Maric followed the group of knights who formed a vanguard. Artemis & Seraph at the front while Ishmael stood not far from the two, This was the typical three man formation used in the Scarlet Empire. Although strategic, this formation actually symbolized a close kinship between a group of mages known as a "Triad." Maric had heard this term from his father in passing but Varic never mentioned the members of his Triad.. or if he even had one.
Seraph looked back to see Maric seemingly in thought. His eyes had traces of hesitation before he spoke in a hushed tone to Artemis.
"Are we sure he's prepared for this? I mean he's barely even 13 years old. Can he actually.."
Seraph trailed off before he could finish when Artemis turned to him with an intense gaze and said
"Masters orders. We know better than to question what he says and you know that."
If Maric had heard or seen the seriousness in Artemis's statement he would be stunned. Usually this wild woman was boisterous and bent the rules but in this instance she was insistent on following orders. The pair looked back at Ishmael but she only nodded while looking at her sister.
A few more hours passed as the group entered what seemed to be the heart of the forest, The trees here were gnarled and sinister as their twisting branches outlined the dusk skyline. Maric felt a chill run alongside his spine as if he was somewhere he shouldn't be, He took a moment to calm his nerves as he pulled his canteen from his bag and took a chug before placing it back into his bag. When he turned to sling his bag along his shoulder the knight vanguard that was previously ahead of him had vanished..
"Sir Seraph? Artemis? Where are you?"
Maric had his eyes wide and head on a swivel looking frantically for the group when he spotted them. Well not the "them" he was looking for.. In the shadows of the brush there were three pairs of gleaming yellow eyes, They did not blink or avert their gazes. They simply watched. Maric felt terror welling up in his heart as he backed away slowly while shouting for the knights, soon a dreadful howl echoed through the night and the eyes within the shadows became a blur approaching Maric at breakneck speed.
Not too far away stood the knights except they were within a cube like barrier made of walls of shimmering light. This was Seraph's Light Magic spell: Shimmering Illusion, it used the principles of light refraction to bend light in ways that those within the cube are invisible to the outside world. Seraph was currently biting his lip as he watched the Wolves approach Maric.
"Are you two absolutely certain? Look at him! He stands no chance! I know he has talent but there are definite differences between training and real combat." Seraph spoke with conviction while looking at Ishmael & Artemis. The two sisters stood stalwartly before Ishmael finally spoke on the matter.
"We will stop things before they get out of hand, These mutts won't have a chance to tear his throat with us here but the most important thing is that Lord Varys believes in him enough to place him in harm's way for his own growth and benefit."
Seraph sighed while turning his attention back towards the skirmish that was to ensue in the next moment..
Maric in his panicked state managed to draw his sword from his side and adopt a swift stance but from an observer's point of view he appeared to be prepared but it was merely the result of years of training with his father. When the wolves appeared before him they snarled and began to circle him silently before one of the two launched at his backside. It tore at the air with its claws that caused three crescents to shoot out towards Maric!
"Fast! I need to make a move now or else I'm done for!" Maric thought to himself before he shouted out
"Yin-Flame Style: Yin-Fire Body!"
Again his body became encased in purplish black flames, Although this time it had a more established shape. It formed a pseudo type of armor that resembled a knight's armor but it was more akin to the framework of armor. Maric launched himself directly at the crescents launched by the wolf taking it and the observing knights by surprise!
Artemis nearly lost her composure. Her apprentice was displaying the same decisiveness and boldness of his master!
Boom!
Maric raised his right shoulder and smashed through the crescents. The places he was hit on his armor were destroyed but the flames began to burn greater as he continued his charge forward.
"Yin-Flame Style: Draconian Sheath!"
"Yin-Flame Style: Phase Rush!"
Maric double casted two of his fathers commonly used spells and the result was devastating! His body moved as if it required no inertia as it made a hard right before nearing the wolf, this move led the wolf to leap in his direction but that unfortunately was exactly what Maric wanted when he launched the plume of flame from a sword strike created by Draconian Slash. It completely bisected the wolf mid-air!
Seraph stared silently before an eruption of laughter occurred beside him.
"HAHAHA! You see that Seraph? The kid is a legitimate freak of nature! I love it!" Artemis bellowed.
For a moment Maric felt nothing after he bisected the wolf but then a sharp pain assaulted his knee! He looked down and realized a spike made of darkness had impaled him directly..
"AHHHHHH!"
Maric cried out in pain as his vision began to blur. This was the first time he had been seriously hurt this way but he knew he couldn't lose focus. He slashed at the spike causing it to shatter as he quickly dashed with his mobile leg to face his second opponent except it was no longer a second opponent, three other wolves had appeared with murderous intent rising from their bodies.
WUWUWUWU!!
The dreadful howl struck out again but this time it sounded much much closer. The four wolves howled in unison as dark energy began to permeate themselves and the air causing them to swell and grow in size! Maric felt his knee buckling under his weight and the bravery in his heart dimming.
"Shit.."