chapter 13 seriously injured
"Man can no longer live for himself alone. We must realize that all life is valuable and that we are united to all life. From this knowledge comes our spiritual relationship with the universe." - Albert Schweitz
...
The beasts began to transform, their bodies elongating as long fingers sprouted, their eyes blazing red, and coarse hair covering their bodies. "Archers, shoot!" the prince commanded, and a flurry of arrows filled the air. However, their projectiles had no effect on the monstrous creatures as they relentlessly advanced. The soldiers retreated, creating a distance from the ferocious beasts.
Amidst the chaos, the prince unsheathed his sword, determination gleaming in his eyes. "What are you doing?" Akin, a loyal companion, asked with concern.
"I shall face them alone," the prince declared with an icy resolve. He charged forward, sword in hand, prepared to take on the monstrous onslaught.
"But my prince, I shall protect you!" Akin protested, leaping from his horse to join the fray. The beasts let out a deafening roar that sent shivers down everyone's spines. Undeterred, the prince engaged the beasts in combat, their clash of swords echoing through the air. Despite the beasts' attempts to shield each other, the prince fought valiantly, pushing back against their monstrous strength.
As the battle raged on, the beasts' forms seemed to shift once more, growing larger and more formidable. The prince's efforts to weaken them began to wane as the beasts fought back fiercely, overwhelming him with their increased power.
Watching from a distance, the army stood frozen in uncertainty. The general's elder son, who had also joined the prince, fought bravely alongside him. But as the battle intensified, one of the rogue beasts managed to strike the general's son with a vicious blow, leaving a deep wound in his stomach. His cry of pain pierced the air, his blood staining the ground.
"Ouch!" he shouted, clutching his wound in agony. The beasts closed in, forming a tight circle around the prince. With a tremendous roar that resonated like a lion's roar, they lunged at him, overwhelming him. The prince fell to the ground, using his fists to fend off their attacks. His strength was remarkable, and he managed to strike down one of the beasts with a powerful blow, sending it crashing to the ground.
Rising once again, the prince harnessed the power of the wind, conjuring a wave of small stones and sharp ice crystals that he hurled at the beasts. The onslaught caused immense damage, leaving the beasts groaning and writhing in pain on the ground.
"Shoot!" Akin managed to command the archers, who unleashed a volley of arrows. The ground trembled as the arrows found their mark, piercing through the beasts' tough hides. The creatures wobbled under the onslaught, their attempts to recover thwarted by the relentless attack.
The army closed in, surrounding the weakened beasts with weapons drawn. Just as one of the beasts attempted to take its own life, the prince leaped forward, swift as a hawk, severing their wrists and preventing their escape.
"They will recover soon. Tie them up," the prince ordered, his voice steady as he commanded the situation. Turning to Akin, he addressed him, "My friend, I could not stand by while the lives of our soldiers were at risk."
"You risked your own life to save the army, my prince," Akin said in awe, deeply impressed by the prince's selflessness.
"If not me, then who?" the prince responded, humility and determination in his gaze. He turned to the physician, inquiring about the wounded general's son. "How is his wound?"
"Your highness, it will take him three days to heal. The wound is deep," the physician replied, finishing his preparations.
"During the battle with the beasts, I observed something," the prince said, his eyes thoughtful.
"What did you notice, my prince?" Akin inquired, eager to learn from the prince's insights.