James was clinging tightly to Sasha's slender waist as the two of them rode quickly through the forest. Next to him was a priestess called Yori, with her long blonde hair and piercing blue eyes, and her generous curves drawing his eyes in a distracting manner.
He could see the priestess glancing over her shoulder at him and giving him a small smile, the small streaks of sunlight filtering through the trees making her hair shimmer as they rode at a breakneck speed towards safety. James was determined not to fall off Sasha, even if his attention kept wandering.
James was clinging to Sasha, her body slender and lithe, her raven locks sifting in the soft breeze of the forest. He could feel her body next to him, her warmth radiating through his clothes. The distraction of her body and her beauty almost made him slip, but he held on tightly and kept his eyes forward. His focus was starting to wander again, however, his attention slipping to the woman next to him.
Sasha noticed him glancing at Yori and nudged his shoulder. "Eyes on the road!" she said, her tone playful and a small smile playing on her lips.
James felt the warm touch of Sasha's hand on his shoulder and his eyes quickly turned back to the road ahead. He felt a flush of heat at being caught by her. The horse was starting to tire as it sped through the forest, its hooves kicking up dust and dirt into the air.
Sasha glanced over at him, her expression teasing as she looked at him. "Someone was looking in someone else's direction, hmm?" she said playfully.
Yori looked back at James and her lips curved into a soft smile. James was starting to feel very warm.
Though brief, the warmth and fun of the moment distracted him from the nightmare closing in from behind. The streaks of sunlight drew fewer and fewer until the entire forest was dark as midnight.
Then, in the distance he heard a terrible rumble and the sounds of battle, he jolted upright and looked behind him to see Faera and several archers engaged in furious combat with the behemoth. The archers had arrows pointed at the beast as the two sides circled each other like two opposing armies.
The monstrosity let out a terrible roar and the earth shook with its power. Yori looked back at James and Sasha as she pulled out a golden-scaled dagger and joined the fray, her face calm and determined. James and Sasha watched, unable to do anything but stare forward as the archers began a barrage of arrows.
The monstrosity sends its honing tentacles around Faera. She severs one of them in an acrobatic backflip and slide. Unfortunately two more tentacles grab her legs and flip Faera through the air, slamming her into one of the trees. Its other tentacle smashes into a house above her and it comes crashing down on her killing her instantly.
Screams were heard behind them as the other Bakarti mourn the loss. They fired volley after volley of arrows as the monster but it only served to anger it further.
Yori joins the fray, plunging into combat with the behemoth with a golden scaled dagger. She deftly avoids the behemoth's attempts to squash and bite her as she dives and moves swiftly, her movements fluid and graceful, a stark contrast to the slow and lumbering behemoth.
The creature lets out a growl of irritation as it moves to attack Yori again, its monstrous body looming above her. James and Sasha watch with bated breath as Yori dodges and weaves around the beast's attacks, her movements so quick and fluid that it almost looks like she's dancing with the creature.
The archers put aside their hatred and work together with Yori to create an opening in its rock hard shell.
Yori spun through the air and impaled her enchanted golden dagger deep into the monster. The behemoth let out a terrible roar, it's body reeled from the pain. It swung its long neck to try to crush Yori but, she nimbly climbed up the side and jumped over to one of the middle platforms.
She pushed off the platform and sent it crashing into the ground below. She soared through the air and plunged the dagger into one of the cracks near the neck. She dug the dagger into the crack and rode the crack all the way down the neck, letting gravity pull her down.
The long gash erupted with sick steaming green blood.
Now seeing an opening James urged Sasha to turn around.
The archers, fueled by a newfound courage and hatred of the creature, turned the volley of arrows from an attempt to wound the beast to a coordinated attack. They used their numbers to create an opening in the armor of the hulking, towering monster. Yori was there at the vanguard, moving in a dance with the monstrosity. Her grace and agility was almost in stark contrast to the brute strength of the beast.
She spun through the air and slashed at another crack in the monster's armor, her enchanted golden dagger ripping through the opening and spilling more of the sick steaming green blood.
But then, at the last second, the behemoth reared itself up, its body shaking and its roar shaking the ground itself! The archers tried to steady themselves and let off a flurry of arrows, the beast swerving its head from side-to-side in an attempt to knock them away. Yori was forced to pull away and move fast to avoid the creature's attacks, dodging and weaving to escape harm's way. The archers took this opportunity to move in closer and unleash another barrage of arrows.
The monster let out a terrible roar at the pain of this attack, the ground vibrating with shockwaves from its fury. Yori tried to take this chance to strike again, but the beast moved too fast. The archers let off another flurry of arrows, trying to use their numbers to overwhelm the monster. The monster reared up and began swinging its head from side to side, trying to smash the archers with its enormous body. Yori knew this was her chance and dove towards the beast, plunging her enchanted golden dagger deep into a weakness at the base of its neck.
The monster roared in pain as Yori's dagger cut through, blood spraying out in a shower all over her. The monster, in a frenzy, reared up again and tried to smash Yori to paste but she was too quick and nimble. She leapt back as the arrows continued to rain in, the monster's blood spraying in all directions. The archers took this chance to press their advantage and let off another hailstorm of arrows, the sound of their fluttering feathers all around the beast. Yori danced through the hail and launched herself at the monster yet again, her dagger poised for another attack.
Yori and the archers pressed their advantage, raining down arrow after arrow on the monster's exposed throat. It let out an earth-shattering roar as it staggered around, desperately trying to avoid the hail of arrows. With the monster's attention fixed on the others, James and Sasha rode their horses in, Sasha's blade and James' bow poised for a killing blow, their mounts circling around the monster's neck. Sasha's blade cut through the beast's exposed throat, blood spraying from the gash. The monster's limbs were shaking as it reeled from the attack, falling to the ground like a tree.
Sasha and James stood watching the beast's limbs still shaking as its heart slowed, finally coming to a stop. The monster went still, a deep silence blanketing the forest, interrupted by the sound of the archers' deep breaths and Yori gasping for air. The sun broke through the trees and cast a warm light over the blood-soaked body of the monstrous behemoth. Its green blood glistened in the sunlight, like something out of a nightmare. The archers stood frozen, not knowing how to react to the scene they'd just witnessed. James and Sasha stepped off their horses, stunned by the bloodshed.
The Bakarti people stand in silence before the waterfall, paying their respects to their fallen chieftain. The mourning process continues as they gently lift Faera's body into the water and gently push her over the falls. They hold back their tears as they sing Faera's spirit away, her body disappearing into the water as she makes her final journey.
Just beyond the shore, the group stands together, solemn and silent as they pay their final respects. James, Sasha and Yori are moved by the touching ceremony, their eyes watery as they watch the body of the Chieftain disappear from sight.
A few moments later, the Bakarti turn to the group and the soldier approaches Emilia. She clears her throat and bows deeply before speaking "We appreciate the kindness you and your companions have shown our tribe. Faera's death is a great loss to us, but we hope her spirit is resting peacefully, thanks to your help. We are grateful and recognize you as her daughter. You are now the Chieftain of the Bakarti."
James, Sasha and Yori smile at Emilia and nod their agreement. They exchange a glance, then all look back to the soldier.
"Yes, I accept."
Emilia smiles as she takes on the new responsibility, feeling a wave of emotion wash over her. She holds back tears knowing that Faera's passing brings with it a new beginning. With a steady voice she addressed the Bakarti people "I will be your Chieftain. To honour Faera, I vow to lead you as she did, with strength and kindness. May her spirit guide my decisions, and may our people continue to thrive."
The Bakarti people cheer and welcome Emilia with a chorus of applause. James, Sasha, Yori, and several dozen Karnethian soldiers join in with applause and praise.
A small rainbow appeared in the mist following the funeral. A good omen to mark an end to a terrible day.
*** Hope you enjoyed Chapter 7 and 8. They mark a key point in the story of ALMH. I've also begun a passion project called, Summoned to another world against my will, but I stayed for the hot waifus! Come check it out!***