Once Rin gave the order Claude wrapped the blanket around Dakota then placed the other one over her head.
"What about you?" Dakota asked her guardian.
"Don't worry. I will be fine." With that Claude scooped his niece up into his arms and followed Rin out into the sun.
The moment the sun hit Claude he started to sweat. However he wouldn't let the weakness he was feeling get in the way of saving Dakota.
Dakota noticed that Claude was struggling to carry her and keep up with Rin at the same time.
"I can run. You don't have to carry me." Dakota stated as she tried to get down so she could give Claude back his blanket. Though when she lifted the fabric from her face she felt an immense pain stab her eyes that caused a throbbing to start in her head. "On second thought, maybe you should continue carrying me."
Claude smiled at the girl as he trudged on.
"It is not much farther now." The two stragglers heard Rin call from in front of them.
No sooner had the words escaped Rin's mouth than a howl was heard behind them.
"Hurry! They found us!" Rin turned to see the hobgoblins and wolves running after them. The hobgoblins raised primitive weapons in their ugly gnarled hands as they ran.
"Don't let them escape!" One of the hobgoblins commanded as they rallied with the large wolf familiars.
"Get behind me." Rin ordered as they raised their hands towards the oncoming assailants. "I will raise a barrier to give you more time. Just keep running down the street until you reach the end and turn left."
Rin then started to chant in beautiful melodic language. As they did their hands started to glow green and the first hobgoblin to reach it slammed into the barrier.
When Claude saw this he took the opportunity to get his niece to safety and continued down the streets.
"No Claude we can't leave Rin!" Dakota exclaimed as she saw more hobgoblins begin their assault on the barrier. "Those monsters will kill them!" She sobbed.
"As much as I don't want to leave a friend behind we are no match for those things during the day and Rin knew the risk." Claude replied sadly as he continued down the street.
Rin knew they had to keep the attackers at bay for as long as possible but they could feel their energy drain away with each attack to the barrier. When all of Rin's energy was spent the barrier shattered as a large hobgoblin with a giant club bashed against it. The wolves howled in triumph as they continued the hunt and ran right past Rin.
"Damn they broke through the barrier too quickly." Claude cursed as they reached the end of the street and turned to see the wolves had caught up to them.
Claude set Dakota down on her feet and made sure the blanket was still protecting her from the sun before he turned to the wolves and took a fighting stance.
The first wolf to get close to Claude lunged at him and snapped its powerful jaws that were aimed for his neck. Claude used this opening to punch the wolf in the gut with all of is strength and sent it flying down the street with a yelp. The other wolves saw this as started to growl and bear their fangs as they crept closer to their prey. Their orders were to track them down and kill the girl's guardian then guard her until their master arrived. None of them suspected that there would be fey aiding them nor did they know if Claude would go through with the ritual.
Claude was breathing hard and sweating profusely after the initial attack on the first wolf. He was worried about this. His powers had not come back fully yet and he was even more weak than usual in the sunlight. He however would not let them take Dakota. The wolves however decided to attack as a group to overwhelm Claude. He use all the skill and strength he could muster to kick and punch the animals away from himself and Dakota but it was too much for him and he dropped to his knees on the ground. The wolves took this opportunity of weakness to again attack Claude and aim for his neck.
Dakota didn't know what to do. She wasn't strong enough to help and didn't want to get in the way of Claude's battle. At this rate she knew the hobgoblins would be joining the fight soon and Claude was struggling to keep the wolves at bay.
Use our power
Dakota heard the whisper of a voice inside her head.
Our will is strong and the wolves will obey us.
Dakota recognized that child like voice as the other her she had met in the void.
Yes you remember us! Now use our power to help our family!
Dakota could feel the rush of energy rise from inside her, and she wasn't the only one that felt this power. The wolves distracted by what was happening stopped their attack to look at the girl.
Dakota's eyes shone with a red glow as she focused her attention on the wolves.
"Sit!" She commanded and in return the eyes of all the wolves also began to glow red. Each wolf submitted to the command.
"Now protect us from the monsters!" Dakota pointed out at the hobgoblins as they were advancing down the street at them.
The wolves howled as they tried to fight the order. This girl was not their master and could not command them to attack their allies.
"I said protect us. Now attack!" With that final command the wolves had no choice and ran to protect the ones there were sent to hunt.
As the wolves ran off the engage the hobgoblins the light faded from Dakota's eyes and she slumped to the ground. Before her head hit the pavement she felt the strong arms of her guardian wrap around her and lift her before she passed out and he turned and continued to the rendezvous spot.
'I just hope Rin is still alive.' Claude thought as he continued to walk.