Beyond

Chapter 2

The knights prepared themselves for the incoming trouble. Heliot, the captain of the mission, and everyone on the scene knew that those weren't just normal people but rather monsters—the Dusks.

They have defeated countless Soultakers together that have been lurking around the barrier for years, but not once Heliot and the knights have encountered the Dusks—the monsters they fear. The three Dusks in front of Heliot made his whole body shudder in fear that he had to clench the reins as hard as he could so that it wouldn't lower the morale of his men.

Heliot has half a hundred knights with him. They clearly have the upper hand. He unsheathed his sword, and his gold tassel wafted gently as he pointed it towards the Dusk in the middle with determined eyes.

"You there! State your purpose!" he said, staring at the hooded Dusk that was covering half of his face. The Dusk has long silver hair that is tied up and resting on top of his shoulder.

The Dusk on the right moved forward and approached them. "Do you have the three offenders with you?" he asked.

"What are you talking about?" the captain feigned innocence and went down on his horse to see the Dusk better. The knights panicked, sending out warning whispers as he approached the Dusk. Heliot's heart beat at a rapid pace.

"We need those three," the Dusk said.

"There's no three!" a voice coming from behind shouted. Fiero approached them and grabbed Heliot's arm to create some distance from the monster. "We don't know what you're talking about. We are on an expedition," Fiero lied as he breathed.

"Liar! We know that you're lying! If you don't show them here, we'll have no choice but to make it the hard way!" The Dusk on the left crushed his knuckles. He was about to take a step, but the Dusk who moved forward raised his hand.

"It doesn't have to be like this," the Dusk in front of them said, putting his hand down.

The captain pointed his sword at the Dusk. "Is that a threat?"

"Why would it be?"

Heliot removed Fiero's hand away from him. "How arrogant of you to think you could threaten us! There are just three of you!" Heliot seethed.

"You're clearly outnumbered!" one of the knights from behind shouted.

"And how ignorant of you to think that you could defeat us," the silver-haired Dusk said.

"Last call," the Dusk in front of them said. His voice was stern and full of authority. "Give us the three Sanctuarians," he demanded.

The captain was frozen in his place. His mind went blank—he didn't know what to do or decide, as his knees were shaking in horror at just the man's voice. He gulped and gripped his sword tightly. "No. They may be traitors, but they're citizens of the Sanctuary!" he said. He raised his sword. "Commence attack!" he ordered.

The Dusk sighed. "Go for the wagon. I'll handle the rest," he whispered, summoning his sword.

"On it, sir!" the two Dusks said. In a blink, the three Dusks are nowhere in sight.

Hearing the Dusk's order, the captain looked back and screamed, "Protect the wagon!"

The Dusk managed to dodge the attacks that came from the knights in almost every way. Heliot couldn't help but feel the danger, as despite spells such as fireballs, waterblades, and many more that came in the monster's way, he managed to dodge everything with great speed.

"Forty," Heliot heard the Dusk said as if he moved on every corner of their force to survey and count the knights on the scene. "...It's less than I thought," the Dusk mumbled to himself. Heliot couldn't help but become enraged with the Dusk's arrogance.