Chapter 257: The Storm (2)

It was Erik who met the Ereth head on as they rushed at us without a moment of hesitation. 

The golden light emanating from his shield flashed with light as soon as the first Ereth blade touched it. The loud clang of metal hitting metal was followed by the pained scream of the poor Ereth as he got flung back, towards the rest of his allies. 

"Damn!" Vincent mumbled as his eyes widened. "Since when can you do that, Erik?"

The young paladin shrugged. "Now, I guess." He replied with a grin, but then his expression darkened. "They're coming!" 

And they were indeed coming. 

The Ereth forces, now somewhat more wary of us, were approaching with caution.

Those with leathery wings stretched them as the others formed organised lines. 

"Kai, the flyers." Asher softly spoke. I nodded and directed my gaze at those with flight. In the meantime, Lucius stepped forward to stand with Erik. 

"Keep them safe, Asher." I said before leaping up into the air to meet those with flight. 

For a split second, silence covered the city as our forces weighed each other's power. Nothing but the beat of our wings could be heard. Then, I shouted.

"Now!" An arrow flew past me to hit one of the flying Ereth out of the sky. He fell down, into the midst of his earthbound comrades, with an arrow sticking out of his chest.

Almost as if that were the trigger that started the battle, the Ereth rushed forward. With no hesitation on his part, so did Erik. He shouted a wordless sound with his bellowing voice as his shield let out a golden glow that enveloped him and Lucius.

Only half a step behind them was Mona – her quarterstaff bathed in her signature green magic; she was a force to be reckoned with. I could feel her pulsating power even from up here.

Yet, before they reached the enemy lines, I did.

Flying high up in the air, I stretched my arm and allowed the darkness to gather in my right hand. From it, I pulled my sword just in time to meet the first of the incoming Ereth head on.

The sound of metal hitting metal echoed across the battlefield, soon followed by the sounds of thunder Asher created and the roaring flames I released. 

Without even feeling the need to gauge my opponent's strength, I deflected his spear and with the same, swift motion, slit his throat. As his lifeless body fell to the ground, the battle down below also began.

As Erik and Lucius met with their opponents, thunder echoed, and lightning rained down upon the battlefield. As much as I wished to watch the show though, I had my own problems to deal with that came in the form of a bunch of flying Ereth.

With no hesitation, I stretched my left hand and released my magic. Black and purple flames roared and spread through the air as the Ereth created simple spell shields around themselves before engaging on me.

"That's inconvenient." I heard Dorith's voice in my mind as my flames danced on their shields before disappearing. "Want some help?" I could sense his anticipation – he wanted to join this fight so badly.

"Not yet," I replied as I met the first Ereth head on. The fight wasn't too much in my favour due to their weapons of choice: Spears. They had longer reach and needed simpler motions to strike while I was having some trouble with shorter reach. "I can take care of them. Save your strength."

The last thing I needed now was Dorith making a commotion. I knew I'd need his strength later, and his bloodthirsty wish for revenge would be eventually fulfilled anyways. 

My opponent struck with his spear, though I easily deflected it to the side. Just as I was about to counterattack as he tried to regain his balance, I noticed something fly past me. I gritted my teeth and made do with a small burst of fire to his face before rushing off after the Ereth that basically ignored me. I couldn't let him get to Asher and the others!

Yeti as soon as I turned my back, I had to do a double take. He wasn't rushing at Asher and the others – he was in the process of attempting to skewer me.

As soon as I noticed the shiny tip of his spear, mere inches away from my stomach, I summoned my magic. 

I wasn't good at creating barriers. I had only done it once or twice before, but I was good enough to at least buy myself some time. Flames burst out of me, blinding the Ereth momentarily. It wasn't enough to stop him, but it was enough to slow him down.

"Are you sure?" Dorith's voice sounded. I gritted my teeth. "Shut up!" I hissed before barely blocking the deadly spear.

I heard the beat of wings all around me. Despite the raging battle below, things were calm up here, even if only for a moment. Not like that was a good thing for me. 

I glanced around me, only to see Ereth soldiers everywhere around me. I was surrounded, and they were keeping their distance. "What now?" I asked, forcing a grin. It almost looked funny – the way they were all pointing their spears at me reminded me of how people used to scare wild beasts away.

They would surround them, make sure to stay out of reach and then force them to back off until they stepped into a trap.

I tightened my grasp on the hilt of my sword. I was not a wild beast who would fall for such a thing.

I narrowed my eyes as my body shifted. Soul's Aspect allowed me to take on Dorith's corrupted form. The Ereth didn't even bat an eye as I changed right before their eyes. Their expressions were blank – empty.

A thought gnawed at the back of my mind. Where had I seen this blank expression before?

Wherever it was, it didn't spell anything good for me. I needed to take all of them out – fast. I raised my left hand as purple and black flames roared around me. I drew a sharp breath just as flames burst out of me. 

I caught a glimpse of golden light just before my flames drowned the battlefield in darkness.