Villager POV
The tides were shifting. It had been going our way. The Avenging Angel arrived; it invigorated our side, but it was quickly fading. As were the lives of those chasing the light. The enemy had grown and multiplied more and more, from every direction. There was no escaping them.
We had the harder-trained, experienced fighters, but they had overwhelming numbers and were crushing us.
I was one of the few women who took up arms to protect what I loved, and what I worked so hard for. At first, we had the upper hand, as the enemy disregarded women as formidable foes.
We took full advantage.
To the enemy, we weren’t even there. They charged past us, not giving us a second glance in their advance on the men in the front line. We didn’t take offense; we simply followed behind them, taking them down like unseen ghosts haunting this field. Now, they saw us and came to us with everything they had. Neither side was holding back. We held our ground for a lengthy period before gaining the field. Victory hung in the air, soaring along the breeze. It was then I had finally taken a small breath. It was the next second that the same breath was stolen from me.
They came quietly and covertly.
Something thought impossible given their numbers, but there they were. Ten groups of fifty advanced, known as the HiSkale. As large as this force was, it was a small group. They were the winged twisted version of man and reptile, fused haphazardly, in an attempt to create a superior species to rule the realm. They were fast, strong, and disciplined.
Impressive.
Deadly.
They plowed through the opposition in search of the one thing they sought. In this moment, it wasn’t us. They rushed past, slashing at those who simply got in the way on their way to her. Death’s right hand, covered in the blood of their allies. It didn’t take long to figure out their endgame, and we sprang into action, attacking them from behind.
They thwarted us by hovering above the swords and axes we carried. The few equipped with bows were no match for the number of floating foes. The metal tips barely pierced the heavy scales anyway. We collected ourselves and charged headlong into the swarm still afoot, as they hacked and slashed at the force they were created to extinguish.
Her.
She had their full attention.
We helped, but not enough.
I had fought my way to the inner circle. Three rows of them between myself and her. I could see the blurs of her movements and hear the breaking of skulls. I fought even harder, almost in a frenzy. If she falls, we all die. Saving her meant we stood a chance.
Our forces were divided.
The bulk of our people fought the reptile scum; the rest of the force were heading off the original advancing Army of Darkness. They were men. Evil, deranged, twisted minds focused on devouring flesh and bone, but they were human. They were the ones who broke through our defensive lines with the rising sun, destined that this be the last day we see it. For many, sunrise would never come for them again.
They were in Almighty’s hands now.
Amid the fighting, I didn’t see who had knocked me flat on my back. The air in my lungs was battling for release, and the ringing in my ears had me blinded. I rolled onto my side, trying to avoid the melee and heavy boots. My sword had slipped from my grip. It took a moment before my faculties returned. I shook my head to clear my vision and just ignored the deafening bells in my head. Warm blood trickled down my neck, in trails, and into my armor.
I had to ignore that too. Paying attention to small wounds could lead to bigger, more severe ones. The ones that call out to death, begging for release. I stumbled to my feet, gaining my bearings. There before me, a hideous face crept ever closer. Taunting me. It had spotted my sword-less hands and found me an easy target.
I squared my shoulders, showing no fear, calling on the prayer warriors of my ancestors to give me strength and courage. Two steps between us, and it lunged at me. I screamed my battle cry and met it in the middle. The head-on collision ended very quickly. It came at me with brute strength. I sidestepped, stabbing it between the eyes with a dagger I pulled from its belt.
I reveled in my small victory, but only for a moment. That reptile, now lying dead at my feet, gave way to the vision of my nightmares.
The Warrior had fallen.