The Most Loyal General (7)

The more they killed, the faster this war would end. The moment Teo understood the situation with the Snow Kingdom; he worked with that mindset. After all, the demons possessing the Snow Kingdom Queen aside. The Snow Kingdom people are equally to blame. There are those there who could try to stop their Queen, those with the power to do so and yet they do nothing. Those people are equally to blame for the outcome of this war. Up till now, he worked with that mindset; but could he kill his beloved daughter?

For the last few minutes, Teo had simply stalled his attacks his mind distracted. Cyann's attacks were growing stronger. Unlike earlier though, Teo at least properly drew his blade. He's resolved to fight her, but that does not mean he can kill her. Luke said to him during their fight that one of the key players in this war is Cyann, that she suggested this. Teo didn't take his words seriously, while he knew her mother's death/disappearance hurt the girl. Teo didn't think she blamed anybody in particular.

Learning that Cyann not only knew about the main reason for that battle but learning about her grudge against Queen Lyn was unsettling for him. Where does his loyalty lie? With his daughter or the Queen? Most people could answer right away. They would choose their family. But for Teo it's no longer that simple, the debt he owes Queen Lyn is far greater than any family ties. A much stronger bond exists.

That's why when she told him he disappointed her, Teo grew increasingly restless. The first few days when there were mere skirmishes, Teo could not focus. All he thought about were the words the Queen told him. For the first time since he's known her, he saw such a cold and brutal side. No, he's always known that side of her existed. But for the first time, it was for him.

Cyann angrily snapped his attention back to the battle, "Spacing out like this, are you not taking me seriously?" Cyann growled.

Teo turned back to his daughter; she pulled out her second Sol of Chakram. While her fighting style has changed slightly, the girl's weapon hadn't. Over the years she must have trained using other weapons, but it seems like she found nothing else that suited her. He could use this to his advantage, at least he usually would. However, Teo frowned, how is she able to use this weapon under such circumstances? His daughter's weapon the Sol of Chakram is capable of storing mass amounts of solar energy, which Cyann can call upon when she experiences a power shortage in the absence of light.

It's evident to Teo that the girl was using the power of darkness. Teo did not have time to think it over though since Cyann's attacks became more vicious and many Snow Kingdom soldiers emerged from the shadows. Noticing the difference in their fighting style, Teo understood that these soldiers underwent training under his daughter's care. If they were not on opposing sides now, he would praise her - his daughter grew strong. Strong enough to lead her own team, he's proud.

He swung his blade in several directions, creating a small storm. No this was not magic; Teo was merely using the terrain to his advantage. The enemy fell for it, and Teo used this chance to cut them down. The soldiers continued to go after him and Teo emersed himself in their attacks.

These soldiers were strong but no match for him. No matter how many came, he got them in one go. In fact, Teo put his blade back into its sheath and used his dragon arm to block the next round of attacks. Before he used it against them, smashing them to the ground. He grabbed hold of one man close to him and smashed their forehead against each other's, despite feeling pain. The man became unconscious; three men seemed to pause and looked at his direction with uncertainty.

He must have gotten their leader. In the end, unless there is somebody in charge and giving them orders. These people are nothing, Teo almost pitied them - almost, one decided to use this chance to sneak up on his rear. But Teo lifted his arm and grabbed hold of the man's face before he threw him with across the field.

When Teo saw the fear evident in the remaining one's faces, he knew he didn't have to worry any longer, "It seems like the Snow Kingdom's General Teo fights very well." Cyann's mocking voice filled the air disrupting his train of thoughts, "But, I wonder if it's wise to have stopped your match with me."

Teo's eyes widened realizing, and he looked briefly over his shoulder. The sight caused him to turn around and immediately unsheathe his blade again, but just as he took it out. A tiger came out from behind Cyann and headed his way, Teo blocked the beast attack with his dragon arm. However, this caused him to let go of his blade. The tiger used this chance to pick it up and rushed back to Cyann's side.

Cyann patted the tiger, and Teo spotted a gentle look on her face, "Good boy," Cyann said softly, "I will reward you later." It was only for a brief moment, but Teo saw it, a gentle and kind gaze. One he is familiar with, so Cyann didn't get possessed, that's good.

"I wonder why you weren't fighting me seriously. You don't need this silly blade. Fight." Cyann mentioned nothing specific, but it was clear as day what she was suffering too. Teo's gaze fell on his dragon arm. For the last few minutes, he used it against a few enemies. But he had yet to utilize its full strength and power.

'Then I will give you this sword, let it act as your shield.'

Queen Lyn's words once again rang through his hand. That's right; there's no need to fight using powers of a beast. Teo paused before he replied, "A blade is all I need to fight against you."

Cyann cursed, "You're still saying that now? Look at your situation."

In the split few moments where he stopped his fight with Cyann, the girl used it as an opportunity to summon more beasts. These beasts, however, were on a completely different level than the ones he just fought. Creatures in all kinds of sizes, more and more stepping out of the black summoning circle. Not just one but several black circles engraved on the ground, and sky.

Teo mumbled to himself, "I guess I made the right call back then," Regarding sending Gerald away, and Gerald made the right call to take even the wounded and dead. While the boy most likely took away the dead so he could provide them a proper burial.

It was the right decision after all Teo recognized several of the monsters summoned. Ones that pried on human flesh and blood, beasts summoned by dark magic. Despite summoning of this magnitude, Teo noticed that Cyann was showing no symptoms of losing strength. He frowned, the demon possessing the Snow Kingdom Queen must have a way to stop the symptoms temporarily. But no matter what method that is, it's only temporary.

He ought to hurry up; he won't allow his daughter to use dark magic. With that in mind, Teo tore away the armor on his shoulder blades and chucked it on the ground. His body felt light without the massive plates of metal without it - the remaining hidden dragon areas became visible.

"Since you wish to lose like a fool, then I shall show you. Come." Teo's voice didn't falter once. His calmness only seemed to irritate his daughter further.

"The one who will lose is you," and Cyann charged towards him once again, Sol of Chakrm's in hand. While this was hardly the time, the words Cyann said now resemble that woman. Like mother like the daughter he supposes.