From Dusk Till Dawn

Chapter Eight (The Gray Knight)

   There was a large black furry thing attacking the thieves' village. Lumps of fur grew off it and turned into miniature versions and spread throughout the camp, attacking thieves and stealing things. I pulled my sword closer to my chest and stepped out from the tent, a beam of light shooting past me and colliding with the beast. I jumped back, looking over to see where the light had come from. It was The Four, they had showed up! Red was shooting lighting at the beast as it's fur caught up in flames and it's bones were exposed from the amount of electricity pulsing through the creature. 

"Take care of the others!" The Blue Knight yelled as he stepped forward, glowing with white magic as his hand frosted all the way up his arm. 

The Blue Knight raised his freezing arm and a burst of ice and snow emitted from it, freezing a line of the miniature beasts into crystals. The Orange Knight became a living inferno and jumped into the middle of the beasts, flames and fur flying everywhere. The Green Knight hunted down stragglers, killing them before they got too far from the campsite. I felt someone place their hand on my shoulder and I jumped, pointing my sword at them defensively. 

"Ey- Calm down! I'm glad you're alright" The Red Knight laughed.

"Did you guys know I was here?" I asked, lowering my sword to my side.

"No, we heard screaming and came this way, we've been fighting through the patrol groups of thieves until this point" She explained.

"Oh...so you guys didn't know The King sent me to come find you all so I could assist you?" I asked, tilting my head a little.

"The King sent you? Well I guess you'll have to stick with us then!" She announced lightly.

"Stick with us? For sure." The Blue Knight said, stepping from next to me.

"These little beasts have been taken care of. It looks like we might've been too late to save the village and their people though.." Blue explained solemnly.

The Orange Knight was cackling in the background, still on fire and killing the remaining beasts who had survived the incineration of their boss. 

"Great job Blizz" The Red Knight nodded, an obvious sound of a smile.

The two watched each other for a minute, I began to feel a bit awkward like I was intruding on something. They laughed a little and looked over at me.

"Guess you'll be rolling with us from now on, huh?" Blue straightened, watching me with what felt like pride.

"Yeah. Don't worry, I think I can learn some more from you all" I perked up, getting slowly more and more excited.

"G-Grey?!" Lialah's voice cut from my left.

I looked over, realizing how much damage had been done to the camp.

"I-I...a-are you just going to leave me here...?" She was obviously beaten, blood scrapes all over her body as she trembled.

"No!" I walked towards her but Blue stopped me.

"Grey. Who is this?" He interrogated lowly, sounding intimidating.

"I'm The Princess of Thieves..." Lialah growled.

Blue glanced around.

"...are there any left?" He asked, sounding more gentle.

"N-no. Th-thanks to you four..." She mumbled softly.

"Thanks to us- we- WE HELPED YOU! WE'RE THE REASON YOU'RE STILL ALIVE!" Red started, walking towards her.

"Sky, calm down. She's frustrated..." Blue stopped Red, pulling her back next to him.

She turned to him and grumbled something, gesturing towards Lialah aggresively. Blue gently held her shoulders and softly explained something to her. Red softened after a minute and nodded, mumbling something. Blue hugged her and she returned it, quiet for a few moments. Blue turned towards Lialah.

"Princess, we're sorry we didn't get here in time to save your village, your own wouldn't allow us near it. If was had come sooner we could have prevented all of this. I'm sorry for what happened to your people, and if you would like, we can take you and any remaining survivors back to the kingdom for refuge" The Blue Knight offered, taking control of the siuation. 

Lialah looked like she would yell but she looked down and her body relaxed as she folded her arms against herself.

"A-alright...but I checked...there aren't any survivors...a-and....uhm...I don't want to go back to the castle alone.." She mumbled softly.

"Well then what do you want to do then?" Red asked gently.

"...I-I.....I'll go wherever he's going.." She pointed towards me and then reached up to wipe some tears.

Blue and Red looked at me for approval.

"Of course.." I smiled under my helm.

Lialah quietly wiped more tears without a response. I looked at the others and then went over to her, offering a hug. She looked up at me and shifted a little, stepping forward and hugging me tightly. She buried her face in my shoulder as I held her closer and sobbed softly. I shifted and leaned down, picking her up into my arms and turned to the others. 

"Where to now-?" I was cut off by the large boom sound again, but much closer.

"Away from here I hope!" The Orange Knight panicked.

"Definitely." Blue nodded.

I looked over and out of the trees, a large black form was emerging.

"G-guys..." I stuttered softly.

The Four turned towards where I was looking and Lialah peeked over as well, all of them freezing in fear. 

"Wh-what...." Green started but didn't continue.

"Run." Blue commanded.

We turned towards the Windmill of the village and sprinted. I felt Lialah's grip tighten around me as her body tensed. I ran fast, the others behind or next to me. We all ran in as the massive monster let out an enormous roar.