Unknown L (Book 1)

~~ Friends In High Places ~~

"I'd expect nothing less," Bryce responded just as the Ogre brothers came barrelling down a path to the right of them.

They were both wearing black fur clothes, roughly made to cover their bodies and their hair was even neater than usual, they looked cleaner too. It was a ritual before a fight to be as well presented as possible. L smiled up at them when they stopped, they were each carrying a giant club and a brown sack.

"We got stuff, you ready?" Gart asked and aimed his question at Bryce.

L frowned between them but apparently Bryce understood.

"We're ready." He turned to L and his smirk was all but gone, "We added a little something extra to the plan, just in case there are any traitors still left behind. You'll find out when we get into things."

L half smiled at him, "I suppose I like the way you think."

"I'm glad to hear it. Okay let's get out there and end this." Bryce's voice was determined and L nodded firmly.

They turned and walked in the direction Frallica was coming. The tension mounted while they moved, reserving energy by keeping their speed down. The Ogre brothers trudged behind them, and after a few minutes, they were joined by Hallie, and then Walter, who was covered in magical sunscreen and grinned widely at L.

That should have been everyone but to L's shock and even worse to Bryce's, Emilia appeared beside them.

"What are you doing here?" Bryce asked without breaking his stride.

"You are not King yet, Brycathlen and you cannot tell me what to do. I have sent Illiana away with a good friend so she's safe but I won't cower away when I know very well I could help in this fight. You need everyone you can get, do not tell me otherwise. Now, brief me on the plan."

Emilia flipped out her hair from the back of her cloak and took out her impressive sword from its scabbard.

At that moment L could see how amazing she would have been as an Elf Queen; fair and just, intimidatingly strong and beautiful. However, at the same time, she was too unruly, too kind and too good for them. L loved all those things about her but the Elf population weren't so accepting of change. She couldn't help but wonder for a second what would happen when Bryce became the Elf King.

She quickly had to push those thoughts away, they were a problem for another day. She listened instead to Bryce reluctantly outlining the plan for Emilia. This group belonged to L, they would keep the Demons off her until she could get to Frallica. The other groups would keep the rest of the Demons away while this group took care of Frallica and her inner circle.

Emilia had no questions once Bryce had finished. She set her sights ahead and looked just as determined as everyone else. The wall rose ahead of them and they passed freely through the barrier to the outside world.

Things felt much the same, except they were more exposed, the trees surrounded them on both sides but they wouldn't provide much cover in an attack. Soon they would come out onto open roads and fields, and that's where they would meet Frallica. That's where the final battle over the Keeper knowledge would be.

L didn't feel nervous or scared, as anyone might expect, she felt angry and vengeful. She glanced around at the group. They all knew what was at stake and were willing to protect her for it. L knew her abilities were vast and just hoped they would be enough to protect them as well if needed.

They turned a corner off the path leading away from the base and came out onto a wider road. The trees grew more sparsely the further they walked and soon the scenery changed from wooded areas to a long winding road lined only by fields. L didn't need her enhanced vision to see the oncoming attack. It was a black mass of viciousness; crawling and trampling its way towards them.