Swarms of varying species of animals attacked the demons, ramming into them, biting them, throwing them around and showering them with rocks. Birds attacking from the skies formed groups, each group carrying large trunks and branches. They dropped them down, striking the demon warriors on the head.
The humans, seeing this, were encouraged. The demon, were turning to attack the animals coming from the forest, and leaving the humans for later.
"Come on, make the most of this distraction! Get the wounded away from here, reload, and shoot at their exposed positions!" Eboshi yelled. "If the animals are here to help us, then we'll help them back!"
But even with the combined might of the animals of the forest and the humans of Iron Town, this was still not enough. More strength was required in numbers.
And that came. Kariudo, on a wolf, waited on top of a smoothly sloped hill. He raised his double-bladed sword and screamed a war cry. "For the tribe of wolves," He yelled, then charged at them.
And he was not alone. Close behind him was Ashitaka, on his wood-elk Yakuul, and behind THEM…were thousands of wolves, gathered from many places close to this location.
They struck hard, fighting off the masses of demon warriors without fear, for the demon armour was covering the cursed skin.
Spinning his sword around on both sides, Kariudo fell many demon warriors. They stood no chance against the mighty hunter, and he directed his wolf towards the king of demons.
"Demon King!" He yelled, leaping off the wolf.
The king turned, a mocking smile on his face. He raised the hammer and started spinning it around.
Kariudo attacked, spinning his double-bladed sword around. The weapons collided, and although the hammer was heavier, Kariudo's sword fought without fear.
The demon king tried to overwhelm him with brute force, but he dodged the more powerful strikes and deflected most of them.
"You don't scare me!" He yelled.
"Then you soon will!" The king shot back. The weapons sparked and flew, they moved and struck so fast that it was only a blur.
The intensity of the duel stunned the demon king. He had expected Kariudo to put up a bit of a fight, but not this much. Soon, he moved back. "You are powerful, Kariudo." He sneered. "But are you powerful enough to master your own feelings?"
He raised San's limp body into the air.
With gathering fury inside him, Kariudo raised his weapon. "Let her go!" He screamed.
Ashitaka knew he shouldn't intrude. This was a fight that Kariudo had wanted all along, he saw that from his fighting and quick dodges. But how was he supposed to fight now, when San was there? He wanted to step in and help, but something stopped him. This is his fight. He needs to make the choices himself.