Infiltration

-----Neri's POV

At first I thought that massive dragon was the demon king, but seeing Kaede now having engaged an even stronger opponent, I can't help but worry; especially after seeing Kaede plummet into the ground like that... But now's not the time for that. I need to use this time that Kaede's given me in order to slip into the castle, especially now with captain and the others soon to assist the soldiers. At least it still looks like Kaede's still breathing.

In all honestly, I didn't expect for the monster's force to be so overwhelming. Just at a glance while making my way into the castle's grounds, I can sense a large amount of high orcs. They shouldn't pose too much of a problem, but it does make matters that much harder. That's not even mentioning the several other dragons that have taken to the skies, although they're not as powerful as the one that killed our wyvern. Our force is pretty impressive as well, but in my opinion, this feels more like a rescue mission instead of a war at this point. I don't think any of us expected to be met with such a force.

Captain: "Neri. Has Kaede intercepted the demon king yet?"

Neri: "Yes. I'm approaching the castle as we speak."

Captain: "Good. We need your help as soon as possible. So grab that boy and get out of there."

Neri: "Understood."

Sounds like even the captain is getting worried just judging by how urgent his voice sounded...

...

After picking up the pace, I make it inside the castle grounds. Thankfully I was unnoticed as I soon approached the east side. Mai said that Fabian would be up in the east side, and after looking up, I do see many windows, although I'm unsure which one is the right one at this distance.

Jumping up, I use wind magic in order to create a foothold in the air, before jumping even higher. I repeat that as I quickly scale the east wall. I get my daggers ready just in case I need to fight when I break in as I start searching window to window. Thankfully, there doesn't seem to be that many enemies inside the castle, but I soon sense a human presence through the window just above me. I take a moment to steady myself before using more wind magic, creating another foot hold for me to reach the same height as the window. Not wasting another second, I smash through the window, successfully infiltrating inside the castle. But my eyes soon land on a dark elf that's far too close to the human who I presume is the person the queen wants. Wait, but didn't Kaede want a dark elf as well? I suppose I shouldn't kill this one just in case.

-----Fabian's POV

I thought nothing bad would happen as all the fighting and explosions sounded quite far, but now having this black figure break through the window, I'm left frozen in place at what to do. But in the next instant, the black figure charges us, or more specifically, towards Rina. Rina tries to shield us, but her barrier was quickly broken somehow. Seems like she also wasn't prepared for an intruder. With the intruder right before us, I waste no time to try and shield her with my body as I feel like it's impossible to erect a barrier in time, not like I think it would work to begin with considering Rina's barrier being destroyed just a moment ago.

But in the next moment, I feel an intense amount of pain course through the side of my body as the force from the blast ends up flying both Rina and I across the room, slamming us into the wall; or more specially, Rina. I might've shielded her from the attack just now, but there was nothing I could do about the wall, and just seeing the blood now dripping down Rina's forehead sends even more pain throughout my body, but not like the pain I'm feeling in my side just now... Is she dead?

Black Figure?: "What are you-"

Fabian: "Kh!"

In a rage, I fling my arm out towards the black figure, quickly engulfing it's body in my flames. I honestly don't care if that thing can speak. Seeing what it did to Rina, I want it fucking dead. But after a few moments, my flames end up dispersing, almost like they evaporated into the air, leaving in it's place the same black figure.

Black Figure?: "I'm here to rescue you!"

Fabian: "Fuck off!"

While holding Rina's body with one arm, I continue to launch a flurry of flame magic at my so-called "rescuer." Who do they think they are? Coming in here and trying to kill Rina... She didn't even try and attack, yet this person says they're here to rescue me? Fuck off.

But in an instant. A slice of an opening comes out between my flame magic, and in the next instant, an intense pain shoots up my arm that I've been casting magic from, making me unable to cast anymore magic right now. But to my surprise, there seems to be no blood coming from my arm... So then why can't I even move my arm? Let alone clench my fist?

Black Figure?: "I don't know what's gotten into you, but we need to leave. Right-"

In a blink of an eye, the black figure gets flown across the other side of the room, destroying the table and chairs that Rina and I once used. I try and shield Rina's body as best I can from the blast, but as the dust soon settles. I notice a familiar figure standing where the black figure was up until a moment ago.

Fabian: "Ilfa?!"

Ilfa: "Fabian!"

Without even dealing with that black figure, Ilfa runs over to Rina and I as a wave of relief washes over me. Seeing her panicked expression with her shaky eyes looking over me fills me with an immense amount of joy. She... actually cares about me.

Ilfa: "Are you hurt?!"

Fabian: "I-I'm fine. But my arm is a bit-"

Before I could even finish my sentence, Ilfa takes my arm in her hands as she begins to inspect it. It's been a while since I've felt Ilfa's body, and even though her hands are trembling a bit, I can't help but smile.

Ilfa: "Hah~ Your nerves are just a bit damaged. You should be fine."

Fabian: "W-what about Rina?"

Ilfa and I both look back at Rina who's still unconscious in my still usable arm. She's not bleeding too much at a second glance, but seeing her bleed just before really sent me over the edge.

Ilfa: "She's fine. Her body's already healed her wound. She'll wake up soon."

Fabian: "Hahh~"

I breathe out another sigh of relief as a smile quickly forms on my face as I look at Ilfa. Despite everything that's happened, my heart still races at Ilfa. She talked a whole bunch of nonsense that one time, but you can't argue anymore, Ilfa. You're kind.

Fabian: "...Ilfa."

Ilfa: "Hmm?"

Fabian: "...I-"

But before I could voice anything, Ilfa quickly turned around, almost in a panic. What follows is yet another loud bang as Ilfa stops some kind of attack. And as the dust clears once more, I notice that in Ilfa's now altered hand, is a blade from a massive, red scythe. But the person that was wielding the scythe left my jaw wide open.

Fabian: "Kaede?!"

Kaede: "Fabian?!"

Ilfa: "Get away from him!"

Ilfa manages to push Kaede away, clearing up a bit of room for us, only for Ilfa to close the distance before taking her fight with Kaede back outside. My curiosity is far too curious to just stand here, but I also don't want to leave Rina's side; especially with that black figure still laying down in that pile of rubble. They might be dead as I can't sense anything coming from them, nor are they even moving, but I still have to be weary. So using my only available arm, I gently carry Rina as best I can over to the bed for her to rest, wiping away the blood that has covered her face. I take a moment to look over her body once more for any other injures before making my way to the massive hole in the wall that Ilfa made.

Fabian: "I can't believe Kaede's here..."

Wait. Aren't I meant to be the hostage for this exact purpose? So then why-

(Ilfa: "Get away from him!")

Why did Ilfa say that? She was clearly protecting me just now, and she also casted that magic on me before. It makes me happy knowing that she does care for me, but I wonder why that is? My thoughts would soon be clouded over as I continue to watch the fight taking place right before my very eyes.