Brave Heart

The third day's battle raged on, the defenders' attention laser-focused on the chaotic ground assault - leaving them perilously unaware of the harpies silently sneaking into their blind spot from above.

Suddenly, a piercing scream of surprise shattered the air as Ser Parcival whirled, recoiling in shock. "Harpies! Harpies on the rooftop!" he bellowed, his voice cutting through the clashing din like a knife.

In an instant, the rooftop units pivoted as one, hastily repositioning to defend the vital hwachas from this unexpected aerial threat. Spears and blades glinted as they formed a defensive ring around the bulky catapult emplacements.

"Gahh!" One of the harpies shrieked, its foul talons closing around Ser Cedric's slender armored form. The knight's eyes widened in horror as a second harpy swooped in, both winged terrors straining to gain altitude with their cumbersome prey.

They hovered torturously close to the rooftop's edge, beating their powerful wings furiously as they struggled under the burden of Cedric's weight. Try as they might, they simply could not gain enough height to render a fatal drop truly devastating - the knight's heavy plate was an anchor dragging them earthward.

"Help me!" Ser Cedric's anguished cries rang out, his body thrashing wildly in mid-air in a desperate attempt to break free from their scrabbling talons. "Somebody! Anybody!"

The rooftop crew could only watch the horrific scene unfold in stunned silence, their hearts sinking as Cedric's frantic struggles kept the frustrated harpies from escaping with their prize. To lose arrows or fling spears risked striking the helpless knight instead.

But just as hopelessness truly set in, a whistling sound split the air - followed by a solid thunk and a shriek of rage.

"Keeah!" One of the harpies recoiled, a well-aimed stone glancing off its feathered temple. The harpy carried Ser Cedric's scream in pain, dropping Ser Cedric onto a street beyond the front yard.

Aden was curious about the rock that hit the harpy carrying Ser Gareth. The rock was flying from the ground, Aden's eyes tracked the missile's trajectory back to its origin point, the arched window of a nearby doorway. There, silhouetted against the dimness, It was Oliver, he was the one who unleashed the rock with his stone slinger.

The kid looked to Aden with some expectation. Aden replied with a nod, acknowledging the kid's effort in the fight. The kid seemed glad he carried on swinging his stone slinger to every harpy in the front yard.

When the rooftop units were preoccupied with Ser Cedric, Aden saw another group of harpies climbing up from under the rooftop.

"Harpies!" the hwacha operators screamed out in sync. The harpies engaged the hwachas operators and the volunteers defending the hwachas.

The harpies had targeted Ser Cedric as a diversion to clear the way for their sisters to destroy other hwachas.

Aden's attention went back to the spot where the harpies grabbed Ser Cedric. Amidst the chaos and dust, Aden caught sight of the lean knight figure lying on the street —injured and vulnerable.

The harpies' keen eyes snapped towards the exposed, prone form of Ser Cedric as a wicked hiss escaped their cruel lips. With a powerful downbeat of their wings, they angled towards the vulnerable knight, talons outstretched and ready to rend flesh from bone.

"Man on the ground!" Hjalmar's gruff bellow rang out from behind the barricades, his fist pounding urgently on the packed earth to underscore the urgency.

A collective gasp of horror rippled through the ranks as all eyes tracked the lethal predators' trajectory. The harpies would tear Cedric apart before he could even rise if left unchallenged.

Ethan reacted with lightning speed, his sword clanging against his shield in a percussive challenge as he shouted hoarsely. "Hey! Over here, you festering scavengers!"

The harpies broke off their killing stoop, their avian gazes zeroing in on the new threat with predatory interest. Ethan's diversion had been successful - for the moment.

Aden surged forward alongside Hjalmar and Maeda, village militias falling in behind them with a guttural war cry. In a coordinated wave, the defenders charged to engage the harpies now turning their attention from Cedric.

Arrows hissed through the air as the ranged combatants joined the fray, peppering the winged terrors with a blistering volley. The frontlines clashed in a whirl of steel and raking talons, each side struggling for dominance.

Yet despite their greatest efforts, half a dozen of the relentless harpies broke off from the melee, twisting and diving with chilling singularity of purpose. They arrowed towards the fallen Cedric once more, death incarnate on leathery wings.

"Get up! Ser Cedric, Get up!" Aden screamed, his voice filled with urgency. But Aden was too preoccupied with the harpies, trading blows and parrying their attacks, unable to divide his focus. Aden kicked a harpy away, ducked behind the barricade —and briefly withdrew himself from the battle. He looked around for someone who could help him rescue Ser Cedric.

The battle in the front yard was intense, the clash of weapons and the screeches of the harpies filling the air.

Hjalmar, holding off three harpies with a wooden door as his shield in his left hand while swinging the sledgehammer with his right hand to fend off the enemies, and Maeda, repelling the harpies with a pitchfork, fought valiantly to protect their comrade.

In the center part of the barricade, Ethan swung his sword at every harpy and tried to breach the entrance while Phil waved his torch in front of Ethan— too far from Aden.

There was only Corporal Knightly on the rear busy assessing the battlefield, who hadn't known about Ser Cedric's situation yet.

Aden took a quick glance, the harpies started to swarm Ser Cedric.

Corporal Knightly's view was obstructed by the chaos of harpies and the defenders, yet with his keen eyes he was able to see Sir Cedric lying on the ground surrounded by harpies. He loaded his boltcaster —and swiftly fired them from the back of the unit. He kept his gaze locked on Ser Cedric, shooting any harpy who tried to assault his fellow knight.

While on the chilling cobblestone street, Ser Cedric swung his sword wildly just to keep the harpies away. His armor gave him extra protection against the razor-sharp claws but not for long. He tried to get up but kept stumbling down. He barely moved an inch from the drop point.

"Shite! We can't leave him like that," Corporal Knightly muttered to himself, his heart heavy with concern.

Before The Corporal could act, Aden stepped forward, his eyes fixed on Sir Cedric.

"No, let me and Hjalmar do it," Aden said, his voice filled with determination.

"We can't lose you both," Aden continued, aware of the strategic loss that would result if they lost either Corporal Knightly or Ser Cedric. He knew that they were both crucial to the defense of the village, and the village couldn't afford to lose them both.

"Aye," Hjalmar nodded in agreement, his eyes fixed on Sir Cedric. "We'll get him out of there, corporal. You focus on the harpies," Hjalmar said, his voice steady and resolute.

Aden asked, "Are you ready?"

"Aye," Hjalmar replied.

"Let's go!" Both of them shouted in unison.

"Hraahh!" With Hjalmar's distinct Vjordic battle cry, Aden and Hjalmar surged forward to rescue Ser Cedric. The harpies replied with deafening screeches that filled the air as they launched their attack, their razor-sharp talons and claws seeking out any exposed skin. They were relentless, but Aden and Hjalmar bravely weathered the onslaught, determined to push forward.

⁕⁕⁕

"Maeda! give them cover fire." Corporal Knightly ordered.

"Ryokai!" Maeda replied while busy thrusting his pitchfork against harpies near the entrance of the courthouse.

The corporal switched places with Maeda. He let the ronin free from the harpies. The double door was the most crucial and vulnerable part of the courthouse, it led straight to the main hall —breached and it would expose the villagers taking shelter inside.

"Ethan on me! protect the main door!" asked Corporal Knightly.

"Yes sir," Ethan swiftly paired with the corporal.

Maeda switched his pitchfork with a bow hung on his shoulder. Nock his arrow and lose it on the harpies near Aden and Hjalmar.

Aden and Hjalmar displayed a fierce determination in their fight against the harpy onslaught, their weapon striking true to the creatures's flesh. Hjalmar used a wooden door as his makeshift shield, protecting both himself and Aden from any incoming harpies. Meanwhile, Aden used his spear to fend off the harpy attackers.

Their steps were swift and sure, agilely dodging and weaving their way around junk and obstacles scattered all over the place as they raced toward Ser Cedric. Their movements were precise and calculated, a seamless display of agility.

Finally, they reached Sir Cedric's side, their hearts pounding with a mix of fear and adrenaline. Hjalmar lifted him up, his body limp and battered, and they began to make their way back towards the safety of the courtyard.

The harpies, sensing their prey slipping away, intensified their attacks, but Aden and Hjalmar stood firm, their determination unwavering. They fought their way through the harpies, their eyes fixed on the safety of the courtyard.

"Shit!" As Aden escorted Hjalmar and Sir Cedric towards safety, he stumbled upon a wooden junk from the barricade scattered all over the street. The wooden junk ensnared his right leg between its heavy frame made of ironwood.

He was left behind. Cut off from Hjalmar.

The harpies' attention became divided, Aden stumbled on the street, and Hjalmar who carried Ser Cedric. Between Aden —a slightly more average handsome man, and Hjalmar —the behemoth berserker who fought multiple harpies simultaneously behind the barricade.

Aden's comrades grew increasingly worried. Hjalmar turned around and called out to him. Concern etched on Aden's face, as more harpies closed in on their position. Arrows whizzed through the air, providing them with much-needed support fire.

"Aden-san!" Maeda exclaimed, tucking his bow to his back and drawing his katana. Maeda charged with swift and precise movements, he fought off the harpies, creating an opening for their escape.

"Go! I'll draw their attention," Aden shouted, his voice filled with determination. He managed to get free from the wooden junk trapped in his leg.

"Hey! in here! come here! get your fresh meat here!"

Aden provoked the harpies —It worked. He sprinted in another direction toward the narrow street, leading some of the harpies away from Hjalmar and Ser Cedric.

Looking for a way back, Aden maneuvered through the narrow streets near the courthouse, his heart pounding in his chest. He could feel the weight of exhaustion settling upon him as he dodged and avoided the relentless attacks of the remaining harpies. Arrows and stones flew through the air, providing cover for his escape.

His breathing grew heavy, his lungs gasping for air. The thin mountain air and the physical strain of evading the harpies took their toll on his body. But he remained focused, his eyes fixed on the rooftop unit at the courthouse in the distance. If he played his cards right, he could reach the safety of the courthouse unharmed.

from the courthouse rooftop, Captain Willem assessed Aden's situation, "keep releasing the arrows!" he told the archers and the knights to give cover for Aden's escape from the harpy's clutch. Marcus, Victor, and Phil, with the recon knights, keep giving cover fire for Aden.

As Aden continued to navigate the narrow streets, he felt a sense of unease creeping over him.

He was a sitting duck running around on an empty street. Aden needed to find an alley to limit the harpies in his back.

Aden took an alley he believed led back to the courthouse only to find a harpy blocking it. She perched between the walls and released a low, sultry moan. The harpy spread her legs wide—inviting him.

"shit, not this one." Aden took the other alley.

The harpies giggled. They flittered and leaped from one rooftop to another following Aden.

Somehow they didn't put effort into attacking him whenever they had a chance. They blocked some alley and let another alley open—again and again.

But Aden refused to succumb to fear. With a surge of adrenaline, he pushed himself to his limits, his instincts guiding him through the labyrinthine streets and alleyways. He knew that his only chance of survival was to outmaneuver the harpies and find a way to break free from their clutches.

The harpies' screeches grew louder, their giggle grew more sinister, and their presence more unsettling. Unbeknownst to Aden, the harpies were leading him into a trap. They had lured him to a place of slaughter, where their numbers and ferocity would overwhelm him.

As he turned a corner, he found himself face to face with a horde of harpies, their eyes filled with hunger and lust. He fell into their trap.

Aden's heart raced, his spear raised in defense. There was no way than to push forward.

With a determined heart, he launched himself into the fray, his movements swift and calculated. The harpies welcomed him with open claws. He fought with every ounce of strength he had, his spear thrusting through the air, striking down harpies with deadly precision.

Aden's no grunt nor telegraphic moves made the harpies way more difficult to read his attack. A quality of a Jinn he learned from his mentors and battle-tested techniques.

But the harpies were relentless, their numbers seemingly endless. Aden's body ached, his back hurts, and his muscles fatigued, but he refused to give up. He fought on, his determination unwavering.

In the midst of the chaos, Aden caught a glimpse of an opening. With a burst of speed, he broke free from the harpies' clutches, sprinting towards the safety of the courthouse.

⁕⁕⁕

The battle was far from over, but Aden's actions had bought them precious time to rescue Ser Cedric.

Finally, Hjalmar and Ser Cedric reached the relative safety place of the courthouse's front yard, where Captain Willem and Corporal Knightly were rallying the remaining ground unit defenders. Hjalmar put Ser Cedric on the ground. The knight was injured, but alive, and the defenders breathed a collective sigh of relief.

At the forefront, Phil waved a torch and doused fire toward any harpy that came close to them.

Captain Willem's concern deepened as he saw Sir Cedric's injured state. "Are you alright, Cedric?" he asked, his voice filled with genuine worry.

"Ugh," Ser Cedric grunted in pain as he tried to walk, his ankle clearly causing him discomfort.

"I.. I think I sprained my ankle," he said, his voice strained in pain.

Captain Willem nodded, he inspected Ser Cedric's injury.

"It's okay. We need to get you to safety first," he said, his voice firm and commanding.

"Corporal, take Ser Cedric to the infirmary. We'll hold the line here."

"Yes, sir." Corporal Knightly nodded, his eyes fixed on Ser Cedric.

"Come on, Cedric. Let's get you to the infirmary," he said, his voice gentle but firm. Together, Corporal Knightly and Sir Cedric made their way towards the infirmary, their progress slow but steady.

Captain Willem got back to the rooftop., He retracted his monoscope, looking for Aden among the alleys and the streets between the torn buildings. The ruhimi swiftly ran between alleys and streets.

"Damn it," Captain Willem cursed as he grew worried as Aden keep getting further from the courthouse. The ruhimi didn't know the landscape of the village. He looked around frantically, searching for any way out. Whenever he got closer to the courthouse he stumbled on a roadblock or dead end, forced him to look another way, and made him get further and further.

⁕⁕⁕

Aden went for the opening, a corner in front of him that led directly to the courthouse. It was further away but directly led him to the village's last bastion.

He took the chance, but the harpies were also closing in, their talons and claws aimed at him with deadly intent. He clearly could see the courthouse's bell tower and heard the rooftop units shouting at him. It was so close yet so far.

Aden took a deep breath, his mind racing as he assessed the situation. He knew that he had to act fast if he wanted to survive. His legs were heavy, all he knew was just to keep running.

"Take the alley! Take the alley!" all the rooftop units screamed at Aden. They've got their point.

Aden took the suggestion. He turned to an alley closest to him. He knew these alleyways, they were not as intricate as the alleyways before.

Let's see if you can fly fast in a confined space and have a sharp turn. In his mind, Aden challenged the harpies.

Harpies can only fly fast in a straight line, so doing a rat race in the alley rendered them slow and became easy targets. They could've taken high altitude to fly over the buildings but they would make themselves a target for hwachas and the rooftop units.

Aden got out of the alley. He found himself at a T-bone junction street right in front of the courthouse, with each side had a harpy and the only way available had three harpies closing in on him. Aden's heart pounded with fear as he realized that he was trapped.

Fortunately, the junction in front of the courthouse was exposed to the rooftop units. They have a clear aim at the harpies on the street.

"Keah!" The first harpy on Aden's left side was downed by an arrow.

"Kahhk!" The second harpy on Aden's right side was downed by two arrow bolts.

Three harpies left.

As he ran, Aden could see the arrow volley flying at them but none hit the harpies charging from behind him.

Aden found himself on a dead end. Aden's backed against the partly collapsed wall of a house.

Aden turned around. Three harpies charging from in front of him, he is about to get skewered straight ahead. strategically this is a perfect place for Aden as the harpies can only come from in front of him.

"Victor! We need to give him cover," Oliver shouted to Victor. Oliver swung his stone slinger while Victor unleashed arrows at the harpies but none hit them.

"Shit! We can't hit them. They are too fast and too far," said Victor aiming for a perfect angle to hit the harpies

"Aden watch out!" Oliver shouted his lungs out from the courthouse rooftop in the hope Aden would hear his voice.

Aden drew a deep breath. exhales slowly. both his grip is firmed left hand on one-third of the spear and his right hand near the end of the spear, his stance is solid. He extended his spear. pointing it at the incoming harpies.

Oliver gasped, "Wait, don't tell me..that is-"

as the harpies were about to land their claws on Aden, in lightning speed his hands and spear moved in a blur followed by multiple sounds—Shuck! shuck! shuck!

his spear thrusts move faster than the speed of sound. Impaled three harpies in its wake.

the three harpies don't know what impaled them as they drop to the ground. Aden staggered a bit, holding onto his spear. His knees were weak after giving support to his body to do that extreme technique.

"Did you see that?" Oliver asked everyone around.

"What the hell was that?" Victor, Marcus, Gilbert, and Ser Gareth were shocked in disbelieving.

"That..that was the thunder thrust," Oliver exclaimed in awed. "I can't believe what I just saw."

"Oi, focus!" Ser Parcival yelled at the preoccupied Oliver and Victor. "He is still in danger."

Ser Percival continued to give cover fire with his boltcaster followed by Oliver with his stone slinger and Victor with his bow and arrows.

they saw a couple of harpies approach Aden at alarming speed.

Aden was still weakened, he couldn't even stand straight. He can tell the other harpies would see this as an opportunity to finish him off.

Aden heard a series of heavy steps rumbling getting near and near. He was too weak to even stand up. he had to lean on his spear to help him stand up.

He didn't know what was coming at him but his guts telling him to get away from that place as soon as possible.

"Hhraaahh!!" a mustered scream came along with the rumbling steps from behind the wall and—Krash!

"Holy fu-!" Aden slid down to the ground covering his head.

A tall muscular man crashed through the partly broken wooden wall, slamming the harpy creatures back against the alley walls with unbridled force.

"Hjalmar?" Aden was caught by surprise.

They were dazed and disoriented, but before they had a chance to collect themselves, Hjalmar had already pinned one harpy against the wall and taken hold of another by her neck. With one swift motion, he snapped her neck like a brittle twig before discarding her body aside.

Fury still ran through his veins as he stood ready for the other harpy at hand. Hjalmar took her closer to his face. Look deep into her hazel eyes.

She shook her head, begging in a suppressed voice for the berserker not to kill him. Her eyes filled with tears.

"You have beautiful eyes," Hjalmar complimented the harpy before he bashed her head into a wooden beam.

Aden knelt behind the behemoth in horror. soaked in the harpy's blood after Hjalmar bashed her head. He easily killed two harpies with his bare hands. Some of the brain pieces still left hung on Aden's shoulder and slid down piece by piece.

"Come on," Hjalmar extended his hand. snapped Aden of his thought. Hjalmar offered himself to carry Aden.

Aden shook his head, "No, I am still able to walk."

Aden stood up—and grunted. His knees jerked. He tried to walk only to be stumbled.

"No, you don't."

Hjalmar grabbed Aden's arm, wrapped it around his shoulder, and carried him back to the courthouse where the rest of the response party gave them cover fire.

Aden looked back to the two dead harpies with his blurred vision. They might be able to fly with their wings and rip flesh with their claws —yet, a woman is a woman still.

They were powerless in terms of raw strength. Lua designed them to fly —hence, their slender figures. Aden randomly remembered a verse from his holy book, The News —Everything serves a purpose, and the sole purpose of all beings is to serve Lua.

On the Vjordic berserker's back, Aden felt his eyes get heavier and heavier until he closed his eyes and went unconscious.

⁕⁕⁕