Novel Full Chapter 677 - Caution.
Chapter 677 – Caution.
Green stumbled as the world shook. The violent discharge of mana from the crystal didn't seem to originate from the broken shards on the ground, no it was somewhere else and it was shaking everything. Dust and loose stone fell from the ceiling as Green fought for a moment to keep her footing. The shaking didn't last long and once it was over Green threw her mana into the wind letting her move with her max speed, not caring for the inefficiency of the expenditure to position her behind Gloves and slam the palm of her hand into his neck. Dropping him instantly. It was somewhat risky, and had a chance to be a fatal attack, but Green wasn't terribly concerned at this point in time.
*Dammit! I don't know if just killing the bastard isn't a better idea. If this was all real he could have risks at least a dozen lives with that idiotic move. I can't believe he would do something so unbelievably dumb. If this was real, the lives were real I'd be much angrier… but I would also be less likely to risk simply killing him… but my anger might push me over the edge.*
"Buff can you Carry gloves? He's an idiot and I won't have him risking anyone else. If you need to drop him, DO IT. I will not have you risk your life for that little shit. I wish I was surprised but honestly I feel like I should have seen this all coming and that's on me. We need to get out of here as fast as possible and assess the damage, probably start leading people out. Gray is there any of way out of here?" shouted Green intensely.
Buff sighed while shrugging his shoulders and making his way over to Gloves unconscious body. The fact that it was wasn't solid wood giving away the fact he was still alive to those in the know. Green of course hadn't seen a 'corpse' to realise this fact and didn't really care either feeling no remorse at all for taking care of a problem, perhaps permanently. "I'm afraid not Green. If there are other exits, I don't know about them, and I don't know if they'd survive that recent explosion. We'll have to go back the way we came in,"
Green growled but starting jogging in that way, looking back to see Buff easily keeping off and Gray struggling to keep up somewhat but not complaining nor falling behind. It was a clear effort but she was a tough old bird. Well that or the fact she lacked real muscles was really helping things. Tophat was managing well enough, though her face was slightly pinched. As the group ran Green asked, "Is there like a ladder somewhere in the store? I know there was some rope but I think I'd be better of using my mana to help," *Even though it's dipped back down below a quarter after taking out Gloves,* "then bothering with that."
Gray huffed sucking in air as she ran to answer the question, "I do believe… that there… might be a small… ladder somewhere… in the back… maybe."
Tophat jumped in, "Sorry Gray… I know that" Tophat sucked in a deep breath between steps, "the ladder broke somewhat recently and I never replaced it."
Green shrugged as she ran, "We'll just not worry about it. Actually… Buff… would you be able to throw the other two up? Perhaps I jump up first, help catch them at the top while you throw then come back down for you?"
Buff got a thoughtful look on his face as he jogged, easily able to focus as the running, even with a burden, wasn't hard for him. "Yes" was the simple answer. It was a firm answer, if not an expressive one. Green almost wanted to ask for more details but that was enough in the end.
It also helped they just reached the end of the tunnel. "Actually can you throw me up first? I don't think I can afford to waste anymore mana,"
Buff didn't even answer this time, simply grabbing Green with surprising care and then hurling her up out of the hole. She was somewhat surprised at the swift action, but well used to the speed. Green was able to turn herself in the air and land firmly on the ground at the top of the hole. "Ok ready for the next person," said Green.
Gloves came flying out of the hole next and Green did consider doing the right thing… but she was feeling a little vindictive and simply pulled the body off to the side letting it drop rather than catching him properly. "Next!" said Green.
This time it was Tophat that was thrown, Green swiftly moved to the side and pulled Tophat while she was still in the air. This meant that Tophat came down onto solid flooring, and only stumbled slightly as Green moved them further away from the hole just in case they fell backwards. "Next!" said Green once Tophat was stabilised.
This time, instead of a person Gray's walking stick actually came up first, and Green swiftly handed it off to Tophat. Green then watched for a few moments before Gray came flying up after them. Not trusting Gray's legs Green stood as close to the edge as possible and pulled Gray into her arms. It was tough, as their similar size made the act somewhat awkward as Green quickly moved backwards away from the hole. Green felt her arms straining under the weight though her legs were able to manage. *Another damn sign I need to sort out my arm strength.*
Green carefully let Gray sit up and leave the hold next to the counter so that she could use it as support until Tophat handed over the cane. Green sucked in a deep breath before jumping down the hole. Buff was able to take one large step back to avoid her landing and while Green wanted to use her mana for to soften it, she didn't have that to spare really so she took impact with her body, bleeding of a lot with her legs and rolling forward to take the rest of the impact.
"Ok Buff. Here's how this is going to have to work. I'm going to need to see if you can get onto my back. I don't have the arm strength to lift you nor the right technique to launch you up without either giving you my boots, which clearly wouldn't fit on your feet, or holding you in some way. Now the issue is that the hole isn't all that wide. So once we start lifting I'll need you to try and launch me up and backwards as well. Can you manage that?" explained Green.
Buff just said another lone, "Yes" with complete confidence. Green wasn't quite feeling it but had to be ready to try. Green lined herself up as best she could so that Buff was directly above the hole when standing behind her. Green crouched slightly as Buff shifted his weight onto her back and frankly looked a little silly, legs pulled in, massive frame leaning on her, but Green pulled through. Not waiting for a go signal she pushed almost all of her remaining mana into a downwards burst launching the two. Buff was ready and as soon as he felt them moving up pulled Green not up and above him, but in close and to the side protecting her with a bicep.
Green winced as she heard Buff's arm smack into the side but he made no sound as they cracked through a couple floorboards and ended up in the room. Buff through Green off to the side and reached out to grab the counter pulling himself forward and off to the side. Green dropped to the ground panting. Her body struggle to replace the missing mana she'd spent.
*Curses. I've let it sit too low for too long without proper rest. I know better than this dammit. A Fae should always be more careful with our mana levels and I just ignored it. If I'd just let myself reach the cap, or even halfway but I kept using it while nearly out. I'll be fine, but… I think one more full powered spell will take me out of things.*
Green grimaced and rose to her feet despite the gnawing feeling in her stomach crying out to be filled. Her mana levels were around a tenth, if not less but she managed to stand and make it outside, cursing under her breath at what she saw.
The flame barrier had been keeping the flames from spreading before, well they weren't now. Most houses had burning rooves, the nearby trees had started to burn in earnest. A slow crawl along the surprisingly wet grass.. While the wall was no longer in play, most of the fire from it still was and now, instead of a slow even ring closing in on them, it was a series of wildfires eating up the available space.