The Saviors

The boy looked to the hole before he shifted. Hearing the wolf, he looked to Karma before he dashed towards the edge of the hill.
"C'mon!"

Avira saw the wolf lean down to lunge and she ducked, raising her dagger. The wolf snarled again, staying crouched, but didn't lunge yet.

"We don't have much time before the rest of the pack hears his call." The boy told Karma as he began to climb down the steep bank on the other side of the hill. He'd obviously done this many times.
 
Karma followed as quickly as his thick armor allowed, which was still surprisingly fast. He stopped and looked out over the edge of the hill, his dislike for heights becoming apparent.
Ah... Dammit...
He squeezes his eyes shut and took a deep breath before opening them just enough to see where he's going, following the boy as best as he could.
 
Upon reaching the bottom, the boy jumped the last foot and landed easily, walking towards a large pile of rocks that blocked the true entrance to the cave. "Help me take these down. Then you can get in."

Avira took a step back as the wolf approached, growling. It stayed crouched, inching forwards... then it lunged. She managed to block the wolf with her arm, her armor just enough to keep from being pierced. She was thrown to the ground by the weight... it was then she saw the wolf's right eye. It had been cut, and now was a dark grey. She dropped her dagger, now focused on keeping the wolf from getting any closer, its teeth locked in her armor.
 
Karma jumped from a bit higher up than the boy, eager to be on solid ground. He practically shoveled the rocks to the side, kicking the ones that he had dislodged out of the way.
Hang on Avira... We haven't come this far for you to become wolf food...
 
The boy helped, and soon the two had the wall torn down. Avira managed to throw the wolf over her head. It yelped as it hit the ground above her head. Instead of turning and bolting out the now-open entrance, it lunged at Avira yet again, though this time she managed to slice the side of his face with her dagger. The wolf backed away, snarling.
The boy held out his broken blade, but didn't move inside.

Avira looked over to Karma with a relieved sigh.
 
Karma did not hesitate, bolting inside to obscure the wolf's view of Avira. He looks into the wolf's eyes before turning to look at Avira, though he kept the wolf in sight.
Get out of here, I'll take care of this... In my experience, the only way to fight a wild beast like this is to fight on equal terms...
Having said that, Karma turns his full attention to the wolf again, slipping out of his armor until he's just in a shirt and pants, both made of cotton. He cracks his neck from side to side before hunching and crouching, ready for the wolf to attack.
 
The wolf snarled, looking back to Avira before looking to Karma.

Avira stood, limping to the entrance before she struggled to climb over the rocks. The young boy set down his broken sword to help her out, leading her to a nearby large rock to sit. She leaned back and examined her ankle. "This will be hard..." she muttered, knowing that the healing spells she knew would work, but that she would feel weak afterwards.. she never had fully learned them.
 
Karma let out his own threatening grunt before beginning to walk sideways around the wolf, trying to get behind it.
 
The wolf growled, turning to follow Karma's movement.

The boy reached out to touch her ankle but she kicked him away with her good foot.
"Go watch after Karma." She glared.

He hesitated, but went to stand by the cave entrance. Avira gently wrapped her hands around her ankle, taking a deep breath before she began to whisper an old spell of mending.
 
Tiring of the tension in the air, Karma let out a threatening cry as he charged, slamming into the wolf and bowling them both over.
 
The wolf, half-blind and injured, didn't bother have much time to react, snarling and kicking against Karma. He let out a howl, causing the boy to jump.

Avira's head slowly slumped forwards and her ankle began to heal, the swelling and bruising vanishing. The small cuts and scrapes she had gathered over the last little while were healing rapidly.
 
Karma grimaced his teeth as the wolf's legs hammered against his gut, but knew he had the beast right where he wanted it. He wrapped his arms around the wolf's chest and squeezed as hard as he could, letting out a yell of his own from the physical exertion.
 
Avira let go of her ankle, a soft glow emanating from it. She was slumping forwards as she slowly became quiet.

The boy stepped away, worried, but not knowing what she could do to help.

The wolf squirmed, snarling and howling.
 
Karma squeezed tighter, trying as hard as he could to squish the air out of this creature. He growls as the wolf howls, head-butting it's lower jaw.
Shut up already!
 
The wolf yelped as it was headbutted. After a minute or two the wolf started to slow down before finally going limp. The boy then rushed in, kneeling beside Karma.
"Are you okay? That was so cool... how did you do that??" He was amazed, yet a little scared.
 
Karma nodded, letting go of the wolf and wincing as he stands.
I'm fine... Just a little dizzy is all. I'm just glad that this wasn't a big cat, otherwise my stomach would be mincemeat. As for how I did it, I have worked very hard to become as strong as possible to protect my friends and family, so now I can do things without magic, like everyone else in my kingdom.
 
"Magic can be dangerous.." The boy paused before looking out to the entrance. "Come. I have food." He started out. Walking to Avira, he hesitated.
"Miss?"

Avira shifted before looking up. She slowly climbed to her feet, though it was obvious she was a little weak. "Yes?"

"Come with me. I've got food.." he looked back to Karma, as if to ask if it was okay.

Avira followed the boy's gaze to Karma. Her eyes were more dull than usual. "Are you okay?" She asked, walking over to him.
 
Karma smiled, though the throbbing claw marks on his waist and stomach made it hard.
I'm fine... Heh, well, you said you wanted something to eat.
Karma grabbed Avira's arm, the arm closer to him, and put it over his shoulder, supporting her despite his own injuries.
 
Avira tried not to put much weight on him. "I.. I can heal you if you want. I know a few minor incantations... it could help." She put her other hand on his shoulder, a soft, golden glow emanated from it.
As she spoke, the boy went to the side of the hill and started to climb quickly. As he reached the top, he whistled, a signal of sorts.
 
Karma shook his head, softly brushing away her healing hand.
No, you're already tired, rest yourself... These are my wounds to bear, and it won't do to get exhausted on a few scratches like these.
He knew that he was being selfless, but though he lacks the words to describe it, he had begun to care for her in their travels.