༄ 𝑇𝐻𝐸 𝑃𝐻𝑂𝐸𝑁𝐼𝑋 𝐴𝑅𝐶𝐻𝐸𝑅（𝐿𝑊𝑊）༄

Chapter 19- The Battle of Beruna: Part 2

I was just above the battlefield now. Everyone was fighting and no one else seemed to notice the Witch's oncoming army. But even if they did, there was little they could do about it so most probably just kept fighting regardless. As I got closer, I noticed there was still a decent gap between the armies. It was enough for me to set fire without hurting anyone, on either side, though I probably would aim more towards the Witch's side.

One of the Witch's soldiers—a harpy—noticed that I was heading towards their army. It seemed to realize my intent and flew up, heading towards me to put a stop to it. That was its plan anyway, but I wasn't going to let it happen. I took a deep breath and kept my eyes focused on the creature, ready to defend myself. Just as we were about to collide and engage in a fight, the harpy was hit.

It screeched as it fell to the ground, spear still embedded in its wing. I glanced down to see Peter give me a subtle nod and then he return to fighting as if nothing had happened. Grateful that I no longer had to fight the creature, I focused back on my task. I still had to finish it, no matter what happened to me afterwards.

The gap between the armies was getting narrower and I knew I had to move now. I burst into flames, heading closer to the ground. One of my wings grazed the ground and as it touched, the ground caught fire. There was now a small wall blocking the rest of Witch's army from attacking us. At the end of the wall, the phoenix dissolved into ash and I returned to my human form, landing right between the wall and the battle already raging on.

Their was some cheering from the Narnians when the realized we had cut off her army. But it was short lived as the Witch quickly destroyed the fire with her magic and continue through. I tried moving away from the oncoming army but I really didn't have anywhere to go. There were enemies on both sides now and I was stuck right in the middle of the battle. Without hesitation, I grabbed my bow. I knew if I didn't fight I would die. I didn't have choice.

"Fall back!" Peter shouted, before I had the chance to do anything. "Draw them to the rocks!"

A horn blew, signaling to the rest of the Narnians what Peter had said. I knew that we were supposed to run towards the rocks and they would follow us. But there was a small problem for me. I was at the back of our army, in between the Witch's armies. I would have to fight my way through just to run.

If there was actually time, I would've transformed. But there wasn't enough. By the time I had transformed a creature could be on me and I would have no time to fly away. It was too much of a risk for me to take and I never thought about changing until afterwards. I had already wasted too much time trying to figure out what I was supposed to do.

So I went with the only option I had. Keeping my bow tight in my hand so I could use it if I had to, I ran away from the oncoming army and towards the other. Many of the Witch's minions went after me but I either dodged their blows or jumped over some of the small ones that tried to cut one's legs. I also whacked a few here and there just to get them off my tail, and eventually I was able to catch up with our troops that were fleeing as well. I had good stamina so I wasn't surprised that I caught up to them. It was a bit shocking that I managed to keep up with most of the two-legged Narnians however. Through it all, I was determined to make it out of this fight alive. I was going to make it.

Somehow, I managed to reach the rocks before a lot of the other Narnians. It was only then that I stopped to catch my breath and many of the Narnians ran passed me. I realized my chances of survival would probably be better if I was up with the archers instead of on the battlefield. So I took on the arduous task of climbing up there to join them. Most only paid me a passing glance, too busy waiting for Edmund's signal. I knocked an arrow and prepared to shoot as well.

Peter was one of the last few to make it to the rocks. I realized he had probably planned it that way since he had a horse and could've easily surpassed half of them. When his brother was safely in the rocks, Edmund gave the signal and we all released arrows. This onslaught managed to reduced the numbers of her army but not much. Not enough to make it even noticeable.

A whiny of pain broke through the fighting and my eyes immediately went to the source. I watched with barely concealed horror as Peter was thrown off of his unicorn. His unicorn had been shot by an arrow but it didn't appear as if there was anyone who could've shot it. It took me longer than it should've to notice that some of the Witch's archer had broke through and were climbing the rocks towards us. I realized that one of them must've shot at Peter. Withdrawing another arrow, I shot the closest one, which caught the attention of the Edmund. He noticed the oncoming creatures and ordered another attack.

This order I ignored, to busy trying to figure out what had happened to Peter. Eventually I found him, still on the ground, clearly winded from being thrown. The Witch's army was approaching and two options flooded my mind. Protect the Future King or stay with the archers. The thought had barely crossed my mind when I made my decision. Sending a look to Edmund to hopefully conveying the message, I jumped from the cliff transforming as soon as my feet left the edge. It was too big to jump—I realized after I already started to—and the phoenix had to break my fall. Quickly shaking it off, I returned to my human form and rushed to Peter's side.

"Ana! What are you doing?!" he asked me but I didn't have a chance to answer.

Orieus and a rhino ran towards us, noticing Peter's struggle as well. He had just gotten up off the ground and watched as they approached. When they didn't stop, I realized they were also trying to protect their King. I didn't like what they had in mind and neither did Peter.
"Stop!" he ordered but both creatures ignored him.

We both watched as the two charged the oncoming army by themselves. The rhino got in a few good hits, but went down rather quickly. Some of the smaller creatures had got to him. But Orieus was able to push through, killing any who dared stop him. He was heading straight for the Witch. The only thing that slowed him down was a Minotaur but after a brief duel, Orieus managed to kill him. He lost his two swords in the process, but he still had another. Withdrawing his longer sword, he jumped at the Witch. The fight between to two was short and ended when she turned him to stone.

Peter stood still—in horror or shock I didn't know—but he wasn't moving. The Witch's army was drew closer and he still didn't budge. I took out my bow and tried to decide what to do. Peter needed to wake from his trance, but no amount of shouting woke him. He just kept staring at Orieus statue, remaining completely oblivious to the oncoming army, much to my worry.

Throwing caution into the wind, I turned my back on the army and grabbed him by the shoulders. Giving him a good shake and saying his name finally seem to pull him out of his trance. Sending me a sad, but grateful, smile, we both prepared to fight. Our army rallied behind us, scatter amongst the rocks. I was nervous and just wanted to stop fighting. But I knew I had to keep going. These were my fellow Narnians and I had to stand with them. Live together, die together. I would not turn my back on them as they had never turned their backs on me.

None of us wanted the Witch to rule any longer. It was time for a change. At Peter's cry, we charged the army again. This time I was by his side, ready to do my duty. The prophecy said I was to protect The Crown and Narnia and I planned to do just that. My life was forfeit if it meant Peter and Edmund got out of here alive. They had family waiting on them. And with that thought, the two armies collided.