Escape! (3)

"Get them!"

"The demi-humans are escaping!"

The enraged voices of the humans rang out as hundreds of demi-humans flooded out of the holding facility of the demi-human games arena. Some bird-like demi-humans flew above, while the others stuck to the ground. There were even a few blue-skinned ones that were apparently from the sea.

Mian was intrigued when he heard this, but he had no time to think about it. They had to secure their freedom first before he would be able to think of the sea.

Right now, Mian was right in the middle of the moving mass of demi-humans, with Dion running at his side to make sure the weaker demi-human did not trip and get ran all over. Dion had to slow down considerable in order to allow Mian keep up with him. If he was moving at full speed, then he would not even be in sight anymore. Right now, as it was, Mian was already showing little signs of fatigue.

"Do you need me to carry you?" Dion asked. He had noticed that their entire group had begun to slow down, keeping pace with the two slowing boys in their center.

"No. I can do it!" Mian panted as he continued running.

'Status!'

[Status]

Name: Mian

Race: Demi-human - Feline

Age: Nineteen

Health: Perfect

Energy: 150

Stamina:40/60

Strength: 30

Agility: 35

Evolution Points: 7

---

Currently, they had already made it quite far from the arena, but if they kept on moving at this pace, then the humans would sure catch up, and that would complicate things. Because of this, Mian began considering something he did not think he would consider so soon.

'Hana! I need a sub-optimal Evolution. I need a boost to my Agility stat!' Mian called upon his ever helpful companion, Hana.

[Are you sure, Host? The Evolution Points that will be used up for this sub-optimal Evolution can not be regained after its effects have worn off.] Hana's voice sounded concerned.

'Yes, I'm sure! I would rather escape here with my life intact, and no Evolution Points, than risk getting recaptured!'

[Very well. I will begin a sub-optimal Evolution that will boost your agility by seven points temporarily. You will not lose consciousness during this period of time.]

A moment later, Mian felt a tingling sensation run through his leg that nearly made him trip. He quickly regained his balance as he felt a new found energy flow through his body. He concentrated that energy into his legs, and in the next moment, he shot forward, temporarily leaving Dion behind in the dust.

"Huh-What?" Dion was momentarily stunned before increasing his speed. The demi-humans around him also did the same. When they caught up with Mian, they could see that the boy was having a much better time keeping up with the speed of everyone.

[Status]

Name: Mian

Race: Demi-human - Feline

Age: Nineteen

Health: Perfect

Energy: 150

Stamina:40/60

Strength: 30

Agility: 35 (+7)

Evolution Points: 7

---

[Your current boost from the sub-optimal Evolution will only last for ten minutes before its effects fade away. The Evolution Points spent will not be regained.]

Mian mentally thanked Hana before turning his attention back to the present. A few dozen meters ahead, the tall, dark gates of the city stood, blocking their path. They had immediately set for the gate ever since they left the arena, and thanks to the directions from the flying demi-humans, they had managed to not get lost.

The group slowed down to a stop just before the gate, and several demi-humans broke off from the main group, storming into the guard building and the hollow parts of the wall to find a way for them to open up the gates.

"I've found it!" A burly, brown furred werewolf yelled. He pulled up a lever, and the gates started rising up, making a passage for the demi-humans to filter through.

"Freedom!"

"It's been so long..."

"I'm so happy to see grass and trees again!"

The demi-humans slowed down as they made their way out of the gate. Their reactions were different, but it there were any emotions that were common among them, they were happiness and relief.

"Come on, people, I know you haven't seen grass in so long, but please, we need to keep moving!" Dion clapped his hands and yelled out loud. His voice snapped the other demi-humans out of their trance like state, and they quickly composed themselves.

"Sorry about that. It has just been so long since I was captured." A woman wiped a stray tear from her eye. "My boys would probably be all frown up by now." She finally could not hold in the pain and her tears spilled out. A few other around them also began to shed some tears.

Dion sighed with frustration, but managed to get himself under control. He tried imagining being in their position. He would have been overwhelmed himself. Shaking his head, he put a hand on Mian's shoulder, before turning to walk towards the forest.