Sebastian was surprised the snake god didn't take the chance to try catching Lord Nix. Then again, even good hunters knew to wait for an opportunity. Experienced hunters created their opportunities.
Caius watched as the duo continuously teased the humans. His Little Snack deftly avoided every weapon and spell. He wasn't fighting… no, his Little Snack was dancing out of the way.
Caius needed them to be distracted… something, surely one of the groups could disrupt their rhythm. He only needed a moment.
Neolani was getting frustrated with the masses of incompetent bodies in her way. "Clear them out!" She roared jerking her head at the men sitting off to the side.
Lucian watched as dozens of men were simply flung out of bounds. Soon only the Inago, tiger nations, and Adarians were left. With less people in the way, Lucian watch as Ashton dodged blades by a hair's breath. No matter what was thrown at them, their movements were no different than dodging clumsy dancers at a ball.
"We have to pincer them, dividing them doesn't work. They simply regroup." Devlin stated. The only times Ashton used the rifts was when he wasn't with Beloved. Since they couldn't guarantee where the rifts led, they had to be avoided.
"More than pincer, we have to surround them. Especially from the top, unless you plan can keep up with them in the air." Jaxon reminded as the tigers tried a pincer from four sides only for Ashton to carry Beloved as he stepped over them.
"We need a way to keep them on the ground. But those white flames… they've ignored sticky, paralysis, and stun traps." Devlin groused.
"The flames are only on their feet. It may have a limited range." Lucian remarked.
"We aren't in a rush. They can't keep that level of moment up the entire time. Ashton naps too often." Devlin reminded as… they separated, Ashton causally waving as he leapt into a rift. Beloved was stepping on heads as she made her way to the falling youth. The rift had been a ways up.
Lucian watched as Ashton fell several hundred feet, only to be caught by the white pheasant in passing.
Sebastian glanced at his pocket watch, an hour had already passed. All of his grandchildren, Melia, Prince Lamont, and Princess Jantje had been eliminated. Now the tiger nations were temporarily working with the Adarians. Princess Lucera was providing support, even managing to block Lord Reece from entering a rift once.
Novak gripped his daggers. The foxes had spread out, "We make a move when the foxes do. That will be our best chance."
Jakub nodded as he handed over two new sets of daggers. Since paralysis wasn't working, they would try something new.
Caius saw the exact moment his Little Snack was distracted. He darted forward. Talvi mirroring him on the other side of the entangled group.
Neolani wanted to curse as the foxes launched a sneak attack just as they positioned Kaveri to catch Beloved. The single heartbeat she'd looked away had given Ashton the split second he needed to dodge her spear. Since Alexei had been attacking from the other side, she had to deflect his much heavier blow.
Ashton stepped just above where Neolani was gripping her spear as he flipped over the other two warriors.
Beloved was mid flip when the snake looked at the big fox, silly snake! Instead of grabbing her in its maw, she lightly stepped on his nose, pushing off to land in Nix's embrace. He caught her with enough force that they were sent back toward the naga's mouth.
Ashton wrapped his arm around Beloved's waist, they lightly stepped on Kaveri's nose then ran along his spine. He saw the foxes closing in, but he only smiled.
"Now!" Caius roared as he leapt over the humans to chase the birds across the snake's body. The force he used bounding after the pair sent Kaveri's head into the ground with a bang. The ground shook as he chased the birds. With their attention on him, Taliv was able to launch her own surprise.
Rahm dug his claws into the snake hide as he launched himself at the pair.
Talvi leapt up, unleashing her triple cast at the pair of birds. Her cage looked like a giant spiderweb made of ice, but there was a layer of earth between two layers of ice. They had noticed the Inago primarily casting earth spells. They might not know why, but they would use the information.
From above Littlest leapt off his female owl with a precast from Father Caius. When he was directly over the pair, a cage of earth, fire, ice, and water fell. As if it had a mind of its own, it flew after papa bird!
Novak was darting in, his daggers ready if either bird attempted to flee toward Caius.
Beloved grinned as she leapt toward the ice cage without fear. She dragged Nix along as she dove into the center.
Novak didn't question his gut as he immediately signaled another retreat. He'd just managed to leapt back as the female passed through the cage. Even as it started closing around them, her body was like a mirage, distorting with a few white flames, only for her to appear on the other side. The white flames then passed to Nix as he passed through.
Caius watched wide eyed as the female's white flames spiraled over his Little Snack, then his body passed through the cage. The cage now inches from his face! Aiya!!!!!
Talvi didn't bother with Father Caius as she pivoted, trying to grab either bird in her snapping jaws. Rahm was a slit second behind her as the cage his Father Caius in the face.
Caius shook the cage off before giving chase. They were laughing at him! Aiya! What if more than just his pride was hurt? Even though he'd barely made contact with Talvi's spell, bits of frost had already spread over his fur.
Ashton glanced behind to see three foxes, a naga, Neolani, and Alexei all giving chase. Oh, an owl was picking up the smallest fox to also give chase. Beloved's laughter drew his attention.
Beloved grinned seeing the train coming after them, without a word she changed back into a bird. Gripping Nix's hand she took flight.
Caius whined but leapt after them. He might not be able to fly, but he could create platforms to leap from.
Neolani stopped, glaring. There was no point in throwing nets or cages if they could just pass through them.
Alexei was panting as he stopped beside his Regina, "Regina, the mana disruption. Hito has a four second window." He recalled as his chest heaved.
Neolani nodded, her own chest heaving.
Novak gritted his teeth before turning to the Inago Regina, "Perhaps we could work together."
Neolani sneered, "We don't need your help. Nor do I have any intention of helping the empire."
Novak stared at the Regina, "Do you really think any of us have a chance if we don't work together? Look around Regina. If the empire falls, what will keep the damned souls from roaming the savannah? Even if Lord Nix can protect the Inago, what about all the other sister tribes?"
Neolani gave the assassin a tight smile, "Then perhaps they should bend the knee."
Novak didn't bother to respond. If the Regina was so caught up in her own hurt feelings, then she was no better than Lucian. Then again, the Inago didn't need the wish like the empire did.
"Perhaps we could work with the foxes."
Novak glanced at the remaining assassin. She was watching the foxes chase the birds. Well, one bird, one bird in human skin. Then he turned his sights on the snake god. An actual Beast god. If anyone had a chance…
"First we need to see if that mana disruption spell will work on their ability to pass through cages. We can't overpower Nix." Novak said watching the Regina approach the remaining birdmen. Those not currently employed were sitting closer to the boundary, signs laid out.
Jakub was already walking toward the little birds, unfortunately, the irate Regina was purchasing Hito's next twenty minutes of time. He glanced around… wasn't there another one…
"I have something that can disrupt mana, this could be our chance." Devlin whispered pulling out a small amber medallion. The Cerulean forest sap had been hardened, cured, then engraved.
Jaxon glanced at the amber medallion, "I thought that only worked if we had blood." He wasn't discounting the medallion… but as far as he knew, they didn't have any of Ashton's blood.
Devlin reached into his robes, pulling out a small crystal vial. "We did a blood resonance back in Palmer village, I may have… whisked away a drop or two." He hadn't even told Lucian…
Lucian stared at the vial, "Get ready. As soon as Caius faulters, we move."
Jaxon whirled around, sword raised. There was… nothing. No, he'd felt something, probe him. If he wasn't already tense, he may have mistaken it for a passing breeze… "Something is watching us." Jaxon whispered as he searched the tree line.
Lucian glanced over the trees, "That's not our priority." They needed that wish granted.