Bab 65: Chapter 60: Another sneak attack

Inside the forest, the place was a bit dimmed with little sunlight seeping through the cracks of the branches and leaves. There were vines hanging off the trees and lichen and moss growing on them.

Although there was sunlight, the ground underneath their feet were damp and moist, creating mud and wet soil.

The eight shifters who had just entered the forest were still in their human form but their senses were alert and they were being cautious, concentrating on the sounds and the smells that surrounded them.

Leading the group was Paxon, followed by West, Bastian, Omorose, Dewei, Hamish, Fraser and lastly, Kirk. Omorose had scolded Dewei at first, because of the bulky backpack that he was carrying but he had just ignored her complaints and said that it won't hinder or disrupt their mission. Omorose could not understand the need to carry so many things for this mission. At most, they would just need some spare clothes and food rations. And that it probably would not take them days to be inside the forest.

The two of them fell silent after Paxon had shushed them to be quiet. Seriously, these two acted like kindergartens arguing in the playground. He was worried that a single peep out of them may alert the rogues of their presence. They tried to hide their scent by rubbing dead leaves and a bit of grime on their clothes, much to the disgust of Omorose. What woman would like to feel filthy and dirty?

During their discussion earlier before going in, they decided to head to one of the spots nearby, which was near a waterfall. It was a few minutes walk, without any interruptions. Sounds of birds chirping, rats and squirrels scurrying around in quick steps. But none of these were dangerous to them as they continued on.

Even without any interruptions, it did not stop them from being cautious as they felt that the more safe they feel, the more on guard they should be.

Soon after, they could hear the sounds of running water just a few metres ahead of them. Thus, they became even more alert. They kept looking around them as they headed towards the waterfall area. And when they finally reached the area, it looked serene and quiet. Other than crickets sounding in the air, there was nothing more. The waterfall was smooth and calm as the water flowed down to the small pond below it. The trees and other vegetation that surrounds the water was green and lush. It looked like a perfect place to set up camp. However, Omorose could not help but feel alert.

She looked over at Paxon, who was also watching her. It seems that he too had a bad feeling about the place.

He then pretended to lower his guard as he yelled out to the others to take a break before continuing on.

As the others sat down and began to relax, both Omorose and Paxon walked over to the side of the pond and pretended to get a drink.

Scooping some water into her cupped hands, she sent a mind-link to Paxon, 'You feel it too?'

'Yes,' he replied grimly.

'It seems like there's more than five of them. Probably an even match with us,' Omorose noted.

'Hmm…,' Paxon was quiet for awhile before he replied, 'But there's another scent mixed there. Warlock?'

Omorose frowned. She remembered that the place where Noaz and his group headed to, also was reported to have either a witch or a warlock? Could this be planned or just a coincidence?

While she was pondering over the thought and the speculation of the appearance of the warlocks, she was interrupted by a shout from the others.

Both Paxon and Omorose whirled around to find Bastian was pushed down by a shifter. The others were also being ambushed.

And it seems like Paxon was right. There was a warlock. Not just one but there were two of them. And both of them were attacking Dewei, who was still in his human form.

[Warning! In this chapter, there will be gore, blood and death!]

Dewei immediately grabbed something from his backpack and covered both of his arms with it. It was a metallic arm sleeve that ran from his shoulders and down to his wrists with sharp blades at both elbows. He then growled out loud as he shifted into his wolf counterpart, ripping his clothes apart. His wolf's name was Li Jie. It stood at nearly eight metres tall with hooded dark eyes and mane of silver grey, similar as grey smoke. Its fangs were sharp and long as it snarled furiously at the two mocking warlocks. Surprisingly, the arm sleeves that Dewei wore were still on Li Jie's arms. And contrasting with its mane, the arm sleeves looked a bit translucent as it was nearly the same colour as its mane.

Li Jie immediately jumped, heading towards the two warlocks. The two warlocks quickly casted an attack spell, targeting Li Jie. However, it managed to block the attacks with its covered arms. The two were surprised at how easily it could block their attacks and how fast it was.

While the other warlock incessantly kept on casting attack spells on Li Jie, the other began to chant a long spell, probably trying to cast a stronger spell. Seeing that, Li Jie immediately changed directions and began to head over to the casting warlock.

The other warlock never stopped casting attacks on the shifter, hoping to stop it from approaching the warlock. But Li Jie was adamant in trying to stop the cast that it ignored the attacks from the other. Fire burns scarred the back of the shifter but it still ignored the attacks.

In the end, the casting warlock had to stop his chant abruptly and started to cast an attack spell. But he was too late as Li Jie was already on top of him. Before he could scream, the shifter had already punched him in the face, dislocating his jaw. With it, the warlock could not chant a spell. Though, it was not enough for Li Jie as it pushed the warlock's head back, breaking his neck, resulting in a swift death.

Brimming with fury as the other warlock watched his fellow warlock being killed so easily, he began to cast an earth spell, which immediately created holes in the ground. So wherever Li Jie jumped on, the warlock casted a spell, determined to trap the shifter inside.

At one point, he nearly succeeded in Li Jie falling into one of the holes but the latter had a quick reflex where it immediately jumped on the wall of the holes to climb back up. It then jumped straight towards the warlock, with its arm in front of its chest.

Surprised, the warlock did not have the chance to avoid the attack and the blade from Li Jie's arm sleeve managed to slash the former from shoulder to waist. Blood began to drenched his front as the warlock staggered backwards, shocked from the sudden attack. Before he could retaliate, Li Jie continued to slash him continuously, until he was all covered in his own blood. The staff that he used to chant his spells was also covered with his blood.

Knocking away his staff, Li Jie never stopped slashing until it heard someone yelling at the former to stop playing around.

A mischievous smile, or rather a scary smile, bloomed in the face of the shifter that sends shivers of fright towards the warlock. Before he could say a word, Li Jie had slammed his paw through the warlock's abdomen.

Coughing out blood, with his eyes wide in shock, the shifter ended his life by slamming his other paw through and tearing the warlock into half as it opened its arms wide. The torn warlock dropped down on the ground with his eyes still wide open, as if he could not believe that he had died so soon.

Li Jie rubbed the back of its neck, still smiling that creepy smile. "Who's next?" he asked slowly as he turned to the others.