While Anaerah was dominating the battlefield. Zyrus was also fighting his battle, though it was going much different.
'Uh, i ain't surviving today? Am i?' He thought looking at the four enemies from behind.
This group was also just like the one Anaerah faced with...two Novice's, one Unawakened and one intermediate- in it.
However, Zyrus was just a Novice and with no experience much less.
Grimly glancing at the group from the back, he breathed deeply and calmed his nerves. He had to make the first attack work.
Raising himself, from the bushes he stood up.
*****
As the four, assilitants were moving together in a group led by Derek. He suddenly turned his head towards the back and shouted.
"Duck." The three listened instantly without doubting for even a second. They crouched down, just then a whizzing sound slice through the air above them.
They weren't able to see what was that however they were surely able to feel it except the Unawakened one.
It was an intangibly shaped mana in the form of slash which moved through the air above them.
"Don't sit, there disperse." Derek shouted yet it was too late.
Just as the slash of mana phased through the air above them, a projectile moved towards the Unawakened one of the group with a hurtling speed.
It was just a piece of metal with no mana in it, making it harder to sense for a person. A slight piercing sound made the group freeze for a moment.
Turning, they found a small rusted dagger lodged deeply in the heart of Unawakened kidnapper whose eyes were wide in shock, slowly losing their light as blood seeped from the peirced heart.
And yet there was no time.
"Shit." Derek cursed.
Though this time, Derek moved with a rapid speed his axe out in his hand already covered till the point of black and red in demonic energy.
Shouting, he brought the axe down as it collided with something sharp. In an instant the slash of mana that was moving towards his neck was dispersed.
"Tch." Zyrus clicked his tongue from the bushes. However there was no time in battle. Slashes of raw demonic energy flew towards him, with a speed he barely dodged.
Rolling out to escape the slashes, he was forced to come out from the dark cover of night and trees.
Derek's eyes behind his mask widened. As he recognised Zyrus instantly.
'Was'nt this guy Unawakened?' He thought confused.
"You wretchs come out of your shock and stop sitting like a statue." He shouted at the duo who remained alive.
Coming out of their stupuor, they also branded thier weapons out.
"You, weren't you Unawakened? How could you use mana, boy?" He asked now slightly calmed noticing that the boy was only Novice rank.
He wasn't a threat to him in no way.
"Ah... well you just have to be struck by lightning....then kill a person with help of a noble... then be beaten to death like literally, that's it. Quite easy, if i may be honest." Zyrus shrugged as he spoke like he was talking about a walk in the park.
Derek frowned, his mouth twitching.
"What bullshit are you spouting kid? Have you lost your mouth or something?" Derek said.
"No, i didn't-" Even before he finished saying the words. He jerked his hand straight towards, Derek his palm open, fingers pointed towards the man like a gun.
"Slash." Like a gun firing, he spoke and gestured.
Derek's eyes widened, as his instincts rang, blaring. Instantly, he moved his axe towards his chest, just then the invisible slash hit him head on.
A shiver of force running down his body.
Zyrus, the second he was finished firing his slash. Tapped into himself and for the first time he used his affinity.
Crackle...zzzzzt
Sparks of cold purple lightning erupted from his body, burning brightly in the sliver light. Maybe it was because of his loose control or rather he just wanted to look cool...or maybe both.
Zzzzzt
He charged.
Tearing through the moonlight and darkness, a streak of purple of moved towards three man who stood on front.
Clash.
Axe and sword met, as sparks of purple and red formed and dispersed in the air. Derek was an Intermediate being, no matter how or what Zyrus did, surprising him in anyway was hard.
A terrible tremor ran through his body, as the strength of Derek's blow shook his bones in entirety.
'Powerful." He thought.
However this time the Novice weren't standing either. As soon as he had clashed with Derek, they both had also moved.
Turning, his eyes to the side. He could look at the sword coming straight towards him. Still clashing with Derek, he jerked his head down and also in left at the same time.
Two sharp metals, whizzed through his head, as he gritted his teeth fighting with Derek.
However, he couldn't escape the third blow that came from Derek himself as he kicked Zyrus straight in the chest.
From the simple force of the blow, Zyrus was thrown into the air. Pain flared as his ribcage shuddered however he had endured worse.
Turning around mid air, he once again pointed his palm towards the enemy, and this time the Novice.
"Slash." He uttered firing the slash from his hand.
The Novice was fast, however because of the invisible nature of the slash. He wasn't able to escape it harmlessly.
The slash phased through him, cutting straight his hand. His arm was severed.
"Aaah." A guttural scream tore through the Novice as his arm fell off blood flooding from it.
While Zyrus landed in the ground. Though, he also wasn't safe.
"Fuck." He cursed.
Barely raising, his sword towards his stomach he clashed with the axe coming straight for him. However because of not gaining the right balance as he had just landed he wasn't able to put required strength to block correctly.
The blow heavy, he sword nearly broke as he was once again sent in air, this time though crashing straight into the tree.
"Agh." Blood flowed from his mouth.