The impact of Bell’s arrow was heavy. The force was greater than the first arrow she fired, greater than all the arrows she had fired in her entire life. The ground thumped as Renbao’s body smashed into it. The arrow of wind landed directly on his chest. His garb tore from the impact, blood creeped out his golden electrified hair and down his face. His body lay stiff on the floor, for a second, it appeared he was knocked out completely. The candle which fell out of Renbao’s hand had rolled a distance away.
“Bingo.”
…..
“I HAVE A PLAN. LISTEN TO ME.” Finn said, his voice echoing within them. “WE’RE GOING TO FORCE OUR WAY INTO THE DOME NOW WHEN HE LEAST EXPECTS IT. BELL WILL SHOOT TWO MORE ARROWS. ONE WILL SHATTER THE DOME AND THE OTHER WILL SMASH HIS HEAD IN. TOBEY YOU MUST BE READY, GRAB THE CANDLE AND EXTINGUISH IT.”
“It won’t work,” Bell complained. “I’m running low on mana. I can’t fire any more arrows as powerful as the first one.”
“YOU CAN AND YOU WILL. IF YOU THINK TELEPATHY IS ALL I CAN DO WITH MY MAGIC…”
Bell suddenly raised her bow behind her, aiming at the noise she heard. From the cloud of smoke, Finn appeared.
“…Then you are seriously wrong,” Finn said.
“Finn!”
“Give me your hand,” Finn asked, stretching his hands to her. Bell smiled and brought out her heavy hands, giving it to him.
Her palms were coarse and her hands felt heavy. Finn could feel it. The number of times she had pulled the bowstring. Only hundreds upon hundreds of shooting practice could result in these sorts of blisters.
“Spirits of Quanar, I call for the strength of a hundred. Manilis Dreg.”
Suddenly Bell felt the mana within her rise. Her gauntlet shined, echoing a soft ring. She gripped her bow and smiled, nodding at Finn who nodded in response.
“There’s no time to waste,” Finn said.
Bell looked to the sky. The sun had gone down and the stars started to shine in the darkness. As they began a short sprint towards the dome, Bell could feel the air and dust particles on her skin. She could hear Finn’s steps thumping in her ears, the sound of lightning cracking as they closed in on the dome. She didn’t have to squint to see through the dust. Her vision was clear…too clear. All over her body, it was like her senses had been amplified.
This is incredible. Bell thought as she stared at Finn. They made a beeline for the dome. Bell held her bow and tugged at the string. She drew a breath as she held the bow, running forward. Running faster and faster. Finn who ran beside her switched directions to the right, running towards Tobey.
Bell looked up to the dome of lightning, aimed, and fired.
The invisible wind left her bow with a BOOM. It smashed against the dome shattering completely, the force of the shot completely dispelling the dominant mana of lightning. With that one shot, she jumped into the air and dragged the bow a second time. Before Renbao could turn, she was midair, in his face.
With the second shot, she crashed Renbao into the ground, skidding as she landed awkwardly on her feet. Finn who ran to Tobey placed his hand on his back. He asked no questions as to Tobey’s appearance or his injuries. “Manilis Dreg.” He chanted.
Tobey burst out as he heard the chant. The blood in his veins boiled and he could feel his muscle stretch. Blood etched out his teeth as he dashed forward, faster than before, aiming for the candle on the ground.
“Too slow.”
Renbao disappeared and grabbed the candle away. Tobey moaned as the hot wax spilt to his hands. So close!
Bell aimed again, with dome gone, Renbao had lost his defenses. She shot her arrows. Each shot was dodged in quick succession by Renbao. His golden eyes bolted left and right, alternating between Tobey and Bell.
He found Finn behind them. His hands weaved together meant his chant was still active. His eyes shined in the darkness, balls of green glaring at him.
“Eyes here!” Tobey ferally lunged at Renbao with his bone blade, swinging and slashing at him without rest. Renbao felt a sharp pain in his chest where he had been hit by the arrow. The same spot Tobey was aiming for. He could not teleport anymore, his leg would not take the force of it. He did not have to; the candle was about to burn out. If all they had were relentless brute attacks, all he had to do was evade.
Tobey bit his lip as he withdrew the bone blades back into his body. The blades peeled against his skin as they retracted. He groaned and rushed towards Renbao like a raging beast, the red shine in his eyes almost terrifying. Renbao staggered backwards.
Now! Bell’s shot went flying and hit his hand. The candle toppled off, flying in the air. Pain surged through Tobey’s body as he jumped and stretched his bleeding arms again for the candle.
Renbao hissed. In an instant, he weaved his hands and cast a chant. A bolt of lightning left his fingertips and struck Tobey midair. Tobey screamed in anguish. Renbao gave him no space, grabbing his leg and throwing him to the ground. Blood and spit poured from his mouth as his body landed heavily.
Renbao turned to Bell who fired a shot at him, he dodged and grabbed the candle. He turned to Bell disappointed at her last shot.
“A terrible miss.” He said to a panting Bell. Bell fell to knees, exhausted.
“She never missed.” Finn’s voice came from behind him. “It was a good distraction.”
Renbao felt a chill run down his spine. His senses had switched off suddenly bar his sight and his body froze. The dust had gathered from Bell’s shot so he could not see through. Suddenly the two glints of green in the darkness caught his eyes. Finn grinned at him. His hands had weaved another chant in the cover of the dust cloud.
This kid!
Suddenly, he felt a tug against his hand. Tobey gripped the last burning bits of the candle. But Renbao’s fist clenched it tightly.
“Hey…Do you want me to fail that badly, huh?” Tobey glared at Renbao.
“I can’t hold him for long Tobey!” Finn yelled.
Tobey narrowed his eyes and gave a bloody smile. “Too bad for you, eh?”
He squeezed his fist and drove it forward. Tobey’s punch was the first thing Renbao would feel as soon as Finn released his chant and it would be the last thing he would feel as his body collapsed to the ground. The candle rested in Tobey’s arms, the flame alight.
It took a few seconds for Tobey to realise he had the candle in hand. His breathing was still heavy and he bled from his wounds. His vision struggled to stay clear, blurring with shades of red. Blood trickled down from his head.
“We did it…” Tobey muttered, panting. He turned his head towards Finn who sat on the floor gasping for air. “Thank you.”
“I don’t need your gratitude. But you owe me,” Finn replied.
“Is it over?” Bell called out. She lay motionless on the ground staring into the starlit sky.
“…I think so.” Tobey stared at the aftermath of the short battle. The field was ruined, surely there would be consequences. But not for him, not this time. This time, it would be his supervisor.
Tobey turned to Renbao’s body. His expression turned horrified. “Hey hey hey hey hey…”
Bell and Finn raised their heads and together they watched, stunned, as the flashes of lightning burned the body and it disappeared. Not even the clothes nor his hair remained.
“What just happened?” Tobey’s voice leaked out.
“You successfully collected the candle back.”
Renbao’s voice drew their attention. They turned to the right, staring as he approached them. His appearance was different. His hair was neat, as closely packed as before. His garb was untouched. Not even a speck of dust was on it. Tobey looked at Renbao’s feet. The deep red that stained his boot was gone.
“Surprised?” Renbao asked as he chewed on his toothpick.
“…”
Renbao stared at their pale faces. He couldn’t help himself, bursting into a hard laugh.
Finn stood up; he had a good idea of what was happening. “Was that a clone?”
“Exactly,” Renbao replied. “I used a clone of myself to fight you.”
“You played with us?” Finn asked, his voice rising.
“On the contrary, I was serious from my first chant,” Renbao replied as he walked forward to them. “The fight was set up in a way that you couldn't win without working together.”
“What do you mean?” Finn asked.
“I had seen your profiles after the test and I already knew what type of magic you and our girl were using. In as much as the test was a punishment for Tobey, I already decided in my head without telling you that it was going to be a test for the both of you too.”
Bell raised a brow. “…Wait, does that mean?”
“Yes. If you and the pretty boy had refused to help Tobey and watched him fail, you all would have failed.” Renbao replied bluntly.
“Is that so?” Finn asked, irked.
Tobey who glanced a look his way let out loud laughter. “Guess that means I don’t owe you anymore.”
“Don’t be mistaken, I’m the one you should be grateful to.” Finn glared at him.
Bell moaned, “You guys…”
“Anyway…” Renbao continued, interrupting them, “I can’t say I wanted you all to pass but…I’m impressed. For now.” He smiled and rose his fingers, pointing.
“And so are they.”
The trio looked up and out of the windows of the closest stone buildings, several heads stared in their direction, clapping and screaming. The battle at the field had caught the attention of other supervisors. Tobey smiled, waving his hand at one who waved in his direction.
“Your classes begin in two days. Bell, Finn head to the dorm. Tobey, follow me, let’s get your wounds looked at.” Said Renbao.
Finn and Bell nodded and walked away.
“See you, Tobey!” Bell waved with a smile. Tobey smiled and waved back. He groaned as his arm fell to the side. The backlash of the chant Finn used was going to be heavy considering his state.
“You pushed too hard,” Renbao said, drinking from his cup.
“Obviously. A test like that won’t be able to stop me.”, Tobey replied with a grin.
The edge of Renbao’s lips rose to a smile. “Good. You’re going to need that resolve. Let’s go.”
Renbao turned to walk away, but Tobey stayed put. A few paces later, Renbao turned his head. “…Tobey?”
“I’m sorry but, can I stay behind for a bit?”
Renbao looked at the kid, shook his head and sighed. “Sure. I’ll be waiting up ahead.” He replied.
Tobey held the candle in his hands and squeezed. Amidst the screams from the onlooking crowd, he lifted his head and turned to the sky. The breeze blowing against him was warm, calming, reminding him of a time far gone.
…Are you watching, Dad?
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