longer at eye level with him. I don't remember falling but one moment I was stumbling towards Noah and the next my vision swam. When I was able to focus again all I could see was the night sky and Noah with his brows furrowed in worry and fear. Seeing him relaxed me. If he was able to worry about me he couldn't have been injured too badly in the fall.

"Noe," I breathed, it took more effort than it should have to raise my arm. I was just so tired. Napping would be a bad idea, but I was too weak to resist the pull of sleep. Maybe it would be okay for me to catch a few z's. The second I thought it my eyelids fell shut and I knew no more.