Calista's Secret

The gryphons drove Peter's local troops into a frenzy, but Russell's men displayed superior discipline, gradually forming a defensive cluster. Despite the gryphons' relentless attacks, the soldiers faced them with a wall of swords and spears. Even the gryphons hesitated to engage directly, circling and making sporadic strikes. Yet, each gryphon attack claimed more lives, the soldiers falling rapidly.

As the group slowly retreated, Ryan's fireballs provided some deterrence, but more gryphons closed in, having decimated Peter's forces. The ground was littered with corpses, and even Knight Peter lay motionless, his fate uncertain.

Andrew's expression was grim, his grip on his sword causing his knuckles to whiten. "Master, today...," he began hoarsely, shaking his head. He pulled Calista aside and whispered, "In a moment, I'll lead an attack. You must take the master and run down the mountain. Be quick! I'll try to distract them. The master's life is in your hands."

Calista, moved, protested, "You're going to die!"

Andrew's voice was rough. "I know these creatures. They enjoy hunting. We're their prey. The path down the mountain is too long. We can't escape like this. We need to disrupt them, let the master slip away."

"But—"

"But nothing! Calista, you're a knight now!" Andrew snapped, eyes blazing. "You're no longer just a mercenary! If you don't understand a knight's duty, you don't deserve the title. I'm injured and can't run fast. Otherwise, I'd take him myself. Do you want to be a true knight, Calista? Prove it to me!"

Calista was taken aback, her eyes showing a mix of emotions. Raising her sword, she declared loudly, "I will prove it!"

Andrew let out a loud laugh before turning to look at his master. Freyr, however, had his eyes half-closed, observing the griffins that were flying around, looking for an opportunity to attack the group's formation. He seemed completely engrossed, as if he had forgotten everything around him. It was as if he hadn't heard a word of the conversation between Andrew and Calista moments ago. What was going on in that little head of his?

Calista's face suddenly transformed, her earlier shock and agitation replaced by an odd calmness. In Andrew's astonished gaze, the female knight suddenly reached out and gripped the blade of her sword firmly. With a swift pull, she cut her palm, and blood began to flow freely.

"What are you doing!" Andrew shouted. Calista didn't answer. She slowly walked forward a few steps and gently parted the Russell family's guards in front of her.

Calista stood at the very front of the formation, watching as a griffin charged towards them. The female knight suddenly opened her hands and made a strange gesture. Then, a yellow halo enveloped her entire body! Within the halo, the blood from her hand sprayed out and quickly dispersed into the light. A massive beam of light shot out from her embrace, enveloping the oncoming griffin. The creature didn't even have time to scream before it vanished in the beam of light, turning into countless specks of light and disappearing completely!

Everyone was stunned! Not just the Russell family's guards, but also Andrew and Ryan. The only one who seemed unaffected was Freyr, still lost in thought.

Was this female knight using magic? Was she a Witch?

After making a griffin disappear with her strange magic, Calista swayed slightly. She then began to chant an ancient, obscure incantation. The yellow halo around her grew larger, and the blood flowed from her hand even faster! As the halo expanded to cover everyone, the griffins around them roared but did not dare approach the light. With the halo's protection, the Russell family members were finally safe. But the female knight seemed to weaken, almost collapsing.

Among the shocked onlookers, Andrew was the first to regain his senses. He quickly moved to support the weakened knight and shouted, "She's hurt! Who has medicine? She needs to stop the bleeding!"

Looking at Calista's wound, Andrew was horrified! The wound had torn open, and the flesh around it had turned white from blood loss. How could such a small cut bleed so much? Even now, blood was still flowing rapidly from Calista's hand, chilling Andrew to the bone.

"No! Don't stop the bleeding," Calista said through gritted teeth. "My magic requires my blood to maintain. Quickly, retreat while we can."

Though he didn't understand the magic, Andrew knew this was no time for questions. He shouted, "Everyone, fall back! We're leaving!"

"Make sure no one steps outside the halo," Calista added.

As everyone began to retreat, Freyr remained unmoved. Andrew frowned and pulled at his master's arm, thinking the boy must be paralyzed with fear.

"Master, we need to leave! Hurry!"

"No," Freyr said, still deep in thought as he watched the griffins.

Andrew grew impatient. "If we don't go now, we're dead!"

"No," Freyr repeated, shaking his head.

Andrew couldn't hide his frustration. His soldiers were bleeding, the female knight was maintaining her spell with her own blood, and if they didn't stop the bleeding soon, she would die. But his young master seemed to be lost in his thoughts at the worst possible time!

Just as Andrew was about to lose his temper, Freyr finally smiled.

Damn it! How can he smile at a time like this?

Freyr turned to Calista and said, "Calista, stop your magic. The Moon Tribe's 'Anti-Magic Field' may counteract all spells, but it comes at the cost of blood. I appreciate your sacrifice, but it seems we've been tricked."

Andrew was stunned. What was Freyr talking about? It didn't make any sense to him.

"Andrew! Stop the bleeding! Do you want to see her die?" Freyr's command was clear this time. Andrew hesitated, but Freyr had already grabbed Calista's hand and pushed Andrew aside. "What are you waiting for?"

Freyr looked at Calista and said softly, "Thank you. Your bravery today is commendable."

Then, Freyr parted the guards in front of him and called out to the griffins, "Come on! Show me what you've got!"