Eterna

~Chapter 5~ New Beginnings

I turned to see a black cloud flying toward us from the direction of the sun.

"That's it." Payne said. "The dark cloud brings death."

Payne drew her sword and her eyes began to glow red.

"Ready the troops!" I screamed to Devon.

He gave the signal and our troops marched out to meet us.

The cloud drew closer and closer, growing larger and more ominous. Finally, I could make out what the cloud was; hundreds of crows. My knees grew weak and my stomach turned. All of a sudden the cloud of birds disappeared and three beautiful women who appeared to be part bird, landed on the ground before us. One adorned in black, one in green, and one in red.

"I'm glad you came out Evelyn." The one in red said.

"Who are you? How do you know me?"

"That doesn't matter." She hissed. "Just know you won't live past this day."

"Over my dead body." Said Roland.

"Well, that can be arranged." Said the one in green.

She approached Roland and stroked his face. He pulled away, drawing his sword, and I stepped in front of him. She had emerald eyes that shone in the setting sun, accompanied by a psychotic smile.

"Aww isn't that cute?" she laughed as she flew into the air.

"Enough of these games, sisters." Said the one in black

"You're right. I'd love to play more, but I have direct orders from Lord Lucius Alexander." Said the one in red.

"The Dark Lord?" I asked

"The one and only." She hissed.

All three of them flew into the air. Suddenly, from the ground beneath us, creatures came. Hideous creatures I had only thought existed in nightmares.

"Attack!" ordered Roland, wasting no time.

I drew my sword and cut down what seemed like an endless amount of creatures. Devon, fed up with the number of abominations, slammed his transmutated fist into the ground, causing creatures armed with swords to rise from the earth. Some circled Devon, while others went off into the battlefield to fight. I could hear and feel the bullets from Roxy's gun whiz passed my ears. I trusted her enough to know that it was not accidental. Payne fought alongside Roland, which made me feel much better about the circumstances.

If you looked around the battlefield, you would've thought we were winning. I cut down a large mutant creature who tried to crush my troops. My blade sliced through its flesh like butter. The blood on the plains fell down like rain upon the fighters. I turned to see Payne holding her head in pain, as if something had invaded the confines of her mind. I stopped to look at the sun.

It was gone.

I heard a scream from behind me. Roxy fought one of the winged women who, in turn, tried to disarm her. Devon was in battle with the woman in black. I spun around in search for the one in green.

"Evelyn!"

I turned to see her swooping down at me with a circular blade aimed at my heart. It all happened so fast. I closed my eyes and braced myself for the impact. I heard the sound of blade piercing flesh but felt no pain. I opened my eyes to see Roland in front of me, guarding my body with his own. His sword fell, and he followed.

"No!"

I dove onto the bloodied ground and cradled his body. Everything around me slowed down, and then stopped. The creatures retracted into the earth and the women flew away. Their laughter filled the empty air with an ominous echo.