Way of the Knights

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Flashes of colorful lights rained down on the five Giant Golems. 

The earth shook, the winds howled and the battlefield was filled with intense energy fluctuations and explosions. However, despite their valiant efforts, they still failed to slay even a single golem. No matter how many strong attacks they landed, so long as the core of the golem is active, it will remain alive and the Queen could only hold them down for so long. 

"Damn!" Mark gnashed his teeth as he continued slicing the flesh of the Giant Golem in front of him. 

He couldn't help but feel frustrated in this situation. His swiftness was rendered completely useless since he couldn't even begin to tell just where this damned core was located. Anne was in a similar situation, not even her sharp eyesight could help her locate the core. 

Paul and Ellen just continued stabbing away with mad vigor, hoping that lady luck would bless them, allowing them to magically hit the core. Needless to say, so far none of them succeeded yet. 

"OOOOOOO"

A deep groan was released by on of the golem that echoed across the battlefield. It summoned all of it's strength to release from the binding of the Queen yet it can't. Nevertheless, its efforts was rewarded as it managed to raised its head. 

All of a sudden, a wild fluctuation of evil energy swept through the battlefield. A dark orb suddenly condensed on the mouth of the golem.

"WATCH OUT!"

Paul roared on top of his lungs as he moved towards where the golem was aiming. He could feel the power behind this attack, he had no doubts that if didn't intercept this, the kingdom will suffer immense casualties. 

*Weng!*

The Giant Golem aimed its attack where most of the Knights were. The Queen did was she could to prevent this from happening but it was too late. Thankfully, Paul managed to arrive in time and intercept the attack. The Black Tortoise Shield expanded in size, it floated in front of Paul while he placed his hand before him to block. 

"Ack!"

A pained sound involuntarily escaped his lips. His eyes widened as he felt that he was being pushed back with what feels like a meteor. 

"GET OUT OF HERE!!" He roared to the people standing dumbly behind him. Hearing his loud roar and his stressed face, the people behind him scurried away. 

Now that he no longer have anyone behind him, Paul placed all of his focus and his attention on receiving the attack. 

His muscles bulged and veins became visible on his neck and head. He gnashed his teeth and summoned all of his strength to keep the shield standing. Unfortunately, the momentum of the golem's attack was too fearsome that it kept pushing him back. 

Paul was obviously aware of this, which is why he mouth had been spouting rain of curses. In just a matter of seconds, he'll be entering the vicinity of the Kingdom, and he absolutely can't let that happen. 

With a deep and guttural roar, he decided to utilize all of strength to endure the attack. His energy roared inside his body and it was as if his muscles bulged even more. The Black Tortoise Shield seemingly transformed but none paid attention to that, all they could do is to pray that Paul will manage. 

And thankfully, he did. 

Just inches shy from entering the protection array of the Kingdom, Paul managed to stop the attack from pushing him back even further. As soon as he regained balance, he sent a powerful punch towards his own shield. This caused the shield to tilt ever so slightly and also caused the golem's attack to bounce up where it eventually exploded. 

Everyone who's watching heaved a sigh of relief as soon as they saw that Paul was safe and the Kingdom was unscathed. No one doubted that if that attack hit, then not even the formation would be able to remain. 

Paul felt exhausted though, blood dripped on corners of his lips. Nevertheless, he too felt glad that he's able to do his task properly. 

"Heads up!" The Queen shouted. 

Everyone's attention was brought back to the golems, and to their horror, they could see that the golem was gathering energy once again. 

All of them panicked, even Paul couldn't prevent himself from cursing out loud. He could still feel the soreness of his body. He couldn't even tell if he had enough energy to raise his shield once more.

Yet this wasn't the time to give up. 

He had to receive this attack as well, because if he don't then many people would die. 

Paul swore to defend his home even if it kills him. 

Everyone was aware that Paul was extremely exhausted, which is why they tried all they could to keep the golem from successfully condensing the black orb. Ellen even had the idea to throw herself in front of the Golem to intercept the attack but she was stopped by Anne.

Her chest tightened as she summoned all of her strength to chop the head of the Golem yet all it did was to give it a scar that quickly healed. 

She looked back only to see her beloved limping ever so slightly. Her heart bled, she hated this more that ever. Ellen was at a loss, all she could do is to pray and pray.

But sadly, it didn't stop the golem from attacking.

*Weng!*

Everyone watched as another black orb came flying towards Paul. 

"NOOOOO!!"

Ellen screamed on top of her lungs, sprinting forward with her wings flapping behind her, yet the attack travelled faster that she thought. 

Time seemingly slowed down. She watched as Paul slowly stood straight with a solemn face and raised his shield in front of him. Ellen prayed to get there before the attack could but nothing she can do allowed her to fly faster. She was forced to watch, what seemingly the last time that she will saw her beloved alive. 

"Nope." A deep voice sounded out of nowhere. 

Everyone's focus was on the attack and all of them was bracing for the impact of an explosion, however it didn't happen at all. 

To their surprise, instead of an explosion, all they saw was the black orb suspended by something, as if it was being stopped by an incredible barrier. 

Paul who had been inches away from certain death, managed to open his eyes and take a look at what's happening in front of him. 

All he saw, was someone with a long blue hair standing in front of him, using one hand to stop the black orb from moving forward, and this man was smiling at him. 

Paul slumped on the ground and mirthlessly laughed. He raised his middle finger to the man and said: "Damn! You're an ass…"

The man laughed heartily and said: "I missed you too."

Who else could it be aside from Raven? 

Ellen who hadn't stopped flying, finally caught up and took Paul on her embrace while crying loudly. She didn't even care about anything at this current moment. All she knew is that the heavens heard her prayers and black orb didn't kill Paul, that's all that what mattered to her. 

She tried pulling Paul out of the way, thinking that time will resume shortly and if that happens, he will die. Paul chuckled and grabbed her face, saying:

"I'm fine Babe. No need to worry." He said while wiping away her tears. "More importantly, look."

Paul turned her head sideways, forcing her to look at the amused Raven watching them. All of a sudden, it clicked to her. 

Time didn't stop, his cousin just stopped the black orb from moving forward. 

To this, Ellen didn't even know how to react. All she heard was: 

"Take him away and get him healed. I'm here, everything's fine now." 

Those words were uttered with complete confidence, making Ellen dumbly nod and follow his orders. Raven watched as she took the exhausted Paul towards the Medical Tents in order to get him healed. 

His eyes swept towards the top of the East Gate, looking at the man who's staring back at him. 

Raven smiled at Luis, nodding in acknowledgement. Luis felt his heart surge in happiness and pride as he saw his son's glorious return. 

He then placed his attention at the black orb that's suspended in front of him. action

An audible sigh swept past the battlefield, they then heard words saying: 

"No rest for the wicked huh?" Raven complained, "I spent several years outside locked in constant battle, yet when I returned home to hopefully get some rest, there's war going on? Seriously, when will get a break?"

Under the stunned gazes of the crowd, a large explosion happened and then everyone witnessed as the black orb flying towards the golem that sent it. 

It happened too fast that none managed to react in time. All they felt was an explosion, that caused furious gales to assault them. In the surprise, they found themselves looking back at where the orb was suspended earlier, only to see someone standing there with an amused expression on his face. They then heard him say:

"One down."