When Shane heard Dai's response, goosebumps grew on his arms. Going back as a loser was not an option. They either got killed or defeated the demon.
Shane glanced at Nyx. As she peered out over the woods, her tiny hands tightened their grasp on the reins of her horse. Although she was probably the strongest among them, she looked small, like one that needed protection.
He didn't want hurt to come to any of them, but most of all, he didn't want hurt to come to her.
''We had better get going so we can kill this demon this night and start heading back to the Academy tomorrow. ''
Nyx said, and started riding towards the forest. The others followed, Shane and Sky tagging behind.
''I don't want to die just yet, not in this forest more especially, getting devoured alive or being severed in two… '' Sky spoke,
''I don't think you should say those words. It's not encouraging me at all. If you, a third rank, are fidgeting from fear, what do you expect a fourth rank like me to do? Oh, I even forgot, I'm a staggering 4th rank. ''
''We should both fidget in fear. '' Sky said, ''If this is really a demon from another portal then we are in big trouble,'' he said, and Shane knitted his brows.
''Why?''
''Because we would be the first to battle a demon from another portal, we don't know how strong they are, or their abilities. This is the first time any descendant would fight them, so the possibility that we would end up corpses is high.''
''Sky!!'' Shane couldn't believe that Sky was already pronouncing them dead on arrival. ''be positive. I didn't think you were one to fret. ''
He remarked. Although Sky was a playful and funny person, he did not think that he was one to be terrified in battle. He couldn't recognize this Sky, who was almost shaking on his horse.
''Oh, you better get used to this side of me, because I'll be using you as a human shield soon,'' he said with a giggle.
Shane shook his head as he looked ahead. If he had a chance to protect him, he would do it without a question, anyway. He did not belong here in the first place, so giving his life for his friend would take him back to where he belonged.
The sun had gone down when they approached the entrance of the forest. Their horses neighed, refusing to go in.
''I guess even the horses sense the evil in this place. '' Yuri said as they came down from the horse and tied them to nearby trees.
Shane stroked his white horse; ''I hope I come back to you. '' he muttered, sighing as he went to join the others.
Dai had taken out the torches, and Yuri lit them up with her powers.
''We should be ready for anything. We do not know what this beast is, or what abilities it possesses, so keep your ears alert and be ready to be attacked from everywhere. ''
Nyx addressed them. She looked at them and then grouped them. ''Sky you go with Dai and Yuri and Shane, you're coming with me.'' she paused for a moment, as though waiting for them to object, but when no one did, she continued;
''If it is something we can't handle, at my signal, everyone should run out here for a re-plan. '' Nyx concluded;
''Does anyone have anything to add?'' she asked;
''What if this demon is something we can't defeat?'' Sky asked; ''Can we go back and report to the council?''
''Even if it's a second portal demon, we are five. It cannot possibly kill us all. A second portal demon is not the strongest level demon, so with our abilities, we can defeat it. The last friend you want to have now is fear Sky, don't entertain it,'' Nyx said, and then she turned to the others;
''Be safe, everyone. '' the look on her face instantly turned serious as she took a torch from Dai and proceeded into the woods. Shane followed. The other three walked in right after, maintaining a distance from Nyx and Shane.
Dividing them into groups was a good idea. Shane thought as they walked into the forest. It was more efficient, and the first group that sights the demon can alert the second.
''There's no time for a lecture, but this is important,'' Nyx said, and Shane paid rapt attention.
''Now that you know that the mana you steal isn't constant, make use of them before it goes to waste. Attacks should naturally come to you. When you use an attack, about 5 of your mana will be consumed. The more powerful an attack, the more mana will be consumed.
While you're engaged in a fight, think of something you want to do, and attempt to shape it using your abilities. This should work immediately. '' Nyx explained.
''There's no time to practice this, so we only hope that it is successful on your first try. The other descendants may be reluctant to use powerful attacks, in order not to deplete too much of their mana, but your case is different. Your mana is temporary anyway, so the sooner you use them, the better for us all.''
Nyx stopped talking when she heard the sudden rustling of leaves. Her feet came to a stop. Shane looked behind them and his eyes widened in shock when he did not see the others behind them.
''Nyx, where did the others go?'' he asked and Nyx looked behind them and was surprised. They had not walked for long to lose them, so where did they go?
Nyx was quiet for a moment as though processing a thought. After a while, she turned forward;
''Let's go. ''
...
At the same time…
Yuri stopped walking suddenly and pointed forward.
''Where are they?'' She asked, pointing in the direction where she has just seen Nyx and Shane. The other two looked at where she was pointing at.
''Maybe they had gone farther into the forest. '' Dai said, and she shook her head;
''No, they were here just now. I did not take my eyes off them for a second. They just vanished out of nowhere!'' she exclaimed, a look of panic on her face.
Immediately, she turned around and looked in the direction they had just come from, and instead of the entrance to the forest, she saw only enormous trees that led to no end.