Snow White with the Red Hair: The Valkyrie

The Slaughter

Even with her frightening warning, the guards still refused to listen, now pointing their weapons at her.

"Get back in there!" They demanded. Her fist tightened.

"Forgive me..." She took a step back. They thought she had surrendered, but she quickly leapt on her hands, kicking their spears upwards and away from her. They were off balance for a moment. She took this opportunity to jump back up to her feet, knocking one of them out cold with a single punch. The other, who stumbled to get his footing back, went to jab her with his weapon, only to have her swiftly avoid the direct strike. She grabbed hold of it before he could pull it back and leapt overtop the spear; the bottom of her boot meeting his cheek. He, too, had been defeated by a single blow.

In the aftermath, she took their unconscious bodies and placed them on her bed.

"I did not wish to resort to such violence. You are both very good palace guardians, which is why I have hidden you instead of left you out in the open to be killed. You shall be safe here."

Quickly and quietly, she shut the door behind her as she left. Now, Akari sprinted through the hallways to find Prince Zen. She tried to remember her way to his office, where he resided far more than he did his own chambers. Upon turning a corner near the courtyard, three spades shimmering in the dark were launched at her. Jaw clenched, she hardly had enough mind to avoid them. Two just barely hit her, while the third one scraped her shoulder. A small droplet of blood splashed onto the stone pathway beneath her feet.

"And just where do you think you're going?" Obi questioned, leaping out of the dark.

"I am in no mood for your games, Obi. Something sinister is coming this way and I must warn Prince Zen."

"Sinister, hm? Now why would you want to help us?" He arrogantly asked.

"Wha—it is not a matter of sides! My mistress, ruthless and impatient as she is, has used a spell of black magic to summon the Creatures of the Dark. They are marching here as we speak!"

"Okay, then we'll just defeat them. No big deal."

"You misunderstand. These creatures have no morality. They shall not be as kind as I was. They know no mercy and shall kill whoever stands in their path. Men, women, children; anything that breathes. The only thing able to defeat them is light magic or someone who is able to control and stop them. Nothing else. That is why speaking to the prince is urgent. He must ready and protect his forces and people. They are all in grave danger. I am able to rune their weapons with light runes, but no one will listen to me because I am considered an enemy of this kingdom."

"Well if that's true, I can lead you to the Master. But we need to be quick. Come on." He leapt over the railing, grabbed onto a ledge above his head, and swung his body to the next floor above.

"There were... stairs..."

"We don't have time for stairs. Come on!"

Shaking her head, the Castanic followed his example, sprinting after the boy who blended into the darkness. She made sure to memorize the route to the prince's chambers whenever an emergency like this ever happened again.

Within minutes, they'd arrived.

Not even announcing themselves, the pair burst through the door to Zen's office.

"Obi! Akari? What is the meaning of this?"

"The Creatures of the Dark are coming this way to slaughter your entire kingdom! Please, you must arm yourselves for battle."

"Are you saying that like we're to be expecting an invasion?" Mitsuhide inquired.

"Yes. You will need special weapons that only I can provide for you. Otherwise, your common metal will have no effect and the casualties shall be far more devastating." Their expressions showed her that they would not budge. So, swallowing her pride, Akari dropped down to her knees and bowed to him; arms stretched out in front of her with the tip of her nose and forehead touching the carpeted floor. "Please... I beg of you. No one should have this fate brought upon them." There was a pause as she sat up now, staring at him with pleading crimson irises. "No one."