Once the roots began withering, the rate of their growth slowed considerably, allowing Damian to get closer. Realizing that its means of attack were failing, the stump raised its little arms again as a dome of the roots wrapped around it. Damian rushed in and began to smash against the barrier, but to no avail. 

This kind of tactic was popular among the new recruits when I was in the military. Have the more durable of the troops get in close to draw attention and push them back while the stronger group prepares a second attack to knock them off guard. It worked in some cases, but not all. I’m sure that magic throws a few more pieces to that strategy.

Astrid raised both hands again and started to etch into another magic ring. The ground around her feet cracked slightly as more tiny roots started to push through the ground. These roots were considerably smaller and looked quite dry, but kept going despite this. Their efforts were not enough, however, as they were still too slow and only managed to trap her feet. The ground turned a dark gray from directly in front of Astrid to where the stump’s barrier stood. It looked almost like stone. Everywhere the ground changed, the roots were cut off, dropping to the ground, including at the barrier where the stump stood now defenseless. 

Damian rushed inside the barrier and grabbed the stump, tearing its tiny legs from the ground and holding it in the air. The stump almost looked mad as it spread out the roots still attached to its feet, wrapping them around Damian who started calling out for his companion to help.

This scene reminded me of the time when my Jaime and I were new parents. I was playing with Callum when he soiled himself. I had stood there holding him for several minutes, calling out to my wife before she came in. She was a little mad with me since she thought that something bad had happened. That was the day that I learned how to change a diaper.

Astrid quickly approached the yelling Damian and summoned another magic ring. The stump reached out some roots to her as well, but they sagged in the air without something to grab onto. 

Once she finished the spell, the stump fell limp. Any signs of life from the golem disappeared instantly.

“Something I forgot to mention.” Astrid started, pointing towards Hamil. “Any mage can dispel the effects of another mage’s magic if they know what was written on the ring. To do this, you just write their spell backwards.”

Hamil nodded his head as Damian dropped the stump and started ripping roots from his body. 

“Any questions?” Astrid asked, turning to the whole group.

Hamil raised his hand and asked, “You used two rings. When can I do that?”

“In theory, you could do it now. The main problem is that you need to be able to etch in them both at the same time. If you focus on one over the other, the weaker of the two will fade.”

The boy nodded his head and remained silent.

“Well if that’s it, how about we try again?” 

Hamil straightened and stepped towards the lifeless stump once again. He raised his hands and summoned the ring as Astrid started pouring her mana into him.

Like before, the spirits gathered into the ring and flowed towards the stump, though something was different this time. I could see something else go with the spirits. It reminded me a little of myself, though with less of a form. More spirits started to gather and fill the form as it rushed into the stump.

A loud crack sounded as the stump stood on its two feet. Its whole body began twisting into another shape. It bent over and stood on four legs instead of two. The wood extended out in both directions, forming a little head and a tail. What was left after was the shape of a small dog. Its body was completely smooth, void of any knots or splinters. The wooden dog wagged its tail which was a small branch with a few leaves at the end. Its mouth hung open with a little tongue dangling out. Where its eyes should have been sat dark knots.

The wooden dog barked and rushed over to Hamil, where it sat down quietly.

Astrid, Hamil and everyone else stood with blank stares towards the strange creature.

“W-What?” Astrid stuttered. It was obvious that she was not expecting what had just happened. “Are you telling it to do that?”

“N-No. Should I be?”

Damian slowly approached the creature, muttering to himself, “A sentient golem?”

“What spell did you etch?”

“I just said to ‘bring the stump to life’. Did I do it wrong?”

The dog flipped around and snapped at Damian who jumped back in response. Strangely, the creature started barking.

Hamil crouched down and started to scratch the dog who responded by dropping on the ground, exposing its belly.

“C-Can I keep it?”

“I… guess?” 

“Not if it keeps attacking me!” Damian cried out from nearby.

Skirting just out of the dog’s reach, Damian went to his companion.

“What is it?” The man asked.

“I… I think it’s a Myth Beast?”

“You don’t sound too sure. And a Myth Beast?”

“Yeah. It sure isn’t a normal dog. And it isn’t a Beast of Plague. It should have been a golem, but golems aren’t sentient. And I doubt that Hamil could work a spell complicated enough to create something like that.”

“If you say so. Call it what you like, just don’t call it-”

“I think I’ll call you Bark.” Hamil beamed at the dog, interrupting Damian who responded by facepalming.