"Are you alright, kid?" Wayde asked, concern evident in his voice as he flew over to Ryan's side.
Descending to the ground, Wayde anxiously surveyed Ryan's battered form, finding solace in the fact that his injuries weren't life-threatening.
'All I need is this kid's senses to get me through this maze. And I can feel it. We're close. Once we reach the exit, I might even spare him after how useful he has been to me,' the raggedy mage contemplated, suppressing the sinister smile that once again threatened to emerge.
"Just give me a few hours to recover as much as I can," Ryan stated firmly, preempting any response from Wayde. Then, before the raggedy mage could utter a word, the imposing wall that had sealed their path and led deeper into the maze receded into the ground.
Wayde swiftly moved forward to ensure the absence of immediate threats and to assess their progress. Though relieved that they were spared from encountering any more golems, at least for the time being, he couldn't help but feel a tinge of disappointment that their trial was not yet complete.
"Take all the time you need. I, too, require a respite to replenish my depleted mana before we proceed," Wayde responded.
"Is that so? Then, for now, watch over me while I recover, then after, I will do the same for you," Ryan proposed.
Wayde hesitated, contemplating the possibility of a recovered Ryan launching an attack on him while in his weakened state. Yet, as he observed the young mage, he couldn't shake off the notion that Ryan was far from the ruthless mages he had encountered in the past.
He was merely an inexperienced mage with potential, whose journey could be cut short at a moment's notice before he had the chance to fully develop.
Moreover, even in his weakened state, Ryan didn't pose much of a threat to him, or so Wayde reassured himself.
And so, with a lingering scepticism, Wayde agreed to follow Ryan's request, assuming his position as guardian while the young mage entered a meditative state to recover his strength.
-
'If only Elora were here to heal me. And if she had given more information...' Ryan thought to himself, lamenting her absence and the crucial information she had omitted.
His insatiable curiosity clashed with the need for caution, a balance he struggled to strike amidst the relentless pace of events.
Ever since entering Odus's Trial, Ryan had grown rapidly, though not without cost. His journey was a crucible of injuries, risks, and pain, yet each challenge honed his resolve, forging him into a more resilient mage.
Ryan's relentless progress left little time for reflection or observation of Wayde's actions.
He had wanted to learn from Wayde's applications of mana and try to replicate the magic he used, as he had done with the Warlock. Ryan was also looking for any weaknesses to exploit in case Wayde set his sights on him.
But for the time being, the best thing he could do was recover and remain on edge, determined to escape the maze.
"I'll get out of here soon," he assured himself before delving into a deep meditative state, allowing his body and mind to recover amidst the swirling currents of mana.
-
As Ryan rested, Wayde observed, perplexed by his companion's remarkable affinity for mana and rapid progress. Despite his prowess, Ryan's identity remained elusive, leaving Wayde to ponder his true origins and intentions.
'Who is he really?' Wayde mused, his excitement growing as he considered the rewards awaiting them at the maze's centre.
'He's mana sensitivity and talent are off the charts. And even I can't sense his mana core, so he must be adept in some high-level concealment techniques. As for his Combat Magic, it's decent but nothing extraordinary. What's most alarming, is how quickly he seems to be progressing.'
Analysing the young mage he had no choice but to rely on, Wayde couldn't deny that in a few years he could become a great mage that was a force to be reckoned with.
However, whether he would make it out of the maze alive wasn't certain just yet...
-
Hours passed, and Wayde's patience waned as Ryan remained motionless, channelling mana to aid his swift recovery. Frustration gnawed at Wayde's resolve, his restless energy betraying his desire to press onward.
Alone with his thoughts, Wayde's grip on sanity slipped, his mind consumed by paranoia and anticipation. Yet, he found solace in the promise of power and prestige awaiting him beyond the maze's confines.
Finally, Ryan came to, his recovery complete.
"Took you long enough." Wayne wasn't in the best of moods.
Ryan simply ignored him before shamelessly asking, "Your turn now, but you won't need as long as I did, right?"
'Does this bastard want me to kill him?!' Wayde was losing himself the closer he was to what he desired, but he managed to settle down.
"Yes, I won't be too long," he spat.
Ryan smiled, 'We'll see how far your pride gets you.'
And with that, Wayde closed his eyes but remained hovering in the air, streaming in mana to recover as much as he could.