Chapter 9: The Enemy of my Enemy

  Liam was not running aimlessly. This was all part of the plan. He just had to keep the stone apes occupied long enough for the others to get inside the school.

  The stone apes were pursuing him at a frantic pace but he had no problem staying ahead of them. However, he could feel his energy was dissipating rapidly. He felt that the howl had drained his stamina more than anything else. It did not use his mana like the diamond nails skill.

  As he ran he also had to dodge the stone pellets. He kept telling himself they were just regular stones. He had already been hit twice and they felt like stones.

  Breathing was becoming more difficult by the time he had reached the street leading to Brian’s house. He could not yet see the goblins but he prayed they were not far away as the stone apes were closing on him.

  He increased his speed a little and kept pumping his legs, He focused on just one stride at a time. He just needed to stay ahead a little while longer.

  He had passed Brian’s house and was nearing the end of the street when he saw around the corner the large goblin chief and some of his retinue. Further away he could see smaller bands of goblins ransacking houses.

  As Liam closed the distance he could see one or two of the goblins had noticed him. They were pulling on the chief’s arms. Liam hit the first goblin with a might slash of his sword. The creature fell to the floor with a shriek, clutching at its shoulder.

  Liam then quickly changed direction, heading for the potential safety of a nearby garden. He felt and heard the stone apes hit the band of goblins. Obviously, there was no love lost there.

  He had nearly reached the garden when something hit his leg, sending him tumbling to the floor. He looked down to see a small goblin locked onto his leg. Two stone apes were closing in on him. He hacked at the goblin again and again. The thing just wouldn’t let go until Liam had cut off one of his arms.

  He stood up and immediately had to throw himself to the side to avoid a massive arm. Again and again, Liam dodged blows from the two stone apes. Once he tried to block with his sword, but it was like being hit by a stone truck. He was thrown backwards five feet, barely able to keep on his feet. He had kept his grip on the sword, not that it would be of use - the stone ape barely looked scratched.

  He considered using diamond claws but he wanted to save that as a last resort. For now, he just needed to get out of here.

  He pulled back, again avoiding blows, the stone apes looked to be toying with him. Looking behind the apes Liam could see that his time was running out. Most of the goblins were lying on the floor now and it was only the chief left fighting. The chief must have been a higher level because he was holding off the apes. His axe was glowing and cutting through the limbs of the apes. But it would only be a matter of time. Liam could see the stress on the chief’s face.

  Liam needed to disappear before that happened. Another swinging arm came towards him. Liam used both his arms to partially block it - allowing the force to push him back and away from the other ape. He now had a small gap. He turned and ran for the alleyway.

  A stone hit him in the back, but he reached the alleyway safely. He pumped his legs even harder, no longer trying to conserve energy. This was an all or nothing attempt. Fortunately, the narrow passage seemed to restrict the movements of the stone apes. And it was only wide enough for them to go single file.

  He sprinted into daylight and did not slow down as he saw the eight-foot wall in front of him. He surprised himself by jumping and pulling himself to the top in one movement. With arms out-stretched he ran along the wall heading in the direction of where he thought the school was.

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  He took the risk of a glance behind him. The creatures may resemble apes but they did not have the same balance or dexterity. They were slowly edging their way along the wall. With every step they had to regain their balance.

  Liam slowed down now that he felt safer. He didn’t even have to dodge pellets as the stone apes did not have the balance needed to throw them.

  Once he felt he was clear away from his two pursuers he jumped down into an opposite garden.

  He took the opportunity to get a few deep breaths in.

  He was surprised by a notification.