Run, or you'll be trampled by Beast stampede.

MAGNUS

The thunderclouds hovered above us, almost touching the high mountains on the other side. Behind the barrier, is the thousand feet cliff. The wind whips across our cloaks. My eyes stay transfixed to the sinister grin of the Beasts, the apprehensive stare of the Dark Elf on his mane and the creepy smile of the Faery woman.

I tiptoed to the left, pat the Rank Elder once.

"This won't be the last time we meet. I will come back. I will find the Eklektos and bring them here. So tell my friends in the Rank 12 to wait for me. I want big feasts and chugs of beer when I get back."

His thoughts didn't come across my mind again. He just smiled at me. One last time. And I look over their faces one last time. Eyes as stern as ever. No emotions can be traced on their lips. I thought this is probably the lamest way to bid farewell.

When no one actually say "Be careful on your way" and "We will wait for you". If only Roland and Thomas is here I would have tackled both of them into a hug. No. I slap my cheeks and look ahead. Focus Magnus. At this point, your feelings aren't important.

I tuck the cloak and adjusted the mask. Sauntered across the edge of the ravine. The Rank Elders never paid me attention. I inhaled a shaky breath. Kicking and twisting my feet to ready myself to jump. I take one, two three step back and run – just before the cliff, I take off and start flying across the ravine.

My arms clutch desperately to the mask so it won't fall off. The other hand grips the hold of the cloak on my shoulders. Before I know it, I hit the ground with a loud thud. I stumble forward and roll in the sand, ingesting some dust in my mouth.

I spit it out. Heart hammering against my chest. That was some landing impact. Oh no, they'll fine me. No escape. I'm doomed. I turned my head at the two Faeries standing a good five meters away from me.

They have their eyes busy at the red cloak figures standing in front of them. A white smoke sizzling bat their feet. The Rank Ruler raised his bronzed spear and summon cackles of lightning from the sky. The Rank Ruler clashed his spear with his staff, eating away the lightning. The Faery woman shoots her scaly tongue to the Rank Elders. One held out his wrist to hold her off. It didn't work. She whisked her tongue and slammed it across his chest. Tearing the skin and flesh beneath his cloak.

"GO." The Rank Elder's sharp hissing voice crossed my head. It stung my ears.

He's right I must go. They must have attack at the same time I leapt. I must not let their efforts go to waste. I need to get away. In a split second I'm already on my feet, coursing through the oversize bodies of the Beasts.

Skillfully maneuvering my feet, not letting a sound escape from my quick foot work. I joined the group of thick trees to my right, leaping over branches and sprints as fast as my feet could take me. My sight is slowly diminishing. I can't see any colors – only blurs beyond me. My hearing and smell is greatly affected as well.

Only the creaking of woods in the area close to me is what I hear. Not the battle going on – or it finally concluded. I know deep down they're no match to them... but I hope they're alright. I hope they can go back victorious to my fellow Rankers.

Our Capricorn Kingdom - without Rank Ruler and Elders is a disaster.

I sizzle at the intensity of the Rank Ruler clashing his staff to the Dark Elf. The lightning strike of that bronze spear is no joke. He only missed me by a few inches on purpose. But if he's serious in eradicating the Rank Ruler – even that staff with blue sparks are no match for that spear.

I'm tempted to remove the cloak as I book through the thick woods, my legs are pumping for all they're worth – I've spent my childhood running and battling large monsters and is now showing my progress. This place ain't familiar to me but my body remembers how to navigate through the woods. It knows when to land in the dirt for safe clearing or the spot sleek with mud – the place to avoid.

My knees are well accustomed to tromping through the stalks of leg high grass, feet know just when to hop over roots to avoid tripping from the wet surface.

No one has come after me. I think I made it far from their position. But it still not enough. No place is safe once the Mark no longer protects our immortality. Out here I'm vulnerable – expose – the cloak is both a protection and a handicap.

I tried to tear my veins over my pale skin. It didn't work. As I thought, one of its effects is suppressing my Koha technique. I have no means of offense under the protection of this enchanted safeguard. I break into the open field and squint.

In here, there's no plants or any creatures alive on sight. Or at least – as far as my poor eyesight could reach. I huffed. I slowed down to catch my breath.

I let my guard down a bit. And that was foolish of me. The ground shook slightly on my feet. My defective sense can't tell which way it came from. Without thinking I remove the mask. And a blast of wind whizzed in all direction.

Making my presence known...

To the Black Beasts marching to my right.

Among the Beasts race, they are the strongest. Is what the Rank Elders told me. I never actually met one so I can't confirm how much of it was true. This time I wanna smack the truth right to their faces.

Rank Elders said they are the strongest, they forgot to mention they're ten times more nasty looking than the Gray and Red Beasts.

They're gigantic. At least eight foot tall, they have scaly black oily skin. The type that shines when broiled in direct heat. Their faces resemble a horse, but the body is horrifyingly in human shape with long clawed fingers and toes. Large membranous wings spread wide in the air as they flew in my direction.

Spikes lined on its back with barbed tails lashing and whipping the wind as they flew. Their snot is bigger than their horns, and when they grin, teeth in different sizes and sharpness protrudes.

But it was the face that was most cringing to look at. They have four eyes. And the eyeballs rattled as if someone is juggling it for fun, then it bulge and burst out of their eye socket. Replaced by other pairs of eyes.

When the eyeballs landed around me, they drastically grew in sizes. Until I'm facing two foot tall monster with an identical face to the Black Beast. Only smaller, as if these are their children