"You know this isn't what I imagined when I took up your offer to join this mission", Poke gagged as he looked around the small cave.
On their way to the other village Lyra and Poke they noticed a bunch of vultures circling an area. Walking off the road, they began to walk through a small forest. Following the vultures flying in the air.
After about five minutes of walking they ended up finding a cave with a terrible smell coming from it. Whoever was using the cave didn't really care for the presentation, Poke assumes they used it for a ritual but would have to take a look inside to make sure.
Lyra's face looked green as they looked at the ripped apart pieces of meat scattered across the ground. Guts and blood laid dried in an intricate circle.
"I've seen a lot of deaths, but this is the worst", Poke continued as start to move things around the small cave.
The meat laid spoiling on the ground as flies buzzed around the left over entrails all over the ground. It seemed as if everything was in a pattern, yet Poke couldn't tell what they were. There was nothing else of note he could see from the cave.
He used his hand to hold up a small ball of fire to help to see the darker areas. Around them was skin that was skin hanging up on a rack. Poke couldn't determine if that was from an animal or person.
Retching could be heard from outside the cave, after Lyra ran out earlier. Poke just sighed as he went to check up on her. Lyra was beginning to stand up straight as Poke approached her.
You okay", Poke asked.
"Yeah I'm fine, just the smell began to get to me.", Lyra replied as she used the bottom of her shirt to wipe the throw up from her mouth.
"Welp suffice to say we know what happened to the animals.", Poke commented as he turned back to the entrance of the cave.
Lyra nodded her head in agreement, "It's weird why steal all of these animals just to kill them?"
"That's the question isn't it. Maybe it was for a ritual though, I didn't notice any symbols that could've been used for summoning.", Poke added.
"Interesting", said Lyra. "I think it's best we go get Sami and Zoe before heading back to the school. I feel we should report what we have to the higher ups before moving forward."
Poke didn't say anything as began to follow her back on the road. The quiet was a solemn one due to Poke having a feeling much more was going on. He tried to remember how the body parts were laid on the ground. He couldn't fathom how they could be used for a ritual.
As the village came into being, many people began to run from. Some bump into Lyra and Poke as they all rush from the village.
The sky began to turn dark as black wisps began to form into balls. Lyra and Poke looked on in shock as it began to grow large. Almost enough to encompass half of the village in size. The winds that it kicked up were so heavy that buildings began to get blown away.
"What the fuck is that", Yelled Lyra over the loud winds.
"I don't know", Poke replied.
He could feel the wrongness of the energy radiating from the ball as it stayed in the air. People who had the energy to move were still scrambling to get away. Though some laid on the ground unmoving. Dead from being blown away by the heavy winds.
"Fuck we have to get in there", Shouted Lyra. "Even if we can't save some of the people we can at least make sure Sami and Zoe are okay." Lyra turned to look at him to see if he agreed with her idea.
Poke didn't reply as he quickly tackled Lyra to the ground. A giant shockwave blew through the area as rocks and debris got kicked up. Though as quickly as the shockwave kicked up it stopped.
Lyra pushed Poke off of her as she stood up.
"A thanks would be sufficient.", Muttered Poke he began to brush dirt off his clothes. The back of his shirt was full of holes as he got battered by rocks and other things. Though he didn't really feel hurt from it.
"Now isn't the time Poke", Lyra replied as she looked around at the destruction.
"You're always a b-", Poke started before he trailed off.
The entire village was flattened, almost as if it was never there. The ground was blackened as parts of it were on fire. The bodies that were once there laid in ashes as the world grew quiet. The air itself felt like it was burning how terrible the attack was.
"What the fuck is going on", Lyra whispered as stared around in shock.
The black ball came flying at them as Sami got his shield up to protect them. The ball burned everything it touched as the animals that were around instantly turned to ash. The ground turned the same color as the ball from the heat.
The water in the air began to evaporate due to how hot the ball of dark was. The air felt like it was burning with each breath they took.
Zoe tried not to scream as she kneeled Sami as he sat on the ground. What felt like hours, but what was really seconds as the ball grew closer before making contact. Zoe saw nothing but darkness as the ball collided with the shield.
Sami was struggling to hold the shield as blood began to drip down his nose. Zoe had nothing to say, no words of encouragement as she watched Sami fight to keep holding.
Luckily the ball exploded, causing a great thing of wind and fire to shoot out in all directions. The pressure was so great it pushed Sami's shield into the ground, creating a huge circle in the ground.
"Fuck!"Sami shouted as the gauntlets on his hands began to burn his skin. Falling to the ground as he tried to stop the pain. His head was pounding as blood flowed from his nose.
Zoe gulped at what happened, thankful that Sami had enough power to stop the blast from harming them. Around her was a giant circle in the ground after the ball exploded against the shield.
"Zoe", Sami called as he tried to get her attention.
Zoe snapped out of her thoughts and she turned to stare at Sami. No words could describe how terrible he looked. His shirt laid in tatters as one of his arms laid limply against his side. Burn marks could be signed around his hands as the gauntlets glowed hot with the over charge of his magic.
"Zoe! Come on we need to leave", Sami called once again as he struggled to his feet.
Zoe finally stood, a little wobbly at first before she helped Sami to his feat. With one of his arms thrown across Zoe's shoulder. The arm that hung limply moved a little as a platform formed under their feet.
Zoe didn't have any words to say as the platform quickly brought them to the hole. As Zoe looked down she gasped with how big the hole was. After about two minutes of flying up Zoe and Sami landed on the farm, albeit with it destroyed.
Zoe couldn't help but look around at the destruction of the city she has been raised in since a kid. Tears came to her eyes, hoping her parents made out safe before the blast hit.
Remembering the dark heat flying at them, hoping that Sami's barrier would hold up. Her hands began to shake violently as the terror returned all again. That close to death, maybe fighting isn't the path she needs to go.
Suddenly Sami began to fall to the ground as the last of his energy ran out. Thankfully Zoe still had his arm draped around her neck so he didn't crash into the ground. With all of her strength slowly set Sami on the ground.
"Common Sami, you have to keep fighting", Zoe muttered as went to check on him. "We're going to make it through this you hear me. We are not going to die here"
She watched as Sami's chest rose slowly as he laid breathing. Zoe didn't know if she should leave him here and go find help. Or stay here to make sure he stays okay. Honestly either choices is leaving her shaky as the constant reminder of the
"ZOE! SAMI", a feminine voice shouted out fairly close to where they were.
Zoe quickly jumped to her feet at her name as she started jumping hoping the voice would see her.
"OVER HEAR!"Zoe screamed!
Zoe kept screaming words until her voice began to turn raw hoping the voices would be coming close.