Shadow Keepers (Unedited)

Eighteen: Battle and Tardiness

Penny and Avery leapt into the treetops and nocked an arrow while the rest of us dashed out into the open. Angel and Carmen both bunkered down by the lake while the rest of us spread out. Matt and I were both at the ends. I looked over our small team, we are gonna have a fight on our hands. I catch Matt’s eye, I know what they are thinking; where the hell are the Fire Runners?

I look back as soon as the first line breaks out into the open. Penny and Avery are doing a number on the ranks, but it’s still not enough, ya know for a small town population of 156, there sure as hell are a lot of hunters. All thoughts vanish as I begin to dodge and slice. Two swords are coming right at me, I parry one and doge another causing the first one to take the hit. I do quick work of the second and continue this dangerous game.

Time becomes a blur as I dodge and kill. I throw a dagger and go to par a blow but the man flicks his wrist and my dagger is thrown from my hand. I flash my fangs at the man he winces but doesn’t yield. He charges me, swing his sword in a horizontal arc. I duck down and step forward just behind him, and then I bring my leg around and knock his feet from under him. As he falls I release my hidden spikes in my armor and cut his gut. I flip back just in time to miss a mace. I take a moment, while he rights himself, to see the progress. It might feel like much but there wasn’t much damage in the ranks.

What I see is hopelessness, Penny doing her best to not only kill off as many as possible but also to protect Michael as Angel tends to his wounds. Matt and Oliver are fighting back to back as Carmen rushes to Avery’s side. Just when a fell swoop of a ax would have finished them both off, a whistling and a thwack Jolts the man back a few steps. He turns and I see he’s clutching a red shafted arrow sticking out from his chest. In that moment hope is rekindled as Hunters fall victim to the Fire Runners wrath. My entire team drives the enemy back. Everyone lets out whoops and hollers at the small victory.

My team lands close to me. They dismount and kneel.

“Commander.” The say simultaneously then Tony added, “Sorry were late, traffics a bitch.” We all laugh and I run up to embrace my friends.

“I’ve missed you guys so much!” I say enjoying this moment of happiness. But as we all know good moments happen before the storm.

“But you’ve only bought us a respite. They will be back, even though we plan on leaving we aren’t going without a bang.” I say with a mischievous grin. I hear a strange eagles call. I look up and see Amentha swooping down to land on my shoulder.

“Hey Mentha, what’s new?” Vivek greets. Images flash thought my mind as Amentha tells me that the Hunters have regrouped and this time around the leaders are going to participate.

“Well then. The real battle is only just beginning.” I say as they break the tree line. Ash appears to be the general, Peter is at his right hand and Hayden is at his left. Jade and Jace look like the lieutenants and James is the head of the medical squad. Those six walk down and stop roughly at the half way point.

“Whatever you order, we will follow commander.” Jake says and Matt places a hand on my shoulder.

“Let’s remind them why they fear the dark.” He says. I smirk and step up to meet their challenge, with Matt, Angel, Penny, Tony, Bones, and Saskia in tow. We stop a good yard or so away from them.

“Surrender now and we will let you and your family live.” Ash says condescendingly. And the others snicker as if he just cracked a joke.

“Wow, the pimp actually does have some balls. Who would have thought?” I say and a resounding “ooh” is heard. Ash is really pissed at this point.

“Suit yourself Keeper, I can’t wait to have you as a trophy.” We all turn to leave. I didn’t need to put in the last word; I’ll let my sword do it for me. I look at my comrades. I know their skills are above and beyond; the only ones handing out doubt are the trainees. Their too afraid they’ll make one wrong move. I take a deep breath, Matt and Angel are inspirational speech givers, not me but I guess I have no choice.

“Clear you mind, let your body fall into a rhythm. And whatever you do, do not fear failing. For what you fear will happen, it’s the fates twisted idea of fun.” Everyone chuckles a little bit feeling somewhat calmer. Battle cries emanate from the Hunters, but we know our limits and we will take them head on. I turn to face the hoard coming our way.

I smirk and say, “Let the blood bath commence.” With renewed rigor, we raced in to a battle that seems so small at the time but turned into a battle that forever changed our fates.