The first real battle 3

Leto lay on the forest floor, his heart pounding loudly in his ears as the menacing bandit leader closed in, mere meters away. The damp earth beneath him felt cold against his skin, mirroring the icy grip of fear that threatened to overwhelm him.

Yet, despite the terror that gripped him, Leto's determination burned like an unwavering flame in his eyes, and his grip on the sword tightened with newfound resolve.

The bandit leader's face bore a sinister grin, his eyes fixed on Leto with the hunger of a predator closing in on its prey. His steps were slow and deliberate, savoring the anticipation of the kill. But Leto refused to show any sign of weakness.

Tristan fought valiantly, cleaving through the ranks of bandits with focused precision, his heart pounding with urgency. He knew he had to reach Leto before it was too late. Sweat trickled down his forehead, but he pushed forward, every step closer to unconsciousness.

Amidst the chaotic battle, a brave knight positioned himself protectively before Leto, forming a human shield between the young lord and the approaching danger. With a raised shield and sword at the ready, he exemplified unwavering loyalty and the true spirit of knighthood.

This knight was willing to lay down his life to protect the Lords' son.

The bandit leader charged forward, his face twisted with madness, but the knight stood firm, undaunted by the overwhelming odds. He parried the bandit's savage blows with skillful grace, showing the years of training and experience that had shaped him into a formidable defender.

The knight refused to yield, his unwavering determination pushing him to fight on despite the odds. With every swing of his sword and every thrust of his shield, he defended Leto with a selflessness that was the epitome of a true knight.

In the midst of the relentless battle, the knight spotted an opening and seized the opportunity to strike at the monstrous bandit leader. With determination and skill, he lunged forward, aiming for the bandit's chest. But the cunning enemy sensed the knight's vulnerability and quickly retaliated.

With a swift and cunning move, the bandit sidestepped the knight's attack, leaving the knight's defense exposed. In that split second, the monstrous warrior saw his chance and seized it with brutal force.

With a deafening thud, the warhammer crashed down onto the knight's foot, causing instant and excruciating pain. The knight let out a gut-wrenching cry, his body buckling under the impact of the blow. He fell to the ground, clutching his shattered foot in agony.

As the battle raged on, the bandit leader stepped over the fallen knight, showing no mercy. He fixed his cold, dark eyes on Leto, his malicious intent clear as day.

"You are mine!" the bandit leader bellowed, his voice dripping with malevolence, as he raised his hammer high, ready to strike.

But in that critical moment, a heroic figure intervened. With a swift and daring movement, the knight lunged forward, parrying his sword inside the bandit's knee. The bandit howled in pain, the sudden attack catching him off guard.

"Over my dead body, you disfigured monster!" the knight retorted with fierce determination, refusing to back down in the face of such evil.

With a swift and savage motion, the bandit leader snatched the knight's sword from his knee and, in an act of vile betrayal, severed the hero's head with it.

Time seemed to slow as the noble knight's lifeless body crumpled to the ground, his sacrifice and bravery now silenced forever. The forest bore witness to the cruel act, as if mourning the loss of a true hero.

In that fleeting moment, as the bandit leader hesitated and issued his ominous warning, Leto's mind raced with a surge of inspiration. His heart, heavy with grief for the fallen knight, found solace in a newfound resolve.

With a fierce determination burning in his eyes, Leto rose to his feet, his sword firmly grasped in his hand. The weight of his grief and the burden of responsibility transformed into a fierce energy, propelling him forward.

The misty forest seemed to bend to Leto's will, as if acknowledging the strength of his spirit. He stood tall and unyielding, a beacon of light amidst the encroaching darkness.

In that pivotal moment, Leto stood as still as a statue, his gaze fixed on the darkening sky above. Time seemed to slow, and in a split-second decision, he threw himself to the left, narrowly dodging the incoming blow of the bandit leader's hammer.

With a thunderous crash, the warhammer struck the ground, sending tremors through the earth. Leto's heart pounded in his chest as he realized he had narrowly escaped death.

In that critical moment, Leto seized the opportunity as the bandit leader momentarily lowered his guard. With lightning speed, Leto lunged forward, his sword finding its mark with unyielding determination. The blade sliced through the air, piercing the bandit leader's stomach, leaving the sword embedded in his flesh.

The bandit leader let out a guttural cry of pain, his eyes wide with shock and agony. But this shock was soon overwhelmed with wrath and anger. Bleeding profusely, he seemed driven by a single desire: revenge.

"I will kill you, you brat! You will rot in hell!" he bellowed, his voice laced with sinister rage.

Leto's resolve only strengthened. "You will try," he retorted with a defiant smile.

The bandit leader's hammer came crashing down once more, but Leto displayed astonishing agility, narrowly evading each strike of the greatly weakened berserker. Leto's determination and nimbleness were his only allies against the relentless onslaught.

However, this desperate dance of evasion couldn't last forever, and the giant berserker's strength finally gave way. With a thunderous crash, he collapsed to the ground, his energy spent, and his life slipping away.

The forest fell eerily silent, bearing witness to the aftermath of the intense battle. Leto stood there, his sword still embedded in the bandit leader's stomach, his own heart pounding with relief.

Seeing their mighty leader fall, the remaining bandits' courage faltered. They knew that without their fearsome berserker, they stood no chance against the resolute and battle-hardened patrol.

With terrified expressions, they called for retreat, abandoning their fallen comrade as they tried to flee into the depths of the darkened forest.

Leto's eyes blazed with a newfound determination as he watched the bandits retreat into the depths of the forest. The adrenaline coursing through his veins fueled a fierce resolve. There was no room for mercy, not after what they had done.

"Show no mercy! Kill every last one of them!" Leto's voice thundered through the forest, carrying with it a commanding presence that left no room for doubt. The surviving members of the patrol were taken aback by the young lord's fervor, but they wasted no time in rallying to his call.

Gerold's experienced eyes met Leto's, and a silent understanding passed between them. The seasoned mentor nodded in approval, recognizing the fire that burned within his young charge. "You heard him! After them! Don't let them escape!" Gerold bellowed, his voice carrying the weight of years of battle-hardened wisdom.

Without a moment's hesitation, the patrol gave chase, their footsteps echoing through the forest as they pursued the retreating bandits. Leto led the charge, his sword held high and his heart set on justice.

The bandits, sensing the relentless pursuit behind them, cast fearful glances over their shoulders. The young lord's fervent call for vengeance had ignited a primal fear in their hearts, for they knew that there would be no escape from his wrath.

In their desperation, the bandits tried to evade their pursuers, weaving through the labyrinthine forest with reckless abandon. But the patrol was relentless, closing in on the criminals with each passing moment. The relentless pursuit ended with the last bandit falling. The forest fell silent once more, and the patrol stood amidst the fallen bodies. Justice had been served, and Leto's resolve had been tested and proven. This was the end of his first battle.