For every fox that fell another would replace it. As the infinite number of foxes swarmed the friends, they began to feel overwhelmed, soon they found missing the vitals and giving more space to the beasts.
As the openings in the defense grew so did some scratches and wounds that appeared on their bodies. A Fox, finding an opening, pounced on Turan and tore a large chunk of flesh from his limb, inflicting severe damage.
Another group of four Foxes appeared in front of Turan, charging in his direction. He leaped in the air, raised his Axe, and swung it at the incoming Foxes. One of the Fox was sliced in the abdomen, hurling it at the other as all of them fell to the side.
Kaito, facing four Foxes, stabbed two in their vitals, while critically inflicting severe injury on the third one, but failed to handle the last one, which made its way towards Turan.
As the fourth Fox pounced at Turan who was busy fighting the other three Foxes, was interested in Malik who slashed his Katana and beheaded it in the nick of time. Malik's action further made openings in the defense as more Foxes attacked Turan from the left side.
The defense became a mess as the Foxes outnumbered the trio's defense. As Malik and Kaito made their way to protect Turan from the left side, more and more Foxes hindered them on the way.
A Fox pounced at Turan tearing a large chunk of flesh from his shoulder, inflicting stinging pain and bloody wound. A fountain of blood gushed out of the wound as Turan roared in pain.
The fury and anger made his swings more fierce and ruthless as Foxes fell like wheat before a thresher. Blood, intestines, and flesh painted the ground under his charged assault.
"This idiot!" barked Kaito at Turan, "come back here, you idiot. Where are you heading to?"
Both Malik and Kaito rushed to defend Turan from the Foxes on either side. As they made their way towards him, they heard Turan shriek in pain as more and more wounds appeared on his body. Turan felt weak and fell to the ground.
Malik, finding Turan surrounded by Foxes, became violent and charged at the encircled Foxes. Under rage and fury, he soon took down the three Foxes, protecting Turan from any real injury.
'Damn it!' Kaito shouted in his mind. 'These fools have lost their minds.'
As their number fell to two fighters, the pressure grew on Malik and Kaito. Malik, who was more focused on Turan's defense, fell first to the incoming onslaught as two Foxes bit him on his forelimb and abdomen area.
Finding it hard to focus anymore on his surroundings, Malik made a bold decision. He leaped in front of the charging Foxes. Though he cut down many foxes in his trance at the cost of his defense, the difference he made was minute.
Malik slashed through seven Foxes, finally falling prey to one of the foxes. As he reached his limits he began to miss his targets and started to feel dizzy from the exhaustion.
Fresh wounds appeared on Malik's body as blood gushed out, dying his clothes.
Kaito swiftly evaded and struck the beasts, "what are you losing your senses for, you idiot," he snapped at Malik in anger. Just when he was distracted and missed the vitals of the fox that was about to leap on Turan, an arrow pierced through its head pinning it to the ground.
'Shit! Those idiots.' shouted Kaito in his mind, as he saw both Turan and Malik in danger. He was feeling helpless and frustrated from the hindrance on his way.
A figure blurred in front of Kaito, who was forced to evade the incoming attack from the two foxes on his side. With a roar, Danish's large Sword slashed through a fox, cutting it in the abdomen.
"Leila, you look after the rear. Let me take the front." the elder instructed.
With Danish's help, the pressure on Kiato dropped, but the relief was short-lived, as their counterattack began to falter due to overexertion and outnumbered Foxes.
The two friends at first managed to deter the beast for the first few seconds only to find themselves strained completely as more foxes joined the circle.
Thirteen foxes fell to the ground as more leaped, charged, and pounced on them from all available angles. Soon the four friends were encircled, forcing each to focus on their own defense.
Seeing Elder Ravi instruct Leila to guard the rear, and heading in their direction brought a relief to them.
"Elder! We can't hold them anymore," Danish shouted.
"Leave the damned things to me." With one swift movement, the elder made his way into the inner circle, while cutting down two Foxes on his way.
His short sword marked perfect aim at the incoming foxes forcing them to retreat. His overwhelmed demeanor deterred the foxes as they finally backed away.
Seeing that the foxes were retreating, the elder instructed them, "We should leave. This can be a call for reinforcement" as he heard the foxes howl for help.
while the group backtracked slowly and carefully, another pack of foxes appeared out of the forest making their way to the injured ones. The foxes howled in anger after seeing their ones in such a state.
More and more foxes appeared out of the forest.
"O my god!" exclaimed Danish," This is bad."
"Run!" shouted the Elder.
The Foxes charged at the fleeing enemies while howling on their way, calling for more reinforcements.
The situation got very bad for the group as the Foxes were very fast on their track. Judging from the situation, the group couldn't escape as the distance shortened between them with each second.
"We won't make it at this rate," shouted the Elder. "You guys go ahead I will join you later."
"What are you saying," responded Danish. "That is never going to happen."
"There might be no need for that," Kaito pointed towards his left, "here is the reinforcement, I was waiting for."
A large number of Timber Fangs appeared from the opposite side of the forest making their way towards the Two-Tailed Foxes. Their clash was imminent, and the group's escape would be a success.
Two different types of howls emerged from behind the group as they rushed towards the nearby forest. With one quick look, they found Dogs pouncing on the Foxes. The image blurred as dust and rubble rose hindering clear vision.
Without looking back, they rushed out of Two-Tailed Foxes' territory.
//////////
Once the group was out of danger, they found a safe point and decided to rest there. Turan and Malik were injured severely, their bodies were inflicted with multiple wounds. Leila and Danish busied themselves with the healing formation. The essence flew out of the small Matrix formation into the healing formation making its way to Turna and Malik.
A crimson glow lit in the small cave where the party rested. Their shadows danced on the walls as the formation glowed brightly.
"Elder, Thanks for the timely help." Danish thanked Elder Ravi sincerely. "Things got complicated."
"Don't worry about it. It was my job to look after you guys."
They chattered in whispers while the wounds healed from the influence of the formations and runes.