Ambush.

Try as we might, we could not defeat them. Thirteen men strong we patrolled our post, talked up as the best of the best, awarded, lauded, cheered on everytime we all returned home. We fought as a well oiled machine, the staple of the western battalion, our ranged attacks devastating to any enemy who came in range. Should they survive the accuracy of the three eyes trio, the enemy would have to contend with the front ranks, and were surely as good as dead.

Steel on steel our bulwark was said to be unmatched, reinforced in a dying dragon's flame, unbreakable and magical in nature, so it was only fitting when the second prince, our leader, took that post and became one of us. He would hack with his curved short sword, smash with his mace if need be, crushing and slicing and killing any enemies that dared challenge us. And yet it was all for nought, for he was cut down in an instant, the three eyes trio had their other eyes removed, and suddenly we were sightless, armorless, and at an enemies mercy.

The first time we retreated just the prince had died, our eyes still alive, still firing, still hurting. The monster's screams could be heard, a devilish, squealing that grated on your mind until you couldn't stand it. No matter what we threw at them they wouldn't die forever, oh they'd stop and fall and rot, but days later they would be back, flesh grown around arrows and sword slices closed like they were never there. We had found a cave, the large awning of an entrance spelling death of it collapsed, but warmth was more important in the desolate dead forest we resided in. By this point we didn't realize we were already dead. Come tomorrow, we all dreamed it. The day after that? It's just me.

Our eyes were picked off in the night, deciding to keep watch. One at a time, Travis was pulled first, his deranged scream shaking us awake as he thrashed and was drug into the darkness. We all sat and listened as they ate him. Our three water boys, on their first tour and little more than farmhands, pleaded to make a run for it with us, but we refused. Outside was more of a death with the coming blizzard than being eaten one at a time. Come morning Jesse and Quentin were gone too, Quentin swearing in his southern islander accent all the way. When I looked at the men around me, I knew we were already dead. They looked at me and knew it too.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

As I write this book the fires are dwindling, the one thing we now know is a weakness of these creatures, and even still I wonder why Commander Drak sent us this far north. I suppose it doesn't matter, it's staring at me even still, it's beady black eyes rotating like a carriage wheel, the hairs on its crustaceous body twitching as it inspects me. The others made a run for it, and I do not know if they made it. What I do know is as I'm writing people back home are reading, and that's all that matters. I implore you, don't come north, leave the wastes to be. I've been thinking of ways to fight, to have a chance of survival, and have tried imbuing my sword with a fire enchantment, but to no avail. This creature has adept external control on mystical energies, and is more intelligent than it seems. Six legs, a hundred eyes, and furs the size of spokes on wheels. It's bulbous body just waiting to get it's hands on me. It actually started drooling earlier, just sitting there, watching me, waiting. The fires are almost dead now. The only hope I have to kill it is to sacrifice myself, and I don't know if I can do it. Which death would be worse? Who knows. I guess I should find out.

Closing the book Alec Bradwinn the second set it down, it instantly fizzled into dust against the cold damp stone. Walking to the edge of the ring of fire entrapping and keeping him safe he watched as the creature turned, following his movements.

“I don't know if you can understand me, but know this. I will be the end of you, as it's the end of me. You can smother my magic and crush my bones, but when my sword of flame slices through you, just know we will scream together in the underworld.” Smiling, Alec called on his energies, the meager amount left desperate to leave it's mark on the world. Alec had something different in mind however, and left a mark on himself. When his sword lit up in blood red flame and drips dropped down his arm to the floor the creature skittered, as though trying to understand how. In the back of his mind a demon roared, already growing stronger. Screaming back, Alec

charged.