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22. Best Laid Plans
🕑 Added 2021-07-22 20:00:04 +0000 UTCBranches dragged at their bodies. Brambles cut at Rowan's legs and arms, and sharp seeds cut his feet. The footsteps grew closer and closer, thunderous and unrelenting. Ahead, two branches split from the path.
"They go to the same place! Go left, I'll go right!" Rowan hissed.
Kaidu nodded. They sprinted to the branch.
"Give me back my boots!" the slender man shouted. He grabbed Rowan's shoulder.
Rowan threw himself to the side, out from under the man's grab, and swept a leg out. Like trying to 'get the ball' in soccer when the opponent's being extra annoying and deserves a 'nice trip.'
The man stumbled over his leg and slammed onto the ground. Stunned, he laid there a second.
Rowan crouched over him. "Want your boots? Go get them!"
He stood and threw one into the woods, then sprinted off down the path again, still hugging the other boot.
"You little--"
"Who knows if you'll ever find that boot again if you don't go now!"
The man hesitated, then charged into the woods, almost a blur. "When I get my boots, just you wait!"
"Good luck with that," Rowan muttered. He sped up, hurtling down the narrow path. He's Mica, right? The Thief. It looks like he's got a lot of speed skills, or maybe just got lucky and leveled up speed a ton. I won't be able to stay ahead of him if I only rely on my legs.
As he ran by a patch of brambles, he reached out with his shears. "Prune!"
Lights illuminated the path to beautify the vine. He held his hand out and collected the droppings. Bits of bark, curly strands, thorns! He grinned and tossed the handful in the boot.
"Give me my damn shoes--" A hand brushed by his shirt.
"Goooo get it!" Rowan shouted, ducking the hand as he threw the boot blindly into the undergrowth.
Mica shoved him and ran off into the forest, limping a little in one boot. "When I get that boot, I'll fucking end you!"
Rowan chuckled darkly.
Ahead, the path converged. Rowan charged ahead, glancing over his shoulder. "Kaidu?"
As if summoned, Kaidu burst through the undergrowth, dancing backward. Hoisting a heavy pair of scissors, he parried as a sword thrust at his neck.
Topaz growled, shoving her sword against his scissors. "Fucking lunatic!"
Kaidu twisted his wrist and stepped aside, directing her sword toward the ground. In the same motion, he lashed out and sliced her forearm with the razor.
"Shit!" Topaz hugged her arm to herself and fell back.
Kaidu surged ahead. He nodded at Rowan. "You?"
"FUCK, OW! SHIT!" Mica screamed in the distance.
Rowan smirked. "I've got it handled."
They sprinted on. Behind them, undergrowth rattled and shuddered. "Fucking assholes! Get back here!" Topaz screamed.
"Fuck you! My feet are bleeding, fuck!" Mica snarled.
"Where are they? Guys!" the other girl shouted.
Beryl? Was that her name? What's with the precious stones theme, anyways?
The rustling undergrowth grew closer. Rowan drew the ants out of his bag. He whirled around and let go of the top of the bag.
Mica charged through the path, Topaz on his bleeding heels. "You motherfuck--ah!"
Ants slammed into Mica's chest and splattered at Topaz's feet. Mica threw his hands up and slapped them down. Topaz trampled over the ants.
Behind them, the rustling undergrowth grew louder.
"What was that?" Topaz muttered.
Mica paled. "Oh no..."
From out of the shadows, the large guard burst through the vines, cradling Beryl in his arms. Long blonde hair flying around her face, she raised her hand. "Wall!"
A pink wall formed inches in front of Rowan and Kaidu. Rowan slammed face-first into it. Kaidu shoved off it and spun. He threw his razor.
The blade flashed through the air and sliced Beryl's cheek. She flinched and slapped a hand to her face. "Ow!"
The wall faded. Rowan charged through. Kaidu ran beside him. Together, they burst out into the moonlight.
Kaidu staggered to the edge of the cliff and stared down. Rowan looked back, over his shoulder. They're too far. I can't juke them from here. If that Mage gets up here and boxes us in, that's it.
He glanced at Kaidu. "Change of plans."
Kaidu raised his eyebrows.
Ruby, the Tank, raced out into the open. In his arms, Beryl clasped one hand to her cheek, and with the other, pointed at them.
Rowan grabbed Kaidu. Kaidu threw off his hand. Frustrated, Rowan backed to the cliff. "We have to jump!"
Beryl opened her mouth. "Wa-"
Rowan threw himself over the edge as a pink wall began to materialize behind him. A second later, Kaidu stepped backwards and plummeted over the edge.
The combat classes drew to the edge and watched them fall. Grinning, Rowan flipped them the bird. Later!
