The dimmed atmosphere lit blazing red from the fire that they have created. It ruined not half but everything on the front yard set aflame. The scene is chaotic, it's unbearable to watch.
Scattered everywhere, the viciously gruesome creatures used their weapons or any means to bring down the shields the knights held up to keep them from charging inside the castle.
Their numbers had tripled from the last attack. And as if their strike wasn't foreseen, it took the knights off-guard that they struggle to gather everyone to match their opponents' number.
Without Rhys' command and fighting alongside them, there's a high chance the Knights of Dazia may be defeated tonight.
"They're in dire need of your assistance. You have to help," I look at Rhys with frightened wide eyes. We're both hiding behind a thick overgrown bush on the edge of the woods, unseen in the dimness of the surrounding.
He furrows his brows while he shakes his head against my idea, "leaving you by yourself is a bad idea since they're after you."
"However, I need to get you inside that castle where you'll least be in danger," Rhys squints his eyes observing the place, "we need to get through them first."
I did just the same; scanning through every possible entry without having to be part of the bloodshed. Yet to our dismay, we're left with no way in without having to fight.
I can't help but recall the past attack. They assaulted using an explosion causing major destruction and start a fire. However, only the outer part was affected, the castle was left unharmed as if it had a protection spell on it.
But from what I see upon me, the west wing is destroyed and had caught on fire. The knights fight off any creature that attempts to enter the ruined walls. And as I squint my eyes to look closer, I spot a familiar elf with red hair slicing through the bodies of creatures effortlessly with a sword but I can tell that she's getting tired.
Rhys mutters something under his breath and as he comes to a realization. He grabs me by my shoulders and I meet his icy cold stare. Even with the dark atmosphere, his eyes glowed like lightning on a stormy night.
"There's no other way," he finally admits with a disappointed look, "we'll have to make our way through and put up a fight."
My heart feels as if it's going to rapidly beat its way out of my chest. I'm slowly being consumed in my frightened state but a memory of my mother flashes on my mind. People praised her bravery, she doesn't turn away from the face of evil instead she fought through it all. Just as how she inspires the many, she inspires me. And in times like this, she gives me strength.
I feel my necklace that's dangling visibly on my neck, feeling the comfort, and regaining my energy. I want to be just like my mother.
So even with a trembling hand, I grasped the dagger that I received only a moment ago tightly in my hand. A strong look plastered on my face with gritted teeth, "don't worry about me, you didn't train me for nothing."
"Stay close to me," Rhys raises his eyebrow as soon as he sees my look and the dagger that I'm gripping on my stomach. Smirk forms on his lips, "don't let me down or you'll get it from me. Stab anything that goes near you."
I suck up a big amount of air, enough to cleanse away all my worries. Even with Rhys having my back I must prepare for the worst. The battlefield is indeed in chaos so anything can happen. I must be prepared for whatever that we might face.
I wait for Rhys' orders before we slowly and quietly get up from our hiding spot. We are a safe distance from the yard but there might be creatures hiding behind the shadows of these woods. So we scan the area before proceeding down the short hill, stopping behind every cover and minimizing our movements that can get their attention.
Rhys stops behind a tree and I do the same on the overly grown bushes beside him. I pay attention to his hand gestures and his signals while my senses are on high alert.
Right now I wish I had my bow and arrows then maybe I'd be more confident to show up on the battlefield. What I have is only but a mere dagger. However, I recall Mrs. Hellen's words that this dagger is like no other. It has a spell on the blade that can cause burning pain on anything that I use it.
If that's the case then It's time to give it a try.
We are nearing the castle walls, only a few meters away from the sustained fight. I'm waiting for Rhys to make the signal for us to charge forward. I keep my breathing steady, my chest rises and falls but I can still hear the loud thumping of my heart.
He does it, raising his hand as an indication to follow behind him closely. But as I'm about to leave my spot behind the bush, I feel someone grab me from behind.
Its claws sharp and deadly digging on the skin of my arm. At first, I wince from the pain but as I turn to look at it, I let out a blood piercing scream.
It's a grotesque creature with a body on riding a horse, the sight as unpleasant as it is, anyone would scream from the fright. Paralyzed on the spot, I couldn't do anything before Rhys pulls me behind him and strikes on the creature.
The creature lifts its long spear with a very pointy end and an ax like-blade of both sides toward Rhys but he blocks it with his sword. He first slices the horse's head before going for the creature on the back. The amount of blood spilled in just the split second makes me want to throw up.
"Are you okay?" he faces me with a concerned look and I nod, bereft of speech. Suddenly we hear rustling and sense movements behind the dark shadow of trees and two more figures of the same creature appear.
I didn't have the time to react when Rhys grab ahold of my hand, pulling me toward the castle. I hear the two following behind us, grunting and beating through every bush that goes in their way.
We halt in front of the ruined fence, crossing over it with just a large step. I look up to watch the bloodshed that's happening to meet with someone's gaze. Faye has caught Rhys and me and is on her way toward us.
"Let's go, don't stop!" Rhys reminds me and we start running. We maneuvered through the bodies of knights and creatures clashing. That is when I stop dead in my tracks when a creature charges at Rhys causing both of them to stumble a few meters away.