“Be careful..He’s got incredible strength–he’s not the same as before..” Yula said weakly.

“Got it,” Alekkai nodded quietly.

Rushing forward, Alekkai took the initiative, staying low as he ran almost like a wolf on all-fours, aiming to sweep the Outrider Champion’s legs with his blade.

CLANG.

The sword swipe was blocked by one of Urganna’s axes before the other was slammed down, which Alekkai dodged swiftly before countering with a roar, puffing out his chest below unleashing it to the rainy wind.

“–!”

The special roar concussed Urganna, who was frozen still momentarily, allowing the red-haired Verma to close in.

“Watch out!” Yula yelled.

Before his sword could rend the flesh of the merciless Outrider, the bristly fur that covered portions of the beastly man’s body protruded like hardened spikes.

A few of the Outrider’s defensive spikes pricked his skin, but he leapt back in time with an angered curve to his lips.

Urganna laughed as he cracked his neck side-to-side, “So hot-headed. You’re just like your brother.”

“Don’t you dare speak of him..!” Alekkai roared out.

–

[The Outrider Chief’s Abode]

Both of the youths were faced against one of the initial six guards of the temple, having defeated two more, however–this mighty demi-human was problematic.

It seemed to be the “Captain” of the guards; the bear demi-human towered over both of them with the height of a grizzly bear and the physique of a strongman. Unlike the others, the unique Outrider was dressed head-to-toe in plated armor, though it was mix-matched as if looted from various victims of the clan._.

The water fists that he summoned shifted into a shield seamlessly, guarding against a massive sweep of the Outrider’s lengthy flail.

“Woah..! Close one!” Bruman let out.

“Do you always talk this much during a fight?!” He said.

Bruman replied, “–Only when I’m nervous!”

Again, he was forced to manipulate the large shield of water as the spiked flail intended to swing through both of their midsections, blocking it. Though the flail itself was blocked, the fully-armored demi-human rushed both of them without any hesitation.

As the brown-furred beastly warrior rushed in, it was Bruman who stepped in to halt his charge, thrusting his spear forward.

“Raagh!” Bruman let out a warcry.

Though the spearhead was aimed for the Outrider guard’s head, the goliath managed to swerve out of the way of the attack, only suffering a slash to the cheek from the spear before thrusting his fist against the young Verma’s gut.

“Gah!” Bruman spit out.

The strength of an Outrider was unlike that of a normal demi-human; it was as if a massive blast of wind magic emitted from the warrior’s knuckles–sending Bruman flying back harshly as his back slammed against one of the temple pillars.

“Bruman!” He yelled out.

Though he had only himself to worry about as the ferocious guard was already dashing towards him.

So fast! He thought.

With no time given to him, he used a burst of air to allow himself to evade, watching as the fully-armored guard glanced at him, spinning the deadly flail around as another attack was prepared.

It came so quickly that he couldn’t follow up with another spell, instead reflexively guarding against the spiked flail with his staff as it burrowed forward, knocking the catalyst out of his hand.

Crap..! He thought.

“Raagh!” Bruman charged back in with a warcry.

Though the massive Outrider was able to effortlessly halt the young Verma’s spear that was launched towards his back, reaching back and grabbing it.

“Ngh..?!” Bruman gritted his teeth.

The young man tried desperately to pull his spear away, but the grip of the Outrider was far too strong.

Utter silence came from the cold-blooded guard, who raised his flail, sending it towards the young man’s head, who could only look up in horror.

He was glancing back, undecided on rushing towards his staff or not, but instead rushed forward, holding his hand out as he unleashed a burst of unfocused wind.

FWOOSH.

It was a desperate gambit, but it managed as the blast of air managed to knock the flail away from Bruman’s head, instead nicking the young man’s shoulder. Just the young demi-human’s shoulder being hit still caused him to be knocked back.

This left the steel-clad Outrider facing him, exuding steam from his nose that was hidden behind his cross-shaped helmet.

“–” He gulped, steadying his breathing.

I could try running for my staff, but this guy is faster than me. If I use wind, maybe..it’s risky. He’s not only faster, but his weapon, too–it’s got range and he knows how to use it. What I need is speed–quick casting..! I have it! he thought.

Instead, he came up with another plan–raising his hand to create a wall of stone that blocked the Outrider guard from him and Bruman.

This wasn’t meant to fully stop the goliath, but instead give him time for what came next. Without his staff in hand, he had to unleash more mana than necessary, flooding it out as the air vibrated around him and pulsated momentarily.

“Four spirits of the world’s natural order of creation and destruction: Great Gnome of Rock, Undine of Water, Sylph of Air, and Salamander of Fire! Elemental Sentinels!”

Manifesting from his call, four spheres of light encircled him, acting as companions to him in this time of need: the crimson light, Salamander; the emerald light, Sylph; the brown light, Great Gnome; and the azure light, Undine.

Just then, the massive flail shattered the stone wall, crushing it as he began running back for his staff that had slid across the smooth, wooden floor of the temple entrance.

“Graagh! Magala!” The guard roared.

Though the Outrider guard tried chasing him, he was able to passively fend off the goliath as the crimson spirit shot out a fireball towards the man-eating demi-human.

“–!” The guard looked in surprise.

It wasn’t just the fireball; after the guard managed to use his flail to swipe through the flames, the azure light shot a burst of multiple bullets of water in quick succession.

Due to the back-to-back casting, though the individual attacks weren’t advanced, they got through to the mace-wielding cannibal as the projectiles of water pierced cleanly through the guard’s armor, thrusting through his flesh.

“Grrrgh!” The guard winced, stopping for only a moment before continuing towards him.

He managed to slide across the ground and obtain his staff again, turning back towards the demi-human, who was trying to attack him again, but the emerald light and the brown light intercepted.

From Sylph, the emerald sphere by his shoulder emitted a small-scale cyclone that caused the full-plated Outrider to spin around, halting him and dizzying him. From Great Gnome, a blast of rock pellets pelted the warrior’s skin, knocking him back with repeated blasts.

Each individual spirit isn’t that strong, but together, they’re incredibly powerful–the unison of elements, able to be used continuously–it’s amazing! The only downside is, it’s heavy on my mana! He thought.

After the combo-attack from his lesser spirits encircling him, the guard was left discombobulated and bruised.

“Bingo,” he said with a smile, breathing out.

SQUELCH.

Through the gut of the guard, a spear pierced through, having come in through its back as the warrior spit out blood.

“..Huff..” Bruman was behind the guard, pulling his spear out as the Outrider fell face-forward.

After such an encounter, the two had to catch their breath before exchanging a high-five for their combined victory.

“..Seriously, you’re way too strong for a kid,” Bruman laughed.

“Aren’t you a kid, too..?” He chuckled.

With that obstacle out of the way, the entrance to the Outrider temple was left open for the two; looming over them with the bear-carved doors. Though the battle was over for now, he maintained his Four Elementals as they provided an irreplaceable security for him.historical

As they headed in, they found it surprisingly empty, though it was hardly lit by just a few spore bugs that were purposefully used as makeshift lanterns.

The interior was decorated with the skulls of beasts and humans alike, some likely demi-humans, especially by the scent as Bruman seemed horrified at the sight of some.

“Freaky,” Bruman shuddered, following behind him.

Isn’t this guy an elite warrior or something? Why’s he hiding behind somebody younger than him..? He thought.

“Let’s just hope they didn’t already turn Vandread into one of these decorations..” He said quietly.

Bruman looked at him, “Woah. Dark.”

“..Stay on guard, would you?” He raised an eyebrow.

“Aye!” Bruman saluted.

In the depths of enemy territory, especially when it came to where high-quality “meat” was being stored, he knew the emptiness they’ve experienced so far within the temple was likely only temporary.

As they ventured further into the wood-and-leaf domain, they came across two paths: stairs leading upwards and stairs leading down.

“..Looks like it’s time to split up,” he said.

“Wait–wha?! Isn’t that like..super risky?!” Bruman contested.

He looked over at the spiky-haired young man, silently judging his cowardly nature, but realizing his confidence likely only stemmed from his own magical abilities.

An idea came to mind as he put his fingers to his chin for a moment before moving his staff, “Here.”

Bruman watched with wide, sparkling eyes as the dark-brown sphere and the fiery, crimson sphere moved over to him, hovering above his shoulders.

“Woah!..This is magic?! For me?!” Bruman said, glancing back and forth at the two lesser spirits.

He held his finger up, “If we split up, I’ll lend you those two–”

“–You got it!” Bruman nodded vigorously.

Well, that was easy, he thought.

As he watched Bruman, the young man poked at the spherical spirits with a giddy, childish smile, giggling to himself as if discovering magic for the very first time.

“Alright, those two will defend you automatically, so don’t worry. I’ll go upstairs, you go down,” he said.

Bruman frowned, “But, downstairs is–”

He gave an unimpressed look as if saying “I’ll take those two back for myself if you can’t handle it” to which, Bruman coughed and adjusted his words.

“I mean–you can count on me!” Bruman assured him.

“Alright, let’s meet back here in a bit,” he said.

Like that, the two parted ways in search of Vandread, which he explained the features of the stoic man to the eccentric Verma warrior.

..I hope he handles himself well, he thought, heading up the stairs.