Narnia: The Fallen Angel

18 || Clipped by War

This is a long chapter because I ghosted for a very long time and I am terribly sorry for that. I do hope you enjoy this chapter though!

(3rd person POV)

Beruna became a symphony of roars and clanging metal. The sight of battle was revolting; blood soaking the evergreen meadows and bodies littered everywhere. The once breathtaking view of the serene landscape had died along with the first casualty. This was the real beginning of war. This was Fate's game of life or death, a cruel game that many will lose. Crystalline was praying that Fate would spare her loved ones, at least this one time. It was torture for her to watch the battle rage on and not be able to participate.

Edmund and Anatre stood ahead, staring out on the edge of the plateau along with archers and the beavers to see who was advancing. The angel's wings ached to ignite, but since she was in a Phoenix form, she needed help to be ignited. Unfortunately, Anatre won't release a flaming arrow unless Edmund orders her to. So Crystalline stood there, impatiently shifting her claws against the ground and ruffling her feathers and watched.

Ever since the battle started, Crystalline's eyes had not strayed away from Peter and Oreius. She feared that one of them might die if she glanced away even for a second. Each move they made never went unnoticed, and for a moment she thought she heard their erratic heartbeats thumping frantically in their chests. Peter's fighting was growing more intense with every strike he inflicted on his enemies. The battle was giving him far more than an adrenaline rush; he was shifting. Crystalline sensed an animalistic urge growing with every life he took. He was no longer just fighting for Narnia; he was fighting for survival.

That mere revelation led to Crystalline screeching to grab Edmund's attention. He turned, looking at the Phoenix for a second and then to Anatre. "Not yet! It's far too soon," he ordered. Crystalline grew angrier, wanting to desperately stop the battle one way or another. The fighting was taking a toll on Peter, and she worried that if it continued, he might just end up dying. Or worse: losing himself.

Another screeched erupted, and she fluttered her wings a bit, drawing the attention of the other archers. "Oi! Anatre, get your beast under control!" A dwarf yelled, which made Anatre turn around and glare at the dwarf.  She stepped up to Crystalline and grabbing her by the beak.

Anatre yanked her down and looked straight in the golden red eyes of the Phoenix with a pointed stare. "If you don't stop acting up Crystalline, they'll shoot you. Now shut it and act like a Phoenix," she hissed lowly. It was quiet enough that only Crystalline heard what Anatre said. Her eyes widened in shock, feeling an urge to transform back and attempt to talk to the centaur, but Anatre turned away and went back to her post next to Edmund. He gave Anatre a wary glance, but she didn't look at him.

It was as if the battle was never ending, dragging on as Jadis' forces advanced rapidly through Peter's men. Soldiers were falling, gryphons shot down by arrows, and Oreius was nearly beheaded. When Crystalline saw Peter nearly get nicked by a Minotaur, she began to react again. Clawing at the ground, flapping her wings wildly, making the archers step back in fear. "What in the bloody hell is wrong with it?!" A Narnian yelped as Anatre fought for control of the massive creature. Forcing the centaur's hands away, Crystalline stepped back, stretching her wings out to get ready to fly.

Just as she lifted off the ground, Her name was yelled out; then the arrow hit. The pain seared up her leg, slowly coursing through her entire body and causing her to falter slightly. It wasn't known who shot it, but Crystalline betted it was that ghastly dwarf who called her a beast. Another screech was let out as Crystalline flew farther from the plateau and more towards the battle. She analyzed the chaos below her, being able to see a perfect space between the two armies to ignite a band of fire to divide Peter's army from the Witch's.