Chapter 54: The Unraveling Threads
Amanda tightened her grip on the hilt of her sword as the wind howled through the battlefield. The sky above was a swirling mass of dark clouds, lightning crackling ominously in the distance. The war that had been brewing for months had finally erupted, and she was at the center of it.
Elias stood beside her, his golden eyes scanning the chaos ahead. His usual smirk was replaced by a hardened expression, his posture tense. "Are you ready for this?"
Amanda exhaled sharply. "No, but does that really matter?"
Elias chuckled, though it lacked humor. "Not really."
The enemy forces surged forward, their banners flapping in the wind. The battlefield was a mixture of steel clashing, men screaming, and the heavy thud of bodies hitting the ground. Amanda's heart pounded, but she had no time for fear. She lunged forward, meeting an enemy soldier head-on. Her sword clanged against his, and the impact reverberated through her arms. She gritted her teeth and pushed forward, knocking him off balance before slashing at his leg.
Beside her, Elias moved like a whirlwind, his sword cutting through enemies with precision. His movements were fluid, graceful even, as if he was born for this. Amanda envied his ease in battle but had no time to dwell on it.
"Amanda! Behind you!" came a familiar voice.
She spun just in time to block an attack aimed at her back. It was a massive knight, his armor gleaming despite the grime of war. He swung his heavy blade, forcing Amanda to sidestep and duck. He was strong, too strong. She needed an opening.
"Elias! A little help here?" she called out.
Elias, mid-duel with another foe, cast a glance her way. "Amanda, you're a hero, remember? Figure it out!"
"I swear, if we survive this, I'm throwing you off a cliff!" she muttered, dodging another swing.
Using her smaller size to her advantage, Amanda slipped beneath the knight’s next attack and drove her blade into the gaps in his armor. The knight roared in pain before crumbling to the ground. She panted, wiping sweat from her forehead. No time to celebrate.
The battle raged on, but the tides were shifting. The enemy was beginning to retreat, their forces thinning. Victory was within reach, but Amanda knew better than to celebrate too soon.
A horn sounded from the enemy’s side, and a large figure emerged from the crowd. Clad in black armor, he exuded an aura of pure menace. His red eyes locked onto Amanda, and a smirk played at his lips.
"Ah, so you’re the so-called hero," he mused, voice dripping with condescension.
Amanda’s throat tightened. She had heard of him—the Dark General, the one leading the enemy forces. If he was here, it meant things were about to get much, much worse.
Elias stepped forward, positioning himself between Amanda and the general. "If you want her, you’ll have to go through me first."
The Dark General chuckled. "Gladly."
In an instant, the two clashed, their swords creating a deafening ring. Sparks flew as they exchanged blows, neither giving the other an inch. Amanda could only watch, gripping her sword tightly. Elias was strong, but the Dark General was monstrous.
The duel was brutal. The ground cracked beneath them, the air thick with tension. Elias was fast, but the Dark General was relentless. He landed a harsh blow to Elias’s side, causing the prince to stagger.
"Elias!" Amanda shouted.
He waved her off, wincing. "Stay back!"
But she couldn't. Not when he was in danger.
Gathering her courage, Amanda charged forward, swinging her sword with all her might. The Dark General easily deflected her attack, sending her stumbling back.
"Foolish," he sneered. "You are not yet worthy of facing me."
Amanda gritted her teeth. She was tired of being underestimated.
As the Dark General raised his sword for another strike, Amanda did the only thing she could think of—she threw dirt into his face.
He stumbled back, cursing. "You fight dirty!"
"And you talk too much!" she retorted, taking advantage of his momentary blindness. She swung her sword, aiming for a weak spot in his armor. Her blade struck true, and the Dark General let out a roar of pain.
Elias seized the moment, driving his sword deep into the general’s chest. The enemy leader gasped, eyes wide with disbelief, before collapsing to the ground. Silence fell over the battlefield.
The war was over.
Amanda let out a shaky breath, her entire body trembling with exhaustion. She turned to Elias, who was also breathing heavily.
"You okay?" she asked.
He smirked. "I was about to ask you the same thing."
Before she could reply, he pulled her into a tight embrace. The warmth of his body, the steady beat of his heart—it was enough to make her forget the horrors of the battlefield, even if just for a moment.
"You did good, Amanda," he murmured against her hair.
She chuckled. "Not bad for an accidental hero, huh?"
Elias pulled back, looking into her eyes. "Not bad at all."
As the sun began to rise over the blood-soaked battlefield, Amanda knew that this was only the beginning. The war might have been won, but her journey was far from over.
And she had a feeling Elias would be by her side every step of the way.