In front of Velex were 3 acolytes from the Su family all of them had similar features, dark brown hair with black eyes they wore light blue robes with a grey hawk sigil on their backs. The only difference that he could see were their height and the fact that 1 was a girl with long hair.
The 3 acolytes from the Su family took a few moments to collect themselves, but they soon stood back up the tallest of the 3 came forward.
" My thanks to these two brothers for saving our lives, it would of being a tragic end if it weren't for your two" he said fearfully and a bit sadden as he looked at the 2 dead members of his group on the field.
Velex signal for Lybert to talk to them as he didn't know much about dealing with other acolytes. "Their is no need, helping you suited our benefits as much as yours. I'm Lybert Sha and this is my younger cousin Velex Sha." The young acolyte, knew his words were true, their was more safety in numbers. Had it been another time, who knew if these 2 acolytes would of helped them. But he didn't care that was the way of the world, he was only dejected that 2 of his families acolytes had died here. he soon composed himself and continued.
"We are from the Su family, I'm Tyler, did is Tom and our sister Fae." his brother and sister quickly greeted after he introduced them.
"we should go, the blood will attract more beast's" at this point Velex interjected.
Although the 3 from the Su family wanted to bury their kin they knew it was a lost cause. They soon straighten themselves and the party of 5 departed from the field. Velex strange beast like appearance made the 3 very curious, But they knew from their families teachings that there were all sorts of strange mage family's out their. Yet the vast difference between the 2 cousins made them more curious still.
For the whole day the group didn't stop they planned to put as much distant as possible from the field. After a while the group finally found a spot to rest, Velex wasn't a very social person he had very few interactions with people, much less people around his 'age'. He soon excused himself saying he would keep watch, no one tried to stop him.
While resting in a circle Tyler started to chat with Lybert as his siblings mostly paid attention and not interjecting in their conversation. After a while he finally asked what they were most curious about "If you don't mind me asking Lybert, how come your cousin is so different from you". Lybert wasn't surprise about the question, he quickly responded.
"Their ain't much to say, our Sha family practices a beast like spell ritual. Although is used to embody the traits of a beast into a human. It's success is very low, you can say my cousin is the only living proof of it. As for me I happily decline the opportunity, their is a reason my family is still a small mage family up till now"
During the time Velex had met his family and joined they had quickly come up with a decent excuse for his appearance. In the Mage world there were all sorts of spell rituals, strange beings would be born from them. Mage's wouldn't only try to merge their bodies with beast, but plants and other materials from the world. The 3 siblings didn't doubt his response, but hearing how a mage family had sacrifice it's members in such a dangerous spell made any greed they had or odd question they had lingering disappear. They were taught that a mage family would sacrifice everything for the next step forward. Although this Sha family only had 2 young acolytes to join the academy's. They saw first hand Velex beast like strength, he had been able to fight those Shadow hounds with ease. To say they weren't jealous would be a lie, But they were more grateful that because of it they were saved.
The grouped rested for a few hours, they took turns between watch. Although Velex didn't truly sleep, he didn't want to place his life in someone else's hands. Once daylight came they started off again, their pace slowed down a bit, but they were ahead of schedule and making good time. They ran into a group of grey wolf, but they were easily taken care of by the 5 with Velex acting as the Vanguard. They knew that they weren't too far from the recruitment areas, as the dead acolytes they found across their journey grew in numbers.
1 week quickly passed, the groups team work had grown steady in this time. The 3 siblings slowly grew to worship Velex, He wasn't just strong for an acolyte he would also always fight as the Vanguard. They had killed many beast by now, before just facing the 1 pack had almost claimed their life. But know they had gain much needed experience fighting beast's, although most of their kills were thanks to Velex they still felt proud of themselves.
They had made good time, and were less then 2 weeks from the recruitment site now. It was midday today when Velex suddenly signal for them to stop, the 4 didn't hesitate they were accustomed to following his orders by now and as they knew he could detect danger. Velex could hear the sounds of a battle just up ahead from them. He didn't wait and told everyone the situation, they all decided to go take a look.
The group move quietly towards the battle, soon they came to a small river with a clearing on the side. They could see 8 acolytes of different family backgrounds, 2 of them were missing an arm others had scratches on their torso's. their were 6 acolytes on the ground their bodies were mangled as they laid inside a puddle of their own blood. Around the group of acolytes were 18 shadow hounds, they could see a few dead shadow hounds on the battle field as well.
Tyler then whisper to they group "If we can flank them, we could kill at least 5 of them at once. After that with the other group and ours we would have a high chance to kill the rest" Before he could say more, Velex cut him off.
"If your looking to die, that sounds like a great idea" the group was puzzled, they knew Velex loved to fight more or less. Even if they were slightly out numbered they could still win. before they could voice their doubt, Velex continued.
"You guys can't see it, but they are already dead. Their are more hounds hiding in the woods behind them, we should leave before they notice us" He didn't wait for the the rest to react as he slowly moved in the opposite direction, Lybert didn't lag far behind. Although the trio felt a little dejected they couldn't do anything they soon followed behind. Life wasn't fair, the road came to an end for those acolytes just like many inside the Dark forest. Not to long after they left, the 8 remaining acolytes that were trying to fight off the shadow hounds, lost all hope when they began to see more hounds coming from deeper in the forest. They were fated to become nutrients for the beasts and forest, soon they were overwhelmed by the shadow hounds.
Not far away Velex's party could hear the many howls that filled the forest behind them. When the trio heard the sounds, they truly felt foolish. Not long ago that would of been them dying in a dark corner of the forest with not even a body left. In this vast magic world they were still nothing, anything could claim their life's. the proud feeling that had slowly entered their hearts quickly dissipated. Yet they still felt resolved to push forward.
They continue on, forgetting about the incident. A few days later while running through the forest they met another group of acolytes, their were 6 of them. They didn't exchange many pleasantries as they knew the recruitment site was close and they would soon part way. They did come to a quick agreement to travel together. With the larger group, they evaded most of the wild beast and small groups. By luck or other reasons they had not seen big packs of beast anymore after coming within days of the recruitment site.
Just a 2 days from the recruitment sites location, they had ran into another group of 8 acolytes. This put both groups in greater spirits, the more numbers they had the more solid their defenses. That group had found the days journey free off beast, although they were surprised it was a good not to have to deal with any beast. It wasn't until the next morning before dusk, that Velex quickly stood up and began to wake up his group. he could sense a numerous dangerous glares starting in his direction, he had a bad feeling it was something more then just a large group of beast. He had the Su trio start warning the rest of the camp, although the new acolytes didn't understand how they knew. They wouldn't neglect their safety, they quickly grouped into a formation.
Sadly it was just a Velex had thought, he saw with his red eyes the multiple shadows moving through the forest, it was the same shadow hound group that had killed the large groups of acolytes. It seem the reason there were no beast was because they either ran away to avoid them or were in that very same group. He processed many ideas in his mind quickly, First most was abandoning everyone, with his beast speed and magic energy amplifying him. He was sure he could evade them for a time, the problem was if he dashed out, how many would follow him could he make it to the camp site in time before his magic energy was exhausted. On the other hand they had 19 acolytes in his group, although they were still out numbered. his grouped had something else the other that died did not, and that was him. He could cover the gaps in close combat and kill the shadow hounds swiftly, the problem was he didn't know how many there were he had already seen at least 20 separate silhouettes. But then he saw hope, 1 of the shadow hounds was bigger then the rest it howled at those around it as if ordering them. It seemed like their pack leader. If he could kill it, then maybe in the confusion of the beast's he could escape. Whether the rest of the group made it was not his concern.
He made his mind up in mere moments, he hid in the tree's quickly most the acolytes gave him a odd glance as if he was scared. But the other half knew he was just preparing. Before any on the new acolytes could complain, multiple figures jump out of the woods. With swords in hand they slashed out and held off the first offence. But it was only the beginning, the leader of the hounds let out a long howl. Soon more then 14 hounds rushed into the acolytes with ruthless abandonment for their safety, quickly the acolytes slayed 6 of them working together. sadly one of the remaining 8 hounds broke into the formation even while impaled by 3 swords it bit down on the head of one of the acolytes. They were caught off guard, how would they know that these hounds received orders to sacrifice themselves to break into their ranks. Before the remaining hounds could make use of the opportunity, Velex acted he quickly stabbed through the back of the head of one hound. He was able to stab another but he was only able to deal a wound to its leg. The acolytes were able to regroup, but before anything else another howl sounded. A wave of 20 shadow hounds lunged at them, this time Velex had not waited he moved quickly in front of his group as he pushed back 3 of them. the trio and lybert were able to hold down 4 of them. they other groups were just barely able to hold after learning from the last mistake. Velex didn't waste anytime and took care of 2 of the shadow hounds his group had held off, the other 3 hounds quickly jumped back into the fight. At this time the other acolytes could no longer wait and stared to launch their spells, small fireballs, water shields, vines and stones filled the seen. Velex was a bit disappointed it was still early into the fight, he signal for his group to save their magic energy.
As the shadow hounds began to die, it seemed the Pack leader could no longer hold back. With a loud snarled it jumped into the battle followed by 20 more shadow hounds. The pack leader had quickly target the biggest threat it was no other then Velex, while it lunged towards him it had the rest of the hounds attack the other acolytes. It intended to deal with Velex alone, Although it was a shadow hound like the rest, it's age was greater it was much stronger then the rest and quicker. Even a brown bull beast would have a hard time matching it.
Velex feet glowed in blue light as he side step to the side dodging the fangs of the shadow hound. He took a quick glance at the acolytes, they would not last long. He had to take out the pack leader if they were to survive.
The pack leader and Velex stared each other down.....