Merko kicked Kent away and leapt back to gain additional distance.
He covered his wound, then glared at Kent. It took a moment for his brain to register it all, but Kent didn't wait for him to catch up. He summoned his Thunderstorm Spear in his right hand and stabbed it into the ground.
A tumultuous wave of lightning rolled across the dirt. The magic spread wide enough that it would hit both Yaga and Merko.
"Ms. Holland, jump!" Merko shouted as he took his own advice. Yaga pulled away from her beloved son just enough to see the spell surging toward her.
"Oh, dear!" Howler appeared beneath her, placing her and Eric onto his back, then joined Merko in jumping for safety.
Kent swung the spear in hand like a conductor's baton, motioning for a crescendo. His spear rose, and the lightning followed, chasing Merko and Yaga into the air.
The sight made both people panic; that level of control was the last thing they expected from Kent. Yaga, in a moment of desperation, jumped from Howler's back toward Merko.
"Rene, I need you!" she requested. The hat on her head responded by expanding far beyond its usual size and encapsulating Yaga, Merko, and Eric.
The spell crashed against the hat! Thunder roared through the air, but the spell didn't break through the defense. They were safe…for now.
Kent rushed forward and summoned his Rainstorm Spear into his opposite hand. He spun it overhead, conjuring several spears in an instant, then let them rain down on the hat that was protecting his targets.
The storm of attacks pounded against the fabric like heavy rain on a rooftop, but Rene held strong. Though this situation wasn't good for Yaga and Merko.
"What the hell is up with this guy?" Merko turned to Yaga.
"I think he's cranky?"
"You think?!"
Kent dismissed his lightning spear, trading it for the Hailstorm Spear. He ran forward and slid the spear's tip across the stone platform. Ice trailed behind every spot the spear touched.
"If ya won't come out, then I'll send this inside!" He spun, flipping the spear in his hand, and threw it at the ground right in front of the hat.
From the sky, one of the water spears came down and crashed into the ice spear. The collision triggered a reaction, causing an explosive pulse of ice and water mana to combine.
The explosion began freezing everything within a 10-foot radius.
The giant witch hat being the primary victim of this attack.
The outer fabric froze over, brittling the protection.
Yaga's eyes widened. The ice seeped in through the fabric, signaling that time was not in their favor.
"That's not good," she reached into her bag and began sorting through her things.
Merko, noticing the shift in his partner's demeanor, furrowed his brows. "What's the plan now? If that crazy guy breaks through Rene, then we're both probably in for a tough fight?"
"Okay, I'll be the first to admit that I got distracted when I saw my lovely son again. But we didn't come here to fight. I have to finish the ritual for master."
Merko's eyes lit up. "Right! We just have to finish the ritual! Great idea."
"And you'll have to hold Captain Tyrio off while I do it."
"Of course, I'll have to…wait what?"
Kent wasn't aware of the conversation being held within the hat. And he didn't care either. They still had Eric, and he'd rip everything apart before he let them do anything else to him.
He ran over to the shell that hid his prey from him and slammed his Rainstorm Spear's tip into it.
"Rainstorm: Tidal-"
Before he could launch his attack, the hat shrank. His eyes instantly locked onto Merko, because Eric was now on his back.
The hat landed back onto Yaga's head, and she scampered away. Kent followed her with his eyes for a moment, curious for only a moment. She wasn't his focus for now.
He didn't want to lose anyone else. Not when he was there to protect them.
"Give him to me," Kent growled.
Merko shifted back a few steps. "You mean Eric?"
"Of course, ya dipshit! Give me my brother!"
Merko glanced toward the direction Yaga retreated. "Uh…no?"
Kent's glowing orange eyes constricted. "Then you want to disappear today." With nothing else to say, Kent charged Merko.
His spear pierced the air with precision. Rapid thrusts, each aimed at vital points or spots that would slow his opponent down. Merko did his best to dodge, but found it difficult with Eric on his back.
"Okay, okay! Hold on! My weapons aren't even out yet!"
Kent suddenly switched from thrusts to a swipe at Merko's legs, knocking him completely off balance.
He took the Rainstorm spear in both hands and thrust it straight at Merko's heart.
However, an unexpected claw swipe intercepted the attack. Kent's face twisted. He could see an annoying shadow in the corner of his eye.
That damn wolf was back.
"What's yer problem, pup?" Kent spat. Howler bared his fangs in response.
Merko, meanwhile, was relieved. "Howler, you saved my life." He let out a breath. He didn't realize he was holding his breath.
Realizing this may be his only reprieve, Merko set Eric on the ground behind him. Then he drew a pair of short swords from his sides and smirked.
"Now we can really get started."
Kent clicked his teeth. The situation changed, just like that. Now he was fighting two-on-one. His gaze landed on Eric for a moment.
He was breathing, so that was good.
Merko and Howler charged during Kent's momentary loss of focus. Both attacked from opposite sides.
Kent summoned a hailstorm spear and drew a circle on the floor. The motion summoned large spears of ice from the ground to defend him.
Merko jumped back, while Howler rushed forward, unaffected by the attack. The wolf tried to swipe at Kent, but the boy vaulted over the creature, avoiding the strike.
As he was about to land, Merko charged from the other side. He swung both his blades at Kent in a single line. Kent parried the attack with his spear.
The contact of the spear against metal partially froze one of Merko's blades on contact.
Kent landed on the ground and swung his spear at Merko again, but Howler tackled him before the hit got close.
"Gah! I hate this thing!" Kent yelled. He summoned a rainstorm spear and fired a wave of water to push himself away from the wolf.
Once clear, he flipped up from the ground and stared down his two opponents.
His tactics were working. He could handle one of them, but without being able to hurt the wolf and Merko being so good at finding openings, things were looking dire for Kent.
In the corner of his eye, Kent could see the entrance to Sosech Temple. The mist barrier still shifted, barring anyone from entry. He stared at the area, drawn to it.
His mind still clearly remembered Alisa being dragged inside the temple, so maybe that's why his eyes made him think someone was walking out?
A short figure, taller than his sister but definitely not tall. Was it a person? They looked sort of animalistic?
Sharp eyes, bristled silver hair that fell just at the nape of his neck.
Actually, these details were too specific to be imagination. There was a person coming out of the temple? And, most importantly, they were carrying someone.
They were carrying a girl with long, dirty blonde hair. Her familiar potato sack cloak instantly put Kent on alert.
This stranger was carrying Alisa!
"And now things get even more stressful."