Jin and Ralian first created traps all around the entrance of the hideout ready to ambush any mage who can into contact, they were ready to fight until smoke started to enter through the tunnel and sleeping through the door to the hideout, Jin quickly repelled the smoke out of the hideout by creating a wind current blowing out the mages only cover Jin then look at Ralian while summoning the wind.
"Quick Ralian they are here use your vines"
Ralian summons many large roots piercing through every part of the tunnel acting as the barricade, but as they were feeling a little safe Jin hears the sound of teleportation magic behind them causing Jin to react quickly enough to summon a burst of wind knocking the caster on it back then giving Ralian an opportunity to summon more roots to wrap around the caster easily being neutralize.
"Do you think there's more coming"
"No doubt about it, with the wind checking every area of this hideout, there are bound to be more of them coming" Ralian scoffs in annoyances as they both continue to fight.
Meanwhile Dani and Gale looking for an exit deeper into the hideout until they get ambush by two mages.
"Captain Dani look for the exit I'll handle them"
Dani nods and runs off looking for the exit, one of the mages tries to stop her by summoning icicles, but were blocked by Gale intervening with the attack and retaliates with a swing from they're sword slashing their legs temporarily disabled their mobility then ties their hands so they cannot use their spells then heading back towards Dani, only to see another mage attack her "Captain duck!" Gale shouted and throws they're sword at the mage Dani ducks and it pierces though the mage's right shoulder pinning him to the wall, the mage tries to yank it out but Dani punches the mage giving him a concussion.
"You alright ma'am"
"yes, but please call me Dani. There's no need for formality especially one who managed to defeat my friend."
"Yes ma'am. I mean Dani".
Meanwhile back to the entrance of the hideout Jin and Ralian are fighting onslaught after onslaught of mages and casters. But Ralian is starting to loose consciousness onto herself of over using her spells and magic, however Jin is not breaking a sweat still summoning the wind against the mages not losing the focus on the task at hand, then looks at Ralian.
"Ralian, regain your strength I'll keep them at bay"
"No I can keep going"
"This isn't the time to prove you can fight them off with only vines and roots"
"Shut up about me not being able to use lightning!"
Jin not wanting to have a heated argument with Ralian especially in a battle against many casters Jin quickly levitates Ralian and pushes her away. Then Jin summons wind constructs going to confront the rest of mages distracted while creating a wind barrier before they went to find Dani and Gale. Gale and Dani are having their own problems, more and more mages keeps coming at them both are slowly losing their energy to fight until their feet gets stuck into the floor but an earth caster unable to move Dani fires a fireball spell at the earth caster. But blocked by creating a wall however roots then sprout blow the earth caster's feet wrapping around him neutralizing him as Ralian landed before them as Jin levitates landing beside her.
"Gale you okay"
"Oh good Ralian just need your help getting of the floor"
Ralian helps them by using turning the roots into a small enough platform to lift Gale and Dani on the floor, but then fall to the ground.
"Ralian are you okay"
"Yeah, I'm just feeling tired"
Jin explain the the others what happened at the entrance fighting the horde of mages "I understand we should be getting close to the exit".
Suddenly they all feel a massive earthquake quaking the entire hideout and they all look at the earth caster touching the ground and vibrating his hand Ralian tries to wrap the caster's hand, but it was too late the ceiling crumbling above them ready to fall and crush them. But feeling the fear for his friends, Jin's eyes start to glow again and levitates raising his hands to and stops the ceiling from falling by creating a large wing barrier catching every part of the ceiling from falling on top them.
"Go I can't hold this up forever"
Jin showing struggle for keeping everyone safe, hasn't use this much wind since his battle with Venny. Gale, Dani, and Ralian running towards the exit and Jin holding off the mages while standing his ground blows air though his mouth, and kicks his feet causing a burst of wind too hit the mages and sensing the others manage to find the exit he then repels himself by creating a massive burst of wind launching towards the other and also chained his wind to them managing to escape the hideout and quickly hid near a forest from the other mages still in pursuit of them. Once they found a good hiding place to get out of sight still out of breath but have a moment for now
"You know Ralian this would have been a good time to use a lightning spell"
"Shut up" as they quickly catch their breaths.
"This is getting out of hand. Dani what did the new great mage do to Alvera" Jin said with a ferocious look on his face.
"Well first I did explain that anyone can now learn magic granted by the great mage. And they're the one the bounty on you" Jin shocked by the truth
"Was it Handikiz?"
"I couldn't see with the mask on their face"
"And what about Venny is he still safe?" Jin still caring about his friends even after the incident.
"He's still being held prisoner in the dungeon in Alvera, not if I ever want to visit him anytime soon"
"Dani, are you still mad of the incident"
"Venny took me and my grandfather out with ease, even if he was faking it, he still left me a mark" Dani then shows Jin her scar on her right cheek surprising him but sighs in regret.
"I guess your not the only one with a scar left by Venny" as they both smile at each other.
However the moment didn't last long, until more mages appear around them surrounding every corner so they couldn't escape Jin starts to get ferocious of all the mages appearing. As Jin levitates in the air, and all the mages fire every last spell they could mustered at them, but Jin creating a massive cyclone catches all of the spells with ease forming all spells into one giant bomb. All the mages tries to get away but Jin stops them in their tracks lifting out his other arm he shackles their legs with the wind then looks towards the others.
"You might need to get to safe distance. This could get messy" they nodded and they ran fast, far away so Jin couldn't hurt them. Jin can see the mages struggle to get out but couldn't since they used everything in their power to stop Jin.
"Honesty I almost feel sorry for you all, normally I wouldn't go this far with other hunters. But since you're associated with the great mage, you've changed my mind."
Then suddenly as Gale, Ralian and Dani were able to get far enough they feel the massive explosion vibrating across their bodies.
"Do you think he's okay?" Gale worrying for Jin
"Knowing Jin long enough, this is actually pretty normal for him to create even without Venny" Gale, and Ralian were shocked by Dani's words.
"Are you serious?!"
"Yeah back then Jin, and Venny can create bombs by only using their powers" Gale and Ralian were still shocked in awe.
"Never mind that we should find this great mage. And put a stop to his madness"
"What about Jin shouldn't we wait for him"
"No he's fast enough to catch up to us, he'll be fine"
"If you say so, lets start with Alvera".
The three started their search to find the new great mage where ever they are hiding, travelling along the road once again they don't see any mages following them anymore, feeling relieved they all made their way safely to Alvera and see what has change after ten years since the incident.
(End of chapter 8)