Slaves?

No… not them.

I still clearly remember that time when they were found by our lord, to the time when their magic matured. Or maybe when our lord created Ivy's weapon…

I exited the manor gates together with the magic restriction. I started charging up mana to get to the forest as quick as possible when a huge figure dropped in front of me followed by a much frail one… Illar? How is he…

"What are you doing here, Illar?"

Then, an incredibly deep voice came from the huge mouth in his stomach.

"Illar.Follow.You."

"Alright then, stay close." Maxim shrugged, "Kalgar?"

"There's at least 5 otherworlders there." Kalgar answered.

"Okay, let's go." replied, kneeling down and placing his palms on the ground.

Kalgar and Illar stood behind him. And with a shout, a dome of convoluted air surrounded Maxim, eventually enlarging to cover the three of them. After a few minutes of Maxim's low grumbles, the dome encompassed the three of them, making a low hum before blasting into the air with a deafening explosion.

**

Hahhh….Hahhh.Hahhh…

"Look around, She's not far from here." One of the Knight's voice came from down below me.

I covered my mouth, trying my best not to make a whimper. A tear started welling in my ears as I asked myself; is this it?

"NOOOOO IT CANT BE!" I whimpered as the tears fell down, followed by another. And another. I looked at the—ouch

Ugh, I hate this. I looked at the gaping hole on my left shoulder that was penetrated by a flame arrow...Why did they use fire of all elements…

I can't really heal myself... But it's getting more painful…what...what do I—

With a whoosh, a figure suddenly flew up to the tree… a knight.

Did he notice I was here?

Then he appeared, his cape flowing in the air. I followed his descent with my head, slowly landing at the tip of the branch I'm sitting on as he brandished his long sword.

"Sylph." He calmly remarked. His black armor blending with the gray trees.

"My name is Iris, human." I snarled.

"You don't deserve a name. Monster." He replied, brandishing his sword and pointing it at me.

[Pestiius] He chanted, creating multiple fireballs before he dashed forward and waved his sword towards me.

I entered the tree behind me, exiting at the opposite side, ending up in free-fall because there's no branch where I popped up… I wish I had that thing my sister had right now.

The tree got cleaved in… a slash. TH-THAT'S A METAL TREE WHA—

I slammed to the ground, the humans started to form a circle around me. 5 of them have a shield while behind them are spear men with pointed lances. Huge balls of flames manifested above them, pointed at me.

Damn… Is this really it.

I stood my up, gritted my teeth and raised my arms, concentrating my mana into fists. I rushed towards one shieldbearer and smashed the ground, creating a huge spike that rushed on to him. But he simply dodged sideways.

Then, two lancers pounced at me. I smashed my two fist on the ground,creating a pilar of hard soil that lifted me up. I looked down, their circling only got tighter. And those fireballs would narrow my escape. Should I—AGHHH MY ARM… IT HURTS.

I looked to my left, and saw a fountain of blood, together with my arm on the ground, wilting like a leaf before my eyes.

I… I looked up, seeing the swordsman wielding his sword, drenched with my blood.

THINK...THINK.THINK.THINK.

Hahhh…

I gulped. Is this where I die?

"Sylph." The man spoke as he came closer.

"Human."

"Be my slave." He spoke, removing his helm and revealing a handsome face wearing a dirty smirk.

BE A SLAVE?! THIS DAMN.

My eyes reddened. I mustered my remaining mana into my right arm. Making one last fist.

"Don't fight back." He smiled. "Your other arm would be a waste."

Then he got closer… I waited for a chance...Come on…NOW

He is one step away from me. I leapt with all my force, moving like a shadow. My fist made contact with his chestplate, then I pushed with all my might and mana, blasting him away like an insect. He crashed from one tree to another, making gaping holes on their iron barks as he did.

Then, the pillar suddenly shook. I looked down and the pillar is barely supporting itself. I ripped my cloth and tied it from my left shoulder to all the way around my chest to stop the bleeding.

My sight is getting blurry. I slowly stood up, glancing at the humans below with disdain.

I smashed the crumbling pillar, creating spikes around its body. Before jumping on a branch above me.

The mage crumbling the pillar got penetrated by the spikes, his innards spilling out from the holes left as he was pulled back.

Only one died tho… those pesky shields.

The 8 huge fireballs were launched, flying at me with great speed. I jumped one branch after the another, but they chased. I instead, dropped to the ground, smashing my fist on the ground and created thousands of small earthen spikes to be thrown at the chasing flames.

I leapt to another branch again, I looked back and only 3 fireballs remained.

I decided to go down again to the ground, making a stone wall triple my size but exactly just as big as the balls, stopping two of them. But the last one is just right behind the other, catching me defenseless.

The fireball flew very close to my face. I lifted my right arm and pouring out some of my remaining mana to turn my fist to a hulking shield. Then, a searing heat came over my right arm.

It hurts… I cried. But the tears vanished as they dropped. It lasted for a few seconds, but it felt like an hour. The ball is gone now but the pain is still there.

The smoke settled, showing me the fast approaching lancers.

Mustering the last bits of my strength, I leapt from one branch to another until I arrived at the highest point. I sat down and gasped for air while I looked up, wishing my sister was here. My sister… MY SISTER!

Sh-she can't fight up close… Where is she?!

I stood up, but fell down right away. Losing my balance on the branch, I fell down to the ground with only the humans to catch me. I closed my teary eyes. Hoping I didn't ask my sister to go.

With a thump, I landed on the hard, metallic soil. The humans surrounded me with their filthy eyes and weapons. But just as a lancer was about to shank my head away from my body, an arrow bigger than him flew through the air and cut through his heart… is that...SISTER!

With bits of my mana, I smashed my burnt fists, creating a pillar that threw me upwards, followed by my sister catching me.

"I hate you…" She whispered.

Too weak to speak, I simply snuggled in her embrace.

We landed on a huge tree. She leaned me to a tree and looked at me with pity.

"Don't pity me." I snarled.

She smiled, then replied, "I'm not pitying you, sister."

"Then what?"

She paused, looked behind her for a few seconds before replying, "I'm apologizing for being to late." She whispered, kissing my forehead. "And I'm happy that I get to spend my last fight with you."

Last…

"Last fight?!" I growled. "What do you mean?! We fought away the humans!"

"No, Iris." She replied in a low tone. "There are 5 groups of them."

Oh… ha.haha.hahahahahaha!

"Well then! Sister!" I laughed. "This shall be it…"

Then she looked up. "I take back what I said." she whispered.

"What?"

"Maxim is there." She pointed upwards.

"Oh, I see. Let's just wait here the—"

A flash of lightning came from below, barely missing Ivy.

Ivy suddenly ducked, followed by the continuous crackles of lightning from the humans below. She took a quick look down and quickly retracted her head.

"They are all here." She grumbled.

Crap.