Xenarra: The Dragon Throne - Chapter 24 Greater Demon

We charged at the demons, head on. It was crazy, just like the time before(earlier) but that time, we charged to die, not like this time. This time we were charging to save our own. Though in actual fact we were not charging. “Shield wall!” It took them a few seconds, they did react in the end though and stopped their charge to form a shield wall. Though it wasn’t as strong as it could be, we were lacking numbers after all.

The sound of metal rubbing against each was heard as well as scratching noise. They were trying to get in as tight as possible it seems, though that does make sense because we are meant to be recovering a charge. “Don’t get packed in. On my command, retreat!” All I could do was yell, so that I could be heard over the roars as well as the heavy footsteps of our troops and the demons charging towards us.

As the first of our troops got past us, “Retreat!” They didn’t need to be told twice. The second I yelled out the order, they turned and ran. I mean, not many are crazy enough to charge at demons. Talking about the demons, they were right on our tails. A quick glance behind me, told me all I needed to know about what was going on. The reason why it was taking the demons so long was that, every time they reached another fleeing unit, they would stop, turn around and try to slow the demons down; giving the rest, a greater chance to escape.

Turning around, I focused on running so that I could escape or at least get to the top of the ridge. Getting to the top of the ridge, I looked back again, it was different. It was the same last battle. I could see Jax’s body, Leo’s and so many others. Then I felt something warm, was it my blood? How could I feel that though? Then my vision changed back to normal but this time it seemed like everything was clearer, though there was one feeling: the feeling to kill. Shaking my head, to try and shake it off, I focused again. Seeing the last of the fleeing troops stop, turn and fight, I looked away.

Gathering up the people around me, we headed back the way we had come from. There was nothing we could do for the others. Not with a force of demons that big anyway. I didn’t bother to try and count how many were around me. There were clearly way too many troops to try and count. All in different uniforms, from heavy to light and different ranks could be seen all over as well.

Everyone just had one thought and intention it seemed,that is, to get as far away from here and the demons as possible. We didn’t stop moving until nightfall. As we moved, my squad which got separated from me in the retreat managed to find me or I found them. “So what do you all think happened to the legionaries we brought back here?”

As if my words could summon things from the void, a voice yelled out, “There over here!” Out of the darkness, they appeared, every last one of them. Forming a neat formation, “All counted for and reporting, Sergeant!” On sergeant they all gave me a salute. Each one came up to me, in twos or threes and some alone. “Thank you for making us back, if it wasn’t for you we wouldn’t be getting called brave or thanked by the other troops.” They all said. ‘Not that we really did much, we just moved forwards giving them a point to run to, plus most of you would have ran anyway.’ Ignoring my thoughts, I smiled and made sure each one was alright before speaking to the next.

It took forever. By the time I had finished talking to the last one, it must have been the middle of the night at least. I tried to get to sleep, as my eyes were slowly closing a scream woke me and others around up. Someone near me said, “That sounds close, way to close for comfort.” Then more screams could be heard all over the place.

Looking around, I got my equipment and headed off to the direction where there were no screams. Following me was my squad and the other people around us, including the second tier unit. As I walked, all I could hear after a while was the sounds of walking and breathing. There was also the sound of a heavy snort in front of me.

‘Wait, in front of me.’

I looked into the darkness trying to see anything. “Anyone got a torch back there?” Someone comes up behind me with an unlit torch. After all, if it was lit, the demons, which I assume were causing the screams, will catch us.

Taking the torch off him, I light and then throw it in front of me. “Shit.” In front of us were ten demons but their weapons were all crafted properly, which made them into greater demons. I tried to get her to go back but I heard something even worse from the back. They could hear the screams getting closer and whatever it was, was also speeding up. Looking to the sides, I thought about running that way.

As I was thinking what to do, the demons looked at us. A lot of situations went through my head very quickly, all ended in failure. Someone had to stop them at least for a second and for the others to escape they would have to run off into the sides of the woods, to try and escape. But the thing is, I would have to fight them and the rest of my squad, this was due to as far as I knew we were the only tier one troops here, the rest seemed to be lower. “If you are tier one get to the front!” A shout from me only proved my guess, no one came forward except my squad.

I made sure my orders were being passed down, though what had surprised me was that the demons hadn’t made a move yet even though they had clearly noticed us. I took off what excess equipment I had. This was so I was left in my armour and had my shield and weapons. “Remember we are only slowing them down, go defensive, unless you see a kill hit and you can definitely kill, don’t attack.”

Then we moved forward towards them, as we did the other people behind us ran to the sides. The demons finally moved and it was towards us like I hoped. Though there was one thing which I didn’t expect. The moment I stopped one of their blows with my shield, I nearly collapsed.

“Don’t let them hit you!” I yell out. I get grunts or yells in response.

“Aclaíocht a mhéadú,” I feel the mana begin to gather towards me, reinforcing my legs and muscles a little bit allowing me to have increased agility. It was just in time as I was just able to roll away as the next blow came crashing down. I thought I saw an opening in that moment and stabbed out with the spear. To my anguish, it stopped the spear in its tracks by catching it. Abandoning the spear I move away drawing my sword.