-"Run, there are too many of them to face, we have to go back to the town and think of some kind of barricade," I said to my companions as we continued running.
We'd been in the forest for over three days, and almost half a day running. Even though Linna was fully healed, I was still worried; she was just getting used to her new balance, and that wasn't easy.
-"I can see the exit now, a little closer, guys. We're almost there."- I said with renewed enthusiasm to my group.
Behind us came herds of beasts. Hunger, fury, and fear were evident in their eyes. I didn't understand why the wave had started, but I only knew it would be deadly. There were many of them, and to stop them, I had to kill the beasts leading them. That wouldn't be easy, as some of them were the leaders of each herd, already fully grown beasts. One of the ones I caught a glimpse of, and it made my knees tremble like a new-born Izvoci, was an Ursing. It was almost 3 meters tall, with a scar over one eye, and fire could be seen throughout its fur. I could only assume it was the leader of the Ursing pack.
I'd been digging ditches ever since I heard what was going to happen. I'd asked my father and some of the villagers for help, but not many dared to come with us. Those who immediately agreed were my father's close friends and the neighbours from our farm.
Since my mother had told me not to use magic in front of everyone, I was digging with a shovel, trying to make spells to help me but not make it so obvious.
On the part of the people, the vast majority of guards and people who could fight were present and ready to act, the 3 great houses had sent all those who could fight and the lord of the lands was close by to direct.
My father, my father, and his friends were near our farm, digging the second section of the trench as planned.
"Father, something's coming our way," I said, pointing toward the forest. Everyone around us turned to look, searching for what was approaching.
I was already ready with my bow, when I saw that it was a group of people running towards the entrance of the town I relaxed a little.
Even when the group of people came out of the forest they didn't stop running, when they were a little closer I managed to identify them, it was the group of mercenaries we had cured a few months ago.
Behind them, the trees could be seen moving, and the dust only grew thicker. The number of beasts following them was impossible to count. At that sight, I could only grip the bow tightly. With the number of arrows and the number of people, it would be impossible to break through the wave.
-"Everything will be fine, Sam. Waves aren't very common, but they're not unusual either. It didn't happen many years ago, and we don't know why it's happening now, but in every wave, there are always leaders. If we manage to get rid of the pack leaders, the beasts will become frightened and return to the forest. It won't be easy work, though, and many people will die."
"As I've told you before in training, keep your mind calm, control your fears, look around you and analyse your best options. That will help you fight better," my father told me while trying to calm me down a little.
I continued to stare uncertainly into the woods, trying to apply what Dad had said, but there were just so many beasts. With Nixen by my side, I didn't feel so alone. I rubbed her back a little, trying to cheer myself up. From what I could see, Nixen wasn't even a little nervous.
The entire community of the town or those who could fight were ready, waiting for the signal to charge.
The Andonwings group was almost at the edge of the city at this point, and the wave was already beginning to emerge from the forest. The beasts' vibrations and bloodlust could already be felt.
I felt everything turn bright red, and in the next moment, boom, two gigantic fireballs had slammed into the front line of beasts, leaving devastation and wailing across the field. Instead of slowing the wave, this had only increased its pace.
I don't know who cast the spell, but it was one of the strongest I've ever seen, much stronger than when Liam Krail tried to attack us.
After that attack everything started.
Arrows rained down across the field toward the wave. Of course, I was also shooting, each arrow hitting its target. We were trying to thin out the beasts as much as possible.
They were getting closer and closer, and we couldn't wait any longer. Everyone started running toward the wave. Some in groups, others bravely running alone. I, of course, was accompanied by Nixen; we had both already started running.
There were beasts everywhere; it was a stampede. If you didn't kill or dodge whatever came, you'd be dead. Strangely, the wave seemed organized; they seemed directed like pawns sent to die.
I was slashing left and right, practically nonstop, throwing my daggers only when necessary and trying to reel them back in, but that cost me sacred seconds. Nixen had gone into full battle mode, looking like the Grim Reaper on all fours; wherever she passed, there would be a trail of blood. Whether with her paws or her fangs, she would tear and kill everything in her path. Even in that chaotic state, she was close to me. We were both watching each other in case the other was in danger.
I was seeing beasts I'd only seen in books, but the vast majority of those in the wave were predators that hunt in packs or live in them.
The most common were the Luven, which were apparently numerous, some of the strongest, like the Ursin. One of the beasts that caught my attention the most was the Lyn. It looked very similar to a lynx, a beautiful, swift, and deadly animal. It couldn't compare to Nixen, but it was still a lethal opponent.
The attacks came from all sides, from the sky, the ground, and even beneath my feet. Some of the animals capable of using magic attacked with everything they had. Making it nearly impossible to see a future after this battle.
While we were fighting, we continued running towards the deepest part. If what my father had told me was true, one of the leaders would be at the rear of the wave and it was a priority to finish them off so the wave would dissolve.
I was already covered in blood, both my own and the beasts', Nixen was in no better position, her mustard colour had turned crimson. Just as I was throwing a dagger at a light brown monkey-like creature with large eyes and long arms, I felt something tug at my leg, causing me to lose the dagger's trajectory. The Pon, taking advantage of the opportunity it had created, lunged at me. As I rolled on the ground to dodge it, I felt something was out of place. Trying to follow my instinct, I began to move, only to see spearheads made of vines emerging from the ground, the same type of vine that had made me fall. The Pon was now an adult and could use elemental magic at will. It had been combining magical attacks and its strength to try to finish me off.
We had been fighting for a long time, we were both covered in wounds, but the Pon was in worse condition than me. On the other hand, I had already lost two of my daggers and only had my saber and the last 2 daggers left. I had been trying to combine everything I had learned, but I still wasn't that good at combining magic with my attacks, I just kept applying the same, coating my body and my saber with mana, which made me a little stronger and faster. The Pon and I were almost the same height, but his arms were much longer, so fighting hand-to-hand had become a gigantic task for me, the Pon's strength surpassed me by far, I had to make use of my speed and my quick attacks, I was trying to cut him from all sides, legs, hands, chest, but the Pon wouldn't fall. He continued using elemental magic and cast spells in an almost rhythmic manner. In less than a second, I lost my balance as I tried to propel myself forward to launch another attack, almost causing me to fall on one of the stakes the Pon had created. Taking advantage of the opportunity, he lunged at me. Instinctively, I grabbed my saber in an attempt to defend myself. Practically throwing it diagonally, using the saber as if it were a dagger, the monkey followed the trajectory and fell on top of me. It was like a truck had fallen on my body. It was so heavy that it was difficult to move. I was finally able to get a hand out and began to use leverage to let the monkey's body roll. His blood fell all over me, making everything more difficult. Nixen had already finished the fight she was in and had come to take care of me while I recovered.
With everything I had learned in the last few months, I was now able to do my basic healing without it consuming much of my energy.
I began to regain my bearings, trying to see where I was and where I needed to go. In this sea of blood and tears, it was difficult to find my way; some of the beasts were much, much bigger than me. I finally managed and began to delve deeper into the rear, while continuing to search for some of the leaders.
I saw a spear flying towards my head. It was very large, almost like a whole tree. I rolled all over the ground, trying to dodge. The spear or the trunk had left a trail of destruction in its wake. If that had hit me, I would have been reduced to nothing. I began to search for what had tried to attack me. I stood still when I saw a figure over two and a half meters tall looking at me furiously. Its lower body was very similar to a goat and its upper body was more similar to a human, but it was almost completely covered in Gray animal fur with black spots. It reminded me a lot of what a satyr would be like, but this one looked much more aggressive, and worst of all, its eyes showed a much greater awareness than all the other beasts. The Sil were very rare, strong beasts and were usually found in the centre of the forest, being considered one of the most dangerous.
Nixen sensing the overwhelming danger had approached me, we were both ready to start the fight. I think this Sil is one of the leaders and we have to give everything we have.
Just as I was starting to take position, I felt a strong wind. Unable to dodge, all I could do was point my saber in front of me. A few seconds later, I heard a crack and was thrown backwards. The blow had come like thunder, and I hadn't even been prepared. The Sil had already dealt me a blow that had left every organ trembling.