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Chapter 27: A Growing Tale (Part 3)

"It really is Lavise. Five knights, most definitely more to come," Valandus cursed in a low whisper only Kyle could hear. The two stood together behind a large tree a fair way from the now destroyed carriage. Reaching the carriage were the familiar black armoured knights of Lavise. Their rifles were held ready for action as their armour let out a small shimmer. It was undoubtedly their work that had caused the landslide.

"Will Melissa be okay?" Kyle asked concerned.

Valandus scoffed, "You should be more worried about me than her. She'll be fine. Now pay attention and listen as we only have time for this once." His eyes didn't leave the searching knights as he began, "When it comes down to it, the knights of the Hero's Guard are stronger but when it comes to equipment, Lavise has us beat. Their armour is incredibly well made and resistant to almost any magical or physical attack. They can easily communicate between each other and while it can be jammed, my jammer is back in my bag. Their rifles have two firing modes, the first is a single powerful slug that can punch through unaugmented steel easily, the second is a rapid fire spray for crowd control. Each knight also carries a longsword and dagger, both of which have been augmented through various means. Now here's the important part. Their armour and weapons are susceptible to electrical interference. As for dealing damage, their weak points are the gaps in the neck, armpits, inner thigh and behind the knee. The neck is the clear winner but you have to strike at the right angle. Other than that if you strike, try swing from below and wedge through the armour plates. If you have enough strength you can pry off the outer layer and leave them exposed. Got it?"

"Yeah," Kyle nodded. While it was a lot and said in rapid succession, the information seeped in with a natural ease. "But it sounds like you've been ready for this for a while."

"Oh you know, just the basics," Valandus smirked. "They're getting close and I doubt they're only coming from the front. Our goal is to regroup so we push forward. Try to take them out alone. Are you ready?"

For a moment Kyle couldn't reply. It was one thing to fight demons and monsters but humans... just like the time when he was kidnapped a pit opened in his stomach. That pit however was ignored. This was life and death, and if they hurt the people Kyle cared about, he couldn't take that risk.

"I'm ready."

"Good," Valandus looked at him with a complicated gaze. To him Kyle was still innocent and he had really hoped nothing would happen on this trip, but in the end there was little he could do to shelter him. "At the very least I know if you get shot you won't die."

"Well I'm not sure about my head." Then again, Kyle remembered Estile surviving a cataclysmic sized fireball.

"Then we're the same. Though I don't want to be shot at all." Valandus took a breath and handed Kyle his dagger. The knights of Lavise were close enough to hear now as they slowly combed through the forest. There was no more chance for a good luck.

A gunshot sounded from the mountainside and as the knights turned distracted Valandus fired. The unsilenced shot began the battle on their terms and through perfect aim the bullet struck against the closest knight's helm. The low calibre bullet however only succeeded in dazing the knight, but it was enough for Valandus to charge. Two more bullets fired, bouncing off the knights in the distance as he managed to reach the recoiling knight he had fired at first. What came next was a swift execution. Gun to the knight's neck, a fourth bullet fired and as he fell Valandus pried his rifle free.

The surprise attack had succeeded but the tides turned in an instant as their position became clear. Kyle dashed forward as they aimed at Valandus who had propped up the knight's body as cover while trying to reach the trees. Though the man made it, the high powered rifles of the Lavise knights only fired faster and quickly proved to be able to tear through the smaller tree trunks with ease.