Chapter 26
With the loud noises and galloping of horses and the slugs closing in on Walter, he decided to run through the city and sneak his way out, passing the secret routes.
Walter began crouching through the city, ignoring the wails of the people who were being killed on his way. Quickly, he hid behind a wall, and peeped.
The slugs had already reached the city and were sniffing him out. Closely behind the slugs came the soldiers of Jotunheim. Jade led the lot, holding the body of a tambaloslos on one hand, and his blood stained bladed chain on the other.
"Find the Prince and tear this place down! Do not leave anyone alive. These people shall pay for bringing the Prince into this mess. Finish them all!" Jade yelled, dropping the body and proceeding towards the city.
"This is bad." Walter said, but on turning, he was jammed by a silver warrior.
Walter swiftly acted, without thinking twice, he arched an arrow and sent it into its face while jumping out of the building.
He ran out towards the back of the building. On making a sharp turn, he collided with injured Josephine who carried an unconscious Adeola on her back. On collision with her, he fell to the ground but quickly got up.
"Thank goodness, it's you." Josephine voiced in relief.
"Stay away from me!" Walter ordered, pointing his arched arrow at her.
"Walter, please, we don't have time for this. I will explain everything later. Please I need your–"
"If you take another step, I swear on my father's grave, I will put this arrow in your skull."
"Okay, okay," she said on seeing his seriousness. "Walter, I know you don't like me, but–"
"I hate you and don't want to see you. I've been with you all this time, I saw you as my elder sister and all along you had no second thoughts in using me to save your stupid village?"
"Walter please. You're right. I wanted you dead. But please, I'm not begging for my sake. Please, I'm pleading for Adeola. She's innocent and she's the only reason why you're still alive. Please save my little sister. Take her care of her like she did you. I beg you." Josephine said, dropping to her knees.
Walter slowly dropped his arched arrow in sympathy.
"Walter please, we don't have time. Mother and Frances need me, they are surrounded."
"I don't care about Mother or Frances so stop telling me about them. Just give me Adeola and go to hell."
"Thank you Walter."
"Don't thank me for anything, Miss. I'm just returning the favor to Adeola. After all, you all wanted to use me for your selfish reasons. Adeola's plan just required me staying alive." He said, taking Adeola from Josephine and carrying her on his back.
"I know I don't deserve your help, Walter, but thank you. Thank you for helping her out. I'm entrusting my little sister into your hands. I don't know if I'll make it out of here, but if I do, I'll make sure I return to you, to her. Take that undergrond route, it's a shortcut to the outskirts. On the outskirts, you'll find a group of manatees. Pick one, and ride on the river bank. Escape to wherever the wave leads you. I'll be right behind you." she said, giving her sister a peck on the forehead before pulling out her sword to face the silver warrior Walter had shot in the face.
"Go quickly!" She yelled, charging towards the warrior while Walter ran in the direction she pointed him to.
Walter carried Adeola and ran fast through the underground route. As he ran, he could hear the sounds of screams, clashing swords, explosions, and growls that came from above them. He made sure his focus was undiluted, and did not stop running. He was getting weak, but he had to keep going. Finally, he got to the end of the tunnel, and came out.
The river was just up ahead but he paused to catch a breath with Adeola still unconscious and on his back.
As he took two steps, he immediately felt the presence of someone else. He stopped and looked around, no one was there, but he knew he was being watched somehow.
"Show yourself!" he yelled.
"I can see you've gotten stronger, Prince." a menacing voice gested, coming from the trees. Slowly, the White Knight became visible and he stood with two large twin swords in his hands.
Walter slowly put Adeola down in a comfortable position and drew out his swords as well.
"You're more scarred than the last time I saw you." Walter said.
"And you haven't shut your mouth since the last time I saw you."
"What do you want with us?"
"At first I wanted peace for everyone, but now I just don't care. Your Father's people killed half of my men, and the family of the girl behind you killed the other half. The blood of my men cries out to me every night. Do you know what they cry out for?" He said, walking intently towards, "They cry out for vengeance."
"Psychopath!" Walter responded also walking towards him.
The 2 men charged at each other and collided in Jason's favor. Walter fell, but quickly got up. Swiftly, he shot 2 arrows at Jason but Jason easily dodged both as they whistled past his ears. As Jason was recovering from the dodge, Walter tried to thrust his blade into his abdomen, but he also blocked and punched Walter in his chest, sending him to the ground once again.
"You've gotten stronger. I'll give you that. But you're still weak in my book."
"In your book? Please, let's both not pretend that you're literate and actually have one."
"You cocky bastard." The White Knight yelled, and charged at Walter. On charging, he made himself invisible.
Before Walter could pick up his presence, he was punched in the stomach, causing him to go down to his knees. Several shallow cuts were made all through his back, tearing his shirt. Walter began bleeding profusely from his back. And realized he couldn't win.
"Any last words before you go to hell?" Jason asked, pointing his sword at Walter's neck.
Walter looked at the birth mark on his palm. It began itching again.
I can't, Adeola would die too, He thought.
"Just spare her, and take me."
"Awwnnn, the loverboy can't defend his lover. But I thought it was Nicole. You've moved on so fast? Anyway, when I'm done with you, she'll join you soon." Jason said, raising his second sword up to strike.
"Leave the Prince alone, you bastard!" A voice demanded.
Jason was startled.
Who dare talk to me like that? He wondered
It was Jade, the commander of Jotunheim's army. He was blood stained all over, a testament of his thirst for battle.
"Because you dared touch the Lord's beloved, I shall feed your flesh to the beasts of the field."
"I'd like to see you try." Jason said as the two men charged towards each other.