Chapter 8

Rena's PoV

Im on my way rushing back to the village right now they need every able body fighter right now. I was put in charge along with a few other to escort the elderly and children to the safehouse. As much as i wanted to stay and fight i had yo get those people to safety.

On my way i saw soldiers in grayish armor and red capes rushing in the direction im going. "Are with the village young one?" one of them asked me while we were running. "Yes im on my way back right now" "Can you show the way? We are here to help". They say help us, but its more like if the want to save the El the elves can die for all they care, but now is not the time to bicker.

I nodded and we took a short cut through a hollowed tree that lead straight to the training ground me and Elder Andus trained at. We made it but saw the training site was ruined! ugh why did this have to happen.

The training area had a path that would take us to the center of the village. On our way we saw a few of the soldiers attacking the village. The soldiers took care of them in no time since they had better equipment then those other guys. All they had was leather armor and some dingy swords, while the knights had heavy armor with some well made swords. Im not even into swords and i know those swords can cut a building without being chipped.

When we got to the village i saw Aisha and a red haired woman fighting a huge monstrous wolf demon thing. He was coated in a strange purple aurora and it was clear he had the upper hand in the fight. Along with them were a few couple dead soldiers of the attackers, the knights and some elves.

The soldiers took out their swords and rushed into the battle without hesitation. Guess there trained to fight fearlessly. Aisha saw the reinforcements and smiled slightly. She saw me and looked relieved.

"Rena! your ok thank the El lady". I rushed to Aisha who was at a safer distance than the other fighters, well she is a rear type so makes sense. "Aisha what is this guy" Aisha grimaced at my question "That's Berthe a demon, we had the upper hand earlier but he somehow gained a power that began to overwhelm us, i don't Elesis can hold him off for any longer". "Any plans?". "Well Elesis told me that when the time is right that she tell me use my strongest spell but so far we haven't had a good enough opening"

They need a chance to strike. I began to gather my nature energy to prepare for alot of arrows, this gonna take awhile. "Ok ill help" I summoned my bow and ran to the nearest house and jumped on the roof. I need to create enough distance so he doesn't charge me.

I draw string and aim for his arm. I doubt a strike to the head would kill him with my current power. I fired at his arm and it was a hit! He staggered a bit and that's all Elesis needed to to take a strike at his chest. Blood sprouted from his chest, but regained footing and knocked Elesis away.

I jumped to a tree and and fired another arrow at foot. He sensed it and dodged it in time. I fired another arrow as he looked in my direction. Bullseye, right in the eye! He howled in pain to knock back everyone around him. When he went down in one knee Aisha used a Fire Ball spell at him. It wasn't just one but 7! in total, gosh she's going all out.

Sadly though. none of them had no effect. As he got up all the wounds on his body healed up with steam coming from them. That aura must be protecting him and healing him somehow, its the only answer. The only part that didn't regenerate was his eye. The purple mist surrounded the arrow but the arrow was still there.

"You little wrench you'll pay for that" He open his mouth and a small blue ball began to form. Uh oh gotta get out of it. I began to run from tree to tree. A giant ice beam sbot from his mouth destroying everything in that pathway. Woah that was way to close. I looked to the front of me and saw that he was ready to smash me flat. My eyes widen but Elesis came just in time to body slam him out of my way.

"You killed enough elves today!" She yelled and sliced his snout. "Gah!" He was knocked into a tree after that arrows began to rain down on him from almost all over. Guess some elves made it in time to help. I began to fire some as well and a dust cloud began to form.

When the dust died down we saw a fully wounded Berthe was laid on the ground. His mist began to attempt to heal him but very slowly. I looked at Elesis but she seemed to still be on edge, He looked almost dead enough. Aisha also looked confused since Elesis didn't tell to use the spell.

The soldiers wasted no time to attempt to rush the wounded Berthe. Berthe had looked absolutely furious. Then all of sudden we heard a strange voice from somewhere.

"hmhmhhahahaha Berthe you fool, failure is not an option. Try it again." Berthe yelled and howled a ear piercing sound. All of the soldiers were forced to cover their ears but then all of a sudden they began to fall to the ground. When Berthe was done he pounced on the first soldier and ate him alive...

The skin and bones.. he ate it all and now that i look at him he looks like a healed alittle... The aura began to become a mist surrounding slowly. He then ate the next soldier and the next and the next. We tried to stop him but the mist was protecting him somehow, like it had a mind of its own. Our arrows were doing nothing to him anymore. What's happening?

Elesis's PoV

"Damit he's too fast i can't catch him!" i yelled. Berthe began to eat the soldiers and everytime he did he would heal and become faster i cant even see his movement anymore just blue blurs.

I have to do something before we end up that way! "Elesis!" I looked to see who called me and saw William running up to me. "I ha-" before he can say anything a loud roar caught us off guard. We all fell to ground, all the archers as well fell off their snipe posts.

I was one of the first to attempt to get up. I was on one knee when i saw it happen. William attempted to get up when he was stabbed right through his chest by Berthe who snuck up on him. William's eyes widen and saw that Berthe was there and attempted to hit him with his sword. Instead Berthe caught the sword with his hand. "Heh thought i killed off your kind phoru, well no matter lets see what you taste like." Berthe then ate off William's head.

He threw the body at Aisha who just sat there paralyzed by what she saw. The blood was everywhere. "raaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!!!" Aisha screamed with tears in her eyes.

"Heh try not to wet your self, it doesn't make good seasoning" Berthe said now in front of Aisha who still screaming. No!!! I can't let you take her too!. Begore i could even think my body moved on its own. What can i do. He will probably kill me as well. Are we all going to die?

Everything was in in slow motion. Berthe grabbing Aisha, me moving not in time to save her. My body felt hot. Like it was on fire!

I swing my sword that was glowing burning red and yellow. A wave of energy shot out in an ark. The energy wave sliced Berthe's hand right off and cut through the mist. "Gah!!!!!!!!!!" Berthe held his severed arm. But i wasn't going to let up. I positioned my sword down and swinging upward. And huge energy blast erupted from it blast Berthe through a tree.

I looked at my hand and saw my body was radiating crimson aurora but now not the time to admire it. I looked at Aisha who was knocked out cold, guess she passed out.

I looked over everywhere and saw an elf girl who was limping toward me. She was one who shot Berthe in the eye.

"You! can you fire another arrow?" i pulled her over my shoulder and she nodded. "Yea but i dont have alot of energy left". "Ok its alright ill help you" she positioned her bow to where i knocked Berthe. I pulled the string back focusing the power i used earlier.

A red arrow began to form that was being orbited by small green orbs. "Ok her we go!" I yelled and fired the arrow. The arrow soared like a hawk right Berthe's Chest and then a huge explosion came with it. The wind was so powerful it knocked both of us to the ground.

My body now feels like a hit bricks placed in body instead of blood. Ugh i need a long week off. I didnt look to see if Berthe was dead. With a blast like that, He had to have been blown to pieces.

Elsword's PoV

"Were ya lookin eh?!" Add yelled at as he punched my gut. "Gah! why you" I punched dead in his face and he staggered back.

None of us was looking too good in this tag team to the death. Both sides were in terrible condition. Add's Suit was half torn revealing some of skin in which had wounds due to me and bruises on his face.

I had all my armor striped due to Add's lasers along with a few small holes in my body. My chain mail was falling apart. and i had no boots so now im bare footed. my sowrd was half broken but still usable and I had scrapes all over ny body due to being knocked around by those dam dynamos.

Andus also wasn't looking too good. hjs robes that covered his upoer body was now gone, now his bare chest is showing. He had scrapes and scratches all over his body and and his left eye bleeding. Wally on the other hand had his while suit taken off and was now just using an armored gauntlet, and steel sword. He too lost his clothes and had wounds all over.

In short we were all exhausted and and wounded.

Both sides knew that if anyone of use fell then that side would win since we are in no shape to take 2 on 1 so we had no choice but to fight. The fate of the El depended on our battle.

Add attempted to fire some lasers at me but i rolled out the way and rushed him. He used his dynamos to create a prism lime structure to protect himself. It caused me bounce back but i regained my footing. I bent backward to avoid a energy blast by Wally. I rose up with arms together to form an X to block Add's electrified punch. Lady El this stings.

As each passing moment i feel myself getting better. I can almost see the moves and sense where there going to hit. I countered Add's attack with my own punch and he did the same it ended with both of us punching each other.

I staggered and glanced at Andus's way. He was slowing down but still able to keep up. I quickly turned back to see several small balls of energy fired at me. I ducked the a couple but some got me in the chest.

These things arent intended for physical and external damage. I feel the shock through out my veins in my body, but I've grown used to it already.

I then turned and body slammed Wally to th ground as he was about to swing at a down Andus. "Watch yourself" I smiled alittle at him.He smirked as well "Heh i can say the sane son Scape the skies: turbulent gust" He exhaled a huge blast of wind at Add, who was attempting to sneak attack. He was blown away and quickly got in his dynamos again, firing beams at Andus.

Wally on the other hand turned his armored gauntlet into a blade and stabbed my shoulder. "Gah!" I got up and he kicked me away but he collapsed to one knee after.

"Damit you heavy brat" He huffed. He was really starting to slow down. We can't keep going on like we need backup were are you sis!? I slowly got up with my arm drooping, my arm was at its limit. Doesn't matter i can one hand anyway.

Andus regrouped with me, he was slouching and was looking even more tired. "Heh guess the El jewel cant save us eh" i said with a faint smile. Andus looked my way with a wry smile. "i wish it worked that way just about now."

Add got to were Wally was and held his arm. Guess he finally got injured enough. Wally also looked to not be getting up as well. "Of...my years in the... military and war this is... truly a standoff..." Wally said in huffs.

We were all now officially tired.

Just when Add slowly got up and attempted to rush us, the wall that was sealed by Andus was blasted. Through it came Rena, a sleeping Aisha and very tired looking Elesis. "Heya guys...need some help?" Elesis held out her sword. She looked tired but i could tell she could still fight and so can Rena.

Add sucked his teeth. "Wally we gotta abort" Wally looked at Add "For someone like you to say that then its must as you never back down". Add grabbed Wally putting him over his shoulder and flew threw the hole in the room i made earlier. We didn't try to to stop him as all of was tired and didn't want anymore fighting. Me and Andus collapsed to the ground.

"We made it, friend" Andus says to me. I turn to him with a smile "guess so, we should hangout sometime my new friend." Rena ran to Andus "Elder you knew Elsword?" She asked flabbergasted. "Hehe nope he's a new friend i feel like i known forever now". "Same here ol buddy" I said with a chuckle.

"Elsword im sor-" Elesis was cut off when we felt a huge vibration. The whole building was shaking then, the roof was destroyed. " Scape the skies: Turbulent Gust" Andus destroyed all of the rubble coming our way. He still had some e energy in him eh.

When we looked to see what it was, it was disgusting. Berthe had been utterly mauled. His left arm was nothing but thick blue and purple veins as well as half his face. His was scared and burned all over, and his other arm was completely gone as well. "Gahhahahah, im...not...done yet you welps" He sounded completely worn and just dead.

Elesis face grew stern and began to rise her sword, but she was yoo tired to put it all the way up. "I had some feeling in the back of my head you weren't dead, guess i have to finish this". Rena raised her bow ready to backup Elesis, but it seems Berthe has different plans.

He ran toward us at almost blinding speed, but ran right past us? When we turned back we saw Berthe ready to take the El Jewel. "NOOO WE CAN'T LET HIM TAKE IT!!!" Andus roared and charged to Berthe. Berthe saw Andus charging toward him with a wind blade in hand.

The something happened. It was all in slow motion.

A purple mist appeared and began to take shape. It was a very pale skinned man, with white hair and blood red eyes. He had black heavy armor with a red cape and red sword strapped around his waist. The worst part of him is that he has the sams arora as Berthe when we first met him, but his seems way stronger and much more... controlled.

He turned to Berthe, with an amused sinister smile on his face. "Ah Berthe, you loom to have seen better days. Look at you, even with the power i lent you they still got you to this point. How shameful."

He finished now walking toward the El jewel. He then lifted his hand in the air to stop Andus's wind blade.

"Well, well, An elf." He used his other hand to grab Andus's neck and glared at him. "Your kind have caused quite the amount problems for my plan. Berthe the shard." He then began to choke Andus but was was hit in his arm by an arrow.

Rena looked scared but still determine to try and help her master. The mysterious man only smile. He did move out of the arrow range because he knew it wouldnt hurt him. "This nature force power huh." He touched the arrow and it shattered.

He turned to Andus "From what you know and can do i think its best you died as a warrior". He Kicked Andus making him soar though the air and fired extended long beam of energy at Andus's chest. No... again... here i am on the ground...powerless and weak.

Andus's PoV

"So, this is this end."

I watched the very blade hit me in slow motion. In can feel something coursing though out my body. Ah the deathly grip of death. I looked toward Rena and her friends. I can see it now. clear as skies.

They...will...the...

3 DAYS LATER

Elesis PoV

After the encounter with that mysterious man we all had to retreat. Many Elves and humans died that day in the raid for the jewel. The Elves Head chief Andus, was killed by the mysterious man. After they killed him he took the El and left with Berthe.

With their objective met, they didn't need to stay any longer.

There was a conspiracy going around claiming first hand witness spotting Lord Wally leading the raid on the Elven village but not enough evidence, and since the death of the Elder it can't be backed up.

And Elsword have been more down now. He stopped training and hasn't spoken or eaten in the last 3 days. Aisha has also been a bit distant, guess the scene of William's death is still fresh in her head.

Rena also vanished. I dont know where she could have gone. All of the surviving Elves have been sent to Ruben since their old village is uninhabitable.

I returned to the house late at night. Its probably past 12 by now, Elsword must be asleep. I have to tell him the news that, i must leave him soon. "Hey" Elsword was getting water from the sink. "Elsword". I walked to the couch and sat down, he took the intuitive and sat down across from me.

"Elsword i" before i can start Elsword raised his hand. "You have to leave dont you" I widen my eyes, Did he spy on us?

"Irs ok" He drank some water and continued" I understand that since you were able to damage Berthe to that point they want you, as well as give info since you were a first hand witness" He finished and got up

"Thats how it is " I said casting my gaze down. I didn't want to leave my peaceful life here. I didn't want to leave my lil bro, but with the El gone its either i fight to end it or stay ignorant til the end.

Elsword slapped both hands on my face. It wasn't a angry slap nor did ir hurt, it was more of a wake up call. "Cmon sis you know what to do dont you" He said forcing my head up to meet his gaze. "Its alright sis, with how things are do really think we can just forget about all that happened because i sure as hell not"

"I may not have known ma and pa, but i know they wouldnt turn a blind eye to this" He told me with determination burning in his eyes. Thats right, Pa would never have left thus matter."Heh look at you looking all big and tough when you were crying your eyes out for 3 days". I said getting up.

"Alright" I stood in front of Elsword and he stood like a soldier ready for orders. "In 2 days i shall be leaving the base Elsword, and knowing you i know you won't just stand around training. I instead will give you the assignment to hunt down Wally and take him down."

I know Wally used his power to shut up the witnesses and cleaned up after him self. I know Elsword can do this.

"Yes Ma'am!" He shouted. "Now off to bed maggot! we got work to do!" we marched to the room together giggling all the while.