Maid Marian vs. Velasca

14. The Grand Hall

We pushed forward, the heavy doors groaning as they swung open to reveal the grand hall of Velasca's castle. The towering stone walls loomed above us, lined with flickering torches that cast long shadows across the floor. The hall was vast, but our attention was immediately drawn to the spiral staircase at the far end, where the remainder of Velasca's troops stood waiting, swords and shields at the ready.

"There," I whispered, my eyes narrowing as I took in the sight. "Those stairs must lead to Velasca's chambers."

Krystal leaned heavily on me, her body still weak from the exertion of the last battle. Her breathing was shallow, but she nodded, her eyes filled with determination despite her exhaustion. "We can't let them stop us."

Judy cracked her knuckles, the handle of her mace resting on her shoulder, and Footman drew his sword, his eyes sharp and focused. "We're ready," Judy said, her voice steady. "You two stay back. We'll take the brunt of the fight."

I nodded, knowing we couldn't risk putting Krystal through another battle so soon. "We'll cover you from a distance," I said, gripping my bow tightly. My quiver still held enough arrows to make a difference. "Keep them off us, and we'll pick them off one by one."

Judy and Footman charged forward without hesitation, their weapons raised. The clash of steel rang out as Footman's sword met the enemy's defenses, and Judy swung her mace with brutal efficiency, taking down one of Velasca's soldiers in a single blow.

I quickly nocked an arrow and aimed at the first enemy I could lock onto, releasing it with a practiced flick of my wrist. The arrow flew true, striking a soldier in the chest. He fell to the floor with a thud, his sword clattering beside him.

From behind, I could hear Krystal struggling to steady herself, her breathing ragged as she tried to focus. "Don't worry about me," she whispered. "Just... just keep going."

I fired another arrow, this one hitting its mark in the shoulder of a charging soldier. He staggered, and Footman quickly finished him off with a swift strike of his sword. Judy swung her mace again, knocking an enemy back into the stone wall with a sickening crunch.

The battle raged on, chaotic and fierce. Footman moved with precision, blocking blows and countering with strikes of his own, while Judy fought with brute strength, her mace smashing through shields and armor with each swing. But Velasca's troops were relentless, and for every soldier we felled, more seemed to take their place.

I kept firing from a distance, each arrow finding its mark. My arms ached from the effort, but I couldn't afford to stop. Not when the staircase, and whatever awaited us at the top, was so close.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the last of Velasca's troops fell. Judy, bloodied but victorious, stood over the last soldier, her mace dripping with sweat and dirt. Footman wiped the blood from his blade, his chest rising and falling with heavy breaths.

"All clear," Judy called out, her voice rough with exhaustion.

I lowered my bow and turned to Krystal, who was still slumped against the wall. Her face was pale, her skin slick with sweat, but her eyes... her eyes had taken on a strange, far-off look.

"Krystal?" I whispered, stepping closer, my heart pounding with sudden dread. "What is it? What do you feel?"

She closed her eyes for a moment, her breath hitching as if she was sensing something distant and otherworldly. "I... I can feel it," she whispered, her voice trembling. "Ecstasy... she's—Velasca is... she's being intimate with someone."

My stomach twisted at her words, and a flash of white-hot rage surged through me. "Robin?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper, my heart aching at the thought.

Krystal shook her head weakly, her eyes fluttering open. "I... I can't tell. It's either Robin or Alaric, but the feeling—it's so strong, Marian. She's close."

My hands clenched into fists, my anger boiling over. My mind raced with the possibility—Robin, the love of my life, in Velasca's arms, enslaved by her seductive magic. The very thought was enough to set my blood on fire.

"We have to stop her," I said through gritted teeth, my resolve hardening. "We have to end this."

Krystal struggled to stand, her legs weak beneath her, but I was there to catch her before she fell. "Come on," I urged softly. "Just a little further. We'll finish this, together."

With Judy and Footman leading the way, I helped Krystal to her feet, and together, we ascended the spiral staircase toward Velasca's chamber. The air grew heavier with every step, thick with the scent of magic and desire. My heart pounded in my chest, each beat fueling the fire of my rage.

This was it—the final confrontation. Velasca would answer for what she had done. And if Robin was up there, caught in her thrall... I would free him, no matter what it took.

We reached the top of the stairs, the heavy door to Velasca's chamber looming ahead of us. I took a deep breath, steeling myself for what lay beyond. We were ready. There was no turning back now.