Demon Army (III)

Snow enjoyed the fast sprint through the forest. The wind licking her cheeks and the adrenaline of speed made her heart thump. She had always wanted to ride a motorcycle but never had a chance to learn to ride one. She had a feeling that this was the closest thing to what a bike would feel, dashing through the trees at high speed.

Snow heard breaking branches behind her a few times or a rough moaning sound muffled throughout the run.

Hol squeaked in terror when he heard the strange sounds, holding even tighter and closer to the tiger's body than before.

Eventually, the forest opened up, allowing them to see the white tree they were looking for. It was a beautiful white tree from head to even the very root of the tree. White light glowed around the tree, giving it a soft lull. There was something about this tree that Snow could tell, clearing the very air that she breathed.

When she looked to the left, she saw another white tree much bigger than the one she just saw off in the distance with a castle merged together with it. It was surrounded by high thick walls, protected by the very people that Hol was talking about.

The immense cleansing power from the white tree was apparent, purifying its whole surrounding just being there. The closer everyone got, the stronger the magic.

"I got a debuff." Dairen frowned. "This whole area is a sacred sanctuary." He warned Snow.

"How much closer can you get?" Snow asked.

"Probably halfway up to the city before I blackout." Dairen weakly chuckled. "Even now, I'm starting to feel the pressure on me intensifying worse than before."

They got closer to the wall.

"Stop!" A soldier rushed out with weapons drawn. Archers appeared from above, ready to shoot them down.

"State your business!"

Snow got off the tiger. She walked up to them confidently.

Everyone who saw her felt a powerful pull of light magic radiating off her body, giving her a glistening glow. The soldier lowered his weapon, enchanted.

"My name is Snow. I have brought back your injured soldiers."

Her voice snapped the soldier out of his daze. The soldier's gaze turned over towards Dairen. "And he is? I sense vile energy from his body. Isn't he a necromancer!?"

The soldier went into battle, ready to fight to the death against Dairen.

Snow raised up her hand, motioning him that everything was okay. "He's with me."

"Your slave?"

"No, my other half."

"Your husband."

"We'll go with that." Snow didn't want to correct him. It was a waste of time to be going back and forth. She couldn't help but have a slight blush on her cheek. Dairen's gaze was piercing into her back, making her uncomfortable.

"Sergeant Ross! It's me, Hol!" Hol scrambled off the undead tiger, trying to get a good footing. He slipped off and fell.

"Hol?" Ross drew down his sword. "Hol, what are you doing here? What happened to the others?"

Hol got up and straightened up. "We were ambushed by the demons. All the others were completely eradicated, while Jasper and Robert, and I barely made it out alive. Snow had saved and healed us. They are our saviors." He said adamantly.

Snow was grateful that they brought Hol along. She wondered, without him, things would have gone a lot more smoothly. They were ready to kill Dairen on the spot.

Hol continued in a hurry, "By nightfall, the Demon King's army will be here!"

"By nightfall?!" Ross said in alarm. "Stay here." With a rush, he ran back into the gate.

A ringing alarm went off, initiating a warning. Pitter pattering of the soldiers' feet rushed through the walls as more and more soldiers came into place.

Ross was talking to one of the soldiers, handing him a message to send to the King. When he was done, he came back over. A group of soldiers came over to assist in taking Jasper and Robert off the back of the undead tigers. When they were done, the tigers all disappeared back into Dairen's shadow.

"Follow me." Ross directed them. He took a quick look at Darien and back at Snow. "We'll need a full report on what is going on."

"Before you do, I need to inform you my people will be heading over in this direction."

"What do you mean?"

"I have over a thousand soldiers with me. We have been hunting and eradicating the Demon King's army and would like to assist. They should be coming to this location in a few hours."

"Really?" Ross jovially grinned, happy to hear that they came to assist. "We must quickly head over to the King and inform him of this. I'll tell the others to watch for a large group of people to arrive."

"Thank you."

Ross nodded. He motioned another soldier over, giving them quick directions. The soldier understood instantly and brought over four horses for them to ride.

"I'm going to stay here and help out. I'll wait for Mike to get everything situated." Dairen voiced his opinion.

Snow could tell that the magic from the trees was bothering him.

"Okay. I'll be back." Snow pulled herself onto the horse.

"Stay safe."

Snow appreciated her concern. She reigned her horse, telling it to follow behind Ross. The horse ran behind Ross, who was in a hurry. They galloped through the streets, people moved away to allow them to pass through. The city was filled with life. One would have thought they were in a whole different world, oblivious to the demon's invasion.

Eventually, they made it to the castle.

Snow got off her horse, following closely behind Ross. They walked up the deep stairs that seemed to endlessly go up. Large roots jutted out of the sides, giving the area a much cleaner look than the city streets. The air was purified and clean, giving Snow a boost in energy and magic. She felt she could draw out even more powerful magic if she focused.

Her mind was heavy with thoughts of the tree that Snow didn't realize she had made it to the audience room.

Sitting on the throne was an older man in his early thirties with a thick red beard. His eyes were filled with wisdom, and his gaze fell on her with weight. The crown on his head was slightly tilted, and the clothes that he wore weren't majestic. Instead, it was very simple but clean black and gold clothing.

On his left was an elderly mage, wearing a black and blue robe. He had a large oak staff in his hand.

"Your majesty." Ross bowed.

Snow was unsure if she should bow, which she gave an odd half-bow that made her knees creak.

The King waved his hand.

"I assume the message has arrived, and you know the problems we will be facing."

"Yes, Sergeant Ross. The Demon King is advancing. I assume Major Derek knows the rest?"

"Yes, sir. I have personally sent him a message."

"Good, but what brought you here?"

"Well, sir, this is something else entirely that I didn't have time to send a message about. This is Mrs. Snow. Her husband is at the gates waiting for reinforcement to arrive."

"Reinforcements? I have sent no words for reinforcements."

"Sir, if I may." Snow spoke up. "We have come here to assist in the eradication of the Demon King as this is our purpose. We were hunting down the trail of the Demon King's army, and we did not know we had arrived on your land."

"Where have you come from?" The King asked.

Snow wasn't sure what exactly to say. Her mind went into overdrive. "From the north, your majesty."

The King rubbed his chin. "From the forest of the north, where the barbarians live? I'm surprised that they would have such a big army. I thought you were a small clan."

"We are, sir."

"Why would someone like you come down from the north to assist? The demon King's army wouldn't head towards the north anytime soon."

"This is true, but our clan believes that stopping the Demon King sooner than later is more imperative than waiting until they come to our borders. If you do not mind, we would appreciate it if we could stay and fight alongside you."

"This is interesting."

"Your majesty." The mage spoke up. His voice was cracking but deep. "I suggest we take in the women."

"Oh?"

"She has a very strong lull of light energy surrounding her, almost as equal to the White Tree."

"Really now." The King was interested even further. He leaned forward, observing Snow. There was a sense of a predator gaze that Snow didn't like. She straightened up, unfazed by the King, she stared back without shying away, matching his heavy presence of her own

A sense of curiosity blossomed even further, but he didn't say anything more.