Chapter 23 POISONED CLAWS
Darren and Xyra both looked shocked to say the least, but they didn't have a lot of time to ponder it. The remaining four demons were attacking again. They all had to dodge multiple swipes. Magnus finally got the chance to cast something, but before he could, he lost his focus due to a scream. He quickly glanced over at Xyra and Darren. Xyra was down on the ground, her sword a good distance away. Darren was nowhere near the vicinity to help her.
Magnus quickly forgot about his predicament and began casting a protection spell around Xyra. When the demon swiped down at her, it was repelled by a thin light that had encased her. She was safe for now, but it was hard keeping a protection spell up while trying to dodge other demons, so Magnus was in trouble. He managed to dodge one while keeping his mind focused. He then began casting another spell, about to send it to a demon that had decided to sneak up on Darren. He released the lightning bolt, and it hit its target with ease. However, he paid the price.
During his distraction with his companions, a demon managed to get behind Magnus. It poised its claws, and before the sorcerer even had the chance to move, it struck downward.
"Magnus! Behind you!" shouted Darren in warning, but it came a second too late. Just as Magnus glanced back, the demon's claws found their place at his side. He jumped back a bit before the swipe could be complete, but the damage had been done. Blood was pouring from the wound, and he could already feel the effects of the poison sinking through and burning his flesh. The pain was making him dizzy, and he collapsed to the ground in a matter of seconds.
A curse escaped the sorcerer's lips, and he could feel anger start to bubble in his stomach. He quickly became irritated with the demons and himself, and in his fury, he slammed his hand down forcefully on the ground. Suddenly the whole area began to quake. Everyone had stopped moving.
The demons all stood stock still, obviously sensing the magic that was being used. The ground under them began to crack, and before they could get out of the way, gushers of fire began erupting. Where each demon stood, a huge pillar of flames consumed them. Darren and Xyra both had to move out of the way as the flames continued to erupt. Before long, not a trace of the demons was left. Magnus collapsed completely soon after.
Xyra and Darren quickly sheathed their swords and ran towards their fallen comrade. He was lying on his back, his hand clutching tightly at his bleeding side. The blood had yet to stop flowing, and the smell of it made them all feel sick. It was that iron smell mixed with poison, and it was nauseating. Its color wasn't any better. The normally red liquid was tinted black.
"Are you okay?" Darren asked, even though he knew the answer.
"Careless…" Magnus whispered as he closed his eyes. "I shouldn't have let my guard down." I'm not usually so distracted. He pushed his hand harshly against the wound, and his side began to glow a bit. He was casting a healing spell, but it seemed to be causing a lot of pain. The wound was soon completely closed, but in no way was this over. His life was still in danger.
"The poison…" began Darren, only to cut himself off as he watched Magnus stand up.
"I know," the sorcerer said between clenched teeth. "I gotta find a healer. If I can just get to the next town…" He took a few steps and nearly collapsed again. His body wouldn't do anything he wanted it to. He could barely walk, and the more he pushed himself, the more his vision blurred. There's no way I can do this…
The weight of his body was suddenly lessened as he felt a new pressure on his side. Darren was next to him, helping support him as he walked. However, they didn't get very far before Magnus's motor skills failed completely. He could only drag his feet, and it was making things difficult. That problem was luckily fixed. Just as he completely passed out, Xyra came to his side, getting under his arm to help lift him.
"You're helping?" Darren questioned, sounding a bit shocked. Xyra just glared at him, a bit of hurt playing in her eyes. She hadn't forgotten what he had said to her.
"You were wrong," she stated in a low voice, making sure that if Magnus had any form of consciousness left, he couldn't hear her. "I'm not that shallow."
Darren thought about that for a moment, not understanding just what she meant. His mind eventually wandered back to that moment near the hot springs. He had said some pretty harsh things that night, but it was only because of personal experience. He had told her that she didn't care, that all she wanted was his money. Maybe that was all she really wanted, but the thief obviously had at least some sense of what was decent. Saving a companion was part of that.
Magnus, you idiot. Darren began moving again, walking along with Xyra as they dragged Magnus with them. You watched our backs and not your own. Just how stupid are you? Alone, you probably could handle it… It was hard to admit that he had been part of the hindrance that had caused this situation. If he had been doing a better job at his profession, Magnus wouldn't have had to watch out for him. Both he and Xyra were the cause of this mess. We better be close, Magnus, or you're so dead.
Night fell all too quickly that day. They hadn't been able to reach the next town, and without proper care, Magnus's condition was getting a lot worse. He had yet to regain consciousness, and without the use of his magic, sleeping wasn't going to be easy. They had to stay on guard this time. A demon could show its face at any moment.