Outside of the forest, there were many campfires lighting up the area. Warriors and mercenaries dressed as bandits. The segregation of the mercenaries and the warriors is evident. The warriors didn’t want to hang around people like the mercenaries. The warriors felt they were more superior to the mercenaries who lived like rats.

The mercenaries didn’t care whether or not they were liked. They get paid to do the job and they get it done. Their life is simple and easy. If you die, it’s because you were weak. They live by the law of the jungle, it’s survival of the fittest.

“Get ready to move out, the night will be at its darkest in half an hour” the Pastor ordered.

The mercenaries gave a nod and the warriors were already starting to pack. The campfires were put out while torchlights were made of wooden sticks. After half an hour, the group of 50, 15 warriors and 35 mercenaries, stepped into the forest with the Pastor trailing behind them.

***

Within the cabin, on the bed, Yseif instantly opened his eyes. With a frightening look on his face, Yseif disappeared from the cabin. Situated with the shadow on the corner of the room, Tamara sat up on high alert.

The forest was eerily quiet. There was no breeze, no nocturnal insects crying, the trees did not rustle, and the moonlight somehow seemed dimmer than usual. Steady footsteps echo through the forest. The torchlights like will-o-wisps, moving in a line one after another.

*Snap* *Crackle*

The group of invaders quickly formed into small circular formations, weapons drawn, and on high alert for whatever to come.

Walking out of the shadows and onto the lighted area, the beast stood on four legs with its fangs bare.

*Growl*

One after another walked out of the shadows. A pack of 20 Single-Eye Demon Fang formed a circular formation around the invaders. Each Demon Fang had silver furs which glistened within the lighted area. One cyclopoid eye and a horn on top of its head. Paws which are as big as its forearm.

*Swoosh*

One Demon Fang rushed towards the nearest human to it. As the starting sign, the other Demon Fangs started to attack the human invaders relentlessly.

“Retaliate! Defend! Counter! Attack!”

All kinds of orders were given out. The group was expecting dangers but not in this amount.

The Pastor stood at the back line and watched the flow of the battle. A Demon Fang tried to sneak up on the Pastor; it swiftly leapt from the shadows and swiped its left paw out.

*Ka-chink* the sound of a sword being sheathed ringed out.

The Demon Fang’s lopped head rolled across the battlefield. Another Demon Fang leapt to attack the Pastor. The Pastor pulled the sword from its sheath, slashed four times, cutting off each of the Demon Fang’s limb. With a swift wide sweep, the Pastor lopped another Demon Fang’s head off before it even reached the ground. Cleaning the blood off the sword, the Pastor sheathed the sword and once again watched the battle flow. His breathing calm and no exhaustion can be seen on the body.

The flow of the battle steadily became organized and efficient. The Demon Fangs were being eliminated one by one. The human side was slightly better off but there was still some loss. Four warriors and seven mercenaries were dead.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

“Awooooo!!”

Hearing the cry, the surviving six Demon Fangs regrouped and cautiously glared at the human group. The warriors and mercenaries also regrouped and faced the Demon Fangs.

*Snap* *Crackle* *Snap* the sound of branch breaking and twigs snapping echoed.

The human invaders nervously looked towards the direction the sound came from. The Demon Fangs split into two group and created an opening in the center. Walking out of the shadows, another beast appeared.

This beast was twice as big as the Demon Fang. Two horns protruding from its head. Dark red furs with a tinge of purple at the end of its tail. Instead of one eye, this beast has two. Golden pupils which glows noticeably in the dark. Standing on four legs with small scaled spikes on its back, the Hellblood’s glare caused an intangible pressure in the air.

At this scene, the Pastor finally had a serious face on. Facing Demon Fangs was still within the tolerable range, but a Hellblood is another different story.

“Back away, I’ll take care of the Hellblood” The Pastor said.

“You guys take care of the small fries”

The warriors and the mercenaries made an opening for the Pastor and the Hellblood. The Hellblood could tell that the human in front of it was considerably strong. The human easily slayed his minions so the Hellblood was on high alert.

Hiding away in the shadows and watching the scene unfold before him, a young looking man closely watched the battle. Unbeknownst to both parties, the young man has been there since the beginning.

***

Back at the cabin, another intense fight was happening. Tamara was bleeding profusely facing her enemy. Three wounds scattered on her body and a deep scar on her right eye. She can barely stand upright to hold her position.

“Hoho, I wasn’t expecting this when I was just surveying” the enemy said.

“To survive this long against me, you must have a strong master, as you are a Nightstalking Hound”

“Grrr” Tamara growled.

“Don’t be mad at me; this is my hunting grounds and you’re the intruder here” the enemy lightly stretched and said.

“Come! Let’s go another round!” the enemy demanded.

Tamara pulled herself together and leapt towards the enemy once again.

“Too slow…” the enemy sighed.

With a wide sweep of his arm, the enemy’s backhand attack slammed into Tamara’s head and sent her flying. Tamara smashed into the trees and was having trouble breathing and getting back up.

“You gave a good fight, but it isn’t enough” the enemy gave one last look at the black dog laying by the tree.

Slowly, the enemy treaded towards the cabin. Tamara still struggling to get back up and stop the enemy. Without any strength, she tries to drag herself on the ground. The enemy stopped 25 ft. away from the cabin and noticed the irregularity around the cabin.

“A magical barrier…a strong one at it too…”

The enemy took in a deep breathe. The enemy then drew power into its arms and smashed down at the barrier.

*Crash*

The barrier broke down. Inside the cabin, Sana is still sleeping heartily without a care of the outside world. Even with all the fighting occurring outside, none of it affected her sleep. The barrier was the stoppage to all the events happening outside.

“It took quite a bit of power to break that barrier down, let’s see what’s so important to be protected by it” the enemy pondered.

Walking into the cabin, the enemy saw a small girl sleeping by the bedside window.

“Awoooooo” Tamara gave out a sorrowful howl.

The young man hiding at the battlefield has already disappeared.