Chapter 5. Escape.

- You fool! Rick whispered softly, clenching his fist.

- Oh, is that all right? - the surprised voice of Karl sounded, who, laughing, went to the pile of things. A gray magic circle lit up on his hand.

- Point of Rejection.

The things that covered Eros began to fly in different directions, revealing the bloody body of the boy with many bruises and wounds. His breathing was very weak and choppy.

- Wow, you're still alive! Amazing! - Karl exclaimed joyfully, clapping his hands, - Did you really decide to give me a gift and let me torture you before death? - he went to the body of the boy, - But it was not worth it, you really surprised me and at the same time amused me, so I will kill you quickly, as a thank you, - he sat down over the body of the titan and took out a dagger, - This dagger has already taken many lives and you will become next... - his smile became very bloodthirsty, - Thank you for cheering me up, and now goodbye and blame only yourself and yourself for your death!

The dagger at a very fast speed approached the heart of Eros, but at the last moment, when there were already millimeters left, two fireballs hit Karl's hand at the same time, which managed to change the trajectory of the dagger by the handle, piercing the ground, a centimeter from Eros's body.

- I didn't expect, two whole traitors, - Karl grinned, looked to the right, where he saw a trembling Rick with an outstretched hand, shifting his gaze to the left, there was one of the C-rank magicians, Roni, - The first is understandable, but from you I am so I didn't expect Roni, I thought you were smarter, "the guild master said dismissively.

- Fuck you! You kidnapped me and forced me to join your guild, and now you are trying to tell me something else ?! - Roni shouted with fury, firing another fireball, but Karl had no difficulty in repelling it.

- Heh, if so, then you will become an example for the others, - and his lust for blood spread throughout the guild, - That betraying me is the worst possible offense and the punishment for him is death.

- I'm not afraid of you, and if I die, then at least knowing what a just cause!

- Well very well! - Karl hissed angrily, - All of you, catch these two bastards and bring them to me, and the children... - he looked at the corner where the children squeezed, - Kill them, no one is alive... - Karl did not have time to finish, as he sharply froze with with bulging eyes, the next moment, he spat out a mouthful of blood... All the magicians that were in the guild froze abruptly and looked at him in disbelief.

- And you said that I could not kill you? - a quiet and very weak voice sounded, but for the reigning silence, it was like a bolt from the blue, - Well, what is it to be without a heart, and bastard ?!

- Small thing, - Karl hissed, touching his chest, where the heart should have been, but now there was only a hole, he turned his gaze to the boy showing his tongue, and a magic circle was carved into the boy's tongue... eyes of Eros and falling on his back Karl, the head of the "Dark Dawn" guild, as well as a magician of A-rank fell.

On trembling legs, Eros got up and began to look around. The first person to catch his eye was Rick and Roni.

- Thank you, - he whispered softly, but he was heard and answered with guilty smiles, - Now you, I want to talk to the new head of the guild, - said the titan, shifting his gaze to the guild mages.

- Yes, who are you a cart... - Without letting him finish, Eros shot at that Bullet of Destruction, he did not even have time to squeak, as he ended up with a hole in his chest.

- I repeat, who is the new head of the dark guild "Dark Dawn"? - he looked at everyone, until a magician in a black cloak came forward, completely covering him, behind his back was a staff with a brown stone on top, - Nori... Yes?

- I will take on this role until the entire elite guild team comes, - he replied, frowning, - What did you want?

- I want to talk about the peaceful settlement of the conflict.

- Peaceful? - With a mockery said Nori, - You killed the head of the guild, what is the peace treaty? You need to be killed right now...

- I'm sure that it's easier for you yourself without this piece of shit, - Eros said with malice in his voice, hitting Karl's body. "And I'm not asking much, but just letting us go.

- You're right, it will be much easier, - the magician grinned, - But where did you get that we will let you live?

- If you do not let us leave, then before my death I will take all of you with me, - his afterlife voice, managed to make everyone freeze in horror, in his voice and tone, they immediately understood that he was not lying.

- Hmm... - Nori looked at the rest of the guildmates, who did not move from their place, but only looked at him and waited for the order, - Well, you can leave the guild... - with a twisted face with anger, he turned to the others, - Everyone should part, let them go away and do not pursue them.

- But...

- Do what I said!

- Rick, take the children and follow me, - Eros said quietly and looked at Roni, - You also come with us, - the titan turned and walked towards the exit from the guild.

- Lily, let's go, - Rick said dryly and walked forward.

- Let Tom, Dean, you go last so that no one lags behind, and Rick and I will go ahead.

- Okay, - the two eldest children nodded and ran to the end of the column.

- Rick… It's that, isn't it, isn't it? - tears came from the eyes of the girl, - We are leaving this place, right?

- Yes, Lily, - he put his arm around the girl's shoulders, - Let's go, or have you decided to stay here? - he decided to joke a little to calm her down.

- Fool, - Lily whispered, hugging her chest.

- How are you? Roni asked as he ran up to the swaying boy walking in front of the whole procession.

- A few more minutes and I will pass out, - whispered Eros so that only Roni could hear him, - Be ready to pick me up and speed up, but in no case leave the children ...

- Come on, hero, - with glee in his voice, he whispered, - Hold on, we need to leave their field of vision at least, and then faint.

- I know! - hissed Eros, passing the threshold of the guild, for all this time, he did not even turn around, but only walked forward. He tried to pretend that he was still in good shape. His gait was firm, and his gaze was sharp as a sword.

Roni moved slightly away from the titan and caught up with the children.

- Listen carefully, - in a serious voice, he said, - A couple more minutes, and Eros will lose the last crumbs of strength, so I recommend to accelerate a little.

- Understood, - Rick answered, calling the youngest of the children and whispering something in his ear, he nodded and ran to the end of the column, - What is your further plan?

- We will go west and as quickly as possible.

- West, why exactly there? Rick asked, surprised.

- There is the largest trading city Magnolia, as well as one of the strongest light guilds Fairy Tail, and as soon as we get to its territory, we will have a much better chance of surviving.

- Got it, - Rick replied, nodding at him.

After explaining the plan, Roni went back to Eros. At that moment, they were already a hundred meters from the guild. But even now, they were very careful.

When they were already a kilometer from the guild, Eros's body swayed and began to fall, but Roni managed to catch him.

- Roni, you know what to do, follow the plan… - the titan hissed and fainted.

- I know, let's speed up!

- Mr. Roni, I-I can help, - Lily squeaked softly.

- Help, with what?

- Treat him.

- You can?! - he exclaimed in a whisper, - Why were you silent ?! Come quickly! - hiccupping, she ran to Eros and held out her hands... Two golden magic circles appeared on her palms ...

- White Shine.

- It won't heal him instantly, but it will greatly speed up his regeneration, - Lily explained, focusing on the healing.

- Let's press a little, - said Rick gloomily, - The elite team left only two days ago on a mission and at best it will be in the guild tomorrow, and at worst in half a day, and to Magnolia, we have at least two more days of travel, - he turned to the children, - Let's speed up a little, - he said softly, - And you Lily, climb on the shoulders of Mr. Roni, otherwise because of the treatment our speed decreased, and you will raise Eros a little higher that she could get him with his magic.

- Okay, - After doing what Rick said, the speed increased slightly, but not much.

At this pace, they were able to move only for a few hours, and then gradually the speed began to drop, due to the fact that the children began to get tired, but even so they moved forward.

The next day, they crossed the Dark Forest, entering the territory of the Eastern Forest, during this time, everyone was very exhausted, so it was decided to make an hour's break, Roni moved away from the group to get something edible to recuperate, Dean ( one of the older children) went to fetch water, Rick stayed to guard the children, and Lily rested and restored the magic power spent on Eros, but already by a more lively complexion, one could say with confidence that it became easier for him.

An hour later, they continued on their way, but at a much slower pace. They were very lucky that during all this time, they did not stumble upon wild animals. After all, the Eastern Forest is very famous for its huge flora and fauna, especially distinguished by a huge number of wild animals and magicians weaker than B-rank, you should not step here. Even an ordinary Forest Volcano or Wild Siren could destroy this group in a couple of seconds.

***

After half a day, Eros began to come to his senses...

- Rick! Roni! Eros…! Lily exclaimed happily.

- WHAT?! WHAT ABOUT HIM?! - Roni asked anxiously, running up to her, and seeing the opening eyes of the titan was very happy, - You are a living kid! How we worried about you, - tears began to well up in the eyes of the man.

- Hey… I'm still alive, stop crying for me… - Eros croaked in a tired but satisfied voice.

- I do not mourn you, fool! These are tears of joy! - Raising his fist to face level, objected Roni.

- Yes, yes, of course.

- We are glad that you are all right, - with a sad smile, said Rick who approached, - And I'm sorry, - he fell on his knees in front of him, his forehead touching the ground.

- I still he then said that I do not blame you for anything, - Eros said with a soft smile, - I made that choice myself.

- But...

- No BUT! - Eros replied angrily, - And if you continue to annoy me with this, I will knock you out, change into Lily's dress and send you straight to the city center of Magnolia.

- Got it!

- This is another matter, - the titan nodded contentedly, lifting himself up and leaning against a tree, "And thanks to Lily for having healed.

- How?! - shocked, asked the girl.

- I still feel the remnants of someone else's magical power in my body, and from you it blows exactly the same, but very weakly, - replied Eros, with the support of Roni, getting to his feet, - Where are we?

- In the Eastern Forest, half a day from Magnolia, - Rick answered quickly.

- Well, - his look became serious, - So soon, they should catch up with us.

- Yes, although they are B-ranks, you should not underestimate them, these five work perfectly in a team that can even compete with a strong A-rank mage, - said Roni in a firm voice.

- Got it, then we had only one choice, - his gaze fell on the trees, - Set fire to the forest.

- What? - shocked, asked the man, - Set fire to the forest? We'll just show them where we are...

- Not only for them, - Rick shook his head, realizing the plan of Eros, - He wants to play for luck, because we simply cannot escape from them, so by setting a fire, we will be able to attract the attention of other magicians passing through the forest.

- Got it, then let's start...

- While stay, let's hide the children first, - the titan began to look around until his gaze fell on the healthiest tree, - Help me get to that tree.

- What for?

- Then I'll explain, come on already.

- Okay, - slightly frowning, Roni led Eros to the tree, he put his hand to him and closed his eyes, after a moment, a white magic circle lit up, extinguished a second later.

- Get the dagger out of my pocket.

- Dagger? - thrusting his hand into his pocket, Roni took out a dagger, from which cold sweat pierced him, - Is that... ?!

- Something you don't like?

- Not.

- Well, then carve an entrance in the tree, 1 by 1 meter, - Roni looked at Eros in surprise, stuck a dagger into the tree, he did not feel resistance, - Is this dagger so sharp ?!

- No, club, - Rick's hand met his face, - This tree is hollow.

- A trifle! Whom did you call a cudgel! Tired of living ?!

- Who did you call it a trifle, old man ?!

- Old man ?!

- So! - both got on the head from an angry Eros, - We have no time to fool around now!

- Sorry, - they answered simultaneously, bowing their heads.

- Do what I tell you! We must finish with all the cases and prepare to meet with them.

- Got it, - when Roni finished the entrance, they saw a void in it.

- Hey, what is your magic? Rick asked in surprise.

- Then I'll tell you when we're safe, and now to work!