As quickly as it had begun, a shard of glass erupted from the ground just in time to block the arrows like a shield. Quinn jumped from the wagon, landing on his feet. With the corner of an eye, he looked at Lilith as she also jumped from the wagon she was in. Her mane of hair danced in the wind for a moment, before she walked to him.
But Quinn was already focusing on the fight that was to come.
He had seen what Lilith could do with these shields that she conjured — this glass that she could easily manipulate and yet, what he didn't understand was how she was able to do something like this when she was just a summoner. Summoners revoked around conjuring creatures, not manipulating powerful glass.
The other drivers who were with them were already whimpering, caught up with raw fear. Quinn didn't need anyone help in order to know what they were thinking. He could literally hear them mumbling about how they were doomed, about how they were going to die at the hands of these bandits. But Quinn wished he could tell them today was not the day.
"Quinn, it's dangerous. We have to stay close by..." Lilith said, her voice trembling slightly. "I told you these bandits were strong."
"We don't know that for sure..." Quinn said, looking at the track that had once been blocked by flames. The flames that once danced in the air were gone, as if they were never there. Which meant, one of these bandits was a mage. He smirked, running a hand through his hair before he walked a little towards the barrier. "...they are somewhere around us. But we can't let them get to us."
"You don't suppose you want me to go chase them in the woods?" Lilith asked.
Quinn sighed. "No. How long can you keep this barrier in tact?"
"For as long as I'm around..." Lilith said.
"Good then," Quinn wished he could show how thrilled he felt. "I want you to stay here, make sure you're keeping these wagons safe."
"What about you?" Lilith asked.
"I'm going into the woods.... I have to find them." Quinn said.
Lilith raised an eyebrow. "Off to play hero, are you?"
"Yes." Quinn walked towards the glass, before he mumbled. "Take it down."
"Just make sure you come back alive." Lilith said.
The glass dissolved just in time to let Quinn walked past it. He could feel Lilith's magic building up behind him as he walked, his hands clutched behind his head. The wind blew past his face, the raw scent of decay rushing down his nostrils as he entered into the woods, far from any prying eyes.
This was just what he wanted at the moment.
*
Quinn sprinted through the woods, his feet pounding against the ground as he tried to locate the source of the magic that had been used to create the illusion earlier. He had sensed that one of the bandits was a mage, and the easiest way to find them was by following the pulse of magic. He still remembered that very same lesson that Ares taught him a few days back. As he ran, he focused on the pulses of magic emanating from the woods and they seemed to be coming from two different locations. The beats were distinct, but one was stronger, more powerful.
Quinn followed the stronger beat, his senses on high alert. The woods blurred around him, the trees merging into a green and brown haze. He could feel the magic growing stronger, closer, and he knew he was getting near.
Suddenly, a figure emerged from the trees, his face masked and his eyes gleaming with a predatory intention. Quinn recognized the signs of magic gathering in the air, and he knew he was in for a fight.
The bandit weaved handseals in the flash of an eye, channeling enough of his magic to unleash a blast of wind that hit Quinn like a solid wall, sending him sliding backward.
Quinn's stomach muscles tensed as he absorbed the impact, his eyes never leaving the bandit, but the force of impact made his cough. He could see the magic building up again, and he knew he had to act fast.
"I'd give up if I were you," Quinn said. "Just take me to your leader, and I promise you, I'll let you go easily."
The bandit laughed, his fingers merging to form another seal. The air charged with enough magic to unleash something equally powerful. He screamed. "The only person who seems to be at a disadvantage is you!!!!!"
And with that, he unleashed a bolt of lightning that raced straight towards Quinn. Quickly, Quinn dodged by jumping to the side, evading a blast that scorched the nearby tree, laving its trunk dry.
'These idiots never learn, do they?' Quinn thought, gathering up his own magic. By letting his magic spread throughout his muscles, he felt his feet lighten up just enough to boost his speed. He cleared the distance between him and the bandit, quickly thrusting a hand, grabbing him by the collar and throwing him straight towards the other trees.
The bandit flipped midair, weaving another handseal but with a single hand this time. However, instead of crushing into the wood, the wind around him created a small whirlwind that caught him above ground. Dust and debris slowly rose into the air, rotating around him to create a pillar.
Quinn smirked, fascinated by this kind of magic. But he could literally tell it wasn't anything compared to the one that he was using. His was stronger, and he could feel the difference in power between them.
"You think brutal force can do me any harm?" the bandit asked, laughing from where he was. And with that, he started making arrows made of wind to start shooting straight at Quinn, who was just dodging by jumping left, right...left, right...
But at one time, Quinn just mumbled — "Foxfire!" And flames erupted from the ground beneath him, spreading like a pool of scarlet before a pair of foxes made of fire started growling, as they appeared from the flames.
The foxes started running straight towards the bandit, where they jumped into the whirlwind, exploding upon impact and disrupting it. Which made the bandit fall. Quinn started walking straight towards the man, his hands tucked in his pockets...his eyes glowing with sinister intent.
The bandit's eyes widened with fear as Quinn approached him. "Who the heck are you?!" he asked, his voice shaking.
Quinn smirked, saying... "Give me what I want, and I'll let you go!" But just as he was close enough, an arrow suddenly pierced through the wind, before it lunged itself on his shoulder, causing blood to splatter.
Quinn's eyes narrowed, remembering that there was another bandit who had once used arrows.... dammit.