Chapter 155: Escape (2)
Apologizing quickly for the disturbance, Ty addressed the old man with a brief, "Sorry to wake you, we were just heading out." Without waiting for a response, Ty conjured a fireball, sending it hurtling towards the window next to the old man. The glass shattered upon impact, causing the old man to reel back in shock as a gust of cold air rushed into the room, signaling their imminent escape.
In a fluid motion, Ty and Nana moved towards the broken window. Just as they were about to make their exit, the old man\'s voice halted them momentarily. "Is that the summoner\'s book!?" he exclaimed, his eyes catching a glimpse of Nana\'s hand. His tone conveyed a mix of surprise and recognition, hinting at the significance of what Nana possessed.
"How did you release it?" he continued, but his words were barely registered by Nana, her focus solely on the escape.
Ty, understanding the urgency of the situation, grasped Nana\'s waist firmly. With a determined leap, they jumped out of the window. As they did, Ty unleashed a burst of fire beneath his feet, propelling them skyward with great force. The flames carried them up into the air, away from the old man\'s inquiries and the dangers they had just faced.
The brief respite in the sky was short-lived. Ty, ever vigilant, caught a fleeting glimpse of white air - a telltale sign of their relentless pursuer. In an instant, his arm was struck by a spear of red wine, crafted with deadly precision by the white-haired man who was still doggedly pursuing them. The impact was severe, severing Ty\'s arm, a testament to the man\'s determination and power.
"He sure is eager to come after us," Ty muttered, a hint of frustration lacing his voice. He knew they were far from safe. "Hold on tight," he instructed Nana, preparing for another evasive maneuver.
"Sure!" was all Nana managed to utter, her voice laced with a mix of trust and apprehension. Before she could grasp the full extent of Ty\'s plan, she found herself being thrown high into the air. Startled, she exclaimed, "Hold on to what?!?!"
As Nana soared upwards, another spear of red wine hurtled towards her. Reacting swiftly, she snapped her fingers at the incoming threat. The spear burst into a shower of liquid upon her command, dousing her in a spray of wine. However, relief turned to alarm as she felt a searing sensation – the wine was corrosive, beginning to burn through her attire.
Amidst the chaos, Ty, undeterred by the loss of his arm, intensified the flames surrounding him to an extraordinary degree. His skeletal form, fueled by both determination and the fiery energy he commanded, hurtled towards the white-haired man.
With a powerful thrust, he struck with his bone fist, catching his adversary off guard.
The impact was monumental, sending the white-haired man plummeting towards the ground with a force that echoed through the air. As he fell, his control over the wine wavered, and it cascaded helplessly to the ground, losing its menacing form.
Having neutralized the immediate threat, Ty quickly redirected his focus to Nana. She was still in the air, vulnerable after her encounter with the corrosive wine. Without hesitation, he darted towards her, catching her in a swift, protective grasp. Together, they jetted off, leaving the scene of the battle behind as they headed back towards the safety of their camp.
As they flew, Ty held her close, concern evident in his voice. "Are you okay?" he asked, scanning her for injuries.
Nana, still processing the recent events, nodded slightly. "Just a few burnt holes in my clothes," she replied, her voice a mix of relief and discomfort. The burning sensation had subsided, but the damage to her attire was done.
"So, feeling a bit cold right now, ngl," she added, trying to lighten the mood despite the chill she felt from both the night air and the tattered state of her clothes.
As Ty and Nana neared their camp, Ty amplified the intensity of his flames, accelerating their pace through the night. They descended gracefully, landing about a mile from their intended destination. The surrounding woods were bathed in the soft, eerie glow of the moon, casting long shadows that danced with their movements.
"Let\'s keep to the shadows for the last part," Ty whispered, his voice barely audible over the rustling leaves. The cool night air was filled with the subtle sounds of nocturnal creatures, adding a layer of natural camouflage to their stealthy approach.
Curious about the time, Ty turned to Nana. She retrieved a small, luminous device from her shirt, the soft light briefly illuminating her face as she checked the time. "About four hours until sunrise," she murmured, tucking the device away as quickly as she had produced it.
It was then that Ty noticed something else in Nana\'s hand, an item that seemed out of place. "What is that in your hands?" he inquired, his skeletal brow arching in curiosity.
Nana glanced down at the book nestled in her hand, its cover worn but holding secrets yet to be discovered. "Oh, it\'s the book we found," she said, a mix of excitement and resolution in her voice. "We didn\'t get a chance to read it, so I wanted to when we got back."
Ty reacted with surprise, his skeletal features sharpening in the moonlight. "You stole the book?!?" he asked, a tinge of concern lacing his words.
Nana shrugged lightly, a sense of nonchalance in her posture. "Yeah, and why is that a big deal?" she questioned, her gaze meeting Ty\'s.
Ty\'s response was tinged with caution. "It\'s uh, gonna put a bigger target on us if we get found out," he explained, the seriousness evident in his tone.
Nana nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. "Don\'t let anyone see that book," Ty continued, his voice firm yet low, mindful of their surroundings. "Just keep it hidden somewhere until we can finish investigating the cave with King Griswald tomorrow."