The Massacre 21

Everyone, watched quietly as the Princess tended to Ija's wound. Her wounds were dire and severe, but Ija was going to survive. 

All they just had to do was take her to a healer.

A few minutes passed and the princess finished tending to Ija.

"I'm done. We can leave now, but she needs to go get to a healer immediately after we return" Princess Lena said.

"Let's Go," the Princess said and they all began to leave the place. 

"Princess, since you've done your part, I believe you should take Iji and return with Gor, Henry and I will meet you at the Palace," Ija said.

"I don't want to leave you alone," The princess said.

"I'll be fine Princess. Henry is here with me; don't forget Thia and her friend" Ija said.

"I agree Princess, you must leave immediately". Henry said

Her guards were adamant and there was no real reason for her to start, so she agreed

"I'll call Iji"

Ija brought her hand closer to her mouth so she could call on her steed, but something suddenly fell from the sky and landed right beside them.

They all stared in the direction of the crash, and Ija's eyes opened wide in shock.

"Iji!!!" She screamed at the top of her lungs, sorrow enveloped her heart as she stared at her steed lying lifeless on the floor.

"How can this be? What happened? Who did this?" Various questions formed in her head, she was trying to figure out who killed her steed.

Before anyone could comprehend what was going on, the sound of whistling filled the air, and various shadows covered the surroundings. They all looked up, trying to comprehend what was going on and their eyes met countless arrows flying freely in the air, coming right in their direction. They were being ambushed.

"Get behind me, now "Ija screamed, and, wasting time everyone hurried behind her.

Her eyes began glowing again as she stabbed her broken sword to the ground. A magical energy began to surround them and in a few seconds a barrier formed, shielding everyone close to her from the arrows. Her shield held for the duration of the barrage, but afterward. The royal knight fell forward, blood coming from her mouth eyes, and ears, it seemed she had used too much of her powers.

Using her gift in such a weak state was dangerous for her, she could barely even move. Unfortunately, their despair was not over as they heard the sound of whistling fill the air again, another barrage of arrows was coming, and Ija could no longer shield them. 

"Defend yourselves," Henry said and stepped forward in Ija's Place. His senior had done enough already, while he napped. It was time he played his role as a royal guard. 

He got into a sword stance and spoke. 

"Third sword, howling wind". He performed a mighty slash, conjuring enough wind that push most of the arrows away, but some still got past his attack.

Gor blocked the few arrows coming towards him, Thena dodged her grace fully, and Thia also dodged the arrows that came her way. Everyone looked in the princess's direction to see if she was alright. That was when they saw, a figure standing in front of her, the two arrows meant to impale the princess had hit Ija, who shielded her body. 

"Ija No!!" the princess screamed, why did you… she spoke as Ija fell on the princess's hand.

"Dammit," Henry said.

"Why can't I do anything right" He felt enraged with himself

As if knowing his thoughts Ija spoke.

"You did well Henry, 'Cough' It would have been bad if I had more arrows came down," Ija said and smiled

They were expecting another barrage of arrows, but nothing came. A few seconds later various men and women made their way from the forest from every Direction. All of them were armed and not looking a bit friendly. 

"I'll call for help," Gor thought and brought out the crystal General Zira gave him earlier and Pressed the button signaling his location.

"Is that a Trace Crystal?" Henry asked immediately after he saw the device.

"Yes, General Zira gave it to me when she told me to find the princess. We just have to hold on till help arrives". 

Seeing a glimmer of hope, they all strengthened their resolve.

"We can't let them take the Princess. Ija said. We have to leave This encirclement" Ija said. 

"How? There are too many". Thena stated

Ija stood on his feet. The two arrows still sticking out from her back. 

"I'll create a path, you guys just have to follow me". Ija said.

"What? Are you crazy? You can barely move" the princess said.

"Please, This is barely anything, I've been in worse shape. And I could use the exercise* Ija said trying to sound tougher than she looks.

"Bu-" Princess Lena tried to Protest but Henry interrupted

"I'll assist you Lady Ija. This junior of yours cannot stand by and let you take all the glory."

"What are you talking about you fool, You're a billion years too young to be challenging me". Ija said standing with a smile

"I understand Henry said and stood beside her".

"Gor. Please take care of the princess."

"I will Gor said and stood close to the princess."

"I believe you two can keep up?" Gor asked Thia and Thena.

"Who do you think you're talking to?" Thena asked as she revealed the various knives hidden under her dress.

"How many knies did she steal from the Party" Thia thought.

Ashlark Came out from behind some of his men and stared at the targets.

"It seems that man was right again. They'll try to break through instead of holding out".

"I guess we'll have to finish this quickly' Ashlark said

"Attack!!" He ordered, and his men started running towards Ija and the others.

Ija even though she was injured all over charged at the attackers with burning fury. She cut the first attacker she met down with her broken sword then went on to grab the person's weapon and placed it between her teeth.

She was now holding her broken sword with her left hand and another sword was placed in her mouth. Another person came at her but she dodged them cutting each attacker down. One by one.

Henry stood beside her, with even more fury than Ija, The royal knight-understudy skillfully dispatched each mercenary that was dumb enough to stand in his way. His great sword would sometimes bring two men down at once making him almost as fearsome as Ija. Almost.

If there were any doubts in the minds of the kids about Ija's strength before they had to have dissipated by now, still, Ija was killing everyone in her way like it was nothing. With the sword in her mouth, she cut down more men in one single swoop. Body parts flew in the air and blood spilled all over the place. Ija kept on raging in the battlefield, The reapers were going to be busy.

Some of the men saw the two monsters leading the charge and decided not to get close to the two monsters and focus on the little children behind them.

"Once we've dealt with them we'll focus on those damn Knights," they thought.

One of them attacked Gor but the boy slashed through his attack and cut the man down. Another tried to hit the boy with his mace and crush his skull but Gor immediately dodged and stabbed him in his neck.

The boy was not as dangerous as Ija and Henry, but he was not an easy target.

They turned to the cute-looking girls at the other side but Thena was killing everyone without bathing an eye, the evasive girl was moving like she had been thought to kill from birth dropping more bodies than Gor, Thia on the other hand was clumsy, she was still fighting but was more worried for Ija. Her movements were sloppy and Thena would sometimes come in to save her.

"Get hold of yourself," Thena said. "These men are nothing".

"I'm trying Thia said but she could not help but worry".

"Is someone going to die today again, because of me?" Thai thought.

As the night was raging on, the clouds were beginning to rampage and lightning began to flash in the heavens.