Chapter 24: Clipping wings

In this moment, I knew that my hiding time was over. Without waiting for the adventurers to come closer, I darted out of my hiding spot, spreading my wings to fly up in the forest canopy, where I will be well-hidden from everyone below.

"A kobold! We've missed one!" shouted Rast after me. "Get it!"

"Damn, I'm all out of spells, except for the… Light!" Gleidon said, and in the next moment the dark forest lit bright with unnatural bluish-white glow that cast sharp shadows all around. It was so bright that I had to squint even though the source of said light was behind me. Immediately, the gasps of adventurers followed.

"Wings?!" That was Gleidon.

"Who cares, just kill it! Mina, what are you waiting for?"

I ran to a more open space and flew into the air. My wings beat with a thunderous sound, but my heart was even louder. That woman, Mina, had a bow—and until I reached the canopy, I had a target on my back. Just a couple more seconds…

'Get down!' Pest shouted at the same time I heart a whistling of an arrow piercing the air. I did a half-panicked aerial manoeuvre, and my body lurched down and to the side, but it was only partially successful. Instead of reaching my body, the arrow flew through my wing, piercing it like a sheet of paper—and it could've as well made from it with how strong my wings were.

I didn't even feel much of pain, but I immediately felt myself losing control over my flight. I couldn't see the sight of the hole in my wing membrane, but I knew I didn't want to have to see holes in my own scaled skin, and this was what I would be doomed for if I kept flying.

Three pairs of footsteps were audible behind my back as I dashed towards the ground. I let myself look back for a moment and was just in time to see Mina putting another arrow on her bow. I darted behind the nearest tree, dropping my spear to aid my speed, and quickly accessed my options.

First, my HP. I had 6 out of 7. Not much to fight with. The adventurers' attacks can easily one-shot me. An open fight wasn't an option.

I had to run and do it in a way they won't be able to follow. Upwards, first of all. If I could gain enough ground to climb a tree, they would lose me. If I could gain enough ground to hide, darkness will stop them from searching further.

That sounded like a plan, and I didn't have time to think further. The magic light began to dim, but the footsteps of my pursuers didn't slow. I ran.

Forest was a familiar ground to me. I jumped over tree roots, avoided thorny brambles, effortlessly slid between even close-standing trees and overall did the best with all the DEX I had, measuring my breath to do the best with all the CON I had.

'I'm doomed, I'm so fucking doomed. They probably already thinking you are an elite or some shit like this, they are totally going to take fucking precautions this time… I'm going to get exorcised and I've never even had an offspring… I'm too young to die!' Pest wailed in my head.

'Shut up or I will kill you before they will have to,' I snapped at him. 'Don't distract me!'

Surprisingly, Pest did as I say, and just in time for me to notice a branch hanging on my way. I bended before it could smack me in the face and listened for my pursuers.

The dark forest gave them much more problems than it did to me, especially since I led them right through all my leftover snares and webs, but while they didn't gain ground, they didn't get away, either. If this would continue, the sun will rise and they will be able to see well enough to catch up with me and my short legs.

There was no better time than now.

I glanced around as I ran until I spotted a tree with thick foliage and branches that grew from close enough to the ground that I could reach them in one wings-assisted jump. With the shouts of my enemies urging me on, I rushed towards it and pushed myself off the ground with all I had.

My wings beat once, twice, thrice in the air, before my hands clasped the lowest branch, and I pulled myself up. I glanced back at my pursuers to see them only dozen meters away and scrambled to the upper branches with the speed I didn't know I could muster until I had to.

An arrow flew dangerously close to my ear and embedded itself in the tree trunk. I used it as a foothold to get myself higher. The adventurers shouted something from below, their voices becoming more and more distant with each branch I hauled myself on. At first, I helped myself with wings now and then, but then I didn't have space for it.

Finally, the agitated shouts became indecipherable murmurs, and I looked down to find the adventurers tiny as ants from the height I perched myself at. Mina had a bow with a notched arrow, but it was lowered to the ground. I was sure they couldn't see me from where I was.

'Phew! I thought I'm fucking done for!' Pest exclaimed with relief.

'As always, it's all about you.' I bared my teeth in a snarl. That snarl widened when I saw Rast reaching towards the lowest tree branch. 'Oh look, they are going to try climbing.'