panic. The demons got closer, the half-men pressing in. Despite his best effort to keep his magic flowing, he watched with horrified eyes as one of the Imps, its arm sheathed in its dark power, reached towards him.
It was hurt by his magic when it touched his aura, the powers sizzling and snapping as they collided, but continued to reach for him. When its claw touched his arm, its fire burning him, his panic peaked and, screaming, everything went white.
…
Marcus slipped as he reached the top of the rise, falling and losing his grip on Hailyn. She rolled away and started back towards Jake, sending her magic into the press of half-men. Marcus ran after her and grabbed her again, pulling her up to the rim of the depression.
Hailyn fought against him, desperate to help Jake. She could see flashes of his magic flaring into the sky. He was still fighting, she knew. As she twisted her body and broke free again of Marcus' grip, she turned back towards Jake, her power shining. As she felt Marcus reach for her again, Jake's scream sounded and a rolling ring of white fire exploded out of the mass of half-men, consuming them or flinging them away.
The force of the explosion drove her back, causing Marcus to lose his footing. They tumbled backwards, down the hillside. Hailyn was desperately trying to stop her momentum when she hit her head on something hard, driving away consciousness.
She was drifting in darkness when a golden light flared, warming her. She came awake, feeling the healing power of the clerics coursing through her. She opened her eyes to see Jonas kneeling down next to her, glowing brightly as he worked his magic. Once he was satisfied, he helped her to her feet.
She immediately saw Marcus standing guard, near Shadow and Dontas, watching the woods. The horses were sweating, clearly ridden hard. She glanced around, then cried out. "Jake!" She began to head back when Jonas caught her arm.
"Dominic went to find him." Jonas said gently, eyes sympathetic and knowing. "Wait with patience. Tell me what you remember."
She was telling Jonas about Jake's battle in the depression when Dominic appeared over the top of the rim, striding quickly, carrying Jake in his arms. Hailyn, a low cry in her throat, started forward at the sight of Jake. He was limp in Dominic's arms, head rolling from side to side as Dominic moved. His skin was pale, chalk-like. When Dominic placed him gently on the ground at Jonas' feet, she could see some faint streaks of white in Jake's hair, his face hollow-looking.
"Is he dead?" She asked softly, voice cracking, her heart breaking at the sight.
"No, girl." Dominic said, looking down at Jake. "He is still with us."
Jonas quickly knelt next to Jake, examining him. With a slight frown, he placed his hand on Jake's forehead, closing his eyes. His power flared as he began to heal Jake. Suddenly, Jonas' eyes flew open, wide and in shock. There was a radiant burst of white light between Jake and Jonas, flash-blinding Hailyn. When her eyes cleared, she saw Jonas, power gone, laying on his side next to Jake, twitching and eyes fluttering.
She knelt next to him, probing him with her power. There was nothing physically wrong that she could find, but she was able to sooth his body and he relaxed. After a few moments, he began to slowly move his head.
"Can you hear me, Master?" Hailyn asked gently.
Jonas nodded slowly, looking up towards the sky. He tried to press himself up onto an elbow, but fell back.
"Just lie still." Hailyn told him, gently patting him on the chest.
She glanced over at Jake, Dominic squatting next to him. His color had returned and the white streaks in his hair were no longer there. He began to move about as well, his eyes opening and looking about. "What happened?" He asked, voice soft. Hailyn almost cried for joy when she heard him speak.
"We don't know yet, boy." Dominic answered him, resting a hand on his shoulder. "Just relax for now."
Dominic reached over and grabbed Jonas' staff, shoving it into Hailyn's hands. "You have to protect us until Jonas recovers." He said, standing and calling Marcus over.
She had never held the staff before. Curious, Hailyn drew in her power. She could feel it flood into her, amounts that she had never held before, her aura shining brightly. Dominic looked at her, eyes appraising, then nodded.
"We need to get them back to the