Without waiting for a response, Nyssa leapt onto one of the large branches, moving swiftly. Tof followed closely behind, though with a bit of uncertainty.
His small body was nimble, but Nyssa knew this wasn't an easy task, especially with the pressure they were under. They had to cross quickly but carefully, avoiding a fall into the chasm that separated them from Ethan.
As they moved swiftly through the branches, Nyssa could feel the vibrations of powerful magical energy all around. She knew that Ethan's battle with the cloaked man wouldn't be easy.
This man was no ordinary enemy there was an aura of ancient, deep darkness surrounding him.
"Nyssa," Tof's voice trembled suddenly, "I... I'm scared. What if we're too late?"
Nyssa looked at the boy with calm determination. "Don't worry, Tof. Ethan won't fall that easily. We just need to stay focused. You have to trust in us."
Tof took a deep breath and nodded, trying to calm himself. They jumped to the next branch, crossing the gap quickly. However, just as they were nearing the other side, a terrifying howl echoed from the forest ahead of them.
"Gray werewolves..." Nyssa whispered, narrowing her eyes at the large shadows emerging from the darkness of the forest.
The massive wolves, their silver-gray fur gleaming, moved out of the shadows, their glowing red eyes glaring at Nyssa and Tof with hatred.
"I'll handle them," Nyssa said, unsheathing her sword, which began to glow with magical energy. "Tof, stay behind me. Don't come close!"
Without hesitation, the first werewolf lunged at Nyssa with terrifying speed, its claws ready to tear. But Nyssa was prepared.
With a swift motion, she swung her sword, releasing a wave of energy that struck the werewolf square in the chest, sending it flying backward.
The other wolves didn't stand idly by. Two more attacked from different sides, trying to surround her.
She leapt into the air, spinning mid-air while unleashing a barrage of attacks, cutting through the air with precision. "Aura Slash!" Her strike sliced through one of the werewolves in mid-leap, causing the creature to fall to the ground, its body split in half.
However, one werewolf managed to get close to Tof, its sharp teeth bared, ready to bite into the boy.
Tof froze in terror, his body stiff. Nyssa saw this and rushed towards him, but the werewolf was faster.
In the split second before the werewolf's claws could strike Tof, he heard a shout from behind. "Dodge, Tof!" Nyssa screamed at the top of her lungs, and with a reflex born of fear, Tof dropped to the ground, narrowly avoiding the deadly attack.
Nyssa arrived just in time, slashing the werewolf before it could turn. Blood sprayed from the creature as her sword pierced through its thick hide, and in an instant, it collapsed lifelessly.
"Tof! Are you alright?" Nyssa helped Tof to his feet, quickly scanning his body for injuries.
"I'm... I'm fine," Tof panted, still shaken. "I was just... scared."
Nyssa gave a small smile, patting the boy's head. "It's okay to be scared, Tof. But you have to stay strong. We're almost there."
However, she knew they didn't have much time. The sounds of Ethan's battle could still be heard in the distance, and they had to reach him before the cloaked man launched his final attack.
"Nyssa, let's hurry," Tof said, his resolve starting to return. "We can't leave Ethan alone."
Nyssa nodded, and without another word, they continued moving, drawing closer to where Ethan was fighting the cloaked man. Nyssa could only hope they'd arrive in time to provide the much-needed support.
From afar, Nyssa saw Ethan standing amidst the ruins of a forest recently ravaged by immense power.
His body was surrounded by a dark red aura so intense that the air around him seemed to vibrate.
Every step he took caused the ground beneath him to crack, while his gaze was locked onto the cloaked figure before him, who now wore a cold, confident smile, certain of his victory.
Nyssa sensed that something was wrong. Ethan's aura, usually stable, now seemed wild and uncontrollable.
"Something's wrong with him… this isn't Ethan," she muttered, rushing towards the battlefield. Worry crept into her mind, and her instincts as a fighter triggered alarms. "I have to help him, fast!"
Tof, running behind her, also sensed something was off. "Ethan looks... different," he whispered, his voice filled with fear and concern.
Nyssa quickened her pace, her sword ready in hand. But as she got closer, Ethan, without turning, raised his hand, signaling her to stop.
"Stay back, Nyssa!" Ethan shouted with a heavy voice, as if struggling to speak, his voice mixed with the hiss of power boiling inside him.
"Go help Draven and Lina! We need Lina's strength to defeat him," Ethan continued, his now glowing red eyes still fixed on the cloaked man.
Nyssa froze, confusion filling her mind. "But..." she started to protest, but Ethan's sharp gaze stopped her.
That look was filled with determination, and though Ethan's body seemed on the verge of collapsing under the weight of the immense power, he still wanted to protect those around him. Nyssa gritted her teeth, reluctantly obeying. She knew Ethan wouldn't last long in this condition.
"Adventurer, please hang on!" Tof cried from behind Nyssa, his voice full of hope, though he could see Ethan was fighting with everything he had.
Nyssa finally ran in the direction Ethan had indicated. Draven and Lina had to be somewhere in this forest, and she knew they were the key to facing the looming threat.
Especially Lina, with her healing magic and barriers that could stabilize Ethan's increasingly unstable condition.