Journey Towards Deadmans' Edge

Racing through the Redwoods at the height of noon, the blazing heat blanketed the land, drying the crispt leaves.

Aurelia littered in a heavy sweat, cursed beneath her breath, and wiped her brow. She chased after Balder as the echoes of roars bellowed from the shadows of the woods where deep-sets of scarlet eyes gleamed, a beastal light.

It had been five days since the start of their journey towards the Deadmans' Edge, and only horror seemed to follow with each passing day. Bodies of young were, but common sight as various beasts feasted over the remains throughout the Redwoods.

Cries would echo through the night and wails of mercy through the day. It was a hellish warzone, especially for Tena and Nila, who had a more delicate upbringing. Even Sionn and Ella had begun to feel exhaustion through the constant battle each day, as various scars started to appear around their bodies.

Their supplies began to dwindle with each cut or scrape, causing their injuries to fester and their minds to wain.

Gitting her teeth at her comrades in a tattered state, Aurelia suddenly pivoted off her feet into the air into a seamless manner as a sudden claw leaped from out of the bushes. Revealing an Oros Wolf, an in-bred beast that was no larger than a typical wolf but held enough power to tear a humans' arms away with a single swipe of his vicious claw.

Dark as the night, the Oros Wolf howled as seven more raced from the shadows towards Aurelia and her team. Landing on the top of a branch, Aurelia did not stop to battle, as these wolves feasted on Cre'von for fun. They were powerful beasts at tier two that would usually require a team of three Arcana Warriors to kill one.

Flashing from branch to branch like a ninja, the Fallen glanced down towards Ella and Sionn, chasing after her. Her worry was not the other three cursing as they struggled to keep up.

"Ella!" Caldor howled as three Oros baring their fang lunged towards the young warrior gripping his iron sword; he turned and swang in a panicked manner, severing a single head as two vicious claws tore through his chainmail, cutting deep into his arm and leg.

Hearing his cry for help, Ella revealed a cruel smile as she raced ahead, not wishing to stop for anything. She knew she did not owe Caldor anything, allies, or not. Stopping meant death.

Having made her decision, Sionn by her side said nothing, as he felt the same. Caldor was a bother who had offended him more times than he could count.

"You bastards!" Caldor cried as his skin turned bloodshot red, and his hair stood on end. "Bloody Fiend," He screamed in fright, activating an Arcane Technique that burned the arcana within his body for power. Allowing him to Climb to new heights, his body blitzed, passing his comrades. He arrived at Balder in a matter of seconds only to dismiss his Technique.

Destroying the formation order, Aurelia did not say a word. Still, she observed with indifference as two minor firebolts flashed through the breeze blasting the remaining two Oros Wolves whose gaze landed on Tena and Nila. Shooting the Oros Wolves off their feet, two painful whimpers rang through the air as the wolves skidded over the ground.

Knowing her damage was far weaker without the Eldritch staff, Aurelia narrowed her eyes and moved ahead. She had long noticed that physical exhaustion had long lost meaning to her. Days had come and gone, but ever since the slaughter with the Cre'von. Her body had lost its ability to sleep, or at least she didn't feel the need to rest anymore.

Lost in this world where absorbing Acana didn't increase your strength, Aurelia focused on her skill throughout the night. Each night she would carry forth an endless number of sword strokes, changing and twisting them, over and over, and applying these changes in the heat of battle during the day.

While the sensation of death was locked over the hearts of everyone, only excitement towards the feeling of death seemed to fuel Aurelia's, young heart. Dodging at the moments of Death's cold touch, cutting through the flesh of her enemies, bathing in the warm flow of blood. It was nothing but entertainment to her, no matter how she tried to control herself.

"Master Balder, there is no use running anymore. We cannot escape. The Wolves are too fast, and there are sure to be a pack of Cre'von hidden in the shadows, somewhere. We must fight," Caldor pleaded with a pale grimace. " Tena and Nila will not survive if we keep running. Look at them."

Baldor frowned and shot a cold glance towards the two young ladies littered in blood. Their breathing was heavy with two large bags under their eyes. Deliberating the longer he ran, panic shot through Caldors heart.

"My Lord, please. Not even you will survive by yourself. The wolves are bound to catch us. They are trying to exhaust us." He cried, gripping his sword tightly. "We can no longer run from the Wave but must face them head-on."

"It's only day five, yet we are like this." Baldor cursed, knowing something had to be wrong.

Lord Ryker, the Chancellor of Winterpool, had informed him of each wave and the trouble he might face, but all he was shown here had proved his father wrong.

Clitting his tongue, Baldor snapped his gaze upon Aurelia, who nodded in agreement the moment she felt his gaze.

Suddenly stopping, high up in the tree, Aurelia opened her palm and had the Eldritch staff materialize within her left hand. Pulsing with an evil aura, the leaves upon the Redwoods began to wither.

Lustful of the coming battle, Ella and Sionn soon stopped just beneath the tree in which she resided, as the Fallen gave her commands, "Ella, you are in charge of healing but only if necessary, Sionn you protect her, no holding back. I know you two are not tired like everyone else."

Sionn chuckled, swiping his scimitar through the breeze. "Finally! My blood has been boiling for a while now. I would rather fight till noon than flee." He claimed and licked his chapped lips that cracked with blood, "Master was right to send us here."

Ella nodded as her eyes slowly began to take on a scarlet hue. Brewing with a foreboding glint, the sight of blood fell into her sight. "Let us have a feast."

"You three are madmen!" Nila cried, covered in tears to Baldors disgusts as she stuck near him.

"They are warriors," Baldor barked, narrowing his wolf-like eyes. He stared coldly at the dozen or so enemies circling them. A dagger and longsword soon flashed into the palm of his hands. Reverse gripping his dagger and narrowing the tip of his longsword towards the wolf of his eye, he waited.

"It's the only way," Tena calmly remarked, panting for air. She held her head up and readied her weapon. "This is how we survive."