Chapter 218 - Monsters of the Mist

I pushed through till 5am last night but got the edit of Book 3 handed in! With that, there should be no interruptions for posting. Still aiming for 4 chapters before the end of the month.

Just a caveat for this chapter, I didn't have time for my usual editing pass but didnt want to keep you guys waiting. I really liked this one so I think it should be a good one anyway.

Red flame leapt from Hump’s staff in a cone of heat, sweeping forward and bathing the swarm of monsters before him. They screamed in the onslaught—strange, guttural cries and desperate shrieks. Their flesh crackled. The acrid smell of burning mixed with rot stung at Hump’s nostrils. The dark of night was broken and around the flame, the mist was pushed back. Embers chased it, burning at it, flaring within, clearing a patch of space.

He'd been fast, but not fast enough. He felt his veils collapse around him, leaving nothing to hide their presence from the creatures. The swarm of creatures had roughed up the ground at the edge of his spell formation as they’d fed on the slug, scuffing it up.

Nearby, the horses panicked, pulling at their leads, trying to break free of the trees. Celaine went to calm them. The noise would only bring more attention.

Distantly, Hump heard something between a croak and a roar, drawn out and distorted, carried in the mist like some nightmarish horror. The mist was reforming already, rising up to them once more.

Hump searched the rocky outcrop, trying to decide if they’d be better off standing their ground here or making a run for it. With Rehk and Tokdaar so susceptible to its power, he saw little choice. For a brief moment, he contemplated forgetting them. They were gnolls after all—monsters. It was not his job to keep them alive. But over the past few days he’d come to realise how much that did not hold true.

Hump turned to the gnoll, a fearsome look in her eyes. She was ready to fight but some fights could not be won through brute strength alone.

“We can’t stay here,” Hump said. “The mist will make it impossible to keep you and Tok safe. Can you find your way to the pass in the dark?”

“Can find, yes. Not make it though. Cannot think in mist.”

“We’ll make it,” Hump said. He’d seen how the mist responded to his fire. Drawing upon his essence, he envisioned a spell formation. “Burning Wisps.”

Three flaming constructs appeared like candle flames around him. He poured essence into them, flaring them brightly, letting them blaze like torches, then he spread them out around them. The mist shrivelled back before them, clearing their path. Through it, he saw more monsters approaching.

Celaine loosed an arrow made of shadows, wielding her Way of the Shadow Archer blessing. “That’s not going to be enough,” she said. “There’s mist everywhere.”

“I know,” Hump said.

Burning Wisps was his most cost efficient spell for the task, but he had alternatives. He needed something that could cover them all. It was a spell he’d not yet experimented with, not seeing much use in it, but after reading the theory in the Daston library it had seemed simple enough.

“Everyone get close to me. Celaine, bring the horses. The closer the better. I’m not sure how long I’ll be able to hold this. Nisha, in your pouch and stay there.”

He opened his spellbook as they gathered in, Prancer and Thistle huffing and stamping in discontent, but they were well trained horses and used to exploring monster territory. Nishari climbed him, burrowing inside the leather pouch at his side, fear radiating through their bond.

SPELLBOOK
Fire Shield
Warding | Battle Magic | Tier 2 | Range: Short

Description
Harness the essence of fire and conjure a blazing shield of flames around you, warding off physical attacks with intense flares of heat, searing anything that comes close.

What he needed was the formation. With the spellbook’s Compact Formations to increase the efficiency, he’d be able to keep the spell going for a while. How long that was, he wasn’t sure. He poured essence into the book, the formation lighting up with orange power. He envisioned it much as he did when he shaped a shield around him—effectively, it was the same spell, except instead of pure essence he was wielding fire.

With the image fixed in his mind, he unleashed the pent up essence through his staff. The runes of Loften lighting up like gold, the focus boiling with fire.

“Fire Shield.”

The world swirled with red smoke, expanding around him and the others in a sphere, and a large one at that. Immediately he could feel the essence drain. It illuminated the surrounding area, successfully burning back any mist that came close. A sliver of cold ran through him as a dozen flies struck the shield, hissing as flames leapt from it, their charred bodies falling to the ground.

“There’s no way I’ll make it to the pass like this,” Hump said. “We head away from the valley. Perhaps we’ll find the end of this mist.”

“Big hill down,” Rehk said. “Strong river at bottom. Hard path.”

“Hopefully it won’t come to that,” Celaine said, holding out the reins. “Rehk, take the horses. I need my bow free.”

The gnoll scrunched her nose into a snarl, shaking her head. “Not good with horses.”

“They’ll follow you,” Celaine said, shoving the reins into her clawed fist before she could protest.

Rehk snapped something in gnollish, and Tok huddled up beside Hump, staying close. The small furry creature was shaking, his tail pushy, teeth bared in a snarl but Hump could tell he had no bite in him.

“Take this,” Hump said, handing Rehk a vial of crystal light.

She looked at it. “What?”

“Shake it.”

She did, and it lit up with a bright yellow light.

Already Celaine was manifesting another arrow from shadow, conserving her arrows for when they needed them. She pointed with it. “That way, Hump.”

Hump sent his three Burning Wisps ahead, clearing the way so that they could see. As they veered down the hill on the other side of the rock formation, the mist grew thick once more. More monster cries came, the creatures drawn to the flames and light. Hump trusted Celaine to handle them as they ran, conserving his strength to maintain Fire Shield. If it fell, there was no way they could keep everyone together. The mist would send the gnolls and horses into a daze, leaving only he and Celaine a chance to escape.

Rehk led the way, awkwardly dragging the horses along behind her. Tokdaar stuck to Hump’s side, easily keeping up, staring around with wide eyes.

It was a steep decline, and Hump could only stay upright with the use of his staff, pressing into the muddy ground. Soon the mud turned to marsh, and they were staggering through ankle deep water. The mist cleared slightly as a strong wind blew through, briefly giving them a view of open air beyond. On the wind though was carried a vial stench.

A deep, croaking roar came from nearby, others joining it in a mad chorus of noise. Giant toads sprang out of the waters and mist, leaping toward them, their green bodies covered in box marks, their wide mouths lined with giant teeth, a long, twisting tongue hanging out in excitement.

They charged like mad puppies. Celaine shot one, her arrow piercing deeply but it didn’t even seem to notice. The arrow was pushed from its flesh, falling to the ground, green sludge filling the hole left behind.

The first collided with Hump’s shield, screaming and trying to back off, only for others to shove it for it. Slimy skin bubbled and hissed as it met searing heat. It died slowly, pressed in by the toads around it, draining Hump’s essence. Two others fell, one to Celaine’s Power Shot, but Hump couldn’t hold it. The drain was too much for him to fight on.

“Shatter Shield,” Hump shouted, slamming the butt of his staff into the ground, envisioning a fiery explosion all around him. His shield disintegrated, fire and essence filling the air around him then blasting outward in all directions. It poured over the toads, leaving them screeching, though it wasn’t enough to kill them, their thick hides resisting the attack. The mist was swept back, and down below Hump saw a deep gorge. The river within roared loudly.

They moved forward as the toads righted themselves, rushing after them with less vigour then before, wounded and afraid.

Hump’s heart hammered. We’re going to make it.

“Ahead is clear!” Rehk shouted, leading the way. “This way! Take care of river.”

He shoved Tokdaar toward Rehk. “Go!” he screamed. “We’ll be right with you!”

Rehk started toward the right, following an area of flat solid ground along the edge of the gorge. To Hump’s right, the water stirred.

Celaine took his shoulder and dragged him the other way as a giant beast covered in scaley armour launched itself from the waters, snapping at the air with a gaping maw of razor-teeth. It was bigger than a horse—bigger than two of them—like some flat dragon. It charged after them, gliding over the marshy ground, feet thudding, tail whipping from side to side behind it.

Staring at it, Hump felt terror. Instinct drove him, and he called upon one of his most devastating spells, combining earth and fire in his mind.

“Molten Shower,” Hump said, sparks exploding from his staff and over its face.

It screamed, skin smouldering, one eye steaming as a molten droplet landed right inside. A roar, primal scream pierced the air and made Hump’s blood run cold. It barrelled forward in a crazed frenzy, launching itself at them. Predator’s Intent sent shivers down Hump’s spine, and a silver light built to Hump’s left. Celaine used Spring Step to dodge the beast, jumping over its head and shooting the arrow at its other eye. It missed, but it pierced deeply through its cheek and out the other side, lodging between both jaws.

The creature whipped out its tale catching her in the air and sending her rolling. She tumbled down the hill, bouncing, gaining momentum. Hump could see her trying to stop herself, but it was only gaining speed. There was no stopping.

Hump chased after her as the creature continued to frolic, snapping at the air, throwing its body around in blind madness. He heard the croaks of toads behind him and saw one snap at its tail. It whirled around with a speed nothing its size should have, jaws closing on the massive toad, locking shut on its left side. Then the creature rolled rapidly, tearing flesh from the toad’s body. But more were arriving, and they were hungry.

Celaine screamed as she went over the edge of the cliff, right into the gorge. It was deep, with sheer, rocky sides. The river roared beneath here like a beast ready to swallow her. Her hands found dirt, and for a moment she clawed her way back up, clutching for a thin vine for grip. She half pulled herself up, but it snapped under her weight.

Then Hump was there. In some heroic moment of valour, he extended his staff to her. She grabbed it desperately, gripping it with both hands. Hump’s eyes widened at the sudden weight. He grunted. The dirt slipped under his feet.

“Shit!” he screamed.

“Wha—” Celaine didn’t get to finish.

Hump toppled forward. He passed the ledge, open air spread out below him and then raging water. He fell, the sheer rock walls passing in a blur. He flailed his arms and screamed, the rushing wind blasting his eyes. His cloak billowed up around him and into the air.

He struck the water, knocking the air from his lungs. It was like ice wrapped him. He fought to reach the surface, gasping as his head broke above. Celaine was already beside him, frantically lifting his pouch and raising it overhead so that Nishari was out of the water. He was glad Celaine took her for he was barely able to keep himself above water as it dragged them down river.

Nishari climbed out of the pouch and onto Celaine’s head, shrieking as they continued down. Hump gasped, he slapped at the river, clutched at his staff, fought for every breath he could get. They reached a bend, and the water slowed. He felt the floor beneath his feet and got his head fully out of the water, where they beached on a bank of smooth stones. Water lapped at the edge and the trees rustled in the wind.

Hump coughed, choking up water, then wheezed for breath. Nearby, Celaine was in a far better shape, though she looked like a wet cat dragged out of a bucket. Nishari was far less impressed, she crawled into Hump’s arms.

Cold. Scared.

“We’re okay,” Hump said quietly, his throat burning. He shivered in the icy wind, his clothes soaked through.

The mist was clear here. It didn’t reach the edge of the gorge. The moon was shining brightly in the sky, and he saw Rehk and Tok descending in a hurry, the horses with them. The vial of crystal light made them easy to spot. At least for now, they weren’t being pursued.

“Why did you fall?” Celaine snapped at him, shaking out her sleeves.

Hump raised an eyebrow at her. “That doesn’t sound like a thank you.”

“You dropped me!”

“It’s not my fault you’re so heavy!”

She scoffed, stared at him, then scoffed again.

Hump winced. He was fairly sure that one was going to come back to bite him.