Melina felt like she would pass out from tiredness when finally stopped running.
She didn't know what had motivated her to run so fast but right now, she was standing minutes away from district 2 where the war was taking place. She could see the sign board that had 'District 2' written on it.
She smelled the stench of blood and metal everywhere and it didn't only make her scared but made her want to puke as well.
The air was heavy making it difficult for her to breath. Not minding her fear and disgust, she sneaked to the 2nd district as the clashing of metals became more audible, irritating her.
She didn't know if she was currently back to being visible or not but she made sure to stay out of sight.
'Better safe than sorry,' went the adage.
Even if she was ready to risk her life for her kingdom, she wasn't to ready to die and she needed to take precaution.
Clang!
She flinched when she got close enough to the battlefield.
A man fell down from his chariot and to the ground while his horse ran out of the battlefield, leaving him to be stomped on by other chariots.
She closed her eyes and ears at the agonizing screams she heard.
It was a Vagarian soldier. From the looks of things, it appeared as though this war wouldn't end.
Despite the fact that he had carried as much soldiers from his kingdom along with Albert's men, Leon was beginning to lose his stance. The Vagarian soldiers still kept coming.
It was an endless battle.
Melina followed through the woods and bushes and preceding along the forest, she noticed some of the villagers had hid here, though they couldn't see her since they ignored her presence which meant she was still invisible.
She gaped at herself with awe. She couldn't believe she was actually a sorceress, a promising one at that.
.
From their armours and stamp, the people could tell who was leading the fight against their enemies. Despite the flood of soldiers from Vagary, Leon's army still prevailed.
Though they were tired and it was obvious. Leon stood out amongst all of them and Melina saw how he defended his kingdom with his might. He was beyond ready for what was to come and he watched thousands fall as he fought.
The redhead peeked his fighting skills for some time, watching him strategize in some situations.
Two soldiers from Vagary attempted to attack him at once but he counterattacked and struck one with his sword, leaving him before turning around to attack the other one.
When another one came from behind, he dodged the attack and the two Vagarian soldiers ended up stabbing themselves.
It a was a sour sight and Melina felt the urge to throw up.
Far away, she saw some families who were protecting their own and leaving the battle to the soldiers. The fear in their eyes was evident.
She was not used to such view as she had never been in a battlefield before but seeing this simply broke her heart into pieces.
It was touching to see just what danger these men had put themselves in to save their kingdom and it made her eager to do her part in the warfare.
The only thing was she didn't exactly know what she was to do.
How could she use her powers in this situation?
She got to a nearby boulder and cowered behind it, her lone figure frozen in terror. Her fiery-crimson hair blazed like a beacon amidst the carnage.
As she hid behind leaves to watch the fight while contemplating how she could be of help, she heard a screeching noise from behind her and when she looked back, her eyes widened as a tall six foot man on horseback rode towards her in full speed.
His armour in the sunlight and his sword shone with deadly intent.
It was Vagarian soldier.
Without knowing what to do in panic, she screamed viciously at the top of her voice and closed her eyes in fear of what was to come when the soldier suddenly halted his horse, staring at her.
Melina opened her eyes in anticipation and she wasn't mistaken when the soldier looked right at her face and furrowed his brows.
Could he see her? Did that mean she was now visible? She looked at her hands and body, turning them to be sure she was in her right mind.
The both of them held each other's gaze for some time in confusion and Melina was curious to know what made this enemy, who could clearly see her, knowing she was not from their clan not kill her yet.
She was sure he could see her from his expression so why was he just staring?
"Who are you?" The man finally spoke in horror, leaving the redhead more confused.
Who she was...
She didn't know soldiers asked their enemies questions before killing them.
The soldier glanced at her for some seconds before he slightly moved his chariot backward, waiting for her reply.
"By the gods...who are you, milady?" He asked again, startling the girl.
Seeing he was serious, she opened her mouth with trembling and was going to reply when a swish sound echoed immediately and blood splattered around her, making her twist her face and look away.
Time seemed to stop for a minute there.
When she looked up, she saw the huge man's eyes turn hollow and slowly, his head separated from his body and fell to the ground, more blood dripping from his exposed neck.
The stupefied redhead had her mouth agape and her body turned numb from the sight.
When she looked back at the headless body that was still on the horse, she saw a figure behind it, a familiar figure she had seen a couple of times, just that this time around, he looked different.
She had never seen him like this.
A bloodied Matthew sat on his chariot without emotion, his blonde hair rough and untidy, his eyes empty and his armour reeked of blood and steel.
She gulped at the scene in front of her and just then, the frail, lifeless body of the dead soldier fell to the ground helplessly while his horse galloped and ran in another direction, giving her a better view of the King's right-hand man.
Matthew looked around in a daze, wondering who the soldier had been talking to as he could see no one here.
When he couldn't find anything, he rode his horse away from there, assuming he had been hallucinating from the endless killings and leaving a traumatized Melina to stare.
Her hands trembled as she looked at the dead body that stood before her, making her feel dizzy.
If it was any other day, she would have passed out but she didn't have the luxury for that. She was in a place no one would probably be able to find her, tensed and had a big role to play today.
These Vagarian soldiers looked sick in the head and they needed to be stopped but that was not what captured her attention now.
It was what the soldier had asked. He had been able to see her when Matthew could not and he as well questioned her.
Perhaps this Dasha held powers like her?
As she stood up from her brief coma to run, she abruptly stopped in her tracks when she sensed something.
And no, she was not the only one who noticed this.
Leon and his remaining alive soldiers also paused in their massacre, looking in a particular direction.
Though Leon had noticed he had not seen the rumoured Dasha since he reached the battlefield, he didn't have the convenience to look for her as their enemies kept coming and almost out-numbered them.
But now that the tension reduced and dead bodies were spread everywhere like dust, Leon could see some silhouettes from far, a whole new troop of soldiers filling to the warfront.
His hands grew cold at the sight.
He gazed out on the blood soaked battlefield, his armour dented and his sword heavy on his hands.
The cries of the fallen echoed in the air, mingling with the groans of the dying.
His knights, weary and battered stood beside him, their faces etched with exhaustion.
Matthew, his most trusted knight cursed under his breath and muttered, "Will they ever end?"
The king's gaze swept the horizon as a sea of enemy soldiers marched relentlessly towards them. The sun dipped low, indicating evening had fallen and casting long shadows along the carnage-strewn landscape.
"We've slains thousands," Matthew said again, his voice laced with frustration, "Yet they still come. What sorcery drives them?"
It was safe to say they were under some sort of sorcery. No kingdom just flooded their knights into an enemy's zone. If they were conquered, it could put their own kingdom at risk.
Leon's jaw clenched as he scanned through the multitude, looking for the so-called Dasha but she was no where to be found.
Did she perhaps just release men to war and sit behind? Usually, the royalty behind an attack always took the lead. Why was Dasha different?
Now it made sense why most people had never see her. She was no where to be found.
"No sorcery, Matt. Desperation. They know if they falter, their kingdom falls." He tried to encourage an already disorientated Matthew as well as his other knights.
"We've given them no quarter, get they pour forth like ants." Another of his knights spoke with dread.
Leon refused to bulge, "We'll hold our ground. We must." He looked at them reassuringly.
"At what cost, Your Highness? We're bleeding, our numbers dwindling. How many more must we slaughter before they yield?" The same knight asked.
"As many as it takes." Leon's expression turned grim. He understood that his men were getting discouraged and that was all it took to lose a battle.
He looked at all of them, "We'll not yield. Not now, not soldiers.
A weary silence fell among the soldiers. They knew the truth: This war had no end in sight.
Matthew broke silence, his voice low, " We need reinforcements, Leon. Fresh troops, rested and ready."
The king nodded, "I've summoned what's left of our reserves. They shall arrive by nightfall." He concluded.
Though he had sent a soldier on his way to inform the others that they needed backup, he had asked Albert to stay in the palace with a few men to protect his family.
"Will it be enough?" Matthew asked loud enough for only Leon to hear.
"It must be."
As the enemies grew closer, the knights steeled themselves for he next wave of battle.
"Form up!" Leon ordered. "We'll hold this line, or die trying."
With heavy hearts and heavier armour, they prepared themselves to face the unending tide of enemies, their frustration and fatigue momentarily eclipsed by their unyielding resolve.
The battle would rage on, the outcome far from certain.
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Yay!! Happy 100th chapter.