SkyFall

Battle One

Ally and I stepped through the portal and joined our small army. Some people had common weapons like swords, and others had a few gadgets that I didn't recognize. I saw Asher, the servant from the Castle, carrying strange glass vials and tiny sacks. Probably supplies from the Market. I saw Beth and noticed that she had tear stains on her face. I opened my mouth to say something, but bit my lip instead, unsure if I should ask.

"Where's your boyfriend?" She asked stiffly.

"Oh- uhhh- Logan's over there by Jake..." I said awkwardly. She motioned me to follow her and I did. She walked to Logan and cleared her throat. Logan looked at her cautiously. I managed to chuckle. He knows she doesn't like him.

"I know who's helping Mailn," She stated dryly. Logan raised his eyebrows in question and waited for her to continue. "Owen." I frowned. Who the hell is Owen?

"The villager we saw in Dark Forest Island?!" Megan asked, being within earshot.

Beth nodded. "He's over there with Malin." She gestured towards the islands. Logan thanked her for letting him know, but she didn't reply.

"Look!" Jake called out. Dark smoke rose in the distance and there was a deafening, splitting sound. Like millions of bones breaking... Like flesh being ripped from someone's body... We covered our ears and cringed. I felt shivers travel down my spine.

"Malin is free." Logan stated, eerily calm. He silently closed the portal to The Meadow.

We lined up, half of us on horses and the other half on foot. Suddenly, I felt someone gently touch my waist. I met Logan's concerned eyes. "Stay towards the back, and if you decide that you want to go to the Castle, just tell me."

I nodded and slipped my hand in his. I felt my heart beat loudly as it pumped adrenaline through me.

He reached into his coat pocket and handed me a few of the same vials and pouches that Asher had. "The grey vial is 'magicians smoke'; use it to hide yourself and quickly escape. The green, salt-like one is itch powder, in case it comes in handy. These blue flakes are 'icy flakes' that freeze your opponent, but only for a few seconds. It works much better with the 'Freeze' specialty move, but you don't have it yet. And finally this pouch has 'egg bombers'. The name pretty much says it all." He pulled one out, and it looked like a small bird egg.

Something appeared in his hand. It was a light-weight, black cloak, and he gestured for me to put it on. I did so and it fit nice and comfortable. I placed the vials and pouch in the cloak's pocket. "You're pretty strong for a level 2 beginner. And this fight will probably help you level up quickly. But if you're in danger, yell for me. Find me. I'll protect you." He said seriously.

I nodded and thanked him. His face hardened and looked emotionless, reminding me of when I first saw him. He's in 'Creator' mode... Logan told me to go to my friends and kissed me, before teleporting to the very front. He led the way as we began to march through the forest.

We marched until the shore of the mainland became visible. Ahead, we saw a lone, dark figure standing on the edge of the island. Malin. I turned to Beth. She, too, had a serious look on her face. Looks like she's in "battle mode" too... She had a large, curved katana and her vials tied to her belt. Ally and Megan had similar belts, but no swords. I sighed with relief. There is no way I'd trust Ally with a sword! Or any pointy object...

I glanced back at Malin standing on Dark Forest Island. I gasped. To my horror, more shadows emerged behind him. But the figures were warped and deformed. They couldn't be human. The next thing I knew, Malin's distorted soldiers ran towards us, crossing through the waters without a problem. When they got closer, I saw them more clearly.