Chapter 36: The air wall.

"Alright my turn". Aaron said and stepped forward, he cracked his knuckles and they made a loud sound.

It was completely dark now and night had fully reached, I tried to stay alert but despite the adrenaline rushing through my bloodstream, I was starting to feel slightly sleepy.

I looked at the other mages and the tired expression on their faces told me they were just as tired.

Zoe was the worst of us, she stood straight but one could easily see she was exhausted, she panted heavily and beads of sweat dripped from her face.

The two drivers of the carriages had huddled in one carriage together, they watched with frightened faces as we faced the serpents. I felt slight pity for them, they didn't sign up for all these.

"Don't expect me to take as long as you did". Aaron said and smirked at Zoe. "This is a man's job, only a man can do it well".

Even though Zoe was slightly tired from the battle she just finished, a look of disdain still managed to creep on her face. She said nothing in response though.

Aaron stepped forward and picked a snake randomly, he walked to it and stretched his arms.

The serpent's tongue flickered in the air as it studied Aaron.

It could see that he was cocky, it could also sense the mana level inside him and it knew it wasn't particularly high so this was going to be an easy battle for it.

Aaron didn't like the way the snake looked at him, it felt like he was an exotic dinner it was going to enjoy. Irritation crossed his face but it was gone in a second.

"How do we do this?"

He asked the serpent with a smile on his face. "Do we bow to each other first or what?"

"Stop stalling for time and fight that beast!" Liam shouted at him from the back.

Aarons smile faded and a frown came on his face. "Hey, I didn't see this energy when it was her turn!" He yelled.

"It was there". Emily said. "He's been complaining since the start of the fight like he's not the reason we're stuck here".

"Hey, it's not my fault I have travel sickness". Liam complained. "I just want to rest but scaredy cat over there doesn't want to fight his beast".

"How about I come fight you instead". Aaron snapped.

"Don't think because you're a level two mage, I can't take you". Liam said. "Bring it on".

"Shut up you two". Emily said. "While you two scatterbrains are busy arguing like kids, the snakes are getting closer to us".

I looked around and realized she was right, the snakes had been a few feet away from us before but now they had inched closer to us while we were unaware.

The snakes acted with coordination that I didn't know was possible for beast monsters, they had also acted subtly, with intelligence . I realized there was still a lot I didn't know about beast monsters.

I coated my knives with air in anticipation of their attack.

As if a trigger was released, the snakes suddenly rushed at us.

Hissss!! Hisss!! Hisss!!!!

The forest was filled with the sound of several hisses as the serpents launched themselves at us with veracity.

A large serpent aimed at me and tried to strike its fangs at my face, I moved out of the way and brought my knife to slash its head off but a powerful breeze ripples through the forest and the snakes were all lifted up from the ground and flung away from us.

Whooooshhh!

I looked up and saw Zoe sag to the ground, understanding dawned on me, she had created the wind that pushed all the snakes away even though it had cost her a lot of energy.

Just how powerful was this girl?

"Zoe!" Liam shouted and ran to help her up.

"I'm fine". Zoe said and got to her feet although her knees buckled. "It's better if we fight them one by one". She said. Searᴄh the NôᴠeFire.ηet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

"You're right". Aaron said and flexed his hands.

"Fire wall.." He shouted and was about to move his hands when Zoe shouted.

"Stop!"

We all looked at her and she held her hand up at Aaron. "Fire is too dangerous".

"I know, but what choice do we have really?" Aaron said. "Liam is not strong enough to build an air barrier and we don't even know what the new kid does".

Zoe nodded grimly. "I know, I'll do it".

"No, you're too weak". Liam and Aaron protested at the same time.

"Guys". Emily said with a slight quiver in her voice.

I looked around and saw that the snakes were advancing on us again.

"Look we don't have time, I'll do it". Zoe said and shrugged herself free of his hold. She staggered a but stood regardless.

"Air wall!" She shouted and the air around us began to gather violently, it formed a large circular barrier with us in the middle, forcing the snakes to run back.

They knew if they touched the wall, they would be sucked in and flung away.

"Good job". Aaron said to her.

I noticed that when faced with battle, his simping demeanor had disappeared and he was now very serious like.

"Open a gap in the middle, let one come in". Aaron continued to say.

Zoe nodded, she groaned and I could see the vein in her forehead twitch as she strained. A gap opened up in the air wall, the gap grew bigger until it was big enough for a snake to enter.

"Okay that's enough". Aaron said.

We waited and watched as a serpent noticed the gap and rushed to it, it slithered in.

"Close it". Emily told Zoe and she nodded, the gap began to reduce.

Aaron smiled and flexed his hands, ready to fight the snake.

Then something crazy happened, another serpent noticed the gap in the air wall and jumped in before it closed.

"Oh no". Liam exclaimed.