As the day continued, the tension mounted. Sometimes, trolls would appear from behind and massacre them, then disappear into the trees. When they stopped to drink water or tend to wounds, they were greeted by a storm of arrows, killing the survivors of the previous attack. The most annoying thing to Deon and Boniface was Fey, who popped out of thin air and killed their strongest soldiers and knights with nothing more than a crude knife. This also played into Deon’s biggest disadvantage, being he did not know many religious magic spells, which would have been crucial.

“Do you think the others survived?” Boniface spoke as he cleared a path.

“My guess is that they’re either dealing with them or they’re already dead. Even though it’s a shame to admit, those two monsters are stronger than both of us.”

“We underestimated them once again, and after spring, they would be in the thousands. I fear this continent might be lost.” Boniface finally admitted his own fears as another set of screams could be heard. They didn’t even bother to turn as they soldiered on.

Night came once more as the remaining soldiers and knights huddled closest to the two sword masters. Some even fought for better positions; fear and panic had fully set in. Their fears were confirmed early on as Fey picked off two knights who were on the edge, then threw a rope which had a sickle. It beheaded another soldier, then wrapped around another as she tried to pull the soldier. Boniface, completely fed up, threw his molten sword towards Fey, who froze in fear momentarily but was able to jump out of the way in time. She was left with a deep cut on her cheek, which she held. One of the knights pounced, seeing her defenseless. A large battle axe was swung from the darkness, cutting the knight in half as Tymon appeared behind Fey.

“Are you alright, dear?” Tymon asked as his eyes were locked on Boniface.

“I’m fine, Daddy, I need to get more muscles.” Fey got up as she retrieved her kunai.

“You did well. Now, you have a test of death. You shouldn’t freeze next time. Let’s return.” Tymon spoke as Fey retreated to the forest.

“Fight me, you f***ing coward!” Boniface got up while holding his sword.

“You are not mine to kill.” Tymon spoke as he finally disappeared.

“WHO THEN! YOU F***ING DISHONORABLE COWARDS.” Boniface screamed from the top of his lungs, but no one answered. The night was stress-filled while Boniface was quietly contemplating this embarrassment and failure. Deon did the one thing he knew: praying. He called out to the heavens and the gods, hoping for answers and guidance.

Morning approached as the group checked their supplies and just realized they had run out. Deon stared at Boniface, who looked very rough and out of it completely. It was then they heard heavy armor move towards them. Boniface raised his head without even reaching for his weapon. Someone in white armor and purple horns appeared from the trees. Then Bihse and Tymon followed suit with Fey on Tymon’s shoulder and finally a new person in all green and dark horns. Two snakes joined them with a familiar but small scar as they slithered around the person in white armor. Three chairs and a table appeared as the mysterious person took a seat; the two stared at each other, then joined.

“You should have heeded my warning.” Melora spoke as she removed her visor. The two remained dead silent as they stared at her. Boniface finally opened his mouth.

“How many remain?”

“The allied kingdom was first to surrender, but they were able to save around fifty of their soldiers and one of their sword masters. The other one died overnight from his injuries. As for the empire, you are the last that remains.” Melora was blunt.

“Even the adviser?”

“He wasn’t the actual adviser, just a stand-in.”

“I see. It is our loss. What is the point of all this then? Did you come to gloat?”

“No, I came to stop more bloodshed. The emperor will grow more desperate, and he will use the undead or something even worse. You can stop that.”

“You want me to usurp the throne, then what? We will become buddies and live happily ever after.”

“Or your entire empire will be reduced to dust. Unlike my partner, I want to find a middle ground.”

“You bed a demon and you’re talking about a middle ground?”

Melora slowly turned to Deon, who was quiet. Her gaze was unwavering.

“Queen Adeline would have conquered Joma by now. She will set her sights on the Holy Kingdom of Ragnar. I assure you, Deon, she won’t simply conquer it but reduce it to dust, but just like Boniface, you can stop that.”

“How can I do that? For a Bishop of the church to suggest surrender to monsters. That is just a pipedream.” Deon answered, completely deflated.

“Then this will be your reality.” Melora spoke as the forest disappeared as if curtains opening to the actual horror. They were surrounded by rotting bodies as the smell finally hit their nose. It was the sea of death. Crows descended as they started to feast on the flesh and body parts. From afar, a huge army of elves and trolls could be seen near the wall, standing at attention. They didn’t compare to the thousand strong, but were still menacing enough.

“This is… You… how…” Boniface could not believe the carnage. A thousand strong were just reduced to flesh and bones. Was this the true strength of the monsters?

“What will you choose?” Melora stared at Boniface as Bihse stepped closer as she took her twin axes from her back. He stared at Melora as he reached for something in his belt. Melora let out a laugh as she put on her visor and stood up.

Boniface revealed a crystal which was pitch black and exuded an ominous energy. He broke it as the black mana rushed into his body. Deon’s eyes widened as he got up and stepped away; this was the first time he saw this type of energy. Boniface let out animalistic growls as his body enlarged; his muscles broke through as he fell down to his knees. The sound of broken bones and muscle tearing could be heard as the remaining knights took steps back. Bihse suddenly attacked Deon as she kicked him across the sea of dead bodies. The man in green armor could be seen hovering above him in his green wings; it was then he realized it was Azazel. Deon got up and turned towards the mutating Boniface, who was already dead as Melora stood over his headless body. She turned as the body combusted into a purple flame.

“Humans are so stupid. First they make undead, now they use black mana to make themselves stronger, but it’s actually poison. They barely even understand their own creations,” Azazel spoke as Deon braced himself.

Bihse launched another powerful attack as her axes collided with the holy sword, drawing sparks. She released some of her violet mana, which instantly brought him to his knees. He tried to fight back with his golden mana but was consumed by the raging violet mana. Bihse pulled the holy sword away with her right axe as she chopped down with her left, but Deon let go of his sword and dived the opposite direction as the axe landed, creating a huge crater.

“Stay down, or I will kill you.” Bihse threw the holy sword away and stared down at him. The sound of an eagle could be heard, followed by an arrow fired by an elf which brought down the eagle to Deon’s feet. He unfastened the golden cloth tied to its feet. He looked up to Bihse, who was pointing her axe at him.

“Read it.” Melora ordered as she finally reached him. Deon turned and saw her sheathing her silver long sword. Deon heeded the command as he slowly unwrapped the cloth and took a moment to read it.

“Return now to the holy kingdom with your troops now.” Deon read as he looked up to Melora.

“Heed my warning and surrender, or face death.” Melora spoke as she turned around and walked away with the rest following her behind. Grass and other plants started to grow rapidly as the forest reclaimed that stretch of land, hiding the thousands of bodies. Deon got up as a white horse could be seen galloping towards him; he wordlessly got on as he turned towards Melora and her group one final time, then set off back to the holy kingdom.