Prince Of Blood And Shadow

Chapter 21

Inias stood up once more, retrieving a sword from his back and two knives from his belt. "Think you can track Keira?" Inias turned to a nodding Styx whose ears twitched. Despite the absence of scent in the forest, it was common knowledge that foxes had exceptional hearing. While Styx relied on his ears, Inias surveyed the forest. Eventually, he let out a howl and sprinted away from the sound of shrieking redcaps in the distance.

Inias tried his hardest to keep pace with the fox's sudden bursts of speed. Two goblins sat in a tree, bows at the ready. Inias skillfully threw his two knives, and with a purple glow, they weaved through the trees. They circled around, striking their targets from behind and leaving them lifeless on the ground. Styx was in the air, skillfully snatching more arrows while they descended. Inias stuffed his hand into the powder bag and threw a large handful high into the air. The mist spread as Inias and Styx made their ways out of its boundaries.

They released the redcaps into the forest, preventing them from forming their usual raid strategy. He wouldn't have to worry about so many in the trees firing down on him in this battle. Most of the forest was full of pine trees, harder to perch themselves in. As a wave of ground troops rushed towards them, Styx licked his lips and charged forward, clamping his jaw around the throat of one of them. Inias wasn't far behind, bringing his diamond edged sword down onto another. Claws drawn in one hand and his blade in the other, he spun, ripping through one's chest. He brought his sword down on the other, cutting it through the stomach.

Fighting without the smell of blood was a strange sensation. Styx handled it fine, swiftly darting into the trees to catch the few goblins that had climbed. Inias wouldn't let them surround him, keeping them on the defense. Styx would eventually return to take the few who had gotten behind him. Once they were clear, the fox burst forward again towards a flash of blue ahead.

Keira had both her daggers drawn and an aura of blue surrounding her. It had the ability to lash out with small tentacles and thrash any enemies that came too close. By using the defense to her advantage, she bravely fought back against the attacking wave. Styx was quick to clear the trees so she could focus her shields directly in front of her. A redcap brandishing a dagger was being desperately kicked by a figure seated behind her. Vestin. With a swift movement, Inias slashed through the ropes as he lunged forward.

Vestin tore himself free and tightly grasped the redcap's throat, slamming it onto the ground until its screams came to an end. Keira's shields dissipated, causing her to huff in annoyance. Scattered goblin bodies were left behind, leaving them standing in a mess. "Vestin!" With tears streaming down her face, she clung to her brother, burying her face in his chest. "I knew you were alive...I knew it!" Vestin returned her hug, squeezing her little frame tightly. "And I knew you'd come for me."

Inias turned his eyes away. "Vestin..." Unsure of what to say, he knew he had to speak quickly. "I'm so sorry. I should've listened to my father," The two siblings released each other and Vestin shook his head at Inias. He gave him a look that said now wasn't the time, "The ambush was a setup," Vestin spoke, "Caelan sold us out."

"We know, he set this trap for us," Inias answered as he wiped blood from his sword against his coat. "Can you fight?" Keira asked, inspecting him for any wounds. Vestin nodded and cracked his knuckles, "Payback time. Before anything else, we collect Ashryn. I remember where they left her."

"Naesala's out there alone, so is Sylvis," Keira looked to Inias, then to Styx, who had his face buried in a redcap's gut. "Styx and I will find Naesala," he told them and whistled for the fox's attention. "I sent a maenad to find Sylvis."

"We might survive this after all," Keira took a deep breath and pressed a kiss to Inias cheek with an arm around his shoulders. "Keep him safe for me, okay?" She asked Styx, who stood with his paws against her legs so she could pet him. "You can explain the fox later," Vestin eyed the animal curiously and motioned for Keira to follow as he left. "Save your strength for Caelan," Keira reminded Inias as she turned to leave with her brother.

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As Sylvis paced through the dense woods, the absence of any scents struck him immediately. What troubled him was not just the lack of smell, but also the unsettling stillness of the woods. The forest harmony was no longer heard, as creatures remained hidden in fear. All he felt was the fear and nervousness coming from the hidden creatures in the shadows. The suffocating silence gave him goosebumps and a growing sense of dread. The longer he waited for Caelan, the more uneasy he became, and now, with his senses dull, he realized he had been lured into a trap.

"Of course he'd set a trap!" Sylvis exclaimed, and with frustration, he threw his fist straight into a nearby tree. What caused him to neglect taking that into account? It should have been the first obstacle to consider and plan around. Sylvis took a deep breath, snatched the spear beside him, and dashed further into the forest. He heard the cries of battle and quickly headed towards it. With the others in danger, waiting for Caelan was not an option for him. Sooner or later, Caelan would come for them. Hopefully, they'd still have the strength to oppose him.

The familiar cries grew louder and louder. The horrified redcaps' cries were heard as they were torn apart. He impaled an oncoming projectile with his spear, which happened to be the upper half of a bloodied redcap. There was a maenad, coming at him with full force. A path of bodies marked the way she had come. Holding the spear close to his chest, he stepped back after tossing the severed body aside, unsure if she was friend or foe.

With a flash of lightning, Devilsbane crackled as the woman stopped abruptly and raised her clawed hands in defense. Straightening her posture, she gradually brought her hands down and widened her eyes in surprise, mirroring the electric energy of his weapon. "Your friends are out there, fighting for their lives." Her voice, unexpectedly deep and ethereal, startled him as she spoke of his friends fighting for their lives.

Sylvis responded with an eye roll, saying, "I already know that," before walking away from her, "Are you coming?" He asked. The maenad remained motionless, gazing into the forest. Slowly she turned to meet his gaze, shaking her head, "Bacchus summons me. I must go with my sisters." Creepy or not, he would've liked to have her by his side. The maenads were almost invincible, even Caelan struggled to defend against them.

She disappeared suddenly, leaving him to fend off the approaching redcaps alone. Dozens closed in around him as they followed the panicked cries of their comrades. With his spear raised high, bolts of red electricity shot into the sky, casting a crimson glow that illuminated the clouds. The goblins surrounding him were struck and scattered by the raining bolts as he brought the spear down. Those who escaped retreated and fled for their safety.

Hopefully, the others had seen it. He was on his way. They only needed to endure a little while longer. Inias and the others had trusted him to lead them. He hated Inias, but he didn't want him to die like this. If Keira and Naesala fell as well, how could he return? That feeling...the thought of failing them...it must have been the same pain Inias carried. It hadn't held him back, it drove him. Sylvis would have to do the same. Gripping Devilsbane tight he sprinted into the forest towards the nearest cries.