Broken Glass - Taekook

20

I rush forward the moment I register what's happening, yelling out a warning to Taehyung as I go. Without even glancing up at the impending disaster that's headed straight for his neck, the witch bends sideways, and the blade swishes past. Just.

By the time the knight has brought up the weapon for a second try, I'm there, raising my sword to block the blow. Taehyung, after a brief grateful nod to me, spins round and blocks another blow with his staff.

"Where'd the one you were fighting go?" he shouts, pushing back against the blade with both hands. The third knight throws something, and I have to stagger back in order to avoid it.

"Cut his head off by accident, so I think they're out of commission for a while," I call back, turning past him to attack the one that first tried to get him. As I do so, I catch sight of the way his eyes widen for a moment in surprise.

"Nice."

I almost miss it, in the chaos, but then I manage a small smile. "Thanks."
"How'd you manage to cut someone's head off by accident?" Taehyung questions. I shrug, and then remember that he can't see me. We're back to back by this point, using the support of each other to get more force behind each blow we try and strike. The three knights around us are faster than I was expecting, and it's tough.

We must have been lucky, at the start of the fight. I don't know how we're still alive. Maybe the golden river is helping in some way. It's the explanation that makes the most sense, though I don't understand how it'd be able to do anything.

"I don't really know. It just happened. The sword moved, and then they didn't have a head anymore." My answer is messy, fractured into segments of shouted speech, over the clang of metal against metal. Over the shouts of people in Rushgrove, trying desperately to cry for help that doesn't seem to come.

Taehyung seems to understand the confusing reply, though. And my reasons for talking in that way. After all, we're in the same situation right now.

My energy is beginning to flag by this point, and I'm starting to wonder if any of this was worth it, if we actually managed to prevent anything. There's still the sound of fire somewhere, and more Karulian Knights seem to materialise out of nowhere whenever I think we're nearly done. The captain still sits on their horse, staring out over the carnage without any perceptible reaction. I don't know whether it's a good thing or a bad thing, that they haven't joined in with the fight.

It could be good for us, as they could be more powerful. But it could also mean that there are a million other opponents to fight through before we can beat them.

But eventually, the endless fighting begins to wind down. I'm bleeding from several surface wounds. Taehyung's eye is swollen shut. Namjoon still lies on the ground beside us, his unconscious form protected by Tae and I. He looks smaller than normal, from here, slumped over in an uncomfortable-looking position. The power and certainty that normally embodies him is gone.

I don't even know if he's dying, I don't have the time to check. If I stop for a moment, I'm a goner. I hate it. I hate it with every part of my being. But there's nothing I can do. And my efforts would probably make everything worse. I can't risk that, either. The only real solution is to get rid of the Karulian Knights, and let Taehyung bring his brother's health back up again.

When I glance over at our friends, to see if they're alive, my heart soars at the sight of them all, still stood fighting on. Jimin is nowhere to be seen, even now, but the evidence of his efforts are clear. I don't doubt anymore that the many fuzzy darts I can see peppered on the forms of the knights that are still standing come from the little pixie.

He seems like someone who would have good aim. And someone who would understand what poisons to use, and how to employ them to their best effect. One of the knights who's already been defeated is lying face down on the pavement, their entire back covered with the little darts.