Jahi PoV
Donning a Light Cloak, I strode out into the open space surrounding the Armory, instantly drawing attention from the soldiers as the burst of golden light alerted them to my presence.
Anput walked behind me, her usually tanned skin now a metallic silver, while her sword shifted into a long, heavy headed spear.
"Invaders! All troops, ready your weapons! Archers, cut them down!"
One of the Praetor's stepped forwards, unsheathing his thin sword and pointing it towards us as he shouted.
The humans all readied their spears as they approached the palisades, their expressions grim as they warily stared at us.
The archers and crossbowmen above aimed their weapons at us, and I nodded to Anput as the arrows began to rain down around us, while a few managed to reach our bodies.
Raising an arm, I let the crossbow bolt slam against my forearm, listening to it crunch as the bolt snapped against the mana cloak.
Anput used her spear to deflect the projectiles, slicing them from the air as she shifted her weapon once more.
Keeping my focus on the soldiers above, I maintained a slow pace as I waited for my squad to begin whittling down the ranged attackers, which didn't take long.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtThe first to fall was left clawing at her throat as a sphere of water pierced her flesh, dropping to her knees before falling from the roof.
Next, at the same time, a wooden spear skewered a man before bursting into splinters and damaging the soldiers around him, while a giant sphere of flames slowly began to float above the Armory.
Glancing backwards, I saw Leone standing on a rooftop, her body cloaked in her potent Fire Mana as she began to utilize her incredible arcane prowess.
Sparking, the sphere began to rain down small bolts of flames onto the awed, fearful soldiers, the bolts instantly bursting against their skin and searing their flesh.
The flames spread over their bodies instantly, encasing them in fire that burnt flesh and flesh alone, much to everyone's surprise.
Screams echoed around the plaza as the human soldiers began to burn alive, while some were granted swift reprieve from that terrible fate in the form of a water bullet or wooden spear.
Nodding to Anput once again, I let my great sword free from my shoulder as I began to speed up, approaching the palisades.
Many of the soldiers were distracted by the large, floating orb of flames hovering above the Armory, only to refocus on Anput and I as the Praetor's shouted "Present arms! The filthy invaders approach!"
A roar of encouragement spread throughout the troops, and everyone prepared themselves for our charge.
With Leone burning down the chaff for us, I was more comfortable with at least taking the gate of the Armory at the moment, so that we could wait for at least one more squad of soldiers to bolster our prowess.
I had no idea what was behind that door, but considering there were around a dozen and a half Praetor's alongside two and a half dozen regular humans I could safely assume double, triple, or more of these detestably weak soldiers.
Then again, maybe there was something strong waiting behind that gate...
A small smile spread on my lips at that thought, unnerving the soldiers as I swung my blade down towards the wooden palisade.
Snapping the thick trunk in half with a singular swing, I opened a path for myself, while Anput simply jumped over the obstacle and skewered a Praetor with her spear.
As she lifted the man into the air and used him to block a spear thrust, I raised my sword and deflected a spear thrust as well with the flat of my blade, pushing the spear aside and slipping into the woman's guard.
Taking a hand from the hilt of my sword, I grabbed her by the throat and snapped her neck, tossing her body aside before continuing forwards.
Two Praetors wielding swords and shields blocked my path, quickly being reinforced by three soldiers wielding spears.
Hoisting my blade with a single hand, I summoned a shield made from Light Mana and blocked a slash from both Praetors, nodding slightly at the mild force behind their attacks.
ραпdα---nᴏνa| сom "Good! At least you'll provide some sort of threat..."
The two Praetor's frowned at my words, only to widen their eyes as my shield whistled towards their heads.
One jumped back while the other rolled away, and my smile returned as they separated from each other.
Following the one that rolled away from me first, I stabbed my sword towards him, frowning slightly as I miscalculated the way he was rolling.
The edge of my blade scored a deep cut from his left shoulder to his right hip, eliciting a sharp scream of pain.
With the first down and out, I turned towards the remaining Praetor and parried his thrust, slamming my shield down on his outstretched arm.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmShattering his bones, I raised the shield once more and sliced through his neck with the edge, severing his head from his body in one clean swing.
Blood splattered against my side and cheek, and I flinched as I heard the echo of deranged giggling coming from the alleyway behind me.
No, she isn't here...
Focusing on the remaining soldiers, I shook my head before slashing my sword towards the soldiers, watching as one tried to desperately block my strike with the haft of his spear.
Slicing through their flesh with ease, I bisected the soldiers and turned, catching sight of Anput redirecting a soldiers spear to the ground and stabbing hers forwards, piercing the mans skull and shattering it instantly.
I could still hear spells flying above us, letting me know that the others were still dealing with the archers on the roof.
Looking around quickly, I took note of the remaining soldiers before nodding, deflecting a thrust and slicing my sword through the attackers collarbone, cutting them in half.
"Only a dozen or so left, Anput! Quickly now!"
The Jackalkin turned to roll her eyes at me, flicking some blood from her spear before turning the weapon into a short sword.
"Don't rush me! I've killed twice as many soldiers as you have! YOU quicken up!"
Grinning at her banter, I rolled out my shoulders before turning towards the three Praetor's that approached me, one chanting a spell.
"Well, you heard the lady~! Gotta be quick just~ this once for her! So..."
Raising the sword, I watched as the three Praetor's blanched as Light Mana coursed along the edge of my blade.
"Die swiftly, alright?"