"Flash Step!" I burst forward and thrust my spear into its flank. Finally, the attack gets through. Although shallow, the head of my spear lodges itself into the monster's flesh. I take a step back to avoid a hoof flying at my head. "We're making progress. Keep it up!"
Invigorated by the sight of the wound, we surround the Equuivore. Employing hit-and-run tactics, it seems it's only a matter of time until it falls.
"We've got it now!" Travis unknowingly raises a flag. A chill runs up my spine as I remember this beast wasn't alone.
"Watch out, here comes its friend!" The second Equuivore leaps over the barrier and plows through our formation as if on cue. Without the coordination we had earlier, we don't stand a chance in this fight.
[Fuck, we're going to have to run for it. I don't know how many people will be able to escape, but at this rate, we're all going to die.]
"Fuck you!" The god of wrath steps down onto the battlefield. Red light emanates from her normally bright eyes. "I'll rip you to shreds!"
Sakura pulls out her daggers and leaps at the unwelcome guest.
"Dilate!" Tyrion casts another spell. His firm expression has deteriorated, and his legs are shaking. With twice the expenditure, it's hard to imagine he can last much longer.
"Get back!" The battlefield has descended into chaos. Various shouts arise from the pile of humanity struggling against the two forces of nature. I hear Shinobu's voice rise above the clamor as she runs at the injured monster. The two masses of electricity in her hands are more than enough reason to stay away. I leave that one to her and move to aid Sakura. She's using her daggers to climb onto the larger one's back. I sprint towards her, but she's quickly bucked off. Josh and I move to either side. If we divide its attention, we should be able to avoid getting seriously injured.
"Potential Burst!" Shinobu unleashes a torrent of lightning. The dim forest lights up for a brief moment before her limp body tumbles to the ground behind me. She got her attack off but suffered the same fate as Yuki. I pray that she's still alive and return my attention to the target in front of me. Josh looks me in the eyes, and he nods. A dark determination is drawn across his face. Travis and Sam are attacking one Equuivore while the other is left to us. From a distance, I notice my classmates hiding behind the trees. I can't blame them for their behavior. If they get involved, they may just get in the way. A calm resignation washes over me.
[We might as well try.]
I take a stance and prepare for the valley of death. So much of humanity's efforts are in vain. Just as the light brigade dove into their own demise, so have we. No matter how hard we try, the end will always consume our achievements. Ashes to ashes. Dust to dust. Untouched potential dies from a scuffle in the woods. My blood runs cold as I charge toward my destroyer. Maybe it's spite. Maybe all we can do is spit in the face of death as it drags us down to the ground. Whatever it is, I keep moving. A thrust here, a slash there. Into the jaws of death, into the mouth of hell. It isn't long before Tyrion collapses, and the last barrier between us and our fate is broken. Pain explodes from my chest as a hoof lodges itself into my sternum. The potions are wearing off, and I can hardly move. Josh struggles to stay on his feet as he blocks the beast with his sword. I glance across the battlefield. Sakura and Shinobu are lying in crumpled heaps on the ground. Blood is pouring from Travis's shoulder as he swings his axe with one arm. Jim is dragging Sam's body to a nearby tree. It was a hard-fought battle, but we never stood a chance. I feel for the potions on my belt, but they've all been exhausted. Not wanting Josh to die first, I pull myself to my feet. I've trained myself to use Flash step even when I'm out of stamina. If I concentrate, I should be able to stay conscious long enough to reach him.
'BANG!'
An ear-splitting explosion cuts me off. All the energy I gathered to stand leaves my body as I fall to the ground. The face of death bearing down on us now sports a large hole through its torso.
'BANG!'
Another explosion rips through the air. The Equuivore Travis's party was fighting is torn asunder. My consciousness is fading, and I can't comprehend what's happening.
"I swear, I can't leave you alone for a second. You're worse than my fairies." Inari's condescending voice enters my ears. I turn and see her floating in the air above me. She tosses a pebble into the air and catches it repeatedly as she frowns at me. "You have no business running around in the forest if you can't even fight a couple of horses."
I try to think of a snarky comeback, but all I can do is laugh as the world fades to black. I wake up in a daze; It takes a moment for me to collect myself.
[Where am I? Did I have a dream? Why can't I remember?]
I don't know how long I've been out, but I can see a few people that are still unconscious. I check over my body and notice all my wounds are gone.
"I don't have time to babysit, so heal everybody, carry the ones still unconscious, and get out of my forest." Inari barks.
"Got it." I stand up quickly. Looking around, I see Josh lying closest to me. I throw him over my shoulder and start for the town. "Let's go, everybody. You heard her!"
I turn around to see a handful of people scrambling about, but most of the kids don't seem to know what to do.
"Pick up what you can, and let's get moving, NOW!" That seems to do the trick as everyone streams toward the town. I stay near the back with Travis, who's hauling Yuki.
"That should be all of them," he assures me.
"Great, let's move."
"How are you feeling."
"Well, I'm breathing, so pretty good all considering." He cracks a smile, but the situation is still a bit too tense to relax. "We still need to find out what's happening in town. Honestly, I'm just anxious."
"Yeah, me too."
"Hey!" Sakura runs up to me while carrying Shinobu. "Switch with me. I want to carry Josh."
"Sakura, we really don't have the time for this. Besides, it's a lot less complicated this way."
"I don't care."
"You're being childish. We need to focus on getting back to town."
"Then switch with me. I can't focus with you tossing him about all willy-nilly."
"Goddammit." I place Josh on the ground and move next to the pink-haired child. She moves Shinobu off her shoulder just as she wakes up.
"Where am I?" Shinobu rubs the sleep out of her eyes, and I yank her to her feet.
"We're in the woods. We need to get back to town now." A shocking realization dawns upon her, but I interrupt her before she can ask anything. "Everyone is alive. The Equuivores are dead."