21 Chapter 21 Oh! There You Are! (1/2)

As the plant demon disappeared into dust, Argen crawled out from under the tree.

”More of those things are coming,” he said, dusting himself off.

”We're ready for them,” said Grey, swinging her sword at the ready.

Guit shook himself as he revealed his form again.His skin was greyer than it had been, and as he straightened up, he was taller, too.Examining his claws, he shook his head.

”I don't have holy powers or fire.These things are too strong for me,” he said.

”Just get a fire started, and burn the vines with a torch,” said Argen, pulling his sword out.

”Oh! Good idea!” Guit quickly gathered enough wood for a sizable fire, then Grey started it burning as the first of the plant demons arrived.

Airow took it out with a bolt to the flower, but they could all easily see dozens more approaching, traveling both under the ground and across it, using the vines to drag themselves.

Grey charged into the mess of vines, cutting with her fire sword, and burning them up.Airow shot bolt after bolt of his holy fire arrows, and Guit ran around with his torch and sword, cutting the vines, then burning them before they could completely root.

Argen stood back, looking bored, as the number of vines grew and grew, with each new plant demon's arrival.Looking down at his sword, he gave a sigh, then turned to the newest arrival, a plant that had tried to sneak around behind them.Holding his sword up, it became encased in black fire.With a swing of his sword, it shot an arc of black flames flying across the clearing, cutting the flower from its stem.All of the vines immediately stopped lashing around, and it started disappearing into dust.

Even with his immensely effective ability, Argen wasn't able to help stem the tide of demonic plants.There were just too many showing up, and trying to kill them.

”Fear not!” cried a voice behind them, as they heard horses galloping towards them.”The cavalry has arrived!”

Grey saw, out of the corner of her eye, Ray and a group of his men riding towards them, holding magical crossbows that shot flaming bolts.With the new help, they were able to finally make headway, striking the demons all down.

”You looked like you could use some help,” explained Ray, climbing down from his horse.

”We greatly appreciate it!” said Grey, turning off her flames.

”It seems the four of you are more than you first appeared,” he said, with a gleam in his eyes, looking at each of them.