Anira teleported through the woods at incredible speed, looking for a direct path that would lead the group to their destination. Suddenly she heard demonic voices rising from the shadows and she quickly among the darkness of the woods to conceal her identity.
"The Knights are getting closer." a demon solider uttered to their leader. "If they find the seer first..."
"The seer is of little consequence. The forest conceals many dangers-dangers that none know of-not even these meddlesome knights you speak of. They will be dead before they realize their goal." the warrior spoke, his yellow eyes piercing the gathering shadows.
"What have you in mind, general?"
The general hissed at the group, his temper and impatience with the foot soldiers growing. "A company awaits my orders and another stalks the area of the seer's abode. Should all else fail..." with a swift motion he grabbed his sword and struck down the warrior nearest him, smiling maliciously as the body crumbled to the ground. "That is what shall be done to the old hermit"
Anira gritted her teeth as and prepared to turn back to warn the others when the demon spoke once more.
"You men, head to the seer's. Instruct them to begin the attack."
No! Anira thought frantically.
If anything happens, we shall never find the clues. Glancing behind her for a split second she made her choice. Summoning her lightning she struck down the messenger party, sending flashes of light through the darkened woods and revealing her presence to the enemy.
"Who's there?" the general demanded, his low booming voice resounding through the forest.
"Anira, Knight of Griffin, Daughter of Lord Hérion and Lady Almárëa.” she answered, her voice ringing with authority as she stepped from the shadows with sword drawn.
“One knight against my force? You knights truly are more foolish than even I expected. What hope do you have for victory?”
“Hope perhaps not for myself, but for this world.” Anira responded.
The Demon laughed them and signaled to the warriors. “Slay her!” he commanded. Anira smirked as the group charged at her. Using her haste she easily evaded their clumsy assaults as her sword pierced through their demonic flesh, her blade stained with their black blood.
The demon general watched the battle in frustration. A single girl was decimating his ranks.
She knows the light magic, he thought to himself.
But she has one weakness. One that will cost her dearly.
Without warning, he stepped into the fray catching the knight off-guard and slashing at her, he struck her across the cheek, causing her to stumble backwards slightly. Gritting her teeth in both pain and rage she ignored the small trickle of warm, crimson liquid that trailed down her face, and kept her eyes on the demon’s moves. “You, too, trained in Swift arts,” she remarked darkly.
“It shall be a pleasure to kill you, girl.” he remarked as he quickly drew his sword and struck at her. Anira swiftly parried the blow and as the two began to exchange parries and thrusts, both evenly matched.
“You men, gather our forces! Attack the knights!” he ordered while blocking the she-knight’s assault.
“No!” Anira cried. Forgetting about the demon, she turned to strike the small retreating group with her lightning. The general smiled to himself as he grabbed the girl by her throat, hoisting her in the air. “You turn in battle girl. A fatal mistake!” With that he plunged his sword through her abdomen, its dark point tearing through flesh and bone alike. Anira gasped slightly as the blade entered her, her sword dropping silently on the grass. With that the demon threw aside, smiling as the knight tried to crawl to her knees.
Anira absentmindedly placed her hand over the wound, feeling the warm liquid seep through her fingers, staining her hand crimson.
I-I can not give in. she thought painfully, feeling each draw of breath more painful than the last.
“It’s over.” the demon remarked as he raised his sword for the final blow. Anira raised her head defiantly at the creature, her hatred for the darkness filling her soul. “I-am-not finished-yet.” she uttered. With that she summoned a great bolt of lightning and struck the general, watching as his body lit with the charge. The demon howled in pain the as the bolt coursed through his body, before he sank dead upon the ground.
Gasping for breath, she painfully rose and staggered to her feet. Reaching a bloodied hand against a tree, she grabbed onto a long hanging branch to keep from falling. Glancing down at the mortal wound, she sank against the bark, feeling the strength drain from her limbs. A trickle of blood now flowed from her mouth and she knew that the end would soon be near.
I-must-warn-the-others. She thought. With that she grabbed onto the tree once more and focusing the last remaining ounces of strength she had, she teleported herself to edge of their camp, a part of her hoping that the others would still be there.
(Sorry it's so long....
)
