TBATE - The Second Son

Chapter 5: Tragedy

A barrage of arrows was fired onto our carriage. Angela used a wind barrier to cover our carriage by deflecting the arrows.

Mother hugged me and my brother tightly, trying to shield us as a precaution. Moments later, the tarp covering our carriage was torn apart by the wind. Only then did we comprehend the severity of our current predicament.

The bandits firing arrows have the high ground, some lie in ambush. There were about 30 bandits, needless to say, we are at a disadvantage both in positioning and in numbers. We are backed up against the cliff so our only option here is to break through or go back to escape.

A bald man with multiple scars deforming his face and a body of a bear carrying a giant battle-ax spoke out. "Look what we have here. Pretty good catch boys. Leave only the girls and the kids alive. Try not to scare them too much. Damaged goods will only sell for less," he snorted with a smirk that revealed a nearly toothless mouth.

I forgot, in this world, power is absolute. Those without it would have no choice but to bend. I felt my body temperature rise as my fear and worries dissipated temporarily.

I've looked over at my brother, and he showed such a scary expression. If looks could kill, then everyone here would be dead. He grabbed the hilt of his wooden sword.

Mother noticed it too and hugged us even tighter. She tried to stop my brother from doing anything rash. "Don't worry, I'm here," she said. Calming the both of us.

The fight soon escalates, Durden conjured up an earthen wall to block their attacks and vision. With this, their only option is to attack the flanks.

An arrow was blindly shot towards the other side of the wall, our wall, and almost hit my mother, if not for Angela blocking it with a wind spell. Helen shot out arrows at the top of the earthen wall. She is in a favorable position for an archer, she would be able to support others while dealing damage herself.

My father stood atop the earthen wall and jumped down, slamming down a bandit. He looked over at the others, and suddenly, he dashed to them, in a zig-zag pattern, until he knocked them all out. Someone got behind him, but thankfully, Helen provided support and eliminated the one who tried to ambush my father.

If only those Skittlers could fight, then the bandits were sure to take a lot of damage, though we would lose such mana beasts for our travels. How frustrating, all I can do is trust their skills to survive.

Adam, Angela, and Jasmine protected the carriages, while the rest went directly to intercept the bandits. Jasmine cut through the bandits ruthlessly with her daggers. Adam swung his spear, slicing through three bandits with a killer gaze. Suddenly, a huge man swung down a cleave at Adam, him dodging easily with some breathing room. Then he soon went for a counter as soon as he repositioned himself and stabbed the huge bandit upwards multiple times with his spear.

Jasmine jumped from bandit to bandit, slicing off the necks of those unfortunate to be her landing pad. Suddenly, a whip user came out. Jasmine then engaged in an intense duel against the augmenter, whose weapon was a long chain whip. It looked like Jasmine was at a disadvantage since the range of her two daggers was lacking. She was doing all she could to dodge the erratic movements of the whip.

By now, it was evident the enemy had realized how much she was struggling as he jeered while licking his lips. "I'll make sure to treat you really well before we sell you off as a slave, little missy. Don't worry, by the time I'm done training you, you'll be begging to stay with me," he hissed, followed by another lick of his lips.

Anger once again flared up in me. Despite knowing how amazing firsthand the twin horns are, I can't help but worry that they're caught up in this predicament because of us.