The forest has never sounded so quiet. Not even the trees were creaking. All of her hard work had led her to this point. In her mind was but a single question. What had the hunters brought in those trucks?
Kei stood alone at the edge of the forest waiting for the first sign of battle. Her training had hardened her to battle like a sword folded by a blacksmith. She was no longer the transparent girl who had joined the protectors. Now she stood tall as a leader alongside two of the most storied protectors ever to draw breath and the Queen herself.
Behind her stood ready the nearly 1500 people who stand party to the cause. All their lives were in her hands.
‘There is more than one way to lead Kei.’ Master Delmont had once told her. At first it had seemed like a lecture she didn’t have patience for. As he went on to tell her about leaders who lead from the back like icons of glory and inspired those under their command to greatness. Then there was those who stayed invisible and led strategically like a chess master moving pieces. It was undeniably important to have a strong strategy but it was not for her. Then he captured her interest. ‘You're destined to lead from the front. Inspire your troops with valour on the battlefield and instill fear into the heart of the enemy.’
So here she stood ready to level the first blow. No one under her will ever do something she is not willing to do.
A flicker of red warns of the approach of something unnatural and the hair on her tail immediately stands on end. Adopting a middle guard she charges her weapon with electricity. Behind her the sound of her army matching her preparation.
A grey figure leaps from the forest's edge directly at her. Kei instantly reacts and drives her shield forward intending to knock her foe off balance. The figure sees it coming and launches itself into the air catapulting itself above and over Kei.
Quickly twirling about on her heels Kei swings her sword around and connects with her target before it can hit the ground. She brings her shield back around just in time to deflect a desperate claw attack from her failing opponent.
Its legs fail to work but the creature does not quit. It claws at the ground trying to reach her as if it's very life depended on it.
Kei wanted to admire its tenacity but knew it was time to signal the charge. Her tails tingle as she charges her focus. Lightning travels through her body the leaps to the prone creature before her killing it instantly.
She can hear the thunder of her soldiers making the charge as she turns to face the woods again. A glint of light reflecting off the sharp claws of a second figure is all the warning she gets before her vision turns red.
- - - - - - -
The Valkyries had already left him far behind when the signal went out. Despite all his work with them they refused to respect him. Regardless he knew the skills he can bring to bear would be necessary for the battle.
His job was clear, direct his troops to problem areas and reinforce the strategy of the main army.
Cye begrudgingly admitted the strategy was sound. Instead if marching with a plan, they trained small groups to work together and hold their own in the field. As long as he was successful in his part it might work.
Cutting down a grey figure with his blade he saw his first trouble area. Several of the Valkyries were pulling greys from the thickest fighting and where getting dragged into the fray as a result. Their orders were to grab the isolated to avoid being vulnerable. Listening was not a skill of the emotionally charges.
Dashing through fire and water and dodging swarms of boulders he makes his way to the site. Leaping directly into the fray he runs his blade through the chest of a gray about to sever the wing of a Valkyrie.
Pulling her to her feet he immediately leaps to save another from being dragged down. With a mighty swing of his double blade he cleaves a grey down its bony back watching it fall limply to the ground. The young man glances back as he flies up with his prey in his claws.
The thickest of the combat was mere meters away now. The screams of pain and clash of weapons was thick in the air. Fire, water, lightning, and stone wielded as weapons streak forth into the melee. Above it was his most difficult charge, weaving in and out of the fray expertly.
There was no doubt in her skill, but in her sense of responsibility. Her skills were meant to drive the enemy to the center of the fray so the concentration of abilities would overwhelm. Instead she flew in and out greedily mangling greys and hunters alike.
Just as Cye was about to seek out more of his charge he watches an arrow pierce through her shoulder and force her to crash to the ground. The thunderous crash is followed by a rush of bodies from both sides, threatening to crush her beneath the pressing masses.
Without thought Cye presses into the melee and rushes to where she crashed. A grey stood atop her fighting to tear off a piece of armour while she fought desperately to kick him away. Dashing in Cye spears the grey with his double sword then rips it free with the aid of his boot to the being. Standing over her Cye stood firm in his resolve protecting the Valkyrie. Each swing of his swords fatal to one enemy or another. Hunter or grey it mattered little.
Suddenly realizing his intention she scrambles painfully to her talons. Without flight she was defenceless, surrounded by the enemy with only the man she refused to respect to save her life. The soldiers closed in and seemed as though they would overwhelm them despite Cye’s prowess.
Just as it seemed all hope was lost for the two a dazzling flash of light exploded amongst them. Cye and Ava shield their vision before they are knocked to the ground by a thunderous explosion.
As their vision returns they get a glimpse of a three tailed Kitsune wielding lightning around her like a hurricane. The woman grasps the two isolated soldiers and a moment later they are in the back of the field with the healers. The Kitsune standing over them triumphant in her rescue. A fresh triple cut across her eye spoke to her valor and determination.
“Thank you Kei.” Cye quickly offers before she disappears again.
Ava could barely believe her ears. The woman who had saved her was the one who had started it all? A mix of excitement and joy fills her heart as she realizes she finally got to meet her idol.
“Thanks to your disrespect for orders, you nearly cost both of us our lives and prevented her from being somewhere more important. Worse, now I have even less of the valkyries to stem their movements and they are about to take the right flank. Maybe a healer can mend your wing if they can spare the time for you.” With that Cye raced off to the failing flank and left her to feel a new emotion, shame.
