After two months Akilah and the rest of the crew had finally arrived at the gates of Leer Graves. The plan was to split into two divisions, one led by captain Navin and one led by Sir Era. Fortunately for Akilah she was under Sir Era’s division, making it much easier for her to execute her plan. Right before they were about to enter captain Navin came to talk to Akilah.

“Are you sure about this?” he asked.

Akilah sighed “Yes I am. How many times do I have to tell you, I want to do this!”

“But it's dangerous and there are-“ Captain Navin was swiftly interrupted.

“Captain how about you try to lay off scaring my subordinate” Sir Era interjected with.

“You said it yourself, he's an excellent fighter” Sir Era continued “and this will be an excellent opportunity to showcase those talents, don't you agree soldier” he said and looked at Akilah.

“Yes of course Sir” she replied with.

“Then let's not drag this out any longer” Sir Era said and went to gather up the rest of his team.

“Don't worry, I'll be fine” Akilah said before following Sir Era.

Akilah didn't quite know why she felt the need two reassure captain Navin. Perhaps it could be that for the past two months he had been very considerate towards her. Giving her tips and tricks about how to fight monsters and how he survived his first expedition to Leer Graves. The fact that she could have somebody she could trade fighting and combat advice with was surprisingly refreshing. This in turn made her view Navin differently, more positively, and it might have been the reason as to why she needed to reassure him.

Once they had entered Lear graves Akilah could see that captain Navin was indeed right about Sir Era, he was all bark and no bite. As a leader he should have been front and center of the team, leading them through the dangerous path. However being the coward that he is, he walked in the back, surrounded by all guards, and had given another soldier the commands to lead.

However his cowardice was also something she had taken into consideration, she simply needed to wait long enough until they’re in the heart of Leer Graves and then she would drag Sir Era into a remote place, she just needed to find the right opportunity to distract the rest of the soldiers.

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Once she felt that they had wandered far enough into the woods she set her plan into motion. As soon as Akilah had entered the forest she had used her magic to scout and gather up different dangerous monsters. She had drawn them to their location and made them stay on standby, all she needed was to wait for the right moment to activate the trigger and let chaos ensue.

Akilah whispered “Impetūs”

The ground shook violently and seconds later monsters began to attack them from all directions. The scene was, brutal soldiers were screaming and fighting for their lives, there was blood everywhere, from both monsters and soldiers.

Akilah quickly scoured the area looking for Sir Era, finally finding him cowering behind a tree ‘pathetic’ she thought as she walked towards him.

“Sir you can't stay here, we need to take you somewhere safe” Akilah said hurriedly.

“I-uh” Sir Era kept stammering.

‘A Leader, huh?’ Akilah thought ‘this bloody coward has never even been to a battlefield’.

“Sir we need to go now” Akilah said with a sterner tone this time.

“Uh, ye-yes” Sir Era finally replied.

“Sir go back the way we came, I'll follow you and cover you from the back” she said while grabbing Sir Era up from his sitting position. He nodded and followed her instructions swiftly.

Akilah turned around with a smirk and casted a spell in order to make sure nobody could see or locate them until she wanted them to. She didn't want anybody to spoil her fun.

“I think this is far enough sir” Akilah said once they had set enough distance between them and the battle. However Sir Era didn't stop, she had to run up to him and physically stop him.

“We've run far enough Sir” Akilah said again. Sir Era just nodded in shock of the massacre that he had just witnessed, he needed time to regain himself.

Sir Era being a weakling was finally a good thing for Akilah. Because meanwhile he was resting up, she was creating a force field around them, insuring that nobody could see or hear them.

Soon enough Sir Era regained some of his composure “What was that out there, I’ve never heard or-or seen anything like that happening before” he asked baffled.

“Oh that” Akilah replied “That was just a distraction I created to get you here”

Sir Era looked at her dumbfounded, as if he didn't believe the words he had heard.

“I beg your pardon, I believe the shock has- has not left my body because I seem to have misheard you-“ Sir Era couldn't finish his sentence before Akilah interrupted.

“No” she said nonchalantly “You heard me right the first time. This was all just a ruse to get you here alone and at my mercy”

A look of shock, disbelief and fear crossed Sir Era’s face, a look that satisfied Akilah to the bone.

“Now, let's get down to business” Akilah said with a mischievous smirk.