Running Against Time

Leaving their post, both James and Francis were running towards the location where Gerald is located. James looked up from time to time, to follow the movements of the hybrids. Not even having moved 10 steps, the hybrids were already starting to descend at a rapid speed. There were still more than 100 steps between the location of James and Gerald. It would take at least another minute before James and Francis would be able to make it to where Gerald is.

Having stepped another 5 steps, James heard a loud in front of him, "BANG!" A dust cloud started to rise from the location where the hybrids landed. Several soldiers surrounding Gerald were sent flying into the air from the knockback.

Feeling his heartbeat quicken, James tried to increase his speed. Seeing blood fly all over the field, the situation over there looked grim. Shouts could be heard from the people in front of him. At this point, James did not pay any attention to what was happening around him at all. All his focus was concentrated to the front.

As James was rushing forward, he stumbled to the ground, not noticing a body that was lying there. Struggling to get back to his feet, James started to panic more and more as time passed. Not being able to protect the prince would be the ultimate shame to him. Especially since the prince had recognized his achievements. James had to repay the kindness of the prince, so staggering behind in this location was not a possibility.

A hand was held in front of him helping James to get back up. It was Francis' hand. With his help, James stood back up and started making his way again towards where the prince was located. From time to time James could see soldiers being sent flying, yet no hybrid was slain up until now.

Just another 50 steps was left for James to arrive at the location where the prince was. They made it halfway from their starting point. Moving forward was getting more and more difficult now as there were more soldiers located in this position. The soldiers had already started to reform the formation in order to deal with the hybrids.

40 steps left, James could now see the faces of soldiers who were close to Gerald, yet they slowly started to be withered down. As the distance was getting smaller, James could clearly see the details of the demonic hybrids. Seeing them from this close, James heart started to sink. They were nowhere close to the flying beasts. The hybrids were more ferocious.

Only 20 steps were left, between James and one of the demonic hybrids. James pulled all his strength together to get at least to a striking distance to the hybrids. As one of the hybrids got back on two of his feet to strike, James heart started to ease up for a moment. A young, yet well armored person was standing there exhausted. It was Prince Gerald, who was surrounded by various knights, trying to hold off the hybrids and win some time for reinforcements to arrive.

Yet this happiness only lasted for a second, as multiple hybrids lunched themselves towards Gerald. Everything in front of James was getting black, as he could not see what happened. As the hybrids landed, a dust plume rose up. Time froze for James as he was not aware of what had happened. Feeling his body getting weak, he slowed down as he was walking towards where Gerald was located. James prayed that Gerald survived that attack, yet a feeling deep in his heart made him restless.

…