chapter 18 we're trapped!!!

In the dense woodland...

Amidst the dense woods, the prince gave the command for the archers to aim their shots at the beast's legs as they pursued it further into the forest. However, the beast skillfully evaded the arrows that were aimed in its direction.

The chase finally came to a halt after an exhausting race. "Have you had enough of your little escapade?" the prince questioned the beast in a chilling tone. The beast's size increased, and it emitted fox-like barks. In response, two groups of foxes emerged from the shadows, encircling them closely.

"Foxes!" the prince exclaimed. "Stay vigilant, everyone, and protect each other!" he ordered as a soldier's scream echoed through the air. "We're surrounded!" Before the prince could finish his sentence, the foxes pounced on the soldiers, plunging them into a fierce battle. Disembarking from his horse, the prince produced a cloth and ignited it, creating a makeshift torch. He used the burning cloth to fend off the foxes, while his soldiers guarded him against the onslaught. Soon, the others in the troop followed suit.

With continuous arrow fire, the foxes eventually began to retreat. Observing this, the beast let out a loud cry, summoning four groups of other beasts to converge on them.

Under the leadership of a masked female beast, the army found itself struggling. Akin, in an attempt to boost the troops' morale, began singing a war song from a distance. "In Alara's war, I join them. The beast's fight is not a true conflict, so I'll join them in Ajero's war." The soldiers took up the chant, their voices resonating through the forest.

The song acted as an energy booster, igniting another round of intense swordfighting. As the prince approached the masked female beast commander, their clash escalated into a fierce battle.

The masked beast aimed her sword with precision, ready to strike the prince's abdomen. Reacting swiftly, Prince Rogba deflected her blade with a swing of his own, sparks erupting from the impact. He then countered with a powerful overhead strike, intending to cleave the masked beast in two.

However, the masked foe evaded his attack, causing Prince Rogba's sword to slam into the ground, leaving a significant crack. The prince surveyed his forces and noticed his troops starting to fall back, many wounded and lying on the ground. Akin was fighting valiantly to shield the injured soldiers.

With no time to spare, the masked beast leaped high into the air, replicating her previous assault. Prince Rogba swiftly raised his sword over his head, reinforcing it with a hand under the flat edge to withstand the blow. Their swords clashed again, causing the prince's grip to waver momentarily. He managed to push the attacker away and created some distance.

The masked beast seemed far from disadvantaged; she held her own against Prince Rogba, almost matching his strength and speed. Worse yet, it appeared as if she could anticipate his every move, reading his actions effortlessly. Unfortunately, amidst the chaos, as the prince glanced at Akin's struggles, the masked beast seized the opportunity. In a bold attack, she struck at his abdomen, causing him to collapse to the forest floor, his blood flowing like a river.