Chapter 13

ENID studied an animal print on the ground as he muttered, “I told them there would be no ghosts, but no, they obviously know Kesmet better than I do.” he huffed.

Kai was looking up at the night sky when screams and shouts from their left made Enid stand quickly and together, they nocked an arrow, aiming at whatever was coming their way.

From the misty horizon, between the trees, the other Sybils ran towards them yelling words Enid could not make out. He sighed in annoyance at their theatrics, probably so bored they decided to have a different sort of fun.

“Seriously guys.” Enid lowered his bow.

“No time to explain,” Rowan said once they reached them. He pushed Enid ahead of him in a rushed manner. Nyla grabbed Kai’s arm and began dragging him as well.

“What are you—” Enid began to complain but then heard the shrill sounds of howling followed by several floating ghosts swarming towards them, “Oh shi—”

“Move, Enid!” Rowan yelled as he continued to push him ahead. Enid obliged and began running on his own.

“Rowan! What did you do?!” Enid yelled as they ran in between the trees, jumping over logs and shrubs.

“It wasn’t me!” Rowan yelled back, “Ezra shot the ghost.”

“Huh?” she whimpered.

“And you said there were no ghosts in the hunting grounds,” Rowan said.

“So now it’s my fault?!”

“Guys!” Nyla yelled, “Escape first, blame later.”

“Where do we go, Enid?” Kai asked calmly.

Enid looked in thought before he replied, “This way.” He led the scampering group a little further on until he saw what he was looking for, a fallen tree trunk. He jumped over the trunk and disappeared. Kai followed, then Ezra. Finally, Nyla jumped over with Rowan right behind her.

Waiting to hit the ground, which wasn’t there, Nyla’s breath caught in her throat as she fell down a hole. She and Rowan rolled over each other down the tunnel until they came to a stop at the bottom where she landed on top of Rowan’s chest with a grunt.

“Glad to break your fall, Petal.” Rowan huffed. She grumbled and felt a hand clasp around her arm, helping her up. She looked over at Kai thankfully, who made sure she could stand on her own before letting go. Enid reached down to help Rowan up. “A cave. Nice.” Rowan dusted himself off.

The cave was large enough to allow them to stand, but just barely as their heads almost touched the roof. Kai and Enid lit their palms with their magic to illuminate the dark interior. The cave didn’t allow for much space which forced the Sybils to stand close together. The air was thick with the dust they caused as they fell and the air smelt stale.

“Well, it is a boar’s cave, so, hopefully, it’s abandoned.” Enid coughed and straightened his robe with his free hand.

“Boars dig caves?” Ezra asked in her elbow to prevent breathing in the air.

“Kesmet’s boars do.”

“Okay, so which way from here?” Nyla brushed her bangs from her face as she looked toward the multiple tunnels before them.

Enid shrugged. “Right?” he gestured.

With no objections, the Sybils followed Enid who led the way with Kai taking the rear, keeping them in the magic’s light. Only the crunch of sand beneath the Sybils’ feet could be heard as they walked, careful not to make any unnecessary noises for fear that boars were residing in the cave. Nyla was no expert, but she was sure that an encounter with them would not be pleasant.

“It’s probably weird timing,” Ezra broke the silence, “but I won the game, right?”

“Yeah, Ez, you won.” Rowan shook his head in disbelief.

Ezra, however, smiled. “That might just be the first game I won.” Everyone couldn’t help but smile at Ezra’s words.

“So, tell me, Enid.” Rowan said, making conversation in the otherwise quiet walk, “If we happen across any boars, what would be the best plan of action?”

“Well,” Enid replied, “One of two things could happen. Scenario A, they attack or Scenario B, which is the more plausible scenario, they run away. However, if they do attack, try not to get hit. Kesmet Boars have a hardened forehead which they use to headbutt their predators as a form of defence.”

“Sounds serious.”

“They’re just boars, Rowan.”

Soft grunted coughs echoed and bounced off the walls. The Sybils slowed their walk as the grunting grew louder. They neared an opening to the left of the tunnel.

Enid and Kai lowered the intensity of their glowing palms and noticed another light radiating from the obscure tunnel. The group crept along the walls until they reached the opening. Enid peeked into the tunnel to discover it was another cave, and within the cave were two large red-brown boars trotting in a circle, as though they were in a trance. Enid watched the boars for a moment longer before noticing their green glowing eyes. He looked above them and saw a floating object which was responsible for the green light and upon closer inspection, recognized it. He pulled back and turned to face his companions.

“What is it?” Nyla whispered.

“It’s Kesmet boars,” He replied.

“That’s okay.” Rowan placed his hands on his hips, “once they see us, hopefully they’ll run away. Isn’t that right, Enid?”

“I don’t think these boars will run.”

“Well, how many are there?”

“Two.”

“Ah, that’s not so bad.”

“Yeah, it’s just two boars. We’re five people. No biggie, we’ll be fine.” Nyla said.

“Guys.” Enid pitched in.

“We’re gonna fight boars?” Ezra asked excitedly.

“Guys.” Enid interrupted again.

“Of course, little Ez. I told you this trip would be fun.” Rowan grinned.

“GUYS!”

“Shhhh!” Everyone shushed, “They’ll hear you.” Rowan added.

“A piece of the sphere is inside the cave,” Enid said. The other four Sybils moved past Enid and peeked into the cave and gazed upon the floating object ahead of them. The first piece of the sphere that they found was floating in the air in an underground cave in front of them.

Nyla was the first to retract herself. “You’re right.”

“Honestly, Enid! Why didn’t you tell us sooner?” Rowan said.

“I was trying, but—”

“I know,” Rowan placed his left hand on his chest while he raised his right, “your soft voice doesn’t reach the masses.” Enid kicked his shin. “Ow! You mother--”

“Guys!” Ezra hushed. “The snorting stopped.”

The Sybils peeked behind the wall again and saw the two boars looking in their direction. Very slowly, the group retreated.

“Nice job, Enid,” Rowan whispered.

“What—” Enid began to protest, but Kai pushed them both in front of the opening of the cave. The two Sybils stumbled then righted themselves and turned to look at Kai with a scowl.

He crossed his arms. “There’s only two.”

The two shoved Sybils looked to their left to see the boars staring back at them. Rowan sighed. “Left.” He chose as he entered the cave, making Enid take the boar on the right. “Let’s dance, piggy.” Rowan teased.

The boar did not appreciate the taunt. Anger was visible in its eyes as it snorted and brushed its foot against the ground before charging toward Rowan with unimaginable speed. Rowan slammed his palm to the ground making him teleport to the other end of the cave, but when he looked up his boar was waiting for him. His eyes grew big, but before the boar made it to him, it was blasted to the side by Enid who ran over to him.

“They’re just boars?!” Rowan demanded, insulting Enid’s earlier statement.

“They must have been made stronger by the piece of the sphere,” Enid said. Rowan looked at the two boars approaching them then over to the other three Sybils waiting by the entrance of the cave. Nyla mouthed ‘you’re-doing-great’ whilst Ezra gave them an enthusiastic thumbs up, enjoying the scene playing out before her, and Kai, of course, looked bored.

Rowan sighed knowing they weren’t going to be getting any help from them. “Okay, I will keep them busy, you destroy the piece,” he said.

“They’re smarter than that. How do you know they’ll both go for you?” Enid asked.

Rowan let out a breath, “Just go.” Enid looked unsure but nodded.

Rowan conjured his magic and blasted at one of the boars and ran left, making the other boar chase him. Enid saw his chance and ran toward the sphere peace with his hand outstretched and in the corner of his eyes saw the boar that Rowan had blasted charged toward him. Rowan suddenly appeared in front of Enid and conjured a shield, which the boar slammed into. The force threw Rowan backward where he crashed into Enid.

“Can't we just kill these things?” Rowan grunted.

“The thought had crossed my mind.” Enid groaned, helping Rowan off him.

“Okay, distracting them is not working. What's Plan B?” Rowan asked as he and Enid rose to watch the boars stand closer to the sphere piece, protecting it.

The boars’ eyes began to glow brighter, and they opened their mouths where magic seemed to accumulate, forming a glowing green ball. Rowan’s eyes widened and he grabbed Enid’s arm and teleported them to the other end of the room to avoid the blast of magic the boars created which cracked the wall. Bits of rock fell to the ground from the hole the blast created.

“That's new,” Rowan said.

The boars turned to blast them again and Rowan and Enid dived in opposite directions to avoid it. Rocks crumbled and fell from the crater in the wall beside them.

Enid stood. “Hey Rowan, remember that time in Topaz City?”

Rowan made a shield to deflect another blast. “Which time?”

“That time when we were spying on—”

“Ahbadagah.” Rowan shushed, his cheeks turning red. “Yes, I remember.” he mumbled. They dodged another blast. “That's your plan?! Need I remind you it was not a success when we did it the first time. I nearly died!”

“Getting caught isn't the same as dying.”

“Have you met my mother?!”

Enid blocked the blast but still made contact with the wall behind him, making him cry out. “Rowan!”

“Alright!” Rowan didn't block the next blast that was coming his way, but before the blast hit him, a white portal opened where the sizzling magic ball went through and came out another portal to hit the other boar. Rowan slammed his palm on the ground and teleported to Enid. The boar sent another blast their way and Rowan slammed his palm once more and he and Enid swapped places with the boar in time for it to be blasted with its own magic.

The two boys stood, both boars defeated. Enid took the charm from his pocket and activated it before tossing it toward the floating sphere piece. A bright white sphere encased the piece and grew brighter and brighter, making Enid and Rowan cover their eyes, until it exploded, destroying the piece within.

“So, you’re still alive,” Nyla smirked as she entered the cave.

“Don’t sound so disappointed, Petal. I might think you don’t like me.” Rowan replied. She rolled her eyes.

“Thanks for helping,” Enid said sarcastically.

“Well, it was quite educational,” Nyla said. She knew she should have sprung into action earlier, but something about seeing Rowan and Enid fight together was entertaining. Like watching an old couple try and figure out how to do something they had done before but still hadn’t found an effective method for it yet.

“What happened in Topaz City?” Ezra asked.

Rowan cleared his throat. “So, where to next?” He and Enid shared a look, silently agreeing to never bring up what happened in Topaz City again.

Ezra pouted at being ignored. “I guess we should head to Sage Mountain,” she said.

“To the land of herbs, it is.”