Adrian was still relaxing on the high treetop when the exceedingly alluring woman approached him.

Adrian stood up and jumped down to the ground, landing safely on his feet.

She lowered herself to the ground. Both of her bare feet touched the dusted ground.

“Congratulations, mother.” Adrian smiled. His expression was contrasting to the messy situation he was in. “You have reached level 9.”

But she frowned and rushed towards him, her steps were as graceful as graceful could be. The silver dress which dazzled even without the little moonlight that passed through the stubborn clouds, fluttered with the now gentle breeze.

She put her crystalline hands on both of his shoulders. “Are you okay, dear?” Her silver eyes, which seemed to have dimmed down a little, scanned through his torn clothes.

She turned him around. Her dimming eyes suddenly blazed again, this time- in rage. She gritted her teeth. Bruises covered his back.

She revolved him, making him face her again. The smile on his face had yet to run away.

“Relax, mother.” He said. “Tis nothing but a scratch.”

“Hmph.” She snorted as she brought out a green potion from the pouch hanging from her waist.

She opened the cork and shoved the vial’s mouth into his.

*Gulp. Gulp*

The transparent vial soon turned out to be empty.

The apparatus was finally removed from his mouth. “Hah.”

“That mother**er!” She bellowed. The use of such a vulgar word only added ‘wildness’ to her already divine beauty. “Why did I let him off with such an easy death?”

“Mo-“

“And you shut up.” She scowled at him. “You wrote that you only needed me to kill some high level circlers, you never penned down that they would be attacking you.”

Adrian smiled wryly. “If I wrote that, would you still wait here? You definitely would have charged into Aurlith.”

“Anyways.” She sighed, a smile formed on her face. “You are safe. That’s what matters.”

She opened her arms and wrapped them around him, pulling him into a warm and tight hug. Adrian returned the favour, enveloping her with his own.

“It has been more than two years, dear.” Melancholy was evident in her voice. “And what have you sent me during that time? Two letters asking for favours and three of your fingers?”

“Mother, your breasts have grown firmer.” He responded.

Her face tinged red. “Don’t change the topic!”

“I missed you too.” He said, with his ever charming voice of course.

Silence ensued.

After a whole minute, they finally broke the hug. He had a gentle smile on his face while her eyes were tearing up.

Adrian wiped off the stray tear that escaped from one of her eyes with his hand. “Let’s go. The old man’s life is in danger.”

“Tsk.” She clenched her fists as she floated up in the air again.

She took off with dashing speed, flying towards the small hill like structure that could be seen at a distance.

Adrian’s bruises were beginning to subside at a visible pace due to the supreme level healing potion his mother just fed him, Using such a high level potion for such ‘minor’ injuries was definitely a waste. But he did not mind as he began to walk towards the same direction his mother went to.

******

Inside the ‘earthen jail’.

The old man was in a mess. His clothes were ripped apart here and there, blood drenched the remaining. Gaping wounds were visible through the torns, oozing out red and hot blood.

But the old man’s face did not betray an ounce of pain. The only thing written on his eyes were absolute concentration and burning determination.

He was not the only one who was in that condition though. The grey furs of the creature before him were dyed red as well. Moreover, it was not just scratches or cuts, the bloodied parts of its body were caved in- as if they were hit hard, extremely hard, by a blunt weapon.

The war hammer lied steadily in the guardian’s strong hand. Despite his exhaustion and injuries, the grip on the handle of his weapon was as hard as it ever was.

It has been some time since those distracting arrows came in. The archer was most probably out of arrows, or he saved a few for the right time.

The old man charged ahead again. He had no qualms about giving up on his life. As long as he could hold these two here and the Royal Advisor could run away safely- his mission would be over.

The furred being dodged the heavy strike of the battle hammer and countered with its five sharp claws. The old man was prepared. He manoeuvred around the claws, evading it but-

*Spurt*

Blood gushed out from his right shoulder; an arrow was struck to the base of his arm. Though he had his guard up against the archer, he was already in an heated motion when the arrow was let loose and the exhaustion had already blurred his senses.

Moreover, the flight of the arrow did not let out its usual whistling noise.

“Tsk.” The old man clicked his tongue. His dominant arm was now rendered powerless. But soon, a smile appeared on his face as he shifted the heavy hammer to his left hand.

“Let’s end this.” A crazed look replaced everything on his face.

But before he could take a step forward-

*Rumble!*

Thunder crashed against one of the nearby trees. Everyone- be it the old man, the creature or the archer looked up.

The cloud above was twisting, as if a hurricane were dawning upon them.

*Whoosh*

The gentle breeze around suddenly accelerated, taking the form of a storm. A wall of high velocity wind further enhanced the prison they were in. Now, it was a blockade of wind and earth.

The three frowned. ‘Wasn’t the storm taking place a kilometre or so further? How did it suddenly some here?’

But soon, horror plastered on the face of the archer and the furred creature while a smile formed on the guardian’s face.

“Emilia Darkheart.” He muttered.