Volume 2 – Chapter 13
The Guardian’s roar shook the entire colony.
Stone buildings cracked.
Clouds of dust swallowed the streets.
For a single moment…
No one moved.
Then Kael slammed the bottom of his shield against the ground.
“Wake up!
It’s just bigger than the others!”
Finn stared at the monster.
“…Just?”
Kael grinned.
“If it bleeds, we can kill it.”
The Guardian lunged.
Its massive claw crashed into the street.
BOOM!
The cobblestones exploded into the air.
“Scatter!” Raimer shouted.
The squad split instantly.
The claw missed Finn by inches, leaving a crater where he had stood.
“That was WAY too close!”
“Same strategy as training!” Raimer ordered.
“Kael, keep its attention!”
“Mira, aim for the eyes!”
“Finn, stay behind it!”
“Alyra, cut off its movement!”
Without hesitation, everyone moved.
Kael charged first.
“HEY, UGLY!”
He slammed his shield into the Guardian’s front leg.
The beast roared and swung its tail.
Kael blocked the impact, but the force hurled him through the wall of a nearby house.
“Kael!”
“I’m alive!” his voice echoed through the rubble.
“Barely!”
Mira climbed onto the roof of a ruined church.
She took a deep breath.
One arrow.
One chance.
She released.
The arrow flew like lightning. Read this novel at g.com for the best experience.
It struck the Guardian’s left eye.
The beast screamed.
“Direct hit!” Finn shouted.
He dashed beneath the monster, slashing at its hind legs.
Black blood splattered across the street.
“Ha!
Got—”
The Guardian kicked backward.
Finn barely crossed his daggers in time.
The impact launched him into a broken cart.
“…I hate my job.”
Alyra raised both hands.
The air around the monster began to swirl.
“Wind Prison!”
Powerful currents wrapped around the Guardian’s legs.
Its movements slowed.
“Now, Raimer!”
Raimer sprinted forward.
His heartbeat thundered in his ears.
Every lesson from his grandfather…
Every hour of training…
Every battle…
Led to this moment.
He leapt high into the air.
With both hands gripping his sword—
He struck.
CRACK!
The blade shattered one of the black crystal plates protecting the Guardian’s neck.
The beast staggered.
But it wasn’t enough.
It swung its head violently.
Raimer couldn’t dodge.
The impact sent him crashing across the street.
His sword slid several meters away.
He coughed violently.
Blood stained the stones beneath him.
His vision blurred.
The Guardian slowly approached.
Each step shook the ground.
Kael tried to stand. This chapter was copied from novelping.com without permission.
His injured leg gave out.
“Damn it…”
Finn attempted to distract it, but another swipe forced him back.
Mira had no clear shot.
Alyra’s mana was nearly exhausted.
For the first time…
The squad had no plan left.
The Guardian raised its claw above Raimer.
Everything slowed.
Then…
A familiar voice echoed inside his mind.
“A king does not fight alone.”
His grandfather.
“Trust those beside you.”
Raimer looked up.
Four figures suddenly stood between him and the monster.
Kael.
Shield raised despite his injuries.
Finn.
Daggers trembling but ready.
Mira.
One final arrow drawn.
Alyra.
Sword in hand, standing shoulder to shoulder with the others.
Kael smiled.
“Took you long enough to get up.”
Finn laughed nervously.
“If we survive this…”
“…you’re buying dinner.”
Raimer couldn’t help but smile.
Even now…
They refused to abandon him.
He picked up his sword and stood beside them.
“No more holding back.”
The five formed a tight circle.
Back to back.
Five soldiers.
Five friends.
One family.
Together, they charged the Colony Guardian as the ruins of Nocthollow echoed with the clash of steel and the roar of monsters.
The outcome of the battle…
Would decide whether any of them ever saw home again.
End of Chapter 13