Two hours have passed since the trio started their search for the ruins. Jedrek sensed that someone has been in the woods also, but it was strange as to no hunter would dare hunt at this side of the forest. Abrea noticed it to, she spoke,
"Someone is here with us, he's managed to disarm most of the traps that are hidden on the path tot he ruins."
"So, we're on the right track fellas." Said Claes.
With that in mind, he started thinking of possible outcomes of their search. He said to the two,
"My friends, the stranger ahead of us, he might already be inside the ruins. The information we gathered before taking on this journey tells us that the other Two Great Kingdoms and the Lower Two will be sending their parties elsewhere, as for the last Lower Kingdom, it will take them two full Clearings to get here."
Claes noticed Abrea silent and deep in thought, he smiled, and assured Abrea,
"That Kingdom has not made a move for the last 10 years, it would be odd for them to make a move now. Not with the The Three Great Kingdoms on the watch, no spy has ever made it past the border. So it's quite impossible."
Abrea still looking worried but admitted to that fact said,
"I know, but I have a feeling, what if they've managed to claim all the relics in their land?"
"They don't have the strength, all they have are a lot of soldiers, five blessed warriors left and a hundred of those abominations that they created. They thought it was easier to gain our lands than to risk their men into the ruins. Let's get a move on, we need to know what that person plans on doing." Jedrek pointed out.
Claes could not help but add in,
"And when you say a lot, you mean a damn lot of soldiers, they multiply like crazy. Oh, and those Fellings are a ten short now remember? All of the Kingdoms rejoiced when you managed to behead that blessed warrior, she created a lot of nasty stuffs."
"When we got there, we couldn't do anything but watch you as you battled through those Fellings to get to that witch, we felt we might just be in the way. We're all glad that you're on our side, I've been wondering ever since, Jedrek, you have more than one...?"
Abrea was interrupted by Jedrek himself,
"Found the entrance, the mark at the sides, you both recognize that?"
"That's...
Before Claes could finish Abrea announced the mark,
"That's the mark of the Guardian Beast." She bellowed.
"The Guardian Beast? No Wonder the other Kingdoms didn't dare take on this one, it would endanger the nearby village. Claes, what are your thoughts?" Jedrek asked.
"Slaying the Guardian Beast will not be a problem, we have you. But it is known that the Beast can command the wild and come out to the entrance, once we battle it and it starts rampaging who knows what might happen if it notices the village at the foot of this mountain. It could only take a few minutes for the giant animals to reach that village and kill the people."
"Boys you're also forgetting that someone is already inside that ruin, we need to set up a trap..."
The three stood frozen as they hear a thunderous roar from inside, as they turn to look a robed figure was sprinting out of the entrance and grappled a hook to the nearest tree branch. The person was holding a crystal and bleeding from the side, he noticed the three. Claes recognized the man and was about to order Abrea to cast a binding spell, but the man was already far off.
Then the ground shook as the Guardian Beast revealed itself beyond the entrance, and again roared, then the moment they all feared came, the surrounding giant animals answered in unison. The beast stood on its hind legs, towering over the trees in search of the intruder in its lair.
Abrea was quick to understand the situation and gasped as she spoke,
"Oh no, Jedrek the village..."
But before the Abrea could finish, Jedrek was already up in the air. The small shield he was carrying extended itself, now as tall as him, he threw it at the Beast, preparing for a counter he braced himself, but the shield did nothing, didn't even paid attention to Jedrek, and gave a roar as if to command the wild, then the forest started rumbling, the trees fell one by one.
Jedrek was amazed but quickly drew his sword, Abrea was already done enchanting Jedrek's sword. With a stance, Jedrek was about to throw a sword slash but was interrupted by Claes.
"Jedrek, Abrea stop! Forget the Guardian Beast, it will not pursue beyond the entrance. The village is in danger, let's hurry."
Jedrek quickly withdrew his sword and picked up the shield. The Guardian Beast ignored the three and went back inside the ruins. The three was already sprinting down the forest, even with Abrea's enchantments Claes knew they will not make it. He saw a cliff overlooking the village, he thought of a plan and grinned.
"Abrea, Jedrek, we won't make it in time even if we run our breaths out. I have a plan, the relic can wait. Follow me there to the cliff"
As they approached the cliff they saw the herd of giant beasts charge their way through the forest, making their own path to the village. Abrea noticed Claes smiling and asked him,
"The plan Claes, their almost at the wall, damn it, why are you smiling? Sh*t, one of the giant elk broke off the herd. The plan better be good Claes."
One of the giant beast stumbled and noticed there's a wall not tall enough for it to not jump to, it quickly charged towards the wall and jumped straight to a busy street, the people in shock quickly ran for safety, in the commotion a girl got separated with her mom and was left in the street. The beast noticed it and charged. A figure was seen falling from the sky.
Claes pulled a very long rope and quickly attached them to the trees at each end, and looked at Abrea and said,
"Enchant the ropes, make them stretch and make them strong..."
Jedrek could not help it and so laughed and bursted out,
"At times like this you never cease to amaze me Claes, how did your mind thought of this?"
Abrea did as Claes asked but was still clueless as to why and suddenly it hit her, she turned red and clutched her skirt, she cried out,
"Claes, really? You want to shoot us all into the sky? You go first."
"No can't do milady, Jedrek first then you. Enchant Jedrek, make him light as a feather, as light as you can make him to be. Jedrek, I'll aim you to that single beast, with your strength you can split it in half, that'll be quick. Abrea, you can take the larger group"
"Got it, see you both there."
Jedrek was smiling as he was shot across the sky and to the village in a matter of seconds. Claes turned to Abrea, he noticed her blushing a little and clutching her skirt, but was already in position. He grinned and coughed,
"Really Abrea? Now's not the time, the villagers are in danger. You have the crystals, you know what to do."
"I swear if you look at my... CLAESSSS!!!"
Claes launched her into the sky without warning, straight to the charging beasts. He was trying, but he couldn't, in a split second, with his sharp eye he looked at the sky and he saw not the blue sky, but a white... He got interrupted as he felt the chilling stare of Abrea from above. He muttered to himself,
"What a woman I'm in love with. Well, my turn to fly."
He casted his own simple enchantment, not as good as Abrea, but was enough to get him to the gates of the wall. He thought of the crystal, after he bought two of those, that man, could he be after the Guardian Beasts roar? But the crystals were full already, and to use it, you need to shatter it. He dismissed the thought and run off towards Jedrek, for he knew Abrea would throw him into the crossfire, not like he'd die from that anyway, still the thought of it run chills across his body.