The Prophecy ( The Replacement Trials #1)

Chapter 7

Aura's POV

Lowering ourselves closer to the ground, we crept through the bushes and crouched behind one when we found the troops we were looking for. There were at least a hundred soldiers. We were outnumbered and fighting was going to be difficult. Picking ourselves up, we raced back to the camp to wake up the rest of the group. While we both were aware that the other two girls in our group weren't the best soldiers, they were our only option. Reaching the campsite, Nimue goes to shake Reina awake and I head over to Catarina.

            "There are at least a hundred soldiers coming our way. There's no way they work for the king, they aren't wearing the kingdom's colours. We have to hurry or else we'll be killed." I got out, panting. Hearing the synchronized steps of the enemy getting closer I pushed the girls behind a tree and held a finger to my lips. If they made any sound at all, we'd be discovered, and the element of surprise would be lost.

            "I know they're here. This is their campsite. All their stuff is still here and there's no way they'd just leave their supplies. My question is, why aren't they here? It's the middle of the night." I hear one of them mutter to his friend.

            "Well, we have to find them. Boss won't be pleased with us if they get away. Remember the last time we didn't follow orders. I don't want to spend any more time in the cells than I have to. They're so dirty and I got an infection last time. I'm pretty sure I scarred Galadiren for life. Anyway, we should search the area. There's no way they could've gotten far."

            Scaling the tree that's behind us, I get to a point that's high enough that I can jump onto Soldier number one's back. Feeling a slight twinge in my arms from the climb and the tension in my thighs from my crouched stance. Repositioning myself on the branch I'm on, I sit back on my haunches before launching myself onto his back and snapping his neck. The guy beside him was startled but not enough to not be able to fight back. Pulling his sword, he jumps at me and I have to swerve in order to avoid his blade. Rude. He didn't even wait for me to pull my own weapon. Of course, he came at me again but this time I was prepared and blocked his attack before I disarmed him and knocked him in the head with the hilt of my sword. Hearing battle cries, I saw my friends charging into battle. Before they reach the enemy lines, the sound of a voice stops them.

            "WAIT!" Reina yells and comes out from behind the tray with a tray of cookies. Don't ask me where she got them because I wouldn't be able to tell you.

            "What's the problem? We're kind of fighting to stay alive right now." I scream, blocking attacks from the guys who surround me.

            "They need to eat first."

"What do you mean they need to eat first?!"

"It's only polite. We can't be fighting undernourished soldiers, can we? Now who wants chocolate chip cookies." She walks casually towards the soldiers we're fighting against and holds up the tray. The innocent smile on her face was deceptive and even I was almost convinced that she was just trying to be nice.

Our enemies look at each other and shrug before stepping forward to grab a treat. They're not as smart as I would've thought, given how many people were killed by the Plague's hand. One by one, they bite into the cookies our nymph offered them and sounds of appreciation ripple through them. That is until they suddenly explode, and nothing is left of them but dust. Jaw dropped, I stare at Reina who surveys the scene with indifference and when she notices that a few soldiers were left, a frown decorates her features. It was not an expression I'd like to witness again. It marred her angelic features and a sense of unease consumes me.

"Well, I guess I'll finish the job then." She murmured before she crossed her arms in front of her and pulled them apart, a flash of light spreading across the clearing. Shielding my face, I hide my eyes from the brightness of the light because my eyes are sensitive, like all my other senses. In her place, a warrior stood, glowing and painful to look at. Her hair was long and glowed white, her dress replaced with fighting leathers and her eyes were cold, unforgiving. The only reason I recognized the creature as Reina was because she was wielding a scythe, the one she showed me a few days ago. Squinting in her direction I stood frozen as she cut through the last of the enemy lines as though they were stalks of wheat. Gone was the sweetheart of a nymph we had come to know and in her place was a warrior goddess who was unafraid of fighting. She was no longer a peaceful being who wanted everyone to be happy, her body was now possessed by a rampaging soldier who wanted to prevent her friends from harm.