Hi everyone, sorry for no updates in a long time. I started with my classes at college again and wanted to focus first before I could write more chapters. Also, with all honesty, I got a problem with writer's block about this chapter or writing in general. I don't know when I will get the next chapter, but I hope it doesn't take me more time than this one. I appreciate your patience and I promise the next chapter will be longer.
It was a quiet night as some of the Beowolves were roaming between the woods. Those creatures looked for anything with vicious eyes. The only sound around were crickets, owls, and other nocturnal critters residing in the area. Grimm would ignore animals; it is never stated for what reason those monsters would attack only people instead. One could wonder if that Grimm wouldn't harm nature itself as if there's some respect towards the cycle of life and death.
Why they attack humans? Where they come from? What's their purpose of existing? Those were questions that some of the Huntsmen's minds through the years. As for the Adventurers, they couldn't still grasp about their nature.
It wouldn't matter much as one could expect it. As soon one Beowolf stopped while trying to sniff its surroundings, an arrow flew between the trees. It headed towards the creature's left at a tremendous speed similar to lightning. The Beowolf unleashed a furious roar as the arrow hit him, blinding him. That didn't kill him, but it didn't take too long before a javelin pierced its throat, silencing it.
"I got this!" Warrior said High Elf Archer as she beheaded the Grimm.
"Nice Work. I guess my arrows can distract them while you finish them up." Elf complimented at the redhead Huntress.
"As long we keep silent, it will be easy to ambush some them." Warrior said as she passed Archer's arrow from the Beowolf's decapitated head. "I hope everyone is doing okay."
"Knowing the others, I shouldn't be worried."
"What makes you say that?"
"Well, knowing how unpredictable Orcblog is when it comes to his actions, always yells results."
"I heard of some stories about him around the town. While I don't know him personally, he definitely looks relievable." High Elf Archer sighed on Warrior's comment about the armored guy. Little she knew what kind of person Goblin Slayer was for the most part. In an instant, as if death was approaching, the redhead Huntress reacted by moving around the High Elf while taking action. "Behind you!" Warrior shouted as sparks went flying in front of her shield.
Unexpectedly, another Beowolf tried to attack them by surprise. The Adventurer didn't hear it beforehand. Nothing should catch her by surprise, but such creatures were unpredictable. No sound, no breathe, only their dreadful presence was something that Huntsmen trained to detect them. Only Warrior was able to notice the Grimm before it could attack.
Javelin Warrior bashed the Beowolf's head with her shield to distract before trying to slice its head. The creature blocked the blow with its claws. They struggled to overcome the other, but Warrior was on a disadvantageous position where her head could be eaten any time.
"I got you covered!" The fearless Elf went to aid the Huntress by shooting two arrows at the same time. She aimed for the eyes, hoping to blind them and letting Warrior to counterattack. Only one arrow landed on the left eye while the second one at its throat. It was a fatal shot, but not enough to kill it. High Elf's action was enough for Warrior to do a backflip kick and distance herself from the Grimm.
Without hesitation, the redhead Huntress threw her shield like a projectile. The Beowolf ducked, making the shield miss its target. However, it wasn't over as it bounced against the trees until hitting the creature from behind its neck.
The moment was perfect, as soon as the Grimm opened its mouth, High Elf Archer used one more arrow to shot it at its mouth. The formation allowed of how it pierced through by forming a cross where the Beowolf stopped breathing. It fell to the ground as black smoke started emitting from its corpse.
Even if they were able to kill it, more were coming on their way.
Somewhere else in the woods, Elemental Fencer was dealing with an Ursa Grimm by shooting fire projectiles. She tried her best not to use too much of her magic against those monsters. She jumped over it while trying it slice with her rapier. The damage on the Ursa was minimal. It felt her attacks as mosquito bites.
Over the trees, Knife Ranger jumped on it while grabbing the spikes on its back. The Grimm reacted violently as it tried to get the Huntsman off. As a good distraction, Fencer started stabbing the Grimm on the belly.
"Thanks for the help." She complimented Ranger.
"No problem. We just need to keep them away from the castle." He said as he pulled out his weapon.
"This is going to take us a while, but I hope the others are done dealing with them." Fencer said as she continued to look for more Grimm on the woods. Ranger went in the opposite direction. So far, the Scouting team is doing their best of avoiding confrontation while drawing Grimm away from the castle.
The other two teams, on the other hand, had many difficult tasks.
"Alright, bring it on!" Spearman shouted as he pierced some Boarbatusks that charged towards him and the Assault team.
"Here I go!" Valkyrie swung her hammer to some of the Grimm around her. She gave a large grin every time she smashed one of those creatures. Unfortunately, Grimm wasn't the only thing on the front garden.
"I'm not done with you!" Furious Brawler yelled as Lizard Priest, and she was fighting two Hobgoblins. The blond Huntress dodged the attacks while kicking on blind spots. Lizard Priest used a blade made of bone to defend himself against those brutish goblins. He withstood a lot of the attacks until he countered by chopping on the Hobgoblin's left arm.
Lizard Priest lifted the hideous being to throw it towards the other Hobgoblin which Brawler was dealing with. She noticed it and moved of the way while hitting it on the back to the point of breaking its back. Both of them clashed as Brawler's fists started to get on fire before delivering a fatal blow on them.
The punch was enough to pierce both opponents while also setting them on fire from inside.
"Impressive, Miss Brawler." Lizard Priest complimented.
"No problem. You aren't bad, either." She said with a smirk.
Paladin took a defensive position as he waited for some Beowolves to attack him. He started bashing some of them with the shield while slicing them. He started to get surrounded as he didn't pay attention to his back. He rolled on the ground to free himself. Unfortunately, he didn't see another Grimm charging on his way. The distance was too short to react appropriately. Is it over for him? Maybe not.
"Vines…" Witch whispered as she hit the ground with her staff. The field started to shatter as vines emerged while tangling the Grimm. Paladin got lucky as the calm lady saved him on the niche of time. He took his sword with a firm grip and swung at the trapped Grimm, making another head rolling to the ground.
"Thank you!" Paladin waved his hand. Witch nodded as she kept casting spells to the rest of those creatures.
The situation was controlled as both Grimm and Goblins approached the area. The Assault team was able to maintain their positions as every single enemy was able to die by a few hits. They barely needed healing or a break on the situation. They felt confident enough to keep going until the next part of the plan.
"Alright, how long do we keep fighting those things!?" Spearman asked with an annoyed look.
"Long enough until the Infiltration team is done." Lizard Priest said while still busy slicing Beowolves on his side.
"Are you kidding me!? And how are we supposed to know when they are done!?" Before Spearman could get an answer, everyone started hearing strange noises coming inside the castle. Sounded crude as if pieces of wood were falling apart.
From the shadows, they saw four Boarbatusks pulling two improvised chariots carrying ten goblins, five on each, as they went to full speed. Some of the goblins were trying to shoot arrows at the party while going in circles. Sometimes, they tried to get closer to one of the Adventurers or Huntsmen while using lances, axes, or short sword by using 'hit and run' tactics.
Spearman tried to go after one them, but the other tried to attack him from the back. Paladin shielded him before they could barely scratch him. Brawler and Lizard Priest tried to stop the chariots by standing on the way to attack them head-on. Unfortunately, they moved out of the way with ease despite how heavy they appear. Witch tried to use her vines spell again to stop them, but it proved to be difficult due to their unpredictable patterns.
"Stop moving!" Valkyrie was impatient among the rest since she tried to stop them but couldn't land a single hit.
"Any ideas? They won't stop moving!" Brawler asked as her short temper started to get the best of her.
"Allow me to aid you." Lizard Priest said with confidence. He reached his pockets to look for what appeared as fragment bones. He spread them on the ground, almost to the center where the enemies were roaming in circles. Quietly, he began worshipping to his ancestors as he focused his energy on the bones.
On the spot, those shards were glowing with light while growing and changing form. The young Huntsmen were amazed by such power the reptilian Adventurer was using. With enough patience, he succeeded in taking those goblins by surprise. A skeleton merged from the ground while destroying the chariot underneath. "Shall my fury strike upon them." He said while commanding the summoned skeleton to single-handedly ravaging the goblins.
"Way to go!" Brawler smiled due to the surprise of extra help. However, she noticed some of the loosed Boarbatuskes tried to charge against Lizard Priest. "Watch out!" She ran towards him before the Grimm could have the chance of moving. She was able to take a guarding stance while covering his back. Those creatures were done charging and began rolling with all their strength. Both Boarbatusks strike, but Brawler blocked from left to right and countered with a kick, launching them away.
The attack was enough to make the Boarbatusks' trajectory change and crash against the second chariot. The table turned on their favor as Valkyrie and Spearman attacked from above, crushing the goblins before those vile creatures could have time to react. Witch burned the Grimm into ashes while Paladin stabbed one of them. They were able to withstand that wave, but they knew very well that nothing is over.
"More are coming." Paladin sighed as everyone started to look exhausted.
"I guess we have no choice." Spearman changed weapon for a more powerful one for the incoming horde.
The Assault team was getting ready, but Brawler started to feel worried since she couldn't stop thinking about her younger sister. She doesn't know precisely how Grimm Slayer's team is doing at the moment. Although, she shouldn't feel that way since Goblin Slayer is leading the Infiltration team. "I hope there are safe…" Furious Brawler muttered as she set her gauntlets on fire before charging against the Grimm horde.