Chapter 10: The war for freedom

Monkey’s heart pounded in his head. He ran with the Bhediya straight towards the Kutta castle. He could see soldiers waiting for them as they charged. The walls seemed to roar at them as they need. For a second, time slowed, Almost to a halt. Then registered.

“This is war”

The two armies collided, Steel clashed with steel.

“FIRE!!”

The walls seemed to come to life as spikes formed, firing it rapid succession at them.

“Ice users form up!!”

Carmilla appeared alongside wolf and more troops. Light radiated as they gathered magic forming a giant wall of ice.

Once the onslaught of spikes appeared to stop they launch the ice into a group of enemy soldiers.

Carmilla stared at Monkey.

“Focus!! None here can babysit you!”

She ran off to continue the fight.

Wolf came to Monkey.

“Monkey!! Are y-”

Wolf was cut short as an enemy soldier charged at them. Wolf quickly pushed monkey out the way, drawing his blade he sliced the soldier arms clean off. He roared in pain as the blood sprayed in the air.

Monkey stared at the dismembered man.

“Monkey! Get up” are you alright?”

Wolf helped Monkey to his feet.

“yeah...yeah. Guess I’m embarrassing myself after all that talk, I said a few days ago.”

Wolf saw Monkey face and grew concern.

“Monk-”

Monkey pulled Wolf towards him, spinning them around as another kutta soldier attempted to attack Wolf. As they spun Monkey turn his body delivering a swift kick to the soldier head. The force of the kick snapped the soldier head back. Killing him instantly.

“Was just abit overwhelmed. Like I said, I got your back brother.”

Monkey turned to Wolf. A sadistic smile on face.

~

“These guys just keep coming.”

Monkey was now more aggressive, his arms covered in flames as three Kutta Soldiers rushed him. He threw a fan of flames in their face forcing them to cover their eyes. Monkey duck under a blind swing from one of the soldiers coming up he delivered three quick strikes to one of them. As the other two regained vision. One wielding a spear, thrust his weapon forward. The other soldier came from behind with a sword aiming to cut Monkey head off.

Monkey spun in mid-air dodging both attacks. Landing on both feet, he caught the soldier spear. Bringing his elbow down breaking off the tip of the spear. This didn’t stop the soldier as he quickly used his magic to craft another makeshift blade for the tip of his weapon.

“really?”

The three soldiers circled him.

The spear wielder struck first, using his range to keep monkey at a distance while the two attacked in unison. Monkey used the broken spear still in his hand to parry one of the attacks then spun around one of the soldiers kicking him forward impaling him on his ally spear.

Monkey then leapt off the dead solder. Impaling the broken tip, he had into the side of the soldier neck.

The last soldier summon ice around Monkey feet, In an attempt to encase him.

But Monkey fire magic quickly destroyed the Ice.

He released a flurry of kicks at the kutta soldier who summoned ice walls in order to defend himself but to no avail. He made one last attempt to attack Monkey but Monkey leapt over his blade knocking the soldier down to the ground.

“that wasn’t so bad...Wolf?”

Monkey looked till he spotted his brother easily cutting down enemies.

Wolf Parried an attacking Kutta. Cutting him in half. Using his Magic, he slide across the field leaving a trail of ice. Cutting down the enemy soldiers in his path.

His blade collided with another kutta. Wolf took a step to his right as he shifted his blade almost relenting to his opponent, this caught the soldier by surprise as he stumbles forwards. Then with swift movement Wolf slice halfway through the soldier neck.

Monkey was amazed but also terrified. This was a completely different person from the brother he knew back home

He dodge another soldier attack. Quickly knocking him down.

“Cant let myself get distracted now... this war just getting started!”

~

They seemed endless. Each time Monkey defeated one soldier. Another came to take their spot. He was getting tired.

“Monkey!!”

Wolf came to Monkey side. They stood back to back.

“look like you’re keeping up with me huh?”

Wolf let out a small laugh

“listen, don’t overexert yourself. This battle is just beginning. We havent even made it inside the walls yet.”

“yeah... yeah. Just need a second to catch my breath”

More soldiers charged at them but the two continued to fight them off

“just one second guys, come on!!”

“die you savages!!”

A group of kutta used their magic to attempt to seal them in Ice. Monkey quickly spun around the ground. Unleashing his fire magic melting the Ice and the area around him. Wolf had leapt in midair spinning, launching shards of ice at the surrounding soldiers.

“Listen, my mother has three stages to her plan. This battle here is stage one. We are to lure the fang of akita out onto the battle field”

Monkey was bewildered.

“Thought this was for your freedom? Now you’re telling me this is all for one warrior?”

“he’s the one warrior that can stop this entire war. One of the few who could match the Black Lioness”

Monkey was again confused. But before he could ask his next question Wolf continued explaining

“Part two is Li chi, she is to open the gates for us able to lead her army this far undetected is a huge advantage for us. Luckily her clan is mainly made up of white wolves”

Monkey notice the walls were getting bigger. They were gaining ground and those walls seemed even more intimidating, looming over him.

“the last phase is important... it's my mission. Once the gates are open, I am to sneak into the castle and kill Lord Ti Shin.”

More soldiers fell before the them.

“your mother wants you to kill the king?” Monkey asked

A massive blade came down upon them. Monkey and Wolf barely dodged it.

“A Houzi? What is your kind doing here fighting with the Bhediya?”

This had to be the biggest Kutta, Monkey has seen so far. The warrior towered over them both. Light brown skin. His hair fell over his face. He carried a pole with a crescent moon blade on both ends.

“it matters not, I am Sozen. For my people, I shall end your lives here”

“Careful. This one a general. He's on an entirely different level.”

Wolf warned Monkey but he could already tell. This guy seen more wars and survived many battles. This fight wasn’t going to be easy.

He rushed them both down. Twirling his weapon. Monkey rolled out the way while Wolf parried the blow.

The assault didn’t stop Sozen, he took complete control over the battle. Keeping both Monkey and Wolf at a distance. Only allowing them to get close when he decided. Monkey attempted to leap over the warrior but Sozen grab him by the ankle, throwing him into Wolf.

Monkey struggled to get up. He could hear yelling... no. Cheering.

“SOZEN!! SOZEN!! SOZEN!!”

The kutta and bhediya was both watching. The kutta, with renewed vigor fought back harder. This was the effects a general had on the battlefield.

“is getting our ass kicked actually helping these guys?” Monkey asked

“the momentum of the battle completely changed once he appeared.”

“if you both surrender now you can still live. I don’t want the blood of children on my hands.”

“Children? I think the guy scared that he may actually get his ass kicked by children” Monkey taunted

“ya know. I think your right. Be pretty embarrassing if everyone here saw you defeated by mere children” Wolf joined in.

Sozen face didn’t falter. Instead he readied himself to continue the fight

“I gave you a chance”

This time Monkey and Wolf initiated the attack. Monkey still couldn’t get close so instead he used his magic, each strike he sent a wave of fire, aiming for Sozen head.

The moment Sozen tried to push towards Monkey, Wolf barred his path. Ice pillars erupted from the ground. Attempting to trap the warrior. Sozen, easily cut through the ice but notice that his feet was frozen to the ground. Ice of spiked surge forward attempting to impale him. But with pure strength Sozen freed himself, launching into the air dodging the spikes.

Monkey anticipated this. Meeting him in the air. He unleashed a stream of fire, engulfing Sozen. But to no avail. With one massive swing Sozen extinguish the flames. Using this momentum, he kicked monkey backs towards the ground with such force leaving him in a small crater.

“Monkey!!!” Wolf charged at Sozen with a flurry of attacks but Sozen blocked each strike. Open palm, he thrusted his arm out, the hit connecting to wolf stomach. Forcing him to cough up blood.

“remember. I gave you both a chance. The battlefield is no place for children.”

Sozen lifted his weapon and brought it down upon Wolf.