It turned out that Nalorakk had transformed while attacking this time, shortening the gap so Alleria would have no chance to escape again.
"Pain follows me!!" the bear spirit's voice rang out.
Alleria had fought Trolls for years and knew something of their fighting habits. Watching the enormous bear paw swing straight at her, she arched backward at the waist. The paw swept past almost flush against her body, narrowly missing a direct hit.
Still, the fierce wind stirred up by the paw left Alleria reeling. She barely managed to land, but Nalorakk seemed to have calculated where she would touch down. In an instant, the giant bear's claws turned crimson and slammed toward her.
At that very instant, a figure flashed into view before Alleria, and dense Arcane energy enveloped her. Patrick had blinked directly in front of her to block the giant bear's blow.
The bear's claws struck Patrick's Arcane Shield, their force stopped by the Arcane energy. Only a gust of wind raised by the paw brushed Alleria's and Patrick's faces, carrying a faint smell of blood.
Patrick supported Alleria from behind, placing his right hand beneath her knees and easily lifting him into his arms. The female Elf's head was very close to Patrick's, and each could feel the warmth of the other's breath.
Seeing Patrick block his attack, Nalorakk refused to give up and swung another paw. Once again, it struck Patrick's Arcane Shield, and nothing more happened.
Arcane energy slowly gathered. Channeling his mental power and guiding the Arcane energy in his hands, Patrick rose into the air with Alleria, leaving the ground behind. Akil'zon had already retreated in defeat, leaving only Nalorakk, who knew no magic at all. In the air, Patrick had absolutely nothing to fear.
Within a few breaths, Patrick's Arcane