6 Chapter 6 - The Forest... (2/2)

”How many.”

”Too many… counted 10… more probably.”

James gestured Griff to come near him. He turned to Harry one last time.

”Rest. I'll get Ann.”

James glanced one more time, seeing that Griff had knelt next to Harry, trying to treat him. James's eyes were filled with hatred. He shed his blade and moved towards the dark forest.

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”Big bro… does this hurt?”

Griff was patching up Harry, and he had to apply some pressure on the gushing wounds. James had taught him a lot, and first aid was one of those things he learnt. Hearing no answer, Griff continued trying his best, but he felt pain in the back of his head. He felt dizzy. He tried getting up, but he collapsed….

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James moved swiftly through the forest, cutting through the vines that obstructed his path. He was fast, but not running. He was using 'Silent March,' a spell that halted all sound around the user for a radius of a meter. It was a weak spell, but one that could save the user. It was a beginner class strengthening class spell. James came to a stop in front of a bush, which if he passed, he would reach an opening. He crouched as he heard several men talking.

”Will he come?”

”Of course, he's too kind.”

”That's from our intel.”

”Our intel can be trusted.”

”That is good.”

”He is strong.”

”He will entertain them.”

”That is pleasant to hear.”

James was baffled at what he though was 'nonsense' that he was hearing. He then noticed a new figure step in. He had a different cloak color than the rest, presumably the leader. His cloak was black while the others were brown.

”We have captured the final one.”

”Splendid.”

”Shall we depart now?”

”Let's see their faces… they do not want broken goods.”

The brown cloaked man turned around, revealing three people who had sacks over their head. The man pulled off the sacks, looking at the unconscious faces of Harry, Ann, and Griff. Seeing this, James gritted his teeth as he thought to himself 'What now…'

James was thinking of methods to rescue the trio, but his mind went blank. He couldn't think straightly. He could only feel his rage. 'Screw it…' He knew he was an idiot for doing this, but the men had their guards down. He could reach Griff or Ann and save one of them at the least. Then, they'd pursue these bandits.

James got out of the bush, rushing and stabbing a cloaked figure. The man fell down without a word. He continued to cut through the several men. All of them fell without making a sound. James slowly began to s=think rationally. He had cut so many, but it was easy? They hadn't even screamed… Something was wrong. James stopped his slashing spree, and looked back at the men he presumed to be dead.

*clap clap clap*

James heard slow clapping and turned forward to face the source.

”You did it, congratulations.”

The man from before, the black cloaked man, was smiling at James. He lowered his cloak, revealing many scars on his face. He had one eye, his other eye hole was empty. He didn't even bother covering it with an eye patch or such.

”You killed a couple of shadows! Are you proud?”

All the fallen figures turned to purple goo, storming towards the man. They entered his body.

”Material Magic: Clonification.”

James raged, seeing that he was fighting nothing up to now. There was only one enemy to begin with. His stamina was drained.

”You bastard…”

”Now now, James. It is James, right? I learnt your name from that beauty there. We don't want to see your 'companions' suffer, do we?”

The man laughed like a lunatic. James turned back to look if his friends were okay. He was scared if one of those clones snuck up on them. However, he was shocked from what he saw. Fear struck him. Terror… true terror. His face paled all over. He felt weak, no strength in his arms as his blade fell. His eyes were wide open, looking with fear, horror, hopelessness…regret.”

James didn't have the chance to respond to the attack by the cloaked man as he had been distracted. He was hit from behind his back. The pain was surreal, he had begun to lose consciousness as he fell down.

”Sleep tight.”

The man smirked at his own remark, his tone deep and horrifying. The last thing James heard was someone drawing out a blade.

”We better mark our property now, eh?”