Jonan sprinted toward the forest…
He let out a heavy sigh. I just hope Tich will be alright… And I still can't believe Nevera decided to proceed with the mission despite my warning. She's putting all of us in danger…
—Meanwhile, Tich—
He marched alongside the battalion under Nevera's command, surrounded by fifty soldiers and knights, all clad in iron armor and wielding steel swords.
At the head of the formation, riding atop a black steed, was Nevera, leading them forward. The grim, overcast sky loomed above, an omen of what was to come. But Tich pressed on.
He had promised himself he would see this through.
Any moment now, I'll have to face that creature again… I have to be ready for this.
Tim, I swear, I will avenge you. That monster dies today.
Tich quickened his pace and called out.
"Lady Sylthrone, where's Jonan? I haven't seen him since we left."
Nevera turned her head slightly, irritation flashing in her silver eyes. "He's on his own mission. Now mind your own and don't talk to me."
"Arrogant brat…" Tich muttered under his breath.
A short while later, the sound of a war horn echoed across the field.
The herald raised his voice. "Hear ye! Hear ye! Her Grace is about to speak!"
Nevera dismounted, her silver eyes gleaming against the surrounding darkness. "Soldiers! Knights! The battle begins now! The entrance to the forest is right ahead.
Once we enter, there is no turning back—but you all already know that! So let's show this wretched beast what happens when it crosses House Sylthrone!"
A resounding cheer erupted from the soldiers as they surged toward the forest, Nevera leading the charge.
Yet, just as she crossed into the trees, a voice bellowed across the field.
"Turn back! TURN BACK!"
From the distance, a tall figure clad in black armor came into view, waving his arms frantically, It was Jonan. His desperate shouts reached them just as an eerie chorus of screeching filled the air.
All around them, echoing through the trees, were the guttural cries of monkey-like creatures.
Then they saw them.
A horde of small, ape-like monsters chasing after Jonan.
And behind them, standing ominously, was Krizface, watching the soldiers with eerie stillness.
—Jonan's Perspective—
Jonan stood at the forest's entrance, gazing at the towering trees. Their thick canopies stretched high, blotting out the sky. The dense darkness within swallowed all but the closest surroundings.
"I guess it's time. This is happening sooner than I expected."
He stepped forward. The moment he did, an uneasy sensation settled in his chest, warning him to leave the forest.
But he had no choice, disobeying an order wasn't an option.
Moving cautiously, he examined every shadow, every sound, his sword already drawn.
Finding a clearing with enough space to maneuver, he began preparing his trap.
The second he pulled out the pouch of Vigred Powder, a deep, guttural roar shook the trees.
Perched atop one of the branches, glaring down at him, was Krizface.
"Damn it."
Jonan bolted. He knew he had to get back to the others, fast. But Krizface wasn't alone.
A second, different roar followed. And then came the unsettling sound of multiple shrill cries growing louder. When Jonan turned his head to look, his heart sank.
"What?! More of them?! No, this can't be right! I read about this monster, It lives ALONE!"
Realizing the battle was lost before it had even begun, Jonan put all his strength into running.
The creatures flung rocks at him as he crashed through the trees, branches scraping against his armor. His body ached from the impacts, but then, he saw it.
A sliver of light ahead.
The forest exit.
—Present—
Nevera took control of the situation, raising her hand. A massive, violet flame ignited above her palm.
"Soldiers! Now is your time to prove your loyalty to House Sylthrone! Defend me while I finish this spell! For House Sylthrone, SLAY THESE VERMIN!"
Battle cries erupted. The soldiers, fearless, charged into the fray, swords drawn, morale high.
Rain began to fall.
Jonan, still sprinting, saw the scene unfold. "Damn it. That fool of a noblewoman… What the hell is she thinking? i though she was smarter than this…"
He skidded to a stop, turning on his heel to face the creatures. Drawing his sword again, he took a deep breath.
Not a word was spoken.
With practiced precision, he cut down the creatures lunging at him. One after another, the beastly horde fell. Yet the end never came—he could feel himself reaching his limit.
But then, the soldiers arrived.
Finally, a fair fight.
Tich, watching everything unfold, noticed Jonan and sprinted toward him, dodging the stones being hurled at the soldiers who still was on their way to the battlefield.
"Jonan! I'm coming! Hold on!"
Jonan turned toward the voice calling his name, a mixture of relief and concern washing over him, his expression unreadable as always.
"Alright, Jonan, what's the plan? And don't just tell me to survive."
Jonan exhaled sharply. "There is no plan. Just focus on surviving." He slit the throat of another beast mid-sentence.
"Got it. Surviving it is…"
Tich unsheathed his sword and fought alongside Jonan.
Their coordination was impeccable, so much so that some of the soldiers simply stopped fighting, mesmerized by their synchronization.
Even Nevera, busy with her spell, took notice.
"In the depths of this dense, dark forest, with monsters leaping at them from every direction… They fight perfectly together… Without a word, Amazing"
"Jonan, looks like we put on quite a show, huh? This will teach them not to underestimate us."
"Just survive, idiot. Who cares what they think?"
But something gnawed at Jonan's mind.
"Could we actually win this? But… Krizface… Why hasn't he moved yet? What is he waiting for?"
As if in response to his thoughts, a deafening roar tore through the battlefield.
Emerging from the shadows, towering at three meters tall, its grotesquely muscular frame supported by four powerful arms and two thick legs—Krizface made his move.
His empty, expressionless face alone was enough to paralyze some soldiers with fear.
But not Tich.
With a battle cry, he charged straight for Krizface. "You bastard! You're going to pay! I'LL KILL YOU!"
Jonan sighed. "Of course he'd do something like this…"
Half the soldiers were too afraid to fight, A third were already dead.
"Nevera… how much longer until that damn spell is ready?!"
Then, it began.
Krizface saw Tich and lunged toward him, swinging his four massive arms in a devastating strike, sending Tich flying into a tree.
The impact shattered the trunk, bringing it crashing down.
"TICH!"
Jonan clenched his sword tighter. "This ends today."
A strange sensation washed over him—his body felt stronger, sharper. His vision expanded. He could see everything, every movement on the battlefield.
He leapt at Krizface, sword aimed for its throat.
But,
The beast's fur was too tough.
Instead of cutting, the force of the impact sent Jonan tumbling sideways.
Above them, Nevera hovered, a massive orb of violet fire crackling above her.
"Anyone who values their life—GET AWAY FROM KRIZFACE NOW!"
And so, she hurled the massive fireball at Krizface, her eyes filled with hatred and and murderous intent. When she saw the flames consume both Krizface and the soldiers unfortunate enough to stand too close, she did not flinch.
Instead, she immediately began conjuring another fireball.
Krizface howled in agony, the violet flames scorching his flesh. His movements became wilder, more erratic. Consumed by rage and pain, he turned toward Nevera, slaughtering everything in his path as he advanced toward her.
Jonan and Tich, still lying on the ground, their bodies bruised and battered, exchanged a single glance. That was all they needed. Without a word, they pushed themselves up and sprinted toward Nevera, using the dense forest to their advantage.
They carved their way through the smaller creatures, cutting down anything that stood between them and Krizface.
Nevera, realizing the beast was charging toward her, clenched her teeth. "Damn this vermin! I'll kill him! I'll kill him! I'll kill him! I'LL KILL HIM! DIE!!!"
She unleashed another sphere of violet flames, smaller than the first but still deadly, roughly the size of a full-grown man.
Krizface roared in pain once more, granting Jonan and Tich the opening they needed.
"Tich! Jump on me, NOW!"
Tich dashed toward Jonan, who had already positioned himself near Krizface. With precise coordination, Jonan flung Titch upward, launching him straight at the monster's vacant, grotesque face.
With a fierce yell, Tich drove his sword straight into the creature's empty visage.
"Miss me, you filthy ape?! Let's see who's laughing now!"
He twisted the blade deeper, thick, green blood beginning to ooze from Krizface's face. The moment the blood touched the ground, it hissed, melting the earth like acid.
"Tich! Be careful! That blood is acidic! Don't let it touch you!"
But Tich, caught up in his vengeance, didn't hear Jonan's warning, With a final, enraged cry, he yanked his sword free and plunged it into Krizface's unprotected back.
The moment the blade pierced the monster's flesh, a violent spray of acid shot out, splattering onto Tich's body.
"AARGH! YOU BASTARD! AAAAHH!"
Tich collapsed to the ground, writhing in pain, his body burning from the corrosive liquid. But Krizface was in no better shape. The beast staggered, finally falling forward, its strength rapidly fading.
Jonan saw his chance.
Without hesitation, he dashed toward the monster's exposed underbelly, toward the very mouth that had devoured Tim.
His grip tightened on his sword, and with all his strength, he drove the blade straight into its gaping maw.
Krizface convulsed, its grotesque form twitching violently as it struggled to breathe. And then, at last, it fell.