His gaze fixated on the twisted molten figure of the lava worm, Casen held an intricate black arrow. Perceiving the calmness of their leader, the soldiers' hearts calmed down as they stood in formation. With his eyes still on the beast, Casen issued his commands.
" Thane! For the love of Lugus, focus. Take twenty soldiers to the left flank." Hearing his leader's remark, Thane puffed up his cheeks in response. Brushing aside the scarlet hair covering his left eye, he rolled his eyes. " You..you and the rest of muscle bags. Follow me."
Ignoring the excited expressions of the soldiers, he led them to the left flank of the beast.
" Lieutenant Lyra, right flank now!" Hearing the respectful way he called her, Lyra sent him a resentful look before choosing men of her own.
Materializing a blazing fire arrow, Casen took aim. At a glance he could tell that this was a legendary apex beast. If the conditions were favourable he could lead the team to slay it in two hours or so.' But Alexia is in danger on the other side.' With that thought, he released his arrow. The blazing fire arrow streaked through the air leaving behind a fiery trail and stirring up the air around it like a hurricane.
Planting itself on the beast's back, it quickly melted like heated cheese before it could cause any damage. Witnessing the failed attempt of their leader, the soldiers couraged faltered. Aiming to boost morale, Casen issued another set of orders.
" Lieutenant Lyra, use your powers on that thing. Though fire has no effect on that thing, water might be a different case entirely." Putting away his bow, Casen unsheathed his pyro sword. " Thane, send that healer to the rear and charge ahead."
Raising his sword, Casen yelled. " Glory to Aethera !" Revived, the soldiers roared." Glory to Aethera." The beast roared at the exact same time overshadowing the shouts of the soldiers but not diminishing their fighting spirit.
Casen sighed to himself. ' There's a slim possiblity all of them will make it out alive.' A glint flashed past his eyes as he dashed forward. " Weakness is a sin." Slashing at the beast, Casen repeated those words that had accompanied him through his childhood. Dodging the splashing lava, he continued slashing with precise calculated strikes.
Each calculated strikes left a mark on the beast, not to harm it, serving not to inflict damage but to divert its attention from the soldiers stranded on the other side. Alexia's face flashed in his mind, his brows furrowed in concern. ' That girl would probably want to fight. Thankfully Vesper is there to keep her in check." Unlike these hired hands, his two lieutenants were aware of how Casen valued his niece.
Retreating, Casen observed the battle. The beast was on the passive offense since it had its back facing them, so not many were wounded. "Lieutenant Lyra now!" Hearing his command, Lyra released an arrow of her own. This was was made of glistening water, it created calming ripples through the air. But when it struck the beast, it's thunderous agonized roar rung in the ears of everyone present.
Nodding in approval, Casen commended to her. " Good aim. Stay at the rearguard of your group and supply them with arrows." With a flushed face, Lyra nodded and moved to the back, protected by the soldiers she had chosen. Hearing that their goddess needed protection, some soldiers steeled themselves to die for a just cause.
If Casen could hear the thoughts of his men, he'd probably roast them over an open fire to cleanse them of their foolishness. But right now, Casen attention was not not on them. Rather, it was on the colossal Lava worm moving to face them. The ground trembled, and so did the canyon walls as the beast focused on its new targets.
Straining his neck, Casen stared into the eight loathsome milky eyes of the monster and sneered. " Soldiers fire!" Issuing that order, Casen withdrew from the Frontline and dashed in Lyra's direction.
Startled by his appearance, Lyra's movements faltered for just a second before she regained her composure. ' Maybe, he finally understands my charm. I knew it! No man can resist me.' Lyra thought smugly as she waited for Casen to state the reason for his appearance.
" Lieutenant Lyra, can you construct a javelin?" He asked while eyeing the attacking beast. " Well general, I can accept you if you..." She paused staring at him while simultaneously handing out water arrows. " Did you say a javelin?" She coughed as her cheeks turned red.
Casen gave a genuine nod. " Yes. Can you fashion one?" ' Does this man really have zero interest in me? No it can't be, he must be hiding his true feelings." After coming to a realization, Lyra smiled at him. " I can, but what about the arrows?" Deflecting, a ball of lava, Casen answered. " Don't worry about those. Just focus on the javelin. I'll take care of the rest."
In her heart, little Lyra swooned. " He said that he'll take care of us. Isn't he romantic?" Feeling giddy, Lyra tried to calm herself as she summoned a sphere of water.
***
" Just a little more." Casen wound up, tensing his muscles before releasing the water javelin in his hand. The javelin sliced through the air hitting the beast on the jaw.
* Roar*
Listening to the sweet music of the monster's cries, Casen watched as its molten skin transformed into a hardened spike. That was the effect of the water javelin. " Almost makes me want to become a mermaid." Watching the thrashing of the beast, Casen gave a grim smile. " Almost."
Tensing up, he raised his voice. " Get ready, its about to blow."
The beast had stopped its thrashing and was now tensing up to deliver an attack. Molten rain cascaded from its mouth, scattering the battle formations and injuring some. Casen stretched out a hand to receive a javelin, but instead something soft crashed into him.
The scent of coral surrounded him, momentarily distracting him. He stared at Lyra who was hugging him like she wanted to be embedded in his skin. " Is this necessary?" His question made her embarrassed . Letting go of his body, she didn't forget to ' accidentally' brush against him a little.
" Sorry I lost control of myself for a second there. Hope I didn't inconvenience you?" She looked up at him with glistening violet eyes. Her lips twitched a little at the deadpan face in front of her. ' Is this man a stoic statue?' " Lieutenant Lyra did not inconvenience me." Looking at the frenzied lava worm, his tone lightened a bit. " But I would appreciate more arrows and another javelin."
Exasperated, Lyra watched Casen charge into battle. Biting her lips, she began forming another water sphere. ' Stupid. What kind of man reacts like that when a beautiful damsel such as myself just falls into his arms. Talk about a wasted opportunity.' Bristling inside, Lyra had nowhere to pour out her frustrations.
A faint laugh reached her ears. ' What the heck? Who dares to laugh at me ?' She glanced left and right but didn't see anyone. Furious, she passed the water javelin to Casen. Glaring at him at he just took it without even looking at her. But as she watched his toned muscles flex as he wound up, all her anger vanished.
" Let's look at the bright side. At least with this deadpan expression, he'll be all mine to melt." She whispered before pausing. " That makes sense right?" She nodded assuring herself. " I'll show him so much love that he'll burst. Wait what's that?"
On top of the monster, a blurry silhouette was attempting to jump into its maw. " Who's that freak?"
* Roar*
" Casen, wait." But it was already too late. The javelin was flung and the foolish soul just jumped into the monster's mouth. Returning Casen raised a questioning brow at Lyra. " Lieutenant, what is it you wanted to say?" Scratching her head, she answered. " Can I monster get diarrhea?" For the first time, Casen showed her a surprised question. " Why would you worry about that?"
" Oh nothing just thought about it."