Of Master and Apprentice (Book 3)

Chapter 13

The afternoon sun shone on the forest as they trekked through it. That was the first time Luna's ever been to a forest as the nearest one from Eldham was too far for her to reach. She looked at the towering trees, at how they filter the sunlight with their leaves to cast a shadow on a surface while the gentle breeze blew on her skin.

"Strange," Miranda said. "We haven't seen a single demon since we got here. If you want to go demon hunting, then a forest like this would be a good spot."

"So do we go back?" Luna asked, eager to get as far away from the demons as possible.

"No, we keep going. We're going to find a demon, and you're going to kill it," Miranda said.

They trekked further into the forest, keeping their eyes open for whatever demon may be in proximity. All they saw were the foliage and rock formations that decorated the woods. Miranda knelt down and examined something on the ground. Luna came towards her, curious at what she had found.

"What is it?" Luna asked.

"It's a footprint," Miranda answered.

Something above them casted a moving shadow. They immediately looked up, but whatever thing flew by had already gone. "What was that?" Luna asked.

"It's too big to be a bird." Miranda got on her feet. "Birds don't cast a shadow that big. Come on!"

The two sprinted through the woods, avoiding any thick foliage and leaping over any obstacle. They creature led them to run up hill, and once on top, they could see it all.

"So that's why we haven't seen any demons in this forest," Miranda whispered.

Luna finally caught up with her. Her eyes saw that down below lay a demon encampment. Demons of many shapes and sizes were rallying there.

Luna squatted next to Miranda and scouted the camp. "Well, we found our demon. Demons, more specifically."

Miranda heard what Luna said, but didn't mind her. She looked down at the encampment to see a human-looking girl walking in the camp. The demons there didn't mind her, as if she's invisible.

"Listen up everyone!" The girl stole everyone's attention. "The harbor city of Seabreeze Landing has been taken by the humans. I want you all to make preparations now. By midnight, the city will be ours again!" The demons cheered, roared, screeched, and let out their battle cry.

"I've seen that girl before," Miranda said.

"Who?" Luna asked.

"As you are half-angel, she is half-demon." Miranda got up. "Come on, we're going back to warn the others."

They descended down the hill and rushed back to whence they came. A sharp cry turned their sights up where they saw another flying demon heading towards the encampment.

"Be careful," Miranda said. "We must not let them spot us." They continued on and they were out of the woods by the late afternoon. Miranda rushed through the streets, gathering volunteers and rallying the members of the Resistance reasoning with them that the city would be under siege by demons if they don't stop them first.

The rebels gathered by the by walls outside the city. Luna could recognize the faces of some of the recruits, but she never bothered to ask their names. Some of the younger ones were carrying bows with quivers strapped onto their backs, most of the men were armed with swords, axes and rifles. Some were mounted on horses.

"Is everyone here?" Miranda asked, making sure the militia was prepared. Judging by the size, they must number at least a hundred. A few hundred against however many demons there were in the forest. Luna wasn't liking the odds. What if they're just walking to a slaughter?

"Alright, let's move!" Miranda led the charge and immediately, the air was filled with the sound of feet stomping and hooves pounding.

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Alright the militia is set to go. Stay tuned for in the next chapter, we'll have a battle sequence. I hope you are all excited about it. And if so, don't forget to vote and comment how excited you are for it.

I dedicate this chapter to earlfangs another participant I judged in an award. How you're doing fine 😁

-Zyrofern