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Astonos, witnessing the huge influx of arrows, felt a feeling of existential dread dawned upon him as those arrows descended.
"Take cover! Put up the barriers!" Astonos screamed as he made his way back, everyone scrambling to make it back in as the arrows were on their way.
"I didn't know they even brought the fifth legion with them!" One of the soldiers shouted to another as he ran for safety, but before he could do so, the arrows started to rain death upon whoever was unlucky enough to be standing outside on the balcony.
Astonos just managed to duck back into the room in the nick of time, . Unfortunately, one arrow found its mark, piercing his leg.
Pain radiated from Astonos' body as he stumbled back into cover. Looking back, all he could see was a trail of red from where the arrow had impaled him. He was feeling slightly light-headed from the pain it was causing him, and a couple of his men caught his falling frame as he stumbled even further.
"Take me to commander Hagen's side, and give me a bow and arrow. Archers, follow me." Astonos now said, his voice resolute.
Just at that moment, everyone could hear the distinctive combination of sharp and high-pitched impacts and echoes of arrows falling on stone.
Astonos, determined and resolute, made his way through the chaos that surrounded him. The distinctive sound of arrows impacting the stone walls grew louder, creating a symphony of dread that hung heavy in the air. The castle was besieged, and its defenders were fighting desperately to hold their ground.
Meanwhile at the entrance, a small force of soldiers had gathered alongside Hagen and were trying to hold off the Legion soldiers that were charging in.
Hagen was standing a behind this line of soldiers, contemplating what to do.
Astonos, by this point had stumbled his way to a high viewpoint near Hagen, and it already seemed like the line was breaking.
"Hold the line, even if it costs your life!" cried the soldiers at the front, their voices filled with desperation and determination. They fought with every ounce of strength they possessed, standing their ground against the overwhelming odds.
Hagen stood there, his sword at the ready, and overflowing with electric sparks as he sat there, trying to focus everything he's got.
*boom!*
With a resounding attack, the line was broken, and standing at the center of that, was Olivier. He had his double swords out now, and was not looking very happy.
Selene was right behind him, and didn't seem to be blasting her powerful spell anymore.
"Alright Hagen, let's see what you're really made of." He had a very confident smirk in his face, as he lunged in for a strike.
Hagen's sword met him with equal ferocity, and the gong of battle was sounded with the two blades scraping against each other.
As their blades continued to meet, Hagen wore a confused expression on his face.
Frustration was visible on Olivier's face as he tried his hardest to go after Hagen, but he was just getting parried and blocked.
Hagen just had an expression of indifference on his face. Seeing that angered Olivier more.
"You think I'm small fry!?" He screamed, his voice echoing across the castle.
Suddenly, with lightning speed, Olivier executed a dazzling series of strikes, his double swords a blur. Hagen struggled to keep up, faltering. Olivier's blades danced around Hagen's defenses, finding chinks in his armor.
"Keep up with this! Golden Dragon!" He screamed as the swords emitted a golden light too.
As he lunged forward, the castle's courtyard was bathed in an ethereal golden light. The ground trembled beneath him as he swung his double swords with a newfound ferocity. The strikes were faster, stronger, and filled with the power of the Golden Dragon.
Blow after blow, strike after strike, Olivier pressed forward with the power of the Golden Dragon. Each hit threatened to break through Hagen's defenses. The clash of blades and the magical energy in the air created a spectacle that left everyone watching in awe and fear.
With a decisive thrust, Olivier's two swords bore down toward Hagen's neck. In that critical moment, Hagen's eyes flashed with determination as he swiftly parried the attack. The impact was so powerful that it shattered the ground around them, sending shockwaves rippling through the courtyard
Hagen though, stood his ground, unfazed. "Is that all? It was pretty flashy though." He said, his voice growing more bored.
"D-don't underestimate me, you brat-"
*Ka-shng!*
As soon as it had begun, it was over. No one could see a thing, as Hagen had cut off Olivier's right arm, which fell down, sword still in hand. He groaned in pain as he knelt to the ground, clutching what remained of his arm, trying to stop the blood that was spewing out.
"I was expecting more, but not bad for a swordmage. How the hell did you become a commander though?" He asked Olivier as he grabbed his cheek, everyone around him watching Hagen in terror as he pulled Olivier close.
"Olivier!" Selene screamed as she saw what was unfolding, and quickly began charging up another attack.
Then everyone heard a thud, and the entire war-torn courtyard fell silent.
That thud was Olivier's head hitting the ground. Hagen, had cleanly sliced his head off, which had fallen and he now kicked it in the direction of Selene indiscriminately.
An ear-piercing scream could be heard, as it was Selene, who was screaming "I'm gonna end you, you little- "
Before Selene could even finish her sentence, Hagen teleported behind her with blistering speed, and knocked her shoulder with enough force that it dislocated instantly with a very discomforting crunch.
"You two think I'm some lame-ass whiny prince who won't do anything?" His eyes started to gleam blue now, as he started to approach Selene with no opposition.
No one was daring to oppose Hagen.
Selene screamed in pain, trying to crawl away from Hagen, as he slowly continued to walk towards her, drenched in Olivier's blood.
"Y-you're a monster! She screamed, and put up a magic barrier with her remaining hand."
Hagen, without saying a word, walked up to the barrier, and started to hit it with all his might, a cold expression on his face. Strike after strike, he continued to hit the barrier, which started to crack, but Selene held steady, each strike sending tremors across the courtyard.
With one final strike, the barrier broke, and the sword cascaded down Selene's neck. Just at that moment, a sword mired with dark energy stopped Hagen's sword in it's path.
"Now that's not a very gentlemanly way to fight, is it?" A familiar voice spoke, as Hagen's veins popped out in rage.
It was Abaddi, who had come to Selene's rescue.
"You!" Hagen screamed as he now lit the entire courtyard in a blinding blue light.