A Knight's duty

Whilst keeping eye on its surroundings, Idrilth guides Eli through the bloodied streets. This invasion was larger than it even imagined.

Every street was filled with screams and the sound of clashing metal. Magic is being fired wildly throughout the city, causing buildings to collapse.

In just a mere 10 minutes, the city has turned to ruins. The confused survivors fight upon the corpses of those who already perished.

Seeing how quickly the city had turned into a battlefield. Idrilth decided to guide Eli through the smaller alleys instead of the main roads.

The main roads were the places where most battles were being fought. Normally, Idrilth would not cower before these invaders. But it had a purpose this day. To protect the small child in its care.

"Keep close, my lady" it reminds the small devil girl.

"Yeah, yeah, right behind you." The small devil girl responds in a concentrated tone.

Slipping through the alleys, several short and decisive clashes between Idrilth and these invaders followed.

The headless green flamed knight is far superior to just mere footmen, no better than looters.

Running across a street that is approximately 20 minutes away from the Talvit estate. A worrying sight comes into view.

A wraith commander stands before its fallen victims. The mace it wields seems to be entirely frosted ice. It is unclear however because of the dripping crimson that comes of it. Devils and demons alike lie around it, unmoving.

"Knight of the elder flame, come before me. Our duel awaits." The wraith commander calls out. Neither yelling nor in a gentle tone. The way it speaks is rough and weathered. An intimidating presence looms around it.

'This can be problematic.' Idrilth thinks to itself.

'He's a veteran and has noticed my presence. Which means he has probably also noticed that of my lady.'

Turning around to try and explain the situation to its mistress. It is welcomed by the sight of the one-eyed small spirit that accompanies her.

Its presence was unnoticeable for Idrilth. Something that hasn't happened before. Upon closer inspection, Idrilth manages to see a faint shimmer around the one-eyed spirit's form. That same shimmer is also surrounding Eli at the moment.

"Is this some kind of concealment spell?" Idrilth asks in a quiet tone.

The one eyed spirit blinks once in reply.

"Well then, as a companion spirit of my lady, I hope that I can entrust the rest of the journey to you?"

The one eyed spirit blinks once in reply.

"What do you mean? Where are you going?" Eli asks, surprised by Idrilths sudden announcement.

"My presence has been noticed, this battle will take a while. It would be smarter for you to continue on and hopefully avoid any more obstacles." Idrilth explains to the young girl.

"But you're supposed to protect me, right?"

"And this is the best way to do so." Idrilth replies in a clear and firm tone. Showing that its opinion will not be swayed.

Seeing the situation unfold before her eyes. Eloisa accepts the situation before her. Not willing to become a "weakness" for those around her.

"Okay, I'll make it to the estate. You have my word." The small devil girl says as she goes to dart around the corner.

Before going around the corner, she turns around once more to speak to her assigned protector.

"Idrilth, you're strong, so you've got no excuse to die." Eli says in a surprisingly calm and controlled tone.

Disappearing beyond the corner, the headless knight is left behind.

'Kids, grow up so fast. I still remember her frail condition and inability to even leave the mansion. Now look at her darting through a battlefield alone.' Idrilth thinks, finding itself reminiscing about the past years.

Walking out with its long sword engulfed in green flames drawn, Idrilth comes into eyesight of the wraith commander.

"You've made me wait, knight of the elder flame. Did I interrupt something?"

"You did, but alas it does not matter. I just have to quickly end this battle, and then I can return to my task."

"Ah my apologies. However, as you can see, not much time remains, so forgive my impudence." The wraith commander earnestly apologizes.

"Rather strange to apologize for a pillager." Idrilth sharply replies.

"What One does and how one acts does not have to be identical. I am a loyal soldier of her highness Anima and have had the honor of being named commander as a reward of my faith. Being on opposite sides does not mean that I do not respect my opponents. All who have the will to draw their blades should be respected."

"..."

"My apologies, I've delayed our duel with my rambling. Let's introduce ourself properly so that we can begin." The wraith commander still sounding rough, however, there is a sense of dignity and honor buried within it.

"I am Idrilth, a knight born of the elder flame "Hollusta" and a sworn knight under the Talvit lineage."

"I am Armando, fourth commander of the wraiths and a sworn soldier under her highness Anima. Born in the misted planes."

"..."

"It's an honor to make your acquaintance now let's begin the duel knight of Talvit."

Both duelists step calmly towards each other. Both giving this aura of confidence and certainty.

That was until a hand axe was thrown towards Idrilth. Idrilth, experienced as it is in combat, deflects the thrown hand axe midair with its long sword.

Orcs and some wraiths have begun to notice Idrilth's presence and decided to intervene with this fight.

A surprisingly lean built lava stone orc walks past Armando, the wraith commander. Two hand axes drawn and ready to fight.

Armando who notices this orc that walks past him with a lot of arrogance puts his left hand on the orcs shoulder.

"Do not intervene." Armando commands the orcish soldier.

The orc gives a simple smirk, shaking off the hand of the wraith commander in the process.

"You are no commander of mine." The orc replies arrogantly, not even looking at the wraith commander.

The orc continues to walk towards Idrilth.

*SPLASH*

A loud splashing sound followed as the wraith's commander mace is deeply buried in the back of the orcish soldier's skull. The remnants of his brain matter are scattered by the blow, making it look like pudding that has been spilled by an uncontrollable toddler.

"I did not ask you as a commander. I asked as someone who could kill you with a single blow."

The wraith commander Armando turns around towards the other invaders.

"HAVE I MADE MYSELF CLEAR! DOES ANYONE ELSE WANT TO INTERFERE!" The rough voice yells out, intimidating the poor souls on the receiving end of his anger. Before turning around once more, facing Idrilth. The anger he had shortly is completely gone from his face.

"Apologies, now we can begin."