Chapter 24 - Do or Die!

Rushing to her teachers rescue she quickly uncorked the bottle and lifted her head up to open the air way. Onyx weakly looked at her and raised am arm to point out the oncoming assault.

"You..idiot…" onyx said with a faint whisper. Skia was blind to what was going on around her she had developed tunnel vision and was focused on the only objective that mattered to her. Saving her teacher.

Doric saw what was going on as the creature switched prey so flawlessly. He marveled at how fast and accurate it was but was also dreading painfully the same thing. He wanted to help Skia and Onyx and he did so in the only way he knew how.

Mustering up every ounce of psychic power he could he grabbed hold of the Za. He thought back to his training. Spending days just to raise a single boulder 1000 times and in that time he had developed a lot of lifting power and strength from that time.

He grabbed the tail of the creature and pulled with all his might. He was not used to the strain of something pulling against his powers and it shot him forward at the creature instead of the other way around.

He flew forward at lightning speeds towards the creature as it continued its assault for Skia. Doric did not know what to do he did not have the strength to pull it away from her and he was currently hurling towards it. He braced for impact as he slammed directly into the creature like a bone bullet.

Unknown to him it was more effective than he anticipated. Slamming full force into the monster it tumbled to the side and skidded away from Skia. She was safe for now as Doric reoriented himself and looked around for the creature.

It was lying on the ground dazed for a moment as its head had slammed into a tree. Shaking it the creature took a moment to assess the situation. Which gave Welsher and Mauve a chance to use their coordinated attack on it. 

Welsher cast a spell that shot a bolt of powder at it which seemed to irritate its eyes and Mauve tossed the mixture of Skunk Ghoul Mist at it exploding on impact and taking out its sense of smell.

Taking this opportunity while both its sight and smell were hampered the second group unleashed arrows on the creature. They clanked off the scales of the creature and fell to the ground harmlessly.

The creature roared in anger as it lashed around aimlessly using its large claws to slice through wood chunks and bushes. Nyssa took a moment to come to Skia and Onyx's aid and begin patching up the wounded sprite.

Feeding her the potion Skia felt a sigh of relief as it went down smoothly. Onyx spat a little up and looked at the two. "I told you guys to run." she weakly spoke with a little strength retuning to her.

"We need to get you out of here. I will hold you while we escape." Nyssa spoke with authority and precision which surprised Skia.

Welsher chimed in. "That's a good idea girls. Let's get out of here while the thing is distracted. Even as it is that thing could still very much kill us if we aren't careful."

They all nodded and headed away from the creature who continued to lash out randomly. They met up with the third group who was waiting a distance away watching the fight and regrouped back at the tree.

"I have to say, for a hunt where nobody died. It was a success to me." Welsher laughed as he continued casting curing magic on Onyx's wings which had taken some serious damage from the assault.

Doric did not look as happy as Welsher was but he was just glad everyone was safe. They all had learned a lot in that week and because of it no one died. But they still had a lot to learn if they were going to survive in this world. 

Welsher finished his healing magic and looked over to the three trainees. "A promise is a promise. 1 week off to relax and have fun. You guys earned it."

Nyssa and Skia looked excited and bounced up and down holding each others hands in the process. "Yes!" they both cried out.

Doric on the other hand was not excited. He was thinking about it and he floated towards Welsher and responded. "If possible, I would like to continue out training this week."

The teachers looked at him with a sense of admiration and Skia and Nyssa looked a little worried and confused.

"Why is that young Doric?" Welsher asked waiting for his response with hidden excitement. Feeling he knew what Doric was feeling at this moment.

"We barely survived that encounter and it was only thanks to your teaching that we did not die. I can't sit on my butt for a week when I could be getting stronger." He would emphasize the next part. "I need to get stronger."

He sighed and continued. "We barely held our own out there we are too weak as it is to survive in this world if wild animals are what get the best of us."

Nyssa and Skia both looked down at the ground. Contemplating what he had just said. Onyx and Mauve looked to them and responded. "How do you two feel about his request?"

They gritted their teeth with tears welding up in their eyes. Nyssa responded first. "I agree with Doric, you taught me so much and I am grateful but I am still not strong enough when it counts most. I think I would like some more training as well."

Skia continued from where Nyssa left off. "I agree with them both. Please Onyx, I need to learn more about my abilities and how best to use them against an opponent. Will you continue training me this week.

The three teachers smiled in unison huge smiles that could fill a room. Pride and respect oozing out of their eyes as they saw their young students growing so quickly right before them.

Onyx started. "We accept your request for more training sooner."

Mauve continued. "We believe that your will should be accepted and we will teach you everything."

Welsher finished the thought. "Oh but trust me, we will work you so hard you'd wish you were Za food." the three teachers laughed and the three students grinned and looked at each other. Neither one wanting to let the other down. They were going to work until they could not move.