This can’t go on much longer. I need to find a way to turn the tide.
Except it’s all I can do to keep moving. I’m spending all my time dodging and trying not to get caught between them, and it’s hard to find an opening to attack.
Adelaide slams into me, sending me toppling to the ground. I struggle to stand, unsure if there’s any point in getting up at all. Cierra circles in behind me while Adelaide looms large ahead.
Admitting defeat puts a sour taste in my mouth, but they have me right where they want me. Hurt and trapped.
This is it. It’s over.
Adelaide and Cierra advance slowly, waiting to see if I fight the inevitable and resist. What’s the point? I gave this battle everything I could but there’s nothing left. Nothing I can do will turn it around now.
I close my eyes, ready to accept defeat. They were too much to face alone. I brace for the inevitable strike, the final blow.
I wait to be knocked out. And wait… and wait.
But the final blow never comes.
I open my eyes. A shimmering barrier surrounds me, a strange glowing light that smells of something herbal and otherworldly at the same time. I blink, trying to comprehend what’s happening.
That glowing light—magic. It’s magic. Josh.
My wolf smiles, its tongue lolling out. I’m not done after all. There’s still a chance.
Josh is here.
~
Josh
A translucent blue dome made of magic covers the cornered wolf. The other two back off, wary of the strange barrier. Unlike the challengers, my big wolf’s shoulders relax after clenching for the final blow.
The dark brown wolf was alone and now he knows he’s saved. He knows I’m here.
I saved him from one blow, but we aren’t done fighting yet.
The light shining on him ripples for a second, lowering as I step inside the glowing circle and join him.
Bane lets out a pained growl as he slumps against me, his eyes fixed on his sister. Breathing hard and unsteady on his feet, at least he can rest for a moment. His fur is coarse and matted with dirt when I place a hand on his shoulder, and he leans heavily into my side for support, but he’s not finished yet. We still have a chance to turn this around.
“Easy, big guy,” I murmur. “I’ve got your back.”
And my new craft helps me do just that.
My specialty? Defensive magic.
Bane figured it out. He’s the one who reminded me that it’s a good thing we don’t share the same strengths. We’re complements. Our strengths balance out the other’s weaknesses.
Tough and strong, he’s always ready for a physical confrontation. So, if he’s offense, I should be defense. Someone has to watch his back and make sure he gets home in one piece. As soon as I started trying some defensive spells, something clicked into place.
This is the craft I’ve been searching for. Defensive magic is my calling.
Adelaide and Cierra close in around us, prowling outside the protective circle that shields us from their wrath. Adelaide lunges forward, trying to break through the shimmering barrier, but she’s met with a force that pushes her back.Adelaide snaps her teeth at me, ears flattening against her head as she slams her shoulder against the barrier. It holds firm against her attempts.
Adelaide’s eyes narrow, irritation on the wolf’s face as her lips pull back in a silent snarl. From what I know of her, she isn’t the most patient wolf. Sure enough, she claws at the barrier again, trying to take it down with willpower and claws alone.
Cierra joins her, adding her own might and bashing up against the defenses. Both wolves attack with relentless fury even as the magic shield harmlessly deflects their attacks.
After a few minutes, they must realize it isn’t working, though that isn’t stopping them.
