BOOM!
Dust and debris flew in all directions as a towering black panther with feathered wings landed a few ters away from Adam and his squad.
The ground cracked underneath the majestic beast, forming a small crater. The beasts and trees that happened to be around were instantly killed by the sheer force generated by the landing.
After the dust cleared, Valerian proudly raised his head and roared, signaling his arrival.
An invisible wave of energy erged from his maws, rippling all across the clearing. Everyone except Adam went into a daze, their minds clouded by a mystical fog.
Adam's pupils constricted as he thought to himself in shock, Could this perhaps be the fabled dragon's breath?!
Does Val know what he's doing... or is this unintentional?
He snapped out of his train of thought when Valerian looked at him and urged, "Brother, hurry! We must leave!"
The raven-haired youth patted his students and the two Acolytes, injecting a faint ripple of mana into their nervous systems to wake them up from their stunned state.
"Huh?"
"W-What just happened?"
The three young Magi were confused montarily before they heard Adam's grave voice. "Get on Val. Quick!"
One by one, the squad mbers hurriedly climbed atop Valerian's back. Once everyone had got on, everybody inside the clearing had snapped out of their disorganized and confused state of mind.
The wolves and trees around Valerian frantically approached him, trying to stop him from taking flight.
anwhile, the Magi in the distance saw him and couldn't help but call out in desperation.
"W-Wait! Wait for us!"
"Take us with you!"
"You cannot leave us!"
"Please, I beg you!"
Adam completely ignored the Magi's plea for help. He couldn't care less whether they lived or died. All that was in his mind was the safety of his squad and himself.
"Brother, let's go!" Valerian said with an urgent tone.
The wolves and the trees were getting closer and closer. Although the forr wouldn't be able to attack them from long range, the sa couldn't be said for the trees.
Adam saw that the nacing trees had already begun whipping their serpentine branches and roots, attempting to restrain the young dragon to the ground.
"Hmph!" Adam coldly harrumphed as he weaved a series of complex hand signs at lightning speed and then pressed his palms on the ground.
Rank 2 Spell: Great Pillar!
A thick, earthen pillar erged from underneath Valerian, propelling him toward the sky. anwhile, the branches and roots of the trees had ended up failing to take him down.
Adam cast a minor Rank 1 spell and imdiately froze all his enemies in the vicinity, making sure none could co near the pillar.
Then, he jumped toward the top of the pillar.
"No!!"
"Don't leave us!!"
Seeing Adam and Valerian getting away, the rest of the Magi knew that all their hopes of escaping this place had been thoroughly shattered.
All that awaited them was death.
Mayor Hobbs glanced at the Great Pillar slowly disintegrating into dust after Adam got on Valerian's back and flew away.
His eyes narrowed as he saw the panther flying into the distance, but instead of feeling hopeless and desperate, he heaved a sigh of relief.
I thought that our plan was ruined...
He then glanced at all the humanoid-shaped trees that had co to life and couldn't help but nervously gulp.
Fortunately, he was very thorough... or else I can't imagine what would have happened.
The night sky was gradually lit up by bright streaks of light. The twin moons, Selene and Luna slowly dipped below the horizon, while the sun began to shine.
Mayor Hobbs gazed at the rising sun with a devout and reverent look in his eyes.
Even though he was surrounded by wolves and trees from all sides, there was not a shred of fear in his heart.
"After centuries... the day has finally arrived. Tonight, when the blood moons rise, everything will co to fruition!"
...
Valerian soared above the Weeping Woods, flapping his wings and flying with ease.
Although the number of people on his back did not put a strain on him, his expression was ugly regardless. He couldn't help but complain, "Brother, are you sure? Must we really go back to Stratford?"
Adam ignored his question and asked a question of his own, "Did you do what I asked you
to?"
"Yes." Valerian nodded. "All five wells have been mixed with that potion you gave ."
"Good," said Adam solemnly.
Suddenly, Aiden pointed at the forest beneath them and yelled out in shock, "Look!"
Everyone lowered their heads and glanced at the live trees in the Weeping Woods. Until now,
all the trees were moving in the direction of the Howlett Manor.
But suddenly, there was a partition and the trees were now moving in the complete opposite
direction.
And in that direction lay the town of Stratford!
Realizing this, Adam asked solemnly, "What's the situation in the town?"
Valerian replied with a grim tone, "It's bad. Those trees suddenly ca alive and have now
completely surrounded the town."
"What?!" Wagner blurted out in shock. "They surrounded the town? Why?!"
Kenley chid in, "No, wait! Is Rayna safe? What about the other townfolk?"
"That's the strange part," said Valerian as he continued to flap his wings.
"The trees have surrounded the town, standing right outside its walls. They haven't attacked
a single person inside. It looks like their motive is to prevent anyone from going out or
coming in."
Adam's eyebrows wrinkled into a frown as he contemplated, As I thought!
That entity must be planning to hold a ritual, and for that, he needs the residents of Stratford!
The rays of the early morning sun drove the darkness of the night away, but the gloom inside
Adam's heart remained.
Tonight's the night of the blood moons, he thought.
If my speculations are correct, then the evil entity beyond the red door will be making a move tonight...
His eyes narrowed and a cold light flashed in them.
But I won't let you succeed!
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