Chapter 479 Fleeing the camp
The time for confrontation had passed; now was the time to flee. With the prized seeds safely in their possession and their mission completed, the group was ready to flee the Frantian camp and the dangers of the Lumisgrove.
As Erik's command echoed across the chaotic battlefield, the group sprang into action. They took off on their heels, their sights set on escape, leaving a scene of carnage and confusion in their wake. As they dashed through the maze of tents and fortifications, their hearts pounded in their chests, adrenaline fueling their movements.
They could hear the pursuing Frantian soldiers' shouts close behind them, their boots pounding on the frozen ground while they attacked them from a distance. The soldiers' rage and the raw sounds of battle created a dangerous soundtrack that kept them moving forward.
The group formed a row to escape.
Erik was the third person in the row, and he was carrying the priceless Auburn Pine cones in the backpack he was wearing. He ran at a grueling pace, and the chilly air made his breath look like it was frozen. His Plant Master's brain crystal power assisted their escape by manipulating the vegetation to impede their pursuers, allowing him to expertly navigate the obstacles that stood in their way as they made their way through the maze.
Marcus followed behind, his eyes scanning the area for potential threats. His shield was ready to deflect any attacks that came their way. The strain of keeping the mana shield up for so long was visible on his face, but he refused to give up.
Alexia and Garrett led the charge, their weapons drawn. Alexia killed soldiers from a distance, while Garrett rushed forward and killed anyone who got past Erik's and Alexia's attacks. His sword, still humming with wind mana, dispatched any soldiers who got too close.
Their escape was a blur—a race against the clock against the relentless pursuit. Every breath was a gasp, and every stride was a fight against exhaustion. They did not, however, slow down. Fear gave them wings, and the threat of capture or death pushed them to move faster.
The issue was that the ranged attacks became more intense at some point.
"Marcus, please get behind us!" Alexia yelled over the commotion of their escape, her voice franker than usual. "Cover our retreat with your mana shield!"
Marcus didn't question her command after hearing her words amid the chaos. Instead, he nodded in agreement, realizing the importance of his role. He had been their shield, their bulwark against the Frantian soldiers' relentless attacks. His role was more important than ever before.
Erik, Alexia, and Garrett went farther away as the man slowed. His attention was drawn to the task, and his senses were alert to the danger around them. Sweat beaded on his brow from the strain of maintaining his shield.
He extended his mana shield as he fell behind, the shimmering barrier enveloping the group from behind. His eyes were hard, and his resolve firm as he held the line, ensuring his friends' safety from the onslaught.
This formation allowed the others to concentrate on their escape, running as fast as possible. They had a chance of outrunning their pursuers and making it out of the Lumisgrove and away from the Frantian camp, with Marcus covering their retreat.
Marcus' mana shield provided some protection, but it did not deter the most determined of their pursuers. Undaunted by the formidable defense, a small group of Frantian soldiers continued their pursuit.
Their eyes were determined, and their armor glinted in the Lumisgrove's otherworldly glow. They maneuvered around the slower soldiers, their agility and skill on display. Each stride closed the gap, their sole focus on their evading quarry.
Erik looked back, his heart pounding as he saw the soldiers closing in on them. Each person's face was a grim mask of determination, their intent obvious. The danger was palpable, the threat real, and it grew by the second.
"Keep going!" Erik yelled, his voice ringing with urgency. Every second, they counted. Every step was a victory—a battle for their lives. They needed to outrun their pursuers to reach safety before their strength dwindled.
Alexia and Garrett surged forward as if in response to his words, their bodies pushing past the point of exhaustion. They knew their lives were on the line and that slowing down was not an option. Their resolve was echoed in their strides; their grit and determination were imprinted on every step they took.
Marcus continued to defend behind them, his mana shield gleaming with resilient energy. Alexia and Erik attempted to kill the men chasing, but they were clearly elites from how they moved, and their attacks did not have the desired effect.
After some time, Erik and his companions found themselves beyond the immediate battlefield, with the Frantian camp's discordant sounds and the Ursus Glacialis roars becoming faint.
They were, however, far from safe. The elite Frantian soldiers were still after them.
"We can't shake them off!" Garrett exclaimed, his breath ragged from the constant running. His gaze returned to the pursuing soldiers, their figures drawing ever closer. "What should we do?"
Alexia looked at Erik with a grim expression on her face. "We fight," she proposed, her voice steady despite their dire situation.
Her hold on the bow became increasingly firm, and the steely determination in her words was mirrored in her determined gaze. She was prepared to take a stand and go head-to-head with those pursuing them.
After a brief pause, Erik broke the silence by nodding in agreement. They were in a hopeless predicament, and the odds were stacked against them, but there was nothing else they could do. They were unable to get ahead of the elite soldiers by running faster. The idea of battling against them was extremely terrifying, but it appeared to be their only choice.
"We really need Ava's help!" The following is what Erik emphasized: He turned to face each of his friends, meeting their gazes with a resolute composure despite his calm demeanor. "I'm not sure we'll be able to beat them!"
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