After Helen's warning, everyone got into a fighting stance to prepare to prevent the opponent's attack.
Angela had made an incantation to block the enemy arrows heading towards the wagons. She was using air magic to be able to make a wall of wind.
Alice had pressed her sons against the cart inside to protect them. Arthur stared in amazement at the enemy attacking them. Itachi was calm even in a situation like this.
'I expected a situation like this, life is not as simple as I thought. But what can I do in such a situation ? My body is far too young and will not bear the burden of multiple fights. I will fight them despite that but I will wait for the right time.' He could only sigh for the weakness of his body but he will train with difficulty after this ambush to shape his body from an early age.
'We're completely surrounded…' Arthur looked at all the bandits who were about to bomb again, an arrow showering as their leader laughed.
"A pretty good catch, guys! Leave only the women and the kids alive, and try not to leave any scars after all...Damaged goods will sell for less." The bandit leader grinned evil as the group of mages fought against the bandits.
'They want to make slavery by selling us as if we were "commodities". I see, such an absurd reason. We are not their primary targets. To be so organized, they must have already taken advantage or sold captured people...Life is not that easy as it used to be I guess.' Itachi was always calm but was ready to attack attacking at any time.
Arthur had dark thoughts about these bandits and was about to attack, but his mother hugged him reassuring him even though she looked tired.
'Mom seems more tired. I also want to fight but how can I deal big damage to the enemy who uses boost magic ? The wooden Shuriken will only serve me once and other than that I only have a wooden sword...' His thoughts were interrupted by an arrow pointing towards where they were, but she was blocked by Angela at the last moment.
Durden used his earth magic to fight his enemies. He also had a scepter that he could use in melee or for magic.
Reynolds attacked several enemies at once. Thanks to his strengthening magic, he didn't have a huge problem. On top of that, he doesn't use any weapons. Helen used her magic bow to take down the bandits from a distance while helping the other members of the party.
Adam and Jasmine had no mercy and killed the bandits with their weapons. They were starting to get tired of the opponents but still struggling. Arthur was analyzing the fights to be able to help them but still couldn't find anything.
Then suddenly something hit the cart where they were standing. It was Reynolds who was in pretty bad shape with blood flowing from his mouth.
"Dear !!" Alice walked over to her husband while the 2 children looked at the person responsible for this with serious eyes.
"Arthur, stay with mom and dad to protect them. I'll take care of the boss. Mum, can you heal Dad?" Itachi said.
"I can't..." said the trembling woman.
"Don't worry honey... My injuries aren't life threatening...I'm fine...No need to worry...Do your best..."
He turned his gaze to his two sons."You two, listen to me carefully...After your mother uses her healing spell, these bad guys are going to run after her.
I would be able to hold back the leader, but not if I have to think about protecting the three of you. Bring your mother back along the path we have walked and above all, don't stop." He tried to keep his smile but the pain made him wince instead.
"What are you talking about daddy ?! Big brother and I can fight! You know that too !" Arthur said aloud.
"I have my means to fight him. You don't need to worry, father." Itachi said calmly.
"You 2..." he put his hand on both of them.
"Itachi Leywin and Arthur Leywin. I know you can fight. That's why, I entrust your mother to you. Protect her...And also protect the baby she is carrying... Itachi, you are the elder brother... I count on you to keep your family safe... "
"Dad. I knew you were going to tell us this. We'll protect Mum, be careful." he said with a serious look as he turned to find a way to leave without a fight.
"How did you know about your mother... * sigh * Be careful, they have four mages on their side." Reynolds told them his last words before returning to the fight as Arthur was still a little dizzy to find his mother was pregnant but he quickly regained his composure.
"Mum, Arthur. Leave here. Arthur, hold Mum's other hand." He took his mother's left hand while Arthur the other then started to run.
While on the run, they were attacked by a bandit but he was quickly taken by Adam. They continued their race without paying attention to the rear. An arrow crossed the battlefield for the touchdowns. Arthur was going to block him but Itachi acted before and threw his only Shuriken at the arrow to deflect him.
"Let's keep running !" He picked up the pace while the other 2 followed.
'Something's wrong, why am I only seeing 3 mages when he's supposed to have 4. Where's the last one ?!' Arthur looked for the last one and then heard the chief speak.
"Forget the plan, Damien ! Don't let them live !" The 2 brothers heard this sentence then they quickly looked above them to see a bandit on the hill who was preparing a water spell.
'How can I save both ? They won't be able to escape with me in time...I'll try that. Sorry Mom, but I need to try this. I'll take Arthur with me, he should survive.' Itachi had no more time to think. The bandit had cast his spell on them. He turned to his mother and Arthur who were behind him.
"Sorry, mom. But I have no choice." He pushed his mother aside and then grabbed Arthur's hand.
"Prepare for impact," he told his little brother as he seriously watched the water magic befalling him.
'No...why did you have to come with me ? I was going to save you both...' Before he could speak, He saw his brother take a breath of air.
Itachi wanted to try to do ninjutsu. But now that he has magic in place of the chakra, he didn't need to do mundras to do the technique but he just had to turn his magic into fire like the chakra in his previous life and exhale it from his mouth. He reproduced a simple ninjutsu from his past life.
{Katon : Goukakyuu no jutsu !} A fireball about 5 meters in diameter came out of its mouth towards the waterball.
* BOOM * The fire was trying to scorch the water as the water tried to take over the fire. A little while later, a small explosion was produced.
* BOOM * the explosion had kicked the 2 brothers to the bottom of the cliff behind them.
Durden created a platform of earth to be able to catch up with the 2 but it failed. Itachi held his brother tightly as he looked at him.
"Arthur. I know you wanted to save us both. But like I said I'm the big brother so I'm handling the situation, right ? I hope we are will not die from a fall even if there is little chance..." Itachi passed out due to his very high magic usage which drained his reservoir. Arthur closed his eyes as he was lost in thought with tears in his eyes.
'Damn...I always wanted to be a big brother, but having a cool big brother wasn't bad either...' He kept his eyes closed while awaiting their deaths.
--------------
It was sunset. In a forest, 2 children were side by side on the ground with injuries while one of the two woke up first.
"Where am I? How am I still alive?" Arthur looks around then sees Itachi's figure.
'I see...We survived...Argh, I have wounds all over my body...I guess the fall was pretty eventful hahaha...' He was smiling slightly but had a weak gaze.
This time it was Itachi waking up. Unlike Arthur, he has slightly more serious wounds on his chest but he is still alive.
'I'm not dead...But my condition is pretty serious. I've been through worse…so I can resist it." He looked around to see his surroundings. He saw Arthur on the ground who had fallen asleep again.
'He survived too... I guess I did my big brother job this time around...After bringing him back to my parents...I will be leaving to train in isolation...' he also fell asleep from fatigue after clarifying his situation.
The next day, a figure with torn clothes whose body which was almost covered with leaves, was eating berries. Another figure was covered in leaves too, but he was sleeping
'I've been awake for 1 hour. I used leaves to cover my wounds and Arthur's but we won't survive long in this condition.' After this reflection, Itachi saw his brother wake up in his turn.
"Where am I ?" Arthur looked at his surroundings then saw his brother watching him.
"Oh, big brother! Argh." Arthur moaned in pain as he looked at his leaf covered body.
'He healed me...' he thought, then looked at his little brother with a nod of gratitude.
"Don't move. You might reopen your wounds. I'll explain everything I know about the current situation..." Itachi started to recount what happened after he woke up.
"And to think that we fell off that cliff while surviving...It's unbelievable..." he laughed lightly before another voice interrupted them both.
"Oh...are you both awake ?" Itachi warned while Arthur was slightly confused.
"Who are you? Do you have a reason for how we survived?" Itachi asked coldly, surprising Arthur.
"Ho, Ho, no need to be so cold...For the first question, I will answer both of you when you are in my house. And for the second question, yes." said the unknown voice.
"You are pretty sure of yourself that we will try to find you." Arthur said.
"Well ... I'm the only person who can get you home from this place." Arthur had just thought about this subject.
"Sir. Can you take us home asking for directions to your home, please ?" Itachi said politely as Arthur nodded.
"You are both understanding even if it is rude to refer to a lady as 'sir'. But your feelings are there,
so…I'll show you." The 2 brothers suddenly had a picture of the way to go with the destination in their heads.
"I recommend that you leave now. It will be much safer to travel as long as it is daylight." The unknown voice stopped speaking and left them both.
"The road will be rather difficult for our physical condition. Let's rest a few hours before leaving." Itachi said.
"I agree. If we don't want to make our condition worse, we might as well leave a little later." Arthur nodded and then they finally went to sleep.
After taking a nap for a few hours, the 2 left to get to their destination...