Becoming Legend

Chapter 46: Hold the Ground

[Warning. Energy level is at 13 percent.]

As ICE prompted Ned's status, the ghastly fume that kept on falling, scattered all over the vast majority of the forest. 

The only group remained were the ones who trusted Ned and Master Will. Scared, the children ran elsewhere to avoid the supposed to be the impact of the Devourer's attack. Granny and Lady Zoreena trailed the kids inside the forest, fearing there might be Ghouls left to haunt them. 

Ned's body couldn't handle the recoil of a tier-four spell. Sweat drifted along with its visage, while he breathes rapidly in a kneeling position. Using the Butterfly as a support to keep him from falling and remain conscious. 

"Mage Park, what are you doing?" Sir Edwin asked. Unsheathing half of his sword, just waiting for Mage Park to answer him obediently. 

"Oh, Knight, you were there, with them? I didn't see you!" replied the Mage. Forcefully using every muscle on his face to smile. 

With the Devourer jerking its head, the mage had a hard time controlling it. The dragon's level was unknown. So the device clinging into its chest like a vine grappling anything just to survive might, or might not work depending on the Devourer's level. Inside the Devourer's chest was an orb, with cranky edges emitting a faint orange to gray light. But, even so, Mage Park's control of an unknown magical beast was already a success. Upgrading the device would give the Organization control over the monster's consciousness regardless of their grade, possibly even a Lord. 

"I should be the one asking you, what are you doing with them? With the kid? With the old man? Are you sure you're not betraying the Or" 

Sir Edwin and Mage Park had their own objectives, interfering with one another is already a betrayal of its own. But of course,  mage Park knew this, he just couldn't contain the excitements. 

But it was too late to regret, too late entirely. Too late to cast a barrier. Lifting an inch out of the sword's scabbard, without fully drawing it, his hands and the sword blurred in a blink, then Sir Edwin trimmed the only hand that the mage used to wield his staff. From almost forty to fifty meters apart, the mage only heard a whistle. 

Scream of agony howled the shelter, the mage cursed the knight. Losing his balance, the standing mage, gripped his left arm, or what's left of it before he fell down. 

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With the event transpired, Master Will, supporting Ned, raised an eyebrow. Looking at the knight which remained static on his feet. Looking at the falling mage, Master Will shifted his gaze on his student, look of sincerity amazed his eyes. He leaned, raising an arm, pinning Ned's head between his arms and close to his head. "Kid always believes in yourself follow this," he whispered. Pointing a finger on Ned's chest, addressing him through his heart. 

"Master," Ned whispered back, he was now being skeptical. 

"It will be fine," said Master Will.

Ned was baffled but was interrupted by the swoosh of wind that made him grip his sword even more. Trying to counter the force that blew his slender body. 

The Devourer knew that the staff was the one controlling him. Eyeing a chance, the Devourer flapped its wings, a gust of wind combined with smoke, blanketed the area, which reduced the visibility to almost zero. The group heard a thunderous boom. Followed by the commotion of falling rocks, and cracking walls. 

With the smoke settled, Ned saw what was left of the orphanage, it was nixed to nothing. The Devourer was atop the stones, bricks, and rocks darting an eye towards the stunned group. A group was suitable for devouring. But with the device attached to its chest, its power was limited. Cunning as he looked, the Devourer howled. Screeching pain echoed throughout the forest.

With the Devourer, unmoving in the center of the commotion. The edge of the forest rustled, stomped of an unknown number stampede the area. It was a dozen kids, screaming, terrified, and in danger, together with Granny and Lady Zoreena. The group ran towards Ned's, and Toni on his side with Naa'ri holding Coco. Xi approached the petrified kids, comforting them of their misery.

"I don't what happened to that thing "- pointing an eye at the Devourer "- but I think it's time for us to leave." Said Xi. 

"No kid," interjected Granny Lola. "Settle your self, nock that bow and be ready, cause a horde of ghouls are coming this way." Chewing a pipe, that made her looked more of a pirate than an old lady. 

"Is there an end to all these!" Naa'ri cried. She just wanted to pass the Selection. But why in the Maker's tongue was she involved in this mess? That's what she thought, for a number of times now. Wanting to survive, she whistled, gripped the circular bow, and nocked an arrow. Seconds later, she tamed the beast, the Falkonet, appeared out in the thin dark sky. 

Thirteen kids were encircled by the group. To fully defend them, they placed them in the middle together with Lady Zoreena and Granny Lola.

Granny wanted to heal Ned, after checking, she determined that Ned wasn't endured at all. So healing had no effect if the subject was only exhausted. 

Encircling the kids were, Ned, Master Will, and Sir Edwin facing the Devourer, who remained quiet. But noticed that the blue viscous light on its chest was slowly creeping the device out its sunken and bony chest. Behind was Naa'ri with her Falkonet, hovering the sky, and Xi fully loading the bow with three arrows. Ned noticed Toni from time to time that when she's gone silent, she was more focused. Letting her be, Toni gripped her Kiki'Dorra dagger with what force left inside her. 

In the suppressed darkness, Toni's cadence breathing was a lullaby to the ear. After a three full breathe, the ground, where the kids settled, shook. Then a barrier made of ice enclosed the frightened kids. The ice was almost ten feet in diameter, and almost a meter wide. Fully capable of blocking the ghoul's attack. 

"Toni," baffled Mama. "When did you"

Toni smiled, darting an eye on Ned. 

"I see, so that's how it is," mama muttered. "Ned boy!" She cried. Tilting her head at Ned. "After all these shit, on this shitty Island, come to the Ring City! look for district Bridgebrook in the Outer Ring!"

"What for," Master Will said, without looking behind his shoulder he answered rather than Ned. He then pulled the iron sword stuck on the ground. 

"Your kid will marry Toni!" She cried. Throwing a laugh so loud the Devourer made a low growl.

Meow!

"What!" Ned, Toni, Naa'ri, Xi, and Granny almost spat a mouthful of blood. With their current situation. Mama really knows how to punch in some jokes. 

"You better make it alive old man!" Mama added. 

"I agree! They need to get married!" Master Will cried. His old voice was suppressed to that of a young man. "But before that!" he brandished his sword. "Here they come!"

A horde of ghoul shook the ground. Trees rustled in the distance. An echo of screech traveled the entire forest. The Devourer howled, once more. 

At the edge of the forests, almost ten meters apart from the group. The first ghoul jumped out of the forest. 

Ned clearly saw the ghoul, as the time stopped for him. With the energy left within him, he cried. "Xi! Wind Lance!"

Xi nodded, even with a short time with Ned, he knows what his friend wanted. "Seven DragonForm one, wind lance!" With less time to cast, Xi indeed improved after he recovered. He raised his hand, then the wind magic that attacked Ned was absorbed by the Butterfly. 

With the Wind Lance absorbed, Ned twisted his waist, lifting the sword, he swung. Like that of a baseball player. He swung then the wind lance's attack was doubled when it exited the tip of Ned's sword. "Ya!" 

The wind lance shot straightforward, impaling six ghouls and thrown almost ten meters. 

"So that's how it is," Sir Edwin muttered to himself. He remained still. Not caring the horde of ghouls charging. 

With the ghoul approaching, Coco dashed with four towards Toni.

Meow!

"I get it cat," Ned said. Biting the skin of his finger. Then giving the blood to Coco. 

After this, the furry white cat transformed into its adult form. Disappearing within the group, Coco in adult form dashed toward the horde of ghouls. Dismembering everything on his way. Head plopped, limbs thwacked, and blood squirted all over. Every time Coco stopped, his clear white fur turned dark crimson with all the ghouls he killed. 

Aside from Master Will, Toni, and Xi, the rest dilated their eyes out of shock. One after the other Ned gave them something to gawk for. Even the war veteran knight, what in the Maker is this kid. His thoughts oozed out of bewilderment. 

Naa'ri saw the process and widen an eye on shock. With the Falkonet gliding, slicing, and picking the ghouls, Naa'ri kept her distance out the ghoul's claws. But this gave her time to assess the situation and surroundings. Eventually noticing the process of Coco turning into an adult. Her chestnut curly hair agreed with her eyebrows now furrowed. 

Minutes passed, Toni, flexibly tumbled around with her dagger. Scratching if not killing the ghoul. Xi uses the bow Ned gave to him, whistles of arrow flew. Hitting the ghouls right into their hollow dark eyes. Master Will was actually impressed with his accuracy. Coupled with his improved focus, Xi's precision went at the top. Grabbing and comforting the kids, mama did her best not to be swayed with the ghoul's frightening scream. On the other hand, Granny was busy piping her smoke. While sometimes, casting a Tier-one healing spell. That almost instantly heals the wound. This time it was Sir Edwin who was amazed by Lola's unorthodox way of using a healing spell.

The group had been holding their ground when Coco transformed back into its normal form. 

That's shorter than before. Ned furrowed his brow. It seemed that Coco's unique was of transformation had some sort of effect. 

[Affirmative. Before, the transformation lasts five minutes. But now. It took only less than three minutes.]

ICE broke Ned's assumption. But it wasn't the time to ponder things. Ned bit another skin of his finger and called out Coco. With the cat nearing. Ned gave Coco another drop of his blood. Which in turn. Made Coco into a murderous thunder cat.

"Ned!" Naa'ri cried. Worry glued on her face. Furrowing her brow she cried once more. "Stop that! You're killing Coco!"