C6 Chapter 6

"We're almost there," Magnus remarked, smiling as he made his way across the field with Xyra in behind. They'd departed a long time ago, and the only thing between that town and Dagen was a wide-open grassy plain with a little forest to the south. The grasslands weren't the safest areas to go through because there was nothing to hide behind in case of an ambush, but it was a quick journey. If they kept moving at this speed, they'd be in the city before sundown and most likely escape any encounters with demons.

Magnus looked oblivious to the fact that Xyra was struggling to keep up with him as he walked. His steps were a little wider than hers, and he walked as if he knew where he was going. Her steps were less sure since she didn't know what to anticipate. Traveling was risky. There were demons everywhere, despite not many attacked during the day. It made them more visible, which meant definite death in the hands of a hunter. Magnus, for example, was a very dangerous hunter. Magic had the potential to be highly powerful against demons if a sorcerer was skilled enough.

Xyra felt her stomach growl as she realized how hungry she was. She hadn't eaten anything since that morning, and her breakfast hadn't been very full. She, too, was becoming exhausted. She wasn't used to walking for vast distances. Magnus, on the other hand, seemed to have this down pat, since he showed no indications of halting or slowing down. Regrettably for him, she needed to rest.

"Magnus?" she said, forcing him to halt and return his gaze. She had come to a halt and was about to sit down. "Could we perhaps take a break?"

"But we have to get to Dagen by evening," he stated, a tiny grimace on his face. "We can't afford to get caught out here after dark, especially since we're halfway there."

"Just a short break?" she begged as she sat down. "I'm exhausted."

Magnus groaned and walked up to Xyra. He sat down next to her and then lied down on the soft grass. To be honest, he was a little weary and hungry as well. But he hadn't brought anything with him this time. The journey to Dagen wasn't long, so he knew he'd be okay till he arrived. He'd been on journeys like these before, and he'd always gotten by. Water was the only thing he currently needed, and it was one of the few things he always had with him. He was used to surviving on the minimal necessities. He'd forgotten, though, that he wasn't alone this time, and Xyra didn't seem to be used to traveling.

"We'll take a quick break," he said before shutting his eyes and resting. However, he was unable to fall asleep. They'd have to begin moving again soon, or they'd never make it to Dagen before dark. They'd be easy targets for the demons in the surrounding. The night was unquestionably risky for travelers.

Magnus let out a little sigh and began to listen to the sounds around him. This was one of his favourite parts of his travels. On a lovely day like this, there were so many soothing noises. It was quite relaxing. Slowly, he felt his entire body sink into the grass underneath him, and his mind wandered. He had no idea what was going on, and before he could stop himself, he had fallen into a pleasant, light sleep.

He didn't care about anything as he lost track of time. Everything was so peaceful and lovely, and his exhausted body was relieved to be able to relax in such a place. The weather was great. There has not been a cloud in the sky, and the air tickled his face. The air was already starting to chill. Everything was peaceful...until a heavy object smacked against his head.

Magnus sat up immediately, his hand leaping up to attend for the bruise that had already formed on his forehead. He didn't know what was going on, but he knew something or someone had just hit him...hard. Given that there was only one person who could have done this, he turned and glared accusingly at Xyra. She was concerned, but when she noticed the gaze on his face, she swiftly returned it.

"Don't look at me that way," she said. "I had to smack you because you wouldn't wake up."

"What...?" he began to question, but cut himself short as he became aware of their surroundings. The sky was no longer blue, but rather an array of warm colors that were gradually fading to dark. He could see the sun sinking in the distance. A wave of fear surged over him. How long had I been sleeping?

Magnus sprang to his feet and began going without even waiting for Xyra to stand. She had to chase after him, stumbling along the way. She was still staring at him, but for a completely other purpose. He was on the verge of abandoning her.

"What's with the hurry?" she inquired. "Are we getting close?"

"It's becoming dark," he said solemnly. "You should've woken me up earlier."

"I'm not sure what the problem is..."

As the sun finally set over the horizon, a screech resonated across the plain. Magnus and Xyra both came to a halt when they heard the sound. She was anxiously gazing around, trying to figure out what had created that horrible sounds. It sounded like the cries heard in dreams. What type of creature could make such a noise?

Another bloodcurdling screech echoed across the area. They couldn't afford to squander any more time. Magnus grabbed Xyra's wrist and started sprinting. She was compelled to keep up with him, her legs moving quicker than they had ever before. He was a quick runner, which was unexpected given his weapon of choice. He appeared to be in good form for a sorcerer, which was unusual. The majority of sorcerers depended completely on their magic and lacked physical abilities.

"Keep going," he encouraged her as he noticed she was dragging her feet. "Unless you want to be devoured by demons, we have to get to Dagen."

That got her going more rapidly. The thought of becoming a meal seemed unappealing. However, the way things were going, Magnus began to worry that this may be their fate. I should have been more attentive. We should never have taken that break! I'm not normally this irresponsible...

They continued to sprint across the field, the grass rustling with each stride. The sound of their footsteps, though, was soon doubled. These second sets were twice as quick as Magnus's first. He and Xyra would be captured if they didn't do anything.

Magnus let out a small curse before abruptly stopping and throwing Xyra to the ground.

"Stay down!" he ordered. Two enormous demons surged forward at that point. They were both dog-like, with muscled legs and feet and sharp, lethal claws. Their eyes were a furious red, and they jerked their jaws open, baring razor-sharp teeth. The hounds wasted no time in focusing their attention on their target and raced forward.

Magnus held his ground for a minute, his lips working silently. He showed no intention of evading the strike. Xyra was beginning to panic behind him. Didn't he realize two fairly enormous demons were on their way? We're both going to die!

Magnus eventually moved when the demons were only a few feet away. His movement was so swift that Xyra had missed it due to a lengthy, terrified blink. She could only see a pillar of flames bursting where the two demons had been. Their pained yelps soon faded as their bodies burnt away. The only thing left in the aftermath of the fire was ash.

Xyra's gaze was drawn to Magnus, who looked at her with surprise and wonder. He was on one knee, his hand firmly pressed to the ground. He had destroyed the two demons with a single spell in a matter of seconds. Even though she couldn't use magic, she understood enough about it to know that this was out of the ordinary. There's no way he's only an average sorcerer.

"Come on!" Magnus urged, bending down and grabbing her wrist. He hauled her to her feet and resumed his sprint. "There will most likely be more."

"Why are there so many demons?" she wondered, not understanding why they were being targeted in this manner. The majority of demons lived in woods rather than grasslands. Sure, she'd anticipated a few, but the noises all around them—the rustling grass, the unnatural shrieks—proved otherwise. This land was swarming with monstrosities.

"Because a lot of tourists come through here," he stated quickly, attempting to stay focused on the subject at hand. "Demons normally congregate in woodlands because it's easier for them to ambush visitors that way, but more have been congregating out here recently since more people are attempting to go to and from Dagen."

"If you knew that, why didn't you wait a day and go out first thing in the morning?"

"Because I knew I'd make it before dark, and this isn't the first time I've done anything like this."

Both of them were taken aback by a loud shriek. Magnus quickly came to a halt, causing Xyra to do the same. They simply stood there, taking in their surroundings. That screech had been different from the others. Instead of a demon chasing prey, it sounded more like a demon being slaughtered by said prey. Demons seldom, if ever, slaughtered other demons, so the two of them weren't the only ones that dared to go after dark.

"Someone else is out here," Magnus said, grinning at the demon's howl. "I believe it's a hunter," I reasoned. Hunters were the only people who dared to confront monsters.