The heavy metallic footsteps echoed throughout the mansion’s hall. The wooden flooring covered by a red carpet creaked as the knight took each step forward, his silver armor gleaming as the moon light shone upon it.

“Princess Leona.”

He stood in front of the living room, a vast open space brightly lit by the fireplace. Only two comfortable armchairs and a small table filled the room once used for military meetings. The walls, decorated with weapons ranging from swords to muskets made the place feel even more antique.

The person he referred to was his liege, a beautiful young girl wearing a purple dress along with a dark blue cape which was held by a gemstone pin. Her blonde hair was long and well kept, so much so that the moon light seemed to reflect on it. On her left side a wooden hairpin held her bangs in place, a flower-like reminder of her mother and also proof of her noble lineage. She was having some tea by the fireplace located on the far wall of the room.

“Oh hello Krieg. How was the meeting?”

Head slightly turned to the left to greet him, she held a cup of tea between her hands, a gentle stream of warm air wavered from the hot beverage.

“It went well. I’m here to inform you that we’ll be going tomorrow morning. Adele and I will accompany you.”

Her gaze seemed to fade in the distance along with her carefree thoughts.

“Windia huh… I’ve heard there are great mages over there.” She left the tea cup on the table beside her. “I was hoping I could spend more time here.”

“Lord Jean also wished so, but the arrangements have already been made.” The knight turned his head slightly down as he spoke to her. “I’ve tried Princess, I’m sorry.”

“It’s alright, I understand.” She stared at her reflection on the still reddish liquid, her eyebrows frowned for a second before moving her eyes back to the knight. “Krieg, is there a way for me to ease the burden on Father?”

He approached her left side and with a light shake of his head, he answered.

“He’s strong enough to carry his own burdens Princess, I’m sure he’ll be happier if you pursue your own dreams.”

“My dreams…?”

Light footsteps came closer to the room’s entrance. A maid came in holding a longsword in a simple scabbard. Her scarlet red eyes and jet black short hair were astonishing features, she almost could be mistaken for a princess if it wasn’t for the two black coiled horns protruding from the sides of her head, it pointed upwards, allowing her to match the knight’s height.

“Princess, I’ve brought the weapon you asked for.” She approached from her right and bowed. Her clothing was somewhat unusual for a maid, wearing a skirt that divided on her left hip, allowing for free movement but also leaving her black stockings in full view. “Good evening, lord Krieg.”

“Good evening, Adele.”

The knight answered. The maid proceeded to kneel and ceremoniously hand the scabbard to her.

“Oh, you don’t need to do this Adele. Come, stand.”

She kept her head low while still holding the scabbard.

“My respect for you is too great to stand eye to eye with you.”

Leona sighed and took the scabbard from her hand, holding her shoulder so she would look up.

“Stand, I wouldn’t want you or Krieg taking this shameful pose just to greet me.”

Adele slowly stood up and their eyes met for a moment, making Adele look away from her.

“Princess I-“

Leona held her hands tightly with confidence.

“I want you to see me as a friend rather than your superior.”

Her eyes filled with kindness made Adele feel at ease.

“Princess you’re just like lord Jean.”

Krieg spoke from behind the closed helmet, his deep voice sounded muffled.

“In which way?”

Before the knight could answer, a strong explosion shook the place, the glass windows shattered and some of the weapons fell from the walls as if struck by an earthquake.

Adele knew that sound, if the war had taught anything, it was when to take cover.

“That sound… those are cannons! Princess get down!”

Another shot ripped through the wooden wall, shouting could be heard from outside, voices of many men. A siege was upon them.

Krieg held Leona close while shouting commands to the other servants that came running by. Maids armed with longswords and other knights with greatswords formed a defensive position around the room’s entrance.

“Outside, now! I’m taking the Princess to safety!”

Leona was terrified, such loud explosions crumbling away the place she once called home.

“Krieg what is happening!?”

“I don’t know, but it’s too dangerous to stay here!”

He pulled her by the hand as she struggled to keep up with him, tripping on her own legs due to the fast movement and poor choice of footwear. They exited the room towards the hallway running behind the defensive line composed of knights and armed maids.

“Krieg wait!”

“We have to get out of here before-“

The wooden wall in front of them got blown apart by an explosion, planks and splinters were sent flying everywhere. Krieg shielded her by putting his own body in front of the explosion. The other knights and maids were caught in the blast, some were killed while others were badly injured.

“Princess are you alright?”

“Y-Yes Krieg thank you for shielding me.”

Three foot soldiers with short swords and a light armored warrior using a mace came from the hole in the wall.

“Capture her! Now!”

The foot soldiers charged in and Krieg braced himself to fight them off but it wasn’t necessary, as Adele pointed her hand towards the invaders. She chanted under her breath and as she spoke the air seemed to get colder, crystallizing around her, unleashing an almost instant explosion of light blue flames engulfing all four foes, encasing them completely in ice.

“Lord Krieg…!” A wounded knight had a piece of wood lodged in her right shoulder but with her left arm she mustered enough strength to lift the longsword. “Take it, protect the Princess!”

He took the weapon by the handle.

“Leave it to me.”

Adele took a hatchet from one of the maids and approached Krieg.

“My lord we must move. Once they notice their invasion failed they’ll start another volley.”

The knight agreed with a nod.

“Princess, let’s go.”

She glanced back and forth, the other servants lying on the ground made her worry but time was the essence and Krieg knew that.

“We need to go, now!”

She hesitated but started to run right behind them.

Krieg led the front while Leona ran behind him holding her dress up to not trip again and Adele kept right behind to keep her safe.

The group managed to reach a part of the mansion yet to be destroyed, intact rooms and walls reassured they would be safe, or so they thought.

“There they are.”

A trio of assassins were waiting for them inside the dining room, a chandelier was hanging in the middle of the room above a large wooden table. Each assassin held a different weapon, the nearest threat had a longsword, behind him a dagger wielder while the furthermost carried a longbow.

Krieg and Adele were on the opposite side of the table with Leona right behind them.

“Kill both of them, keep the Princess alive.”

The knight raised his sword with both hands, legs slightly bent with his right behind the hip. The steel blade was facing the nearest assassin, but his eyes were keeping a constant watch for the others.

“Adele.” Krieg called her out as he put his weight on his back leg. “You take the archer.”

“Yes Lord Krieg.”

The assassin wielding a longsword slowly approached the knight with his guard up. Krieg lunged the blade forward by taking a step with his right foot, the assassin deflected the strike with the flat side of his sword and winded his arms back for a thrust aimed at the joint of Krieg’s arms. However he wasn’t expecting the knight to let go of his weapon and run towards the attack, Krieg used his right gauntlet to slide the blade off of it and close the gap between them.

“What the-!”

He then shoved the blade away and hit the assassin’s face with a full swing of his right fist. The impact was so great that it knocked the man flat on the ground.

Adele was kept busy holding off the dagger wielding assassin as she also had the archer to worry about.

“Princess, I need you to back away.”

Adele saw Krieg defeating his enemy so she put the hatchet behind her body. Her attacker readied his dagger and charged, thinking it would be his opportunity, however.

“Watch out!”

The archer yelled as their ally came crashing against the other. Krieg threw the assassin against the other challenging Adele, knocking them both against the wall.

“Tch at least I’ll-“

He didn’t even have time to pull the arrow back as the hatchet found its way to his skull before he could do anything.

“Princess are you alright!?”

Leona only noticed she was on the ground after Adele extended a hand to help. Her legs have given up on her without her realizing.

“I… yeah I’m ok.”

Leona stood up with the maid’s help, her body was still shaken from watching the fight unfold right in front of her eyes.

Krieg picked up the longsword and walked up to the deceased archer, with his left foot he pressed against the archer’s head and pulled the hatchet out.

He then removed part of the blood by swinging the weapon before handing it back to the maid and turning around to lead the way.

“Let’s keep moving.” He looked at Leona. “Princess, are you able to walk?”

“Yes I’m ok…”

He nodded then turned to Adele.

“Adele stay in the back, I'll clear anyone that stands in our way."

“Understood.”

They ran through the dining room to the kitchen. There were other maids lying dead on the ground with weapons still on their hands. Both walls from left and right were splattered with blood.

“No… why…?”

A dreadful sensation started to boil inside, her body was trembling in fear, she could feel the warmth slowly escape from her body.

“Princess avert your eyes from them.” Krieg blocked her view with his red cape. “They are no longer from this world.”

Adele hugged her from the side and slowly led Leona out of the room to the cellar door. With her body still shaken from the scene she just saw, she slowly descended the staircase to the cellar along with the maid and the knight.

The tight brick walls allowed only one person at the time which made the knight worried of his liege’s state.

“Adele, keep a close eye in the rear.”

“Yes my lord.”

Once they reached the cellar the knight raised his blade parallel to his body while maintaining his right elbow straight.

“Adele we need a light.”

“Right away.”

She flicked her hand and a flame sprouted on the palm of her left hand, it was strong enough to allow him to see what was up ahead, which was a bunch of barrels and stacked up crates of wine. Nothing out of the ordinary, which was supposed to be odd, given the intense siege going on outside. Krieg slowed his pace as he turned slightly to the side.

“Princess stay close to me.”

She took the same steps as him, just staying behind at arm’s reach. His footsteps were each taken carefully, as to not expose the group to the unseen dangers lurking in the dark.

The quiet sound of an unsheathing blade woke the knight’s instincts. Lying behind a wooden barrel, an assassin prepared to strike. A blade struck against the barrel he was standing behind, the longsword exited the other side of the barrel, pouring wine on the ground as everyone heard a surprised grunt.

"What the-!?"

But before the assailant could get up, Krieg kicked the barrel with all his might, pinning the man between the wooden cask and the wall. He struggled to hit the knight but it was in vain since the blade could only scratch the surface of his shin armor.

“Damn you!” The knight’s blade cut deep into the assassin’s arm, disarming him through the sheer pain. “Gah! You-!”

Krieg casted the barrel aside and grabbed the assassin by the neck.

“Who do you work for?”

“Do you really think I would just spit it out for a scum like you?”

Krieg heard a distinct sound and turned the man towards the darkness of the cellar where two arrows came from. The bodkin heads had pierced the assassin’s body, the sharp edges protruding out of his chest showed how lethal they were, he breathed his last in a futile attempt to escape Krieg’s grasp.

“Adele, keep the princess safe.”

“Leave it to me..”

Leona clutched her hands near her breast.

“Krieg, be careful…”

The knight held the lifeless body while slowly walking towards where the projectiles came from. More arrows penetrated the meat shield but they couldn’t harm him.

“Cease this instant if you value your life.”

He warned. Even though it was dark, the reflection of the steel arrow head gave off the archer’s position, allowing Krieg to throw the body in his direction. He dodged it but couldn’t pull another arrow on the string since Krieg was already within arm's reach with his long sword drawn.

“Gaaaaah!”

The knight’s blade dug deep into the enemy’s chest, the bow he held was cut in half.

Behind him, Adele and Leona were surprised by a soldier coming down the staircase, he wore a white gambeson shirt and brown pants going inside the leather boots, his weapon consisted of a short sword and a round shield, especially effective against foes with light weapons.

That didn’t faze the maid however. She bent her legs ready to fight.

“Princess, stay behind me.”

Her right grip around the handle tightened and the other hand closed in a tight fist.

The soldier approached with the shield up slowly trying to get in slashing range but Adele decided to take the initiative and charge forward. She baited a thrust and caught the blade between the hatchet’s iron head and the wooden handle, she then swung the hatchet against the opponent’s shield and exploiting the opening from the left she grabbed the man’s face.

Her left grip started to emit an orange glow as blazing flames erupted from her palm, melting the man’s face, he fell limp, lifeless. His last screams of pain echoed in the cellar and traveled to the rooms above, other soldiers and mercenaries hesitated to climb down the staircase.

“Princess, Adele, come this way.”

Krieg kept his calm tone even though the danger was growing near. Adele took a few steps back and took a deep breath. Her red eyes started to glow as the air turned frigid cold, ice bursted out of the ground, blocking the staircase and sealed the burnt body inside. Adele took a few steps back and turned around to keep up with the group.

Leona and Krieg were already up ahead scrounging the place for supplies.

“Princess carry this please.”

The knight gave her a sack of white powder, flour.

“What is this…?”

“Flour, if anything happens just throw it against your enemies.”

She tightened the grip on the scabbard of her longsword. A feeling of dread was consuming her mind, powerlessness.

“Krieg… do you think I can fend off by myself?”

He looked towards her left hand gripping the longsword’s scabbard and then to her eyes, full of determination. However he proceeded to continue forward.

“With all due respect Princess, you’re still not ready to fight.”

“What am I lacking?”

He stopped to inspect a wooden rack on the side of the cellar as he explained to her.

“The will to kill. It’s not something easy to acquire, let alone in a situation like this.”

She reluctantly nodded. He proceeded to pick up a bottle of wine from one of the racks and threw it to Adele.

“Carry it please.”

Leona wondered what that meant but decided not to ask any further questions.

Adele followed them closely behind while Krieg led the way out of the cellar into a tunnel, the narrow passage had been made by brute force of the mansion’s residents. Be a man or woman, it didn't matter, all their efforts were there.

“I never knew such a place existed right under the mansion.”

Leona was stunned by the work put into making that place, it branched to many directions, it was impossible to believe such an escape system existed right underneath her feet.

“Lord Jean is cautious, so much so to think of ways to escape should an invasion happen.”

Krieg moved a plank hidden between a crevice in the stone wall, he pulled out a wooden box from it, it was tightly closed by a silver lock. The knight put it on the ground and gave the lock a good strike with the pommel of his sword.

“What are you doing Krieg?”

The princess was inspecting the box from over his shoulders.

“I don’t know where the key is, so I’m forcefully opening it.” He set the sword aside and pushed it open. “This should do.”

On his hand, a small cylinder shaped metal container alongside a small triangular blade.

“What are those for?”

She asked curiously.

“This is a tinderbox, useful to make a light in emergencies”

“Lord Krieg, if you would like, I can keep the fire spell.”

Adele spoke from behind them while she held the bottle with all but one index finger with a light flame weavering back and forth.

“You should save your magic for enemies we may find.”

He struck the blade against the cylinder letting sparks fly through the air, igniting the tip of the tinderbox.

“Here Princess.”

He took a piece of cloth from his armor and rolled around the metallic cylinder.

“Ah, you didn’t need to cut your own cape.”

“Your hand is more important princess.”

She held the tinderbox over her right shoulder, illuminating a small area around them. Adele walked closely behind them with the hatchet in hand and the wine bottle on the other.

“Lord Krieg, do you think they may be waiting for us?”

“Most likely.”

He brushed a moss curtain to the side and kept walking until they reached an exit. They weren’t far from it, the fresh breeze coming from the crevice up ahead made it clear that it was a way out. Krieg paused for a few moments and said without looking at her.

“Princess, if we happen to be ambushed, throw the flour towards the attackers.”

“But, flour…? Will this really distract them?”

“Just leave it to me if anything happens.”

She reluctantly nodded, unsure of his answer, what could flour achieve?

“Lord Krieg, I don’t feel traces of magic.”

Adele had her eyes closed for a few seconds as they walked.

“Good, at least there won’t be any spell casters.”

“Are we really going outside?”

Insecurity in Leona’s voice was apparent, the way Krieg spoke made her feel uneasy.

“We have no other choice, it’s either this or turn back and be ambushed.” His head turned around to face her, his voice filled with kindness. “Stay behind me Princess, I’ll keep you safe.”

Krieg took a step outside the cave, the dim light of the full moon illuminated the forest glade. The faint sound of water and buzzing of the bugs would have been the only sound to be heard in that peaceful night, if not for the metallic noise of unsheathing blades.

"Ah there they are."

Seven soldiers stood in front of the knight. Four archers, two knights wielding maces and shields and a dark knight holding a greatsword. They had the arrows knocked on the string, it was a matter of pulling it back to fire.

Krieg dropped his longsword on the ground near his right foot, Leona was right behind him so she stopped at the sound of the metal sword hitting the ground, she readied her left arm holding the bag of flour and threw it above the knight.

“Now Adele!” He yelled as he kicked the blade upwards, a white dust cloud formed in front of them as the blade cut the flour bag mid-air. “Shield your eyes!”

A burst of flames ignited the fine powder resulting in a loud explosion and a dazzling flash. Krieg turned around and embraced Leona to protect her. The powerful flash blind the archers, giving Adele enough time to cast another fire spell, this time a flaming sphere the size of her hand.

Krieg caught the blade with his right hand and slammed his left arm against the nearest knight holding a shield, his forearm covered the whole length of the shield, allowing him to use it as a leverage to lower his opponent’s guard and sink the tip of the blade in the enemy’s neck.

“Brother!” The other knight shouted as he came rushing to strike Krieg’s arm with the mace. However Krieg was faster, he removed the blade just in time to block the shaft of the mace and redirect it to the side, such force made the opposing knight stumble. “Damn you!”

His opponent struggled to raise the shield. Using a technique learned from his master, Krieg grabbed the blade of the longsword and swung upwards, the crossguard caught the side of the metal and was yanked aside, then using the momentum of the pull, he drove the guard straight into the enemy’s helmet, the loud clunk was followed by a dry thud, both knights fell on the ground, lifeless.

“Krieg watch out!”

Leona yelled as the dark knight was about to strike him with an overhead slash. He didn’t have time to properly hold the sword so instead he used the blade to push himself back by using the enemy’s attack.

“You’re not half bad, knight.”

The dark knight was holding his greatsword over his head, blade resting on the shoulder. The unusually open stance threw Krieg off guard, as it wasn’t the first time he’d seen that type of swordsmanship.

Seeing how the opposing knight created an impasse he decided to jump backwards as the archers were readying their bows, the blinding effect could only last so long.

“Adele, now!”

Behind him, the demon maid had a red sphere the size of a golf ball, she then winded her arm back. The blazing orb had a deep red color to it as if fire was so condensed to the point that anything not fire resistant could light up into flames from just being near it.

“Have a taste of hell’s specialty."

As she hurled the spell, it felt like air itself burned around it. The impact seemed harmless at first before an extreme amount of heat was generated in a fraction of a second, forming a cone of blazing hell flames. Even though the blast was directed towards their attackers, Leona could feel her skin being scorched from all that heat. Krieg quickly shielded her.

“Are you ok Princess?”

“Mhm, thank you Krieg.”

After the flames subsided, Adele couldn’t believe her eyes.

“No way… after a full blast of hellflame?!”

She clenched her teeth as she prepared to cast another spell but Krieg stopped her by placing his hand near hers.

All the enemies but one were dead, the dark knight was standing there, unscathed, behind him, no other sign of life remained. All was burnt in a cone shape, some adjacent trees and bushes were still on fire. To survive a direct attack of hell flame magic, they would need to be a demon themselves.

“Heh not bad, I wasn’t expecting such a strong spellcaster. Maybe I underestimated you.”

His deep voice appeared unfazed by the destruction left around him. The surface of his armor was steaming, he didn’t even bother to shield himself from the attack, instead choosing to take it directly.

“Adele” Krieg tapped the maid’s shoulder. “Leave him to me, take the Princess somewhere safe.”

“Krieg you can’t possibly-”

Leona was rejecting the idea but was abruptly cut short by Krieg’s words.

“Princess, I’m your personal knight, it is my duty to keep you safe, no matter the cost.” He wielded the longsword close to his chest with both hands. “I’ll defeat him and catch up with you.”

Leona hesitated but nevertheless followed Adele. Both left the knight behind to face off against his opponent.

Even though the area around them was set ablaze by hell flames, Krieg felt a frigid chill go down his spine.

“So, are you ready?” Krieg’s fingers slowly tightened around the longsword handle, of course he was nervous, but that didn’t change his duty. After raising the sword straight to the sky and readying it beside his chest he was prepared to face him. “Not much for talking huh? Alright, fine by me.”

The dark knight picked the greatsword from the ground and readied it in front of himself.]

“This is your end, Leonard.”

Not very far from the battle, Leona and Adele kept running through the dense forest, the night had just begun and the way was poorly illuminated.

“Keep close to me Princess, this place is easy to get lost in.”

“Adele, do you think Krieg will be alright?”

The maid could see the clear expression of worry on the princess’ face, nevertheless, she approached her and gave a soft smile whilst holding her trembling hand.

“It’s lord Krieg, he wouldn’t lose to that man, even if my magic can’t reach him, his blade will.”

A noise coming from the bushes behind them made both stay on their guards. Adele prepared an icicle spike and launched it against the bushes behind them.

“Ack!”

A distraught grunt was heard from the bushes, apparently the maid hit whatever it was hiding in it. There was some movement before it came to a stop, however as soon as the bushes stopped something came cutting the air towards them.

Sharp pain stung Adele’s left thigh. She lost the strength in her leg. hitting her knee on the ground while clenching her teeth.

“Nghh!”

A crossbow bolt embedded about five centimeters into her flesh, the bolt itself was about three times that size.

“Adele!”

Leona quickly came to her side in order to aid her but the moment she kneeled down, the bushes shook violently as a man wielding a shortsword jumped out of it intending to stab the maid. His right leg was still pierced with the icicle but only death could quell the man’s rage.

Without thinking, Leona drew her sword and with both hands, swung the weapon that found its way inside the man’s left shoulder, it cut flesh and cartilage in a singular ruthless motion. She backed away leaving the sword embedded as the man fell on the ground agonizing, wailing the shortsword left and right.

“AAAAAH DAMN YOU! MY ARM! MY ARM!” Adele threw the hatchet against the assassin’s head, unfortunately hitting him with the blunt side. However it did stop his wailing for a moment to give Leona enough time to come in and yank the sword out of his shoulder. “GAAAAAH!”

Still struggling on the ground, the assassin tried to stab Leona’s legs, but thanks to her sword’s length she could hit him outside the reach of the dangerous blade. She attempted to slash his throat open with one strike but it was a shallow hit, merely nicking a vein as the man was still trying to fight back, gurgling blood from the deep wound like a fountain.

His troublesome movements were cut short by Adele’s hatchet. She finished the job with a straight chop from the hatchet she just picked up.

“Are you alright Princess?” Leona didn’t notice her erratic breathing until she lowered the blood soaked longsword. Her trembling hands could barely hold the weapon as the strength in her slender fingers disappeared. “Princess Leona?”

She had teary eyes as she looked towards Adele.

“Adele… I… I… killed a person.”

The maid stumbled towards the Princess and held her hands between hers.

“You did the right thing Princess, I failed to protect you so it’s not your fau-“

“They can’t be far now!”

A group of armed men appeared from where they came from. They wielded longbows and flintlock rifles. Adele quickly turned to Leona again.

“We need to get out of here, can you move Princess?”

“I can but what about your- your leg!”

A solid semi-transparent light blue spell seemed to encase the crossbow bolt, making it imobile inside the wound.

“I casted an ice spell on it, I’m able to move.” She grabbed both the longsword handle and Leona’s hand. “Let’s get out of here.”

Cold sweat was dripping down from the princess’ forehead onto her brows, the feeling of hacking through flesh was still a vivid memory both in her muscles and mind. She couldn’t begin to fathom the pain she must have caused.

Adele looked behind her for the signs of pursuers, but apparently they didn’t spot them right away. The maid led Leona from bush to bush, zig-zagging through the woods until they found a clearing, against the foot of a mountain an eerie cave entrance broke the pattern of the rocky wall.

Rays of light shone softly over the foliage, if they weren’t in danger, it would be a great place to stop and admire nature’s beauty.

“Princess once we get in that cave you’ll have to jump down.”

“Wait… that’s “No Man’s” cave-“

“I don’t have time to explain. We have to jump down and stay alive, the river’s current should take us near the village.”

“What about Krieg?”

“I’m sure lord Krieg will manage someho-“

A rifle shot pierced through the maid’s left shoulder, making her stumble forward and lose her balance. The loud sound of the explosion and smell of gunpowder filled the air.

“Argh!”

“Adele!”

Her left leg was bleeding from the shattered ice, the bolt was pushed deeper with her fall. The shot that perforated her flesh left burn marks on the entrance and exit of the wound. Adele instinctively turned around and extended her left hand out. A burst of blue fire sprouted from her hand. Quickly forming a thick wall of ice behind them. Plenty more steel hit the wall but thankfully the ice was thick enough to stop them.

“Princess you have to run! I don’t know how much- argh!”

“No! I’m taking you with me!” Leona rushed to her side and put Adele’s right arm around her own neck. “Even if it takes all the strength that I have, I’m not leaving you behind!”

“Princess…”

An armed soldier came around the ice wall with the flintlock rifle ready to fire, at that distance, just a few meters away from Leona’s face, it would surely hit her.

“Princess!” Adele was starting to cast an ice spell to protect her but there wasn’t enough time. “Princess! No!”

A thick dark blade cleaved the man’s arm off along with the barrel of the gun, the deafening shot hit the ground as the gun fell down, blood spilled from his left hand tainted the earth. His screams of pain and agony echoed through the entrance of the cavern.

“MY ARM! AAAAARGH!”

“Out of my way.”

The knight’s fist backhanded the soldier in the face, leaving him motionless on the ground. Krieg showed up in battered armor but with a black greatsword on his hand.

“Princess, Adele, are you two alright?”

“Adele was shot in the leg. I’m… I’m fine.”

Krieg glanced over the maid. Adele’s eyes met his and the two of them agreed in a silent exchange of stares. Krieg nodded before hurling the greatsword over his shoulder.

“We’re going now princess.”

He grabbed Leona from the waist, easily lifting her close to his chest. Leaving Adele laying with her back against the wall of ice.

“Wait! Krieg what are you doing!? We have to take Adele with us!”

“I’m sorry princess.” Adele said as she slowly slid with her back down against the ice, she sat while taking one last look at the princess whom she served for years. “This is where we must part ways, it was a great honor to serve you all these years.”

“No! We’re going to get out of this together! Krieg!”

The knight gave a last nod to the maid and started to run towards the depths of the cave.

“Adeleeeeeeeeeee!”

Leona’s pleas were all but echoes from within the cave. Until she couldn’t be heard anymore.

Adele smiled as the princess’ voice became just a faint memory. Her right hand closed tightly around her right horn.

“If gods really do exist in this world, I only wish for redemption… from my fallen brothers and sister, I, Adele Heikel, sacrifice upon thee my last possession.” She exerted a lot of force, snapping the thick coiled horn. Agony, pain, rage… she felt it all, breaking the horns of a demon would be a death sentence, for they are the sole catalyst for a demon to cast the very powerful spells they are known for. “AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!”

The flow of energy made Adele go berserk. Her wounds quickly started to regenerate at an unbelievable speed. Albeit more than regenerating, her limbs were taking a different form, increasing in size and becoming distorted as body started to crook.

“We have them surrounded!”

Many riflemen and soldiers circled around the ice wall. But upon seeing the grotesque sight of a transformed demon the less courageous turned up and began to flee as soon as they saw it while others that withstood the urge to run, attacked instantly with their weapons.

Adele was nothing more than an abomination, her whole skin was now covered in hard black scales, the red eyes of a reptile twitched left and right looking for targets. A sword strike bounced off her back, sparks went flying.

“What the!?”

In a split second he was gored in half by her claws, entrails, blood, bones, all showered upon the other soldiers who came behind him. Panic and despair, a menacing aura emanated from her as if death stared directly at each man standing near the hulking monstrosity that once was the gentle maid.

“It’s a monster! A monster!”

Cries and screams echoed the vast forest as the verdant soil was tainted by blood.

In the depths of the No Man’s cave, the strong water current washed away two poor souls that happened to be caught within the river’s violent current. Usually where there would be a clear path on the side of the river, it was now flooded due to strong rains in the past few days.

“Krieg! We have to save her!”

Leona grabbed on a rock near the edge of the river in order to go back up.

“Princess don’t-!”

She tried to fight against the current but it was too strong, rocks broke beneath her feet and she was washed away along with the current.

“Princess!” Krieg swimmed after her. “Take my hand!”

She extended her hand the maximum she could but only the tips of their fingers touched.

“Ahh! Krieg!”

“Princess!” Without hesitation, he used the newly acquired greatsword to propulse himself forward through the water. His only objective was to keep Leona alive, at all costs. “Princess, grab my hand!”

Leona extended her arm, this time Krieg was close enough to grab her wrist, he pulled her towards him with one smooth motion he hugged and swapped places with her.

“Gah!”

A loud thwack sound came from the knight, his back hit with full force against a rock that divided the water current, Leona was grazed by the unconscious knight as he was flung towards her from the impact.

“Krieg!”

He was unconscious, but the raging cold water didn’t pay any heed to whoever was caught in its path, on the contrary, it just showed how deadly it really was. The current suddenly goes to a stop not too far from where Leona could see in the now open tunnel, which meant it was the end of the line.

“Oof!”

Leona hit a very thick net that kept them from going over the drop; however it was just a matter of time before it began to snap under the weight of the two.

Just beside of her there was a crevice carved into the stone, a passage, similarly constructed to the underground tunnels of the mansion. She tried to muster strength to fight the current but she was barely keeping her head above the water.

‘I have to find a way to pull us out of here!’

With each snap, the net let them closer to an unavoidable demise.

“No… no…!” Leona racked her brain, they would eventually fall and if she didn’t do anything, it would mean certain death. “Ice… ice magic will work!”

She focused all her strength into her right hand as the ropes snapped, all the energy in her being was on that one point. The air became colder and a light blue energy stopped the water flow, freezing it in place, but the ice was too unstable and shattered as they fell in the river meters below them.

“Aaaaaaaaaaaaah!”