Chapter 12: Idiots
Leya knelt directly in front of Mitch, her breath coming in ragged gasps as she pressed one knee into the soft earth.
Her reinforced steel shield lay abandoned beside her, its polished surface reflecting the dappled sunlight that filtered through the ancient trees surrounding them.
The weight of exhaustion pressed down on her shoulders like a heavy cloak.
The air whistled with deadly intent as another iron-tipped spear sliced through the humid atmosphere, its trajectory aimed directly at Mitch’s chest.
Simultaneously, a massive brown bear, standing nearly seven feet tall on its hind legs, just a head shorter than Mitch’s imposing frame, lumbered toward them from the left.
Its coal-black eyes gleamed with predatory hunger, and razor-sharp claws extended from its massive paws, each one capable of tearing through flesh and bone with terrifying ease.
Mitch’s mind cleared as the last vestiges of his stunned state evaporated like morning mist.
Without hesitation, he swept Leya into his protective embrace, feeling her trembling form against his chest.
A translucent blue shield materialized around them both, shimmering with ethereal energy.
The magical barrier pulsed with a soft hum, its surface rippling like disturbed water. The incoming spear struck the shield with a sharp metallic clang, deflecting harmlessly to the side and embedding itself in the trunk of a nearby oak tree.
The bear’s massive claw descended with bone-crushing force, but the enchanted barrier held firm.
Where the beast’s claws made contact, only the faintest of ripples spread across the shield’s surface, like stones thrown into a still pond.