Mystic
"How much longer will it take?" I ask Jax with a grunt, wiping a bead of sweat that slides down my forehead.
It was getting dark already, and we were no where near the top of the mountain. We needed to get to the top, and then pass through the valley of illusions before we could safely get to Lone Caves.
I tilt my head back a bit, to get a better view of its peak.
Moments later, Holden catches up.
"We still have a long way to go." He whined, sizing up the mountain.
I shoot Jax a glare, who was still climbing regardless of our grunts and complains. Mind you, he was floating.
"Come on, hurry up those muscles; we're late." He said, his blue tiger body floating stably above us both. He was mocking us now, I could tell from the was he was cocking his head to the side.
"Easy to say, you're a floating tiger." Holden shoots back, while rolling his eyes, Jax's eyes bulge.
"Hey!!" He yells back.
I scoff at their barter, ignoring them as I carried on to the top of the mountain. With a sword strapped to my back.
It took a while, but we did get to the top of the mountain. But by the time we did, it was already very late.
I couldn't even scan the area below by the time the three of us gathered.
"It's no use, it's too dark to scan the area. Let's camp for the night here." I say, turning around to study the looks on both their faces.
Thankfully, they both comply without a word of argument.
It didn't take as much time as expected, and soon the camp was set.
Holden offered to take a watch while I slept, to which I relunctantly agreed.
As weird as it was, I did feel comfortable sleeping next to him.
----
Hours passed by, and it was my turn to take watch. I made Holden sleep, after staring into his exhausted eyes for a minute.
He must have pushed himself past his limit. I sit beside him, head leaning on a tree, my sword within my grasp as I scan the darkness.
It's all quiet, nothing suspicious around. That is until, I hear faint whispers from the darkness.
"Come to me..." it said, over and over.
At first I tried to ignore it, but then it persisted. And it seemed to be getting closer and closer.
I shake Holden as hard as I could to wake him up, before getting to my feet. He wakes Jax up as well, who floats lazily with a yawn.
I take a stance with my sword ready to attack.
Jax suddenly straightens, before narrowing his eyes at the darkness. As though he could see through it. Holden tenses by my side as well.
"This is bad..." Holden says, gripping his sword tighter.
"What is?" I ask, arcing a brow in question as I tried to pin point the incoming threat.
"These are the whispers of creatures who wish to deceive their prey, in hope of devouring them." Jax explains, getting behind both I and Holden.
I sigh softly, closing my eyes for a split second. "I'm guessing we've entered into the valley of illusions?" I ask, not surprised.
He hums in reply, the silence and tension intensifies. We could sense strong malicious intent, but couldn't pin point the direction from which it came.
Suddenly, a wind fierce and stron blows at us. Its so strong I have to use a hand to shield my eyes, with the other still holding onto my sword.
"Everyone stay close!!!" I yell, as the wind intensifies, pushing me back a few feets away.
Moments later, it stops and there's pin drop silence. I pant, taking a stance again, ready to spring at what ever creature came at me. That was when I noticed, I had been separated from the both of them.
"Holden! Jax!" I call out, straining my ears for any sound that might lead me to them. But none came.
After moments of yelling, a huge shadow began to emerge. By now the sun, had risen a little so I could make out brief details.
"Stop yelling will you? It's irritating." A grave voice said, which I assumed was from the emerging shadow.
I grit my teeth.
"What did you do to my friends?" I ask, fear slowly gripping me. "Lets just say, they'll be where I'm gonna send you soon." It replied, now fully stepping out of the shadows.
I don't think, not with the anger coursing through my veins.
"In that case, I don't have a choice, but to kill you." I say with enough malice and venom, that one could taste. Then I charge at it with all the growing fury I had within me.