"It's the Voidclaw Brotherhood!" Isla's voice was icy as she identified the attackers, her flute trembling slightly in her hand. Her words made the air around them freeze with tension, and the group immediately tensed up.
"What the heck are they doing here?" Reika asked, totally baffled by their sudden appearance.
As if on cue, more enemies emerged from the shadows, far more than any of them had expected. The trees, bathed in weak moonlight, seemed to come alive as the figures closed in around them, effectively cutting off their escape.
"Wow, they didn't waste any time, did they?" Zephyr said with a smirk, though his eyes had sharpened to a dangerous edge. His sword flashed into his hand, glinting coldly in the night. The surrounding enemies hesitated for a moment, clearly feeling the intensity of his power, before they cautiously edged closer.
"We don't have time for a slow dance, let's just deal with these guys and get out of here!" Reika growled, her face tight with determination, though her eyes blazed with a dangerous excitement. With a flick of her wrist, a talisman ignited in her hands, forming a protective barrier around them.
"They're here for a reason, stay sharp!" Sylas warned, his usual calm expression tinged with urgency. He flipped open his book, mumbling a spell under his breath as he prepared for the imminent onslaught.
Before Zephyr could make his move, a sharp whistle pierced the air. Suddenly, the Voidclaw disciples lunged all at once, their movements vicious and fast. Zephyr's sword cut through the first wave like lightning, his strikes precise and lethal. But no matter how many fell, more kept pouring out of the forest like it was some sort of villain factory.
Standing at the back, Isla brought her flute to her lips. With a graceful twist of her fingers, a haunting melody filled the air. As soon as the notes reached their ears, some of the attackers wobbled, their steps faltering, while others simply collapsed in a heap.
"Whoa, that's pretty cool!" Reika couldn't help but marvel, though she didn't have time to admire Isla's skills for long. She had more talismans to throw and enemies to fry.
Isla, though, was not having an easy time. Her pale face showed a hint of inner conflict, as if something deep within her was making it hard to focus. But in this fight, hesitation was a luxury none of them could afford.
The battle was escalating quickly. No matter how coordinated they were, the sheer number of attackers was becoming overwhelming.
"There's too many of them!" Reika gasped, frantically summoning another talisman. She was running out, and fast. In a desperate move, she pulled out a fire talisman and whispered a spell. Flames roared to life, shooting out like a dragon's breath and scorching a path through the enemy ranks.
"Zephyr, we're seriously in trouble! What's the plan?" Her voice was urgent, but her eyes still sparkled with the thrill of the fight.
Zephyr's gaze narrowed as he swung his sword, the blade glowing with an intense light. "Watch this."
With a swift movement, his sword unleashed a flurry of attacks, pushing back the advancing enemies. For a moment, it seemed like they might get a breather, but before they could even think about catching their breath, more attackers emerged from the shadows—like some never-ending nightmare.
And then the pressure hit.
A heavy spiritual force descended from above, shaking the trees around them. Zephyr's grip tightened on his sword as his expression hardened. "We've got a bigger problem. Voidclaw sent one of their top guys."
Sure enough, a dark-robed elder of the Voidclaw Brotherhood floated down from the sky, landing with a soft thud in front of them. His lips twisted into a cruel grin, his eyes filled with arrogant amusement as he looked them over like they were nothing more than a joke.
"Well, well, well, you little brats sure have some tricks up your sleeves. But against me? You've got no chance."
Reika glared at him, panting slightly but still defiant. "Shut it, grandpa! You think you're scary? I've roasted marshmallows tougher than you!"
Zephyr glanced at her, clearly trying not to laugh, but quickly regained his focus. "We're not equipped to take him down. We need a plan to get out of here."
Isla's hand tightened around her flute, her face a mask of calm. But her thoughts were a whirlwind. The elder's presence was unsettling, making her doubt whether they could really escape this fight in one piece. Even as she played, she could feel her resolve wavering.
"Isla, come on! We need your help!" Reika shouted, not noticing the flicker of hesitation in Isla's eyes.
"I… I know!" Isla replied, pushing down the turmoil inside her. She took a deep breath, and her flute's melody shifted, growing louder, fiercer, like the beat of war drums. The music pulsed through the battlefield, forcing the enemies back once more.
But the respite was brief. The enemies regrouped quickly, and the Voidclaw elder sneered. "Impressive, but it won't last. Let's see how long you can keep this up."
Zephyr exchanged a look with Reika. They both knew they couldn't let this drag on. The longer the fight went, the worse their chances would become.
"Everyone, all together! Now!" Zephyr shouted, raising his sword. Reika's talismans flared to life once again, and the two launched a synchronized attack. Flames and sword strikes danced through the air, colliding with the elder's power.
Isla's flute reached a fever pitch, her music cutting through the night like a blade. The enemies stumbled, disoriented by the chaos of sound and battle. But despite the short-lived success, Isla could feel her strength waning. She knew this wouldn't last.