Crossing beyond

Bruno grabbed his book and put on his dark green cloak. When he was about to corner the person who made the noise, Julian got up as he looked at Bruno and gave him a nod. Bruno started to wake up Amber and Amara. They both woke up and looked up at Bruno. Amber rubbed her eye and yawned.

"Bruno, what's wrong?"

Bruno placed his index finger near his lips and told Amber to be quiet. Amber and Amara nodded and quickly got up. Amara looked at Julian. He was holding his sword and pointing the tip towards the rustling bushes; the sound got closer and closer. Julian gritted his teeth and gripped his sword. Then, suddenly a massive beast liked creature jumped from the bushes, letting out a deep growl. It jumped over Julian as it growled louder while glaring at Amara. Everyone was trembling in fear. Julian spun his sword and lifted his sword over his head.

"how about you fight me, huh!?"

The beast looked behind itself, glaring at Julian with its deep glowing red eyes and black mist kept coming from its mouth. It lifted its arm and slashed its claws at Julian. He quickly jumped behind as Julian moved his right foot back and dashed at it but, the beast slammed its paw at Julian, throwing him away, making him hit through a couple of trees.

Amara closed her eyes and started to chant. Amber tried to rush towards Julian but, Bruno blocked her. Julian smirked and whipped his bloody lips as he got back on his feet. He spun his sword again, as flames continued to burn on his sword. The beast started to run towards Julian. He leaped onto the air as he slammed his sword at it but, it used its head to block the attack. The powers kept clashing against each other. Making the area that there were exploding. The grasses turned to ashes, and the trees got thrown away. The energy that was created increased every minute.

Bruno and Amara kept chanting while closing their eyes. I grabbed my sword tightly and kept looking at the beast in horror. Julian and the beast kept going head to head. Their speed was unmatched but, Julian's powers were as strong as the beast. Julian slide back, leaned down, and started to exhale heavily. The beast was untouched but, Julian was covered in brushes. Water droplets started to appear from the ground and started to surround Amara as she opened her eyes, her eyes were glowing in light blue, and the water droplets gathered together created a massive water tornado. She stretched her arm and showed her palm to the beast as the water waves circle around the beast, making it hard to breathe but, the beast looked completely fine. The beast stomped its feet against the ground as the water droplets disappeared into the midair.

"This can't be…"

Amara's eyes widen as she started to the beast completely speechless. Bruno yelled the last line of his spell. Vines started to break out from the ground and started to wrap around the beast's legs. He clenched his fist made the beast fall onto the ground. Julian walked towards the beast. He raised his sword, ready to cut the beast's head off.

Amber rushed towards Julian and stood in front of him, stopping him from harming the beast. Julian growled and glared at Amber as he raised his voice. He wasn't going to lower his sword either.

"Move!"

Amber glared back at him, not planning to move an inch. Julian put away his sword and looked at Amber's sword.

"How about you do it?"

Amber nodded and turned her head towards the beast. She held her sword up, Her deep green eyes turned into bright yellow She could see where to stab the beast. She closed her eyes and stabbed the beast's chest, piercing through it. The beast turned to a black mist and disappeared.

Amber put her sword away and kept her hands together and prayed for the lost soul. She turned around and walked up to Julian and looked at him with a frown.

"What was that?"

Before Julian could answer Amber, Bruno cut into their conversation. He grabbed his bag and gave Julian his.

"Those are called dark creatures…created by the darkness himself"

Amber looked at Bruno that was getting ready to leave. She kneeled and started to collect her stuff and grabbed her bag, putting the strap over her shoulder.

"Dark creatures? It seems that they hold much greater power than a royal."

Bruno covered his mouth and let out a soft chuckle. He waved his hand and wasn't able to agree with Amber.

"No Miss, Amber, those creatures aren't that strong. I mean not yet."

Julian groaned let out an annoying noise, making both Bruno and Amber stop talking. He put his bag strap over his shoulder and looked behind at Amara that was also getting ready to leave.

"Lead the way!"

Amara nodded and started to walk in front of the three of them, soon before the sunrise. They made their way out from the shady dark forest, they started to look around and saw a village ahead of them. Amber looked at the Village in relief.

"Finally…someplace where I can relax."

Julian looked at the village with amazement. His widen up as he clenched tightly onto his bag strap.

"W-we crossed borders…"

Bruno looked at Julian as he looked away and cleared his throat.

"Let's keep going"

He said with a demanding tone. Everyone sighed and walked towards the village and entered it. The village was lively, and everyone seemed to act like nothing was going to happen.

Amber peeked into every store with a watery mouth. She looked at Julian with a pout and begging eyes. Julian rolled his eyes.

"No"

Amber huffed as her stomach growled, Julian face palmed as his stomach growled even louder. Amber covered her mouth and tried to hold back her laughter. Amara walked next to them and smiled gently.

"There is a pub close by, we can get some rooms cheaply and some food."

Julian nodded and followed Amara to the Pub. Bruno watched them walking ahead of him, then he glazed at Amber. She was staring at them as well. Bruno called out for her as she got startled, and answered Bruno.

"Yes?"

Bruno laughed softly,

"We should head to the pub as well."

Amber nodded and walked towards the Pub with Bruno. They entered the pub and a girl with tan skin and dark blue hair, wearing a yellow dress with an apron, greeted them.

"Welcome, fellow travelers!"

Amara smiled and thanked the young girl. She walked towards the counter and ordered some food to eat. Julian, Bruno, and Amber took a seat near the counter. A woman who looked like she was in her 30s placed three wooden beer mugs before the meal. She smiled warmly and started to talk to them.

"So, what are you kids doing here?"

Julian looked at the lady with his usual sharp glaze, making the women flinch to her core. Amara sighed and answered the lady,

"We came to visit the king."

The lady chuckled softly as her warm, welcoming glaze changed into a fearful glaze,

"I see, then let me give you a warning. please do not leave your room after the sunset."

She smiled and walked off to get their food. Everyone's calmed, joyful expressions dropped in too scared, confused expressions.

(to be continued)