Marionette

Chapter 17

Seven rows of a hundred Warriors each marched towards the enemy. I was at the dead centre of the front line. Azi was on my right, and the captain was on my left, yelling motivational clichés to the others behind to inspire them. 

The rain grew fiercer with every step we took. 

I did not believe in divine signs, but every cell in my body screamed that this was one indeed. The wind blew against us, and the rain smacked on our armour harshly. It was as if something was telling us to retreat. 

Ignoring superstition, we crossed the red magic barrier, swords pointing straight, shields raised.
A few yards before the collision, I started having doubts. 

I could just use my powers and save everyone. There was no need for a single Legionnaire to die.
I glanced at Azi to my right. I considered him a friend, even though we had barely spoken. I did not want him or anyone else among our ranks to die. This was not our fight, and we did not belong here. 

I could end this on my own. I realised that Yui had tried to do the same. She had put every ounce of her magic power into that lightning strike, trying to eviscerate the enemy in one blow, saving the rest. 

Azi, his young face hiding behind his helmet again, glared back at me and nodded confidently. 

-Do it! Unleash my wrath!

The Demon's Shield suggested again, but unfortunately, I could not do so. 

A few of us had to be sacrificed today for the rest to be free in the future. It was as simple and as cruel as that. 

I could not let the queen know. 

I'm sorry, guys...

The King's Guard rhythmically banged their swords upon their shields, trying to intimidate us. 

"""FOR MILWICK!!!""" shouted the Guardsmen in unison once we got close. 

They were all in terrible shape, malnourished and exhausted, but they were full of conviction nonetheless. 

"ATTACK!!!" yelled Captain Arne. 

"SHIELD WALL!" commanded Godfrey, the Guard's Commander. 

We unleashed powerful war cries and ran like maniacs to our enemy. 

Nothing but a deadly wall of thorns raised by righteous men waited for us at the end of our sprint. 

Impact. 

Swords, shields and armour crashed against one another, creating a cacophony of screeching metal. 

"FORWARD!!!" commanded the captain, and we all tried to push our enemy back with our shields. 

"HOLD!" replied Godfrey. 

Standing behind my shield, pushing as hard as I could, my feet started slipping backwards. The rain had turned the soft soil underneath into mud. 

Looking along our line, I saw that the rest also struggled to maintain balance. 

"KILL THEM ALL!" I heard Godfrey issuing another powerful command to his men. 

Before my mind could even register his words, the sword of a Guardsman slipped through the side of my shield and nearly struck me in the throat. I don't know if it was due to the Demon's Shield, but I was quick enough to dodge it. 

The accuracy and speed were on another level. The Guardsman on the other side of my shield knew what they were doing. Aiming for my throat was no accident, as it was one of the few parts of my body that was exposed. These guys were the real deal.