Interlude 2.3: Chaotic battle, a bitter end
[Eugen’s POV]
Today, Kryos was strangely less stubborn, and I couldn't help but wonder if our little angel had done something that managed to crack his tough exterior. These past weeks have been downright exhausting for all of us, but today, of all days, I found myself oddly less burdened by stress.
As I watched the castle crumble right before my eyes, I couldn't help but feel a weariness deep within. I had never imagined that such a grand structure could fall so gracefully, almost effortlessly. It's not like I consider myself some seasoned expert in this field; I'm just a regular guy, really.
Kryos, who had been unusually meticulous in checking our equipment, stood beside me. The sight of the crumbling castle filled me with a sense of foreboding, a nagging feeling that things were about to take a grim turn.
Now, don't get me wrong, I'm no rookie when it comes to war, and I'm not about to cower in the face of beings much stronger than me. My heart has grown heavy over time as I've faced these otherworldly creatures who now pass as my allies. I've given up trying to outshine them; it always feels like a futile endeavor. So I do what I do best: I plan.
"We're all supposed to play some part in their grand scheme, even if it means being the last line of defense," I said, my voice carrying the weight of all my past endeavors. Kryos responded with a chuckle.
"I'm not exactly thrilled, but our little angel willingly offered me their blood. It's a gruesome thing, but the taste is oddly exquisite," Kryos laughed. It was a far cry from his past aversion to consuming body parts. Something about Mikhail's blood seemed to have enchanted him, just as others were enchanted by Mikhail's affection.
"Didn't you used to hate all this body-eating stuff? I remember you despising blood as a meal," I asked, testing the waters to see if he had genuinely changed. I didn't really have any qualms about demons embracing their true nature. I mean, look at me—I'm only here because of the terrible things I've done out of anger. I thought I was bound for eternal damnation, but somehow, I got a shot at redemption, and I intended to hold onto it.
"We all grow up at some point. I made a promise to Mikhail, and that's why I'm willing to serve her and help her make her dream come true," Kryos replied, his smile becoming a tad more subdued, masking his underlying nervousness.
Ah, the power of true love. I remember being just as naive and in love once upon a time. Her sweet smile and the warmth of her presence meant everything to me back then, but it all ended in a gruesome clash with a rival band of mercenaries. But that's in the past now; all I know is the battle that lies ahead, and it makes me feel more human and weary than eve
Kryos stepped forward with a heartfelt speech, rallying the main frontline of Saudade. His words carried a sense of determination and unity, resonating with the soldiers who had once been a ragtag band of mercenaries but were now a formidable force with a purpose.
Meanwhile, I gave instructions to Saudade's shadow, a group that had transformed from mercenaries into something more strategic. Their mission was to scout and minimize damage, a far cry from their previous line of work.
As the flock of white-winged creatures approached the main camp, it was clear they intended to make the first move. I knew we had to respond swiftly.
"Confront them, clear the way for the front line," I commanded Saudade's shadow, and they moved out with remarkable efficiency. Clashes erupted, and dust enveloped the battlefield, obscuring the view. There were already casualties, the sound of wings snapping and weak cries filling the air as we tested our strength.
Blood began to flow at the eastern wing, and General Furcas led his chivalry into battle as the signal. A blaze of fire engulfed the sandstorm, leaving my shadows to retreat to a safer location.
I tended to the injured who suffered from the environmental effects. Some fell victim to the burst of blue flames, not only the enemy but our own as well. Kryos took his place on a hill, holding a scroll of black, which I knew to be a rally spell. He drank a small bottle of golden liquid, likely connected to Mikhail and their blood. It seemed to hold the essence of their power.
If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.
The sight of a rainbow arrow in flight signaled that they were preparing to sound the horn. However, it was much closer than expected. My calculations had been off, and it meant trouble.
"Wait, no, my prince!" I shouted too late as the arrow pierced Kryos's abdomen, and a blue stream of blood followed. I had to act quickly.
"What the heck, is this friendly fire?" Kryos muttered while struggling to stand. Without hesitation, I yanked the arrow out and applied a remedy of black goatee and crimson grass from my pocket to the flesh wound, hoping to stabilize it.
"Jeremiel, I need your help. Hold the line while I get Kryos back to the main camp," I called out before taking flight, cradling Kryos's fragile body in my arms.
"I shall hold the line. Take care of your king," Jeremiel mocked, and I let the taunt slide, knowing Kryos's safety was paramount. The wound caused by the arrow continued to prevent his healing factor from working effectively.
The battlefield was still chaotic, with cherubim fluttering about. Fighting with one arm was manageable, but it was still a handicap against our foes. Kryos, despite his injury, continued to cast spells against them, each downed enemy accompanied by a smirk that seemed to say, "I can still fight, see Eugen? I'm not as fragile as you think." But his condition was deteriorating rapidly, and I needed to ensure his safety.
After a brief visit to the camp and a discussion with the medics, I returned to the battlefield, taking on the role of a commander. I fought at the rear, managing to earn some honors against the main force of our adversaries.
As the battle raged on, the grim reality of war began to set in. Despite the enemy casualties, our troops were also falling, and the strength of our foes became increasingly evident. A river of gold and sapphire seemed to flow as it had in times past, a stark reminder that while the world may change, war itself remains a constant.
The balance of power began to shift dramatically when Jeremiel, one of our own, acted strangely. She held her face in horror, as if receiving some revelation from the gods.
"What's happening, Jeremiel? Can you stand?" I approached her with a comforting aura, enveloping her in a golden power of my own.
"No, sister... no, not you. If you perish, what will I live for? I shall shatter the world that has forsaken you," were her last words before charging into the midst of the crossfire. She attacked anyone in her line of sight, friend or foe, all crushed beneath her sword.
"War continues on, it never changes," Furcas reminded us as he rallied our troops, pulling our focus back to the battle. The madness that had overtaken Jeremiel served as a grim warning of what could be our fate.
Without the aid of Jeremiel and with the tide of battle turning against us, we were quickly overwhelmed and pushed back. I struggled with all my might, but my futile attempts against formidable opponents left me wondering if this was how it would all end.
In a final desperate attempt, Furcas, with his rusted armor and ember of flame, urged me to command the rest of the army to retreat to our base to save what was left of our forces.
"Seems like my flame has burnt out... keep them safe," were his last words to me, barely audible as he faded away. A powerful blast of energy erupted behind me, illuminating the battlefield with purple light. It incinerated the remaining airborne enemies and those on the ground, leaving behind only ashes where once stood a great hell knight of the Ars Goetia, the 51st of the 72nd.
The battle was far from over. The wounded needed treatment, and small groups of enemy forces continued to launch attacks. They came in packs in a last-ditch effort to silence those who defied their order.
Taking up my halberd, I fought on tirelessly, my vision marred by sickening gold splatters. As they came at me, most met their end in a smear before my weapon. Each slash they landed inflicted pain that reverberated through my body, but I knew what lay inside the tent was more important than life or death, so I fought on.
I couldn't tell how much time had passed, but exhaustion had finally caught up with me. All of my comrades had fallen around me, and I stood alone as the last of them. This was to be my end, the fate I believed I deserved, not on a soft bed of flowers but on the unforgiving battlefield of war.
With a final glance as the holy lance prepared to strike me down, I accepted my fate with grace.
…
"Haha, you fool, Eugen. Don't drift off in battle like that," a voice called out, and droplets of sapphire fell before me. In my moment of despair, I looked up to see my savior, the one who had come to rescue me from the brink of death.
"No, no, no, stay with me... Kryos," I pleaded, holding him tightly in my arms as the bitter cold began to overtake his fragile body. I couldn't let this happen; I would have gladly taken his place.
"With this blood... I will set you free... I am your final master... please, don't burden yourself... with..." Kryos murmured his final words before his eyes closed, and he passed away. It was a heart-wrenching moment, and it happened just before the looming shadow covered the once-hateful blue skies, signifying the end of the formidable enemy.
I was left alone, surrounded by the fallen, and I couldn't help but question who I was fighting for when everyone had perished beside me. My resolve remained strong, though, and I bowed solemnly to honor those who had fallen. To those who had fought bravely and survived, I offered words of congratulation.
But there was one figure, the one who had initiated this war with callousness and used us as mere pawns in her grand scheme. My feelings of resentment and anger could not be contained.
"Archangel Mikhail," I uttered with a seething disdain in my voice, "I despise your arrogance from the depths of my heart."
The end