Chapter 334

Vorbuk could feel the heavy wind against him as the three of them fell from the ship. They were falling fast and he had to think of a way out. If he did not think of something they would all die together. He did not want to die like a bug against a windshield. Falling from this height would definitely kill them.

"Vorbuk," Prince Leo's voice rang out as he aimed his hand downward, "Hold on!"

Vorbuk held on to Prince Leo's arm in effort to keep himself out of the way. He could hear the prince muttering something as fire shot out from the prince's palm. The heat was intense as the fire burned beneath them. Prince Leo was trying to slow their rate of falling as much as he could with his fire.

Prince Leo felt that he was lacking in many areas. That was something he had felt for a long time now. His heart beat fast at the thought of something happening to them. It was not only the wolf that was feeling worried about their situation and wanted to protect them. However Prince Leo was unaware of the little fox that was hiding with Vorbuk's care.

He was startled when he realized there was a small fox curled up inside the front of Vorbuk's clothes clinging to him. Prince Leo returned his focus without delay and spoke while pushing his fire mana to work harder to slow their speed, "I don't think I can slow us down enough! You should go into the shadows!"

"I can not take you into them with me if I go into your shadow!" Vorbuk argued with the prince about his dangerous idea.

Prince Leo already understood that fact when he suggested his friend to escape into his shadow, "If I am on my own I may be able to slow my descent enough for me alone to survive."

"Leo-!" Vorbuk tried to refute him.

Prince Leo snapped and shouted, "Vorbuk, go now! You will be safe in the shadows from the impact!"

Vorbuk hesitated as he struggled with the choice before him. There was the little fox that needed his help just as badly as the prince did. There was nothing he could do in this situation. He was not a bird that could fly them both out of here. Gritting his teeth he hated being put in such positions.

Prince Leo can handle himself... Vorbuk tried to reassure himself.

Holding onto the little fox, Vorbuk sank into the shadows together with her that Prince Leo cast. The little fox, Leah, was shivering from fear as she clung to Vorbuk closely. Soft whimpers could be heard echoing throughout the vast emptiness of the shadow realm. That fear soon left her as she looked around more.

Vorbuk could move instinctively through the realm of shadows but for Leah it felt like being lost in an empty void when she looked around the shadow realm. It was beautiful to look at and yet seemed impossible for her to navigate. Her eyes sparkled as she looked up at Vorbuk in awe. She was amazed at how he could move through the shadows with such ease.

Prince Leo sighed heavily with the both of them out of the way. He did not have to worry about them as long as they were hiding in the shadows. The only problem left was how to get himself out of the situation. Even if he spoke confidently in front of Vorbuk he was not certain. The prince was not certain he could manage to survive the fall with his power alone.

Fffssshhhhhh!

The fire blazed hot causing even the prince to sweat from his own flames. Exhaustion was overwhelming him the further down he fell. His descent had slowed down much more without the extra weight of the other two. It was still wearing him down as it took a lot of effort to use so much of his fire ability. Uncertain if it was enough to save himself.

His heart raced in fear while he pushed himself through his own limits. There was no time for hesitation. That was when he saw it coming.

"Your Highness," Captain Cory's voice called out from his ship as it moved in the prince's direction, "care for a ride?"

Prince Leo felt his tension lighten. He could not allow his guard to drop until he was on board the ship. Reaching out he grabbed for the rope that Captain Cory tossed in his direction while saying, "I gotcha!"

Holding the rope tightly the prince could feel the pirates slowly pulling him on board the ship. The rope waved back and forth in the air as it was pulled up the moving ship. Prince Leo struggled to climb up the rope while it was being pulled. He wanted to get on board the ship as soon as possible.

Climbing over the side of the ship he did not refuse the help of the pirates. They helped guide him over the side of the ship. His balance could only be maintained long enough to stumble a few feet onto the deck of the ship. Collapsing onto his knees out of exhaustion. His body shivered violently as he looked around to see that Sebastian and Ashley had made it on board the ship as well.

"Vorbuk?" Prince Leo called out his name in hope that he was still safe within his shadow, "Are you two alright?"

"Master?" Ashley called out while rushing over to the prince. He could sense his master was somewhere nearby. Knowing his master's element he understood where he was hiding.

Vorbuk slowly emerged from Prince Leo's shadow cast on the deck of the ship. He was still holding carefully onto the little fox. Replying to the two of them he spoke as the black fog faded out around him as he emerged from the shadows, "We are fine."

Ashley flinched as he heard the mention of another. Did master pick up another stray?

"It is a Kitsune race, right?" Prince Leo felt he had not seen wrong.

Vorbuk took the little fox and sat her down on the ship. She stood there and looked around at all of them. The only one that she felt comfortable with was Vorbuk. Not having met the others before.

The prince looked at the little fox and said, "It ain't safe to bring her with us."

"What are we going to do? Throw her overboard?" Vorbuk refuted the idea of abandoning the child.

"I never meant that." Prince Leo sighed as he knew it would be difficult for them to take care of the child while moving around. He also knew that Vorbuk understood that fact as well. There was no way Vorbuk would abandon the child. Anything and anyone in Drethia could harm the child if she was left behind on her own. It was not a kingdom that one could easily protect themselves in.

"We are already sailing through the witch's garden. It is too late to find somewhere safe for her. The only option is taking her with us for now." Ashley understood his master's train of thought and chimed in on his behalf. The area they were in was much too dangerous for the child to protect herself. His master would not be able to live with himself if he left her in this place.

Prince Leo sighed as he understood there was no other way.