As we move forward, the pain in my forearm becomes more present, almost as if it was asking me to get away from that place.
The light stones are the only thing that allows us to see the path since Lumus, for some reason, doesn't work in this place; it's almost as if it has an enchantment that counteracts the light of the wand, something similar to Nox.
Things don't seem to be going well, some have nonmortal but emotional blows, Estrella hasn't spoken for a while, his characteristic way of being had been turned off after Kaelor's death before his eyes.
After walking for a few minutes, a large door is visualized ajar between the imposing rocks that cut two thick statues apparently destroyed by the earthquake that occurred a few moments ago.
"Look there!"- Patrick runs towards the entrance of the door. Where a dark figure can be seen coming out of the giant door that is half open.
"Stop, Patrick, we can't go so lightly, we don't know what's in there!" shouts Aelric worriedly as he tries to stop him.
A few steps ahead, Patrick, noticing the silhouette better, increases his speed and runs even faster to help one of the students who had entered before our group.
As we are all with that person who is in a bad state, we can deduce that behind the door are the other students struggling with something to survive, the noises and explosions hint that a great battle is raging inside.
"Please go back and call for help, it is a dangerous creature, I have never seen anything like it, run, the others are doing their best, please go back and get help "- are the last words of the boy who immediately closes his eyes.
"Hey, wake up, don't bite yourself, react," says Patrick while he holds the boy's body and shakes him.
"Patrick stop"- says Seraphis,-" let me see him... he still has a pulse and is breathing, he must have fainted, very well I was waiting to find more people but if the creature is behind this door we need to get inside recovered, everybody get together"- orders seraphis while he uses a spell to heal us all from the scratches we had and recovering the strength and magic he had lost because of all the monsters we faced at the beginning, even this spell helps to heal a little the boy's wounds but he still doesn't wake up.
Patrick, impulsive as always, took his wand ready to enter through the door, but before he makes a move, Seraphis fell to the floor exhausted from having used a spell that heals the wounds of several people at once, something that is uncommon to do if you are a first-year wizard.
Talrico as well as Patrick are ready to enter without looking back, but Vaelin stops them both by taking their arms.
"Where do you think you're going?" says Vaelin.
"You're kidding, what didn't you hear? They are fighting with a dangerous creature; we must support them," says Talrico, violently pulling his arm out of Vaelin's hand.
"She's right, we can't just go in like this".
"Dion, what are you talking about..."
"Patrick, listen to me, we can't go in without a plan; whatever is in there is not something we can face alone."
"...well, what plan do you have?"- says Patrick.
For a moment, the place is just flooded by the noise of the roars, explosions, and moans of the beast and the other students. Looking around, you can see that many are scared, Estrella is still not reacting, Seraphis is in Nyxithra's arms, and Aelric, although he tries to hide it, his hands are shaking because he doesn't know what plan to execute.
Something that is really normal considering that, like the rest of us, we are still children, inexperienced children, so I have no choice.
"Alright listen to me, Nyxithra and Aelric will go with me in front, patrick and Talrico are in charge of surrounding the creature while we distract it, as for the others, inform them others that the best thing to do will be to attack the beast from different positions so if they still have magic power and can fight let them follow us, the others will have to retreat and leave the place."
"But Estrella and Seraphis don't..."- says Nyxithra.
"I know, Estrella will take care of Seraphis, we don't have to worry about monsters, they won't come close if they feel the presence of that beast."
"We'll get the wounded out," says Lyara, taking Vaelin by the arm.
We all nod our heads, ready to go in, each one with their wands in hand. Aelric tightens his wand firmly to stop shaking and hits the magic blows. My wrist feels almost like it is burning, the burning is unbearable, but there is no other option if we want to get out of here.
Upon entering the place the light of the spells that are cast allows us to see along with the stones of light a somewhat frightening panorama, some students fighting with a creature with large horns and a muscular body, his hands are giant and with a terrifyingly large mouth with uneven fangs, its size was greater than two meters and has only one eye, apparently a kind of guardian cyclops.
The magical attacks are constant but are not effective because they are not powerful, they are spells cast quickly and not accurately, all because those who fight are afraid to see how their spells do not cause great effect on the creature, despair takes over them and more when they protect those who are injured or lying on the ground.
They are not very fast creatures, but their strength is colossal, Patrick and Talrico seeing how the other students are wounded try to throw themselves impulsively into combat, but this would not be effective, Aelric more aware of the situation looks at the two in a threatening manner so as not to break the plan.
"Let's go!"
As I give the order, the others follow me without hesitation, while Vaelin and Lyara head towards the wounded. As we go further,r where the students are casting shield spells to stop the creature from passing, something that is useless as these shields are quickly destroyed by the creature's blows, leaving some students injured in the process.
As planned, Aelric, Nyxithra, and I cast spells with a bit more power to draw the creature's attention while Patrick and Talrico run to surround the creature.
The constant attacks, together with those of the other students, cause a little more effect as we see the creature retreat a few steps. Something that is a good sign for everyone, since on their faces is reflected a bit of security that they had lost when they saw their wounded classmates.
The creature lashes out violently, covering its head towards us. This is quite obvious since our attacks are the most precise and powerful to hurt the creature.
"dodge, move"
Aelric and Nyxithra, paralyzed with fear, do not move an inch, leaving me no choice but to go back for them and push them to the sides to avoid being run over by the cyclops, but consequently, the blow was received by me in a direct way.
As it flew through the air it ended up colliding with one of the walls in an accurate manner, a critical hit that ultimately would have left me unconscious if it wasn't for the hardening spell I applied seconds before.
Attack and empowerment spells are my specialty, but this pushes my limits in a surprising way. Although I managed to cushion the blow a bit, I was out of air for a moment, and now I struggle to speak and breathe.
"Dion!"- I hear Patrick's voice in the distance and see in a blur as he comes running towards me.
Act that the creature sees and tries to attack Patrick with a direct hit, which is stopped by the other guys, but the beast doesn't stop, and tries to attack Patrick again. Something that fails again because even though I can't move due to how stunned I am from the blow, I can see how one of the students pushes Patrick out of the direction of the Cyclops' blow.
Upon regaining my senses a bit with a basic healing spell, I manage to see how Patrick and Phylicia get to their feet after dodging the creature's attack, this making it clear that it was Phylicia who saved Patrick from certain death.
author's note: Remember to visit my website if you want to support my work. There you will find advanced chapters. patreon.com/SlipperyRaccoon - DON'T FORGET TO LEAVE POWER STONES EVEN