THE PRICE OF WAR [Taka x Reader]

XVIII. Death Trap

The flock of crows followed the Araki river for miles and miles as you galloped after them, fighting against the clock to reach Dryon's army and stop them before reaching Hayltel. Thus, your troops reached the place known as the Forest of Mori. It was a forest stretching for miles and miles and bordering the Araki Gorge, one of the deepest and most spectacular in the entire world. You and the crows descended and fell to the ground in front of the troops.

"What do we do now?" several soldiers asked.

"We must move forward"

"Are you crazy? What if there are enemies waiting for us?"

"What if we surround it?"

"Crossing the forest is the fastest way" said the crow "If we skirt it we will take much longer. There's no other way"

Finally, and after Yusuke-senzo's approval, you and the troop entered the forest. The crows would fly over it to make sure no one attacked you once inside and you would advance in your human form.

The forest was vast and almost impenetrable. Its canopy was overshadowed by fir, ivy and buxus, who allowed very few light to pass down for all sorts of sprouts to spread in the humid and rooty soils below. Moss and bundled vines embraced many trees, and a hodgepodge of flowers, which were scattered sporadically, protruded from the otherwise mundane lower level. A mixture of noises, most of which were bird songs, reverberated through the air, and were strangely synchronized with the noises of bigger animals in the distance. You moved slowly and silently, trying not to be detected by possible enemies. The forest then went from being a cluster of trees entangled with each other to a larger forest with taller trees.

"Where are the crows?" Yusuke-senzo suddenly asked "I can't hear them anymore"

You all looked up but it didn't seem like they were close. You transformed again and flew into the treetops. There was no sign of them.

"It's impossible ..." you thought "Have we been betrayed?

"Get them!" a sharp voice screamed from inside the forest, and in a few seconds a goblin troop appeared armed with axes and swords ready to annihilate your companions.

"Run!"

Thus began a chase through the forest at full speed while you continued to fly over the forest. How could something like this have happened? Were the crows allied with the goblins from the start? It was clear that they had waited for the opportune moment to attack you by surprise, and your troops could only flee and try to escape from there as soon as possible. Finally, the trees ended and the troops galloped out of the forest, but they had to stop dead immediately. The Araki Gorge was a short distance from them. Only a hillside separated them from a steep cliff impossible to cross. There was no escape. The goblins laughed with satisfaction.

"What are you going to do now?" they screamed.

"Shit..." Yusuke-senzo muttered.

"Damn crows!" Toru cursed.

"To arms!" the goblin leader yelled "We must find her!"

The goblins charged, leaving your troop very little leeway. The first dead soon appeared. You had to do something, but fear paralyzed you. Even after everything you've been through, you were still unable to take action and use your power properly. Kyria barely used her great strength to hit them and push them off the cliff. Toru and Yusuke-senzo defended each other while the rest of the boys and soldiers defended as best they could. One of the goblins managed to strike a blow to one of your soldiers, which fell into the gorge in a few seconds followed by several more. That scene horrified you so much that you flew down the slope to save the rest of your companions, some of whom were already badly injured.

"Hey goblins!" you screamed at the top of your lungs as you became human again.

You managed to get the attention of several, who alerted their leader.

"It's her!" shouted the leader "Bring her to me!"

"Before you'll have to deal with me!" Kyria yelled, standing between you and the troop.

"Back off!" some soldiers yelled at her as they pounced on her.

Kyria managed to get away from everyone using his strength and throwing them to the ground like sacks. However, now that the goblins knew where you were, it was much more difficult to get rid of them and Kyria couldn't hold on much longer.

"Run, Aalyn!" she yelled at you.

And in that moment, a goblin shot an arrow so resistant that it ended up penetrating Kyria's armor and piercing her heart when she had barely finished speaking. A howl of pain came from your mouth while Kyria still looked you in the eye and ended up collapsing on the floor. Her words kept bouncing off your head as terror took over your entire being. All you could do was to follow her last order. You turned around and ran towards the gorge while the goblins chased you. Taka shouted your name with a piercing scream and you threw yourself into the void with the sole purpose that the rest of your friends didn't have the same destiny as your dear friend.