36 Piercing Eyes

The sudden occurrence left me paralyzed on the spot with trembling legs. I fight the urge to drop down, hug my knees together, and wait for all of this to be over. However, doing so will only get me killed or taken as soon as they spot a cowardly, shivering girl in the middle of the battlefield.

A ray of light shines on the side of my face catching my attention. There I noticed Rhys' sword laying on the grass, away from its master's grasp. I follow the sound of loud grunts and curses to find Rhys struggling to get a Kobold off of him.

Without having a second thought and fueled by my instincts, I rush over to the sword that's been begging me to return itself to Rhys. His sword, long and slender with a streak of celeste blue radiating, running from the top center to the sharp tip of the blade. It felt unexpectedly light as I picked it up, it also felt questionably cold.

I face the struggling Rhys who was now being choked by the creature. My eyes widen when fury takes over my body. I grip my dagger tight enough that with a little more strength, I could break the wooden handle.

My feet are ready to dash towards the creature to get it off of Rhys. As I'm about to do so, something grabs on my waist and pulls me away. I thrashed and screamed, accidentally throwing the sword forward not knowing whether it got to reach Rhys by the slightest of chance.

The thought that this could be the kidnapping pat of their play runs in my head and only worsening my already panicked state.

I look down to see what's pulling me backward. Oddly enough, it's no hideous arms of a creature but instead, thick wooden branches are wrapped around my waist.

Although the sword slipped off my fingers when I was pulled, I still hold my dagger on the opposite hand. Without wasting time, I begin violently stabbing on the branches, slicing it for it to loosen or release me.

I'm reminded that my dagger has no ordinary blade so to my expectations, the branches sparks fire. Relief and hope flow throughout my body and I continuously stab it despite feeling the flame catching my dress. It eventually withdraws itself, dropping me to the ground with a thud. I didn' know I was lifted a few meters off the ground.

I pushed myself up, my hand quickly brushing my dress that's been slightly burnt off. This has to be my favorite dress, it's unfortunate now that it's ruined. My face darkens when I feel a presence behind me. I prepare myself to meet with whoever commanded those branches to drag me.

In a swift motion, I wing my arm that's holding the dagger to strike whoever stood behind me first but to my disappointment, this man in a hooded cloak blocks it effortlessly and instead, holds the blade of his sword on my neck. My blood freezes and I went pale when I feel the sharp metal on my skin, a single move and it'll slice my skin.

"All this trouble for a mere human?" he chuckles disappointedly. This man's voice venomous, deep and cold. His piercing eyes glow from his masked face.

I swallowed hard, minimizing my movement as possible for my thoughts were still on the blade held near my skin. But as I meet his eyes, I maintain a calm and strong voice when I question him, "why are you after me, who sent this army?"

He tilts his head, I feel his eyes thoroughly studying my face. Then he lets out a wickedly chilling laugh and he brings his face closer to mine, "your beloved misses you, Rose."

My eyes widen and I gasp, mentally regretting it when I feel the blade slightly dig on my skin. The stinging pain causes me to hiss and I'm about to react to what he said when I'm cut off with a familiar call, "Rose, duck!"

It happened in slow motion. I look at the man's eyes long and hard, familiarising it before forcefully pushing his sword away with my left hand and do as Rhys has instructed. The man became distracted with my abrupt actions that he failed to notice an arrow speeding towards him.

It pierces his chest and the impact caused him to take a few steps back. His eyes leave me and trailed toward the arrow and stared at it. I flinch when he started laughing like a maniac. This got me furious and I position my dagger facing his stomach, I'm about to plunge it at him when he catches this and instantly disappears before my dagger can reach him.

"Oh come on!" I cried out loud. Why are my acts of bravery always declined? This is getting ridiculous.

Footsteps came from behind and Faye appears beside me holding a bow, "are you okay?" she asks while extending her hand to help me up.

I say nothing but nodded my head. I turn toward Rhys who looks unharmed holding his sword with a relieved smile plastered on his face. I can't help but feel relaxed for a moment that Rhys is alright and Faye managed to save me from that odd man.

"Have this in the meantime," Faye passes my her bow and her arrows. I gladly accept it, "we'll get you in the castle and put an end to this nonsense" she finishes.

I keep my dagger back on its leather scabbard and secured the belt on my waist. Feeling the weight of the bow on my hand bring back my strength, I feel safer with this weapon.

By now our short gathering lured the attention of creatures. They leave the fight between the knights and charges toward us. Faye draws out her sword and so did Rhys.

"To the castle now!" Rhys commands and without hesitating, we dash away from the area.

I lift an arrow from my quiver and position it on my bow before aiming it toward a creature that I've never seen before. It's blocking our path together with its similar-looking friends.

It's a tad shorter than trolls, its gruesome figure imitates a goblin. It has a long warty nose much like a witch, large pointed ears, and a wide ghastly grin. The creature's skin is raw and filthy, grass-covered back as if it naturally grew grass as hair.

My face twists into a disgusted look as I let go of the arrow, sending it flying straight at the creature's stomach. The goblin-like creatures on the middle drop lifelessly on the ground. Its friends watched it happen and became furious.

Before I know it, the two were speeding toward us, holding its razor-sharp claws out. Although they're still no match for Faye and Rhys as with just a single slice, their bodies were separated in half. My stomach churns at the dreadful sight.

There's several blood-seeking, merciless creatures trailing us. And when I thought the castle entrance is nearing, giving us hope for salvation, a figure appears ahead of us.

It's the hooded man who I remembered was pierced by an arrow. However, he stands upon us wounded-free with another unfamiliar creature standing behind him.