I didn't run for more than a minute before the air behind me was shredded by the fierce, jagged sounds of combat. I skidded to a halt and glanced back. "They really came for her," I muttered.
Three figures, moving with a desperate, frantic speed, had lunged at John from the shadows of the treeline. John had his shield up, braced for the impact, while Sara levelled her staff toward the attackers. Her eyes were cold, reflecting the gathering mana at the tip of her weapon. "Yeah, they're dead," I whispered to myself before turning my gaze back forward.
A fraction of a second later, a dull, bone-shaking thump echoed behind me. A localised explosion of fire and kinetic energy silenced the screams of the three assassins.
In this world, fighting a magician was a gamble; if you could close the distance before they saw you, it was easy. But once your cover was blown and they had a clear line of sight, you were essentially walking into a meat grinder.
