Commander Rivalz

Amidst the roaring inferno, the clash between Ludwig's knights and the Ghouls intensified, each side fighting with relentless determination. The clang of swords and the grunts of combatants echoed through the air.

The monstrous creature that had choked me before stood menacingly, its massive form dominating the scene. Its grotesque appearance sent shivers down my spine as I took in its details—the rough texture of its scar-covered skin, the intimidating size of its spiraling horns, and the eerie ash-like coloration that marked its hide.

Commander Rivalz valiantly stood his ground against the creature, but the ferocity of its attacks was overwhelming. Each blow landed with bone-crushing force, leaving the commander bloodied and battered.

When Commander Rivalz finally succumbed to unconsciousness, the monster turned its attention to me with a sinister smile. Its crooked teeth glinted in the firelight, and its slimy saliva dripped menacingly as it approached, exuding an aura of malevolence that chilled me to the core.

The monster's blood-red eyes bore into mine, sending a shiver of fear down my spine. Its grip on my hair was merciless, and I couldn't help but scream in agony as it yanked me forcefully. Pain radiated through me as I collided with the ground, each impact sending waves of torment through my body.

Gasping for air, I tried to call for help, but before I could utter a word, the monster dragged me along the ground with brutal force. My whispered cries of pain turned into full-fledged screams as my back collided with the stairs.

Dazed and disoriented, I struggled to stand, only to be met with a harsh slap from the monster that left my ears ringing and my vision spinning. The force of the blow was staggering, and before I could recover, the monster flung me out of the house with terrifying strength.

I hit the ground with a sickening thud, the impact stealing my breath and sending waves of agony through my body. The taste of blood filled my mouth, and searing pain radiated from the side of my stomach, but amidst the physical torment, it was the overwhelming sense of failure that brought tears streaming down my cheeks.

My gaze fell on the four knights of Ludwig, their bodies torn and lifeless, consumed by the relentless onslaught of the Ghouls. The sight filled me with an unbearable sadness and sorrow as I realized that I had failed to protect anyone in the face of such relentless evil.

Commander Rivalz's desperate plea echoed in my ears, urging me to flee from the relentless monster. Despite his injuries, he valiantly attempted to intervene, but the monster's overwhelming strength easily overpowered him. Each punch inflicted upon Commander Rivalz was brutal, and the grip around his neck ensured he couldn't escape.

As the monster continued its relentless assault, Commander Rivalz was thrown towards me, his body already ravaged by the vicious beating. Blood gushed from his mouth, a stark reminder of the brutality he endured.

However, even amidst the chaos and destruction, Commander Rivalz's wounds seemed to miraculously heal. With sheer determination, he rose to his feet and seized a sword infused with fire, a weapon of immense power.

In a swift and decisive move, Commander Rivalz plunged the fiery sword into the monster's belly, causing it to roar in agony. The searing flames burned its hand, eliciting a howl of pain.

"Run, Louise," Commander Rivalz urged once more, his voice filled with urgency and determination as he continued to bravely face the monstrous threat.

The sight of Commander Rivalz facing the monstrous threat alone filled me with a sense of urgency and determination. I couldn't bear to leave him to fight alone, especially when the other knights were occupied with battling the countless Ghouls that swarmed the forest.

Every corner seemed to be teeming with these vile creatures, their numbers overwhelming our forces. Despite the knights' valiant efforts, the Ghouls were relentless, swiftly taking down our defenders one by one.

"Commander Rivalz!" I cried out in alarm as the monster unleashed a devastating blow, using a massive boulder to crush his feet. The sound of his agonized scream pierced through me as I watched helplessly, horrified as the boulder flattened his lower limbs.

Commander Rivalz attempted to move, but his body trembled from the loss of blood and the excruciating pain. I approached him, determined to help, but my path was obstructed by a sickening Ghoul. It swiftly grabbed hold of my foot and dragged me away, pulling me further from Commander Rivalz's dire situation.

The terror and pain of being dragged by the Ghouls consumed me as I screamed in desperation. Their sharp nails tore at my skin, leaving trails of blood in their wake, and my futile attempts to kick and resist were in vain as their strength overwhelmed me.

Frantically, I grabbed at anything within reach—the grass, pieces of wood, even the rough ground and stones—but it was as if I were grasping at thin air. The Ghouls continued to drag me mercilessly, their grip unyielding despite my struggles.

I felt like a helpless prey, writhing in agony and fear, my screams echoing through the forest. The taste of bitter soil filled my mouth as I desperately clawed at the ground beneath me, trying to find something, anything, to hold onto.

Finally, with a violent jolt, they released me into a wide clearing. I found myself surrounded by nearly a dozen Ghouls, their twisted forms leering at me with malice. Despite my battered state, I refused to surrender, summoning every ounce of strength to try and stand defiantly against the encroaching darkness.

"Look at you, crying. You look pathetic," a voice pierced through my despair, taking a moment for the words to register in my mind. When recognition finally dawned, I turned to face Leaf, unable to contain the flood of tears that streamed down my cheeks. 

"Leaf… why…" my voice trailed off, choked with sorrow and confusion.

Standing before me was Leaf, someone I had known as a friend, someone I thought I understood. But now, her fiery eyes blazed with anger, and her figure was drenched in blood, a stark contrast to the Leaf I once knew.

Despite the pain and fear, I summoned the strength to try and approach her, but before I could take another step, she slapped me hard, forcing my face into the damp ground. Her voice rang in my ears, filled with bitterness and accusation. "You destroyed everything! If you hadn't interfered, they wouldn't have discovered that Hiyasmin wasn't cursed."

My tears continued to flow as I whispered in disbelief, "You… did that?" I already knew the answer, but hearing her laughter filled me with a mix of anger and sadness.

"Well, who else would have been smart enough to think of that?" Leaf mocked, pulling my hair and bringing my face close to hers, causing me to arch in pain. Gone was the smile I once knew, replaced by disgust and malice in her eyes. Leaf was no longer the friend I had trusted. She had become a stranger consumed by darkness.

The realization struck me like a bolt of lightning as I noticed the gaping wound on Leaf's face, a wound that refused to heal unlike the others. Before I could question her actions further, a searing pain tore through my abdomen, cutting off my words.

With cruel precision, Leaf twisted the dagger, and a gut-wrenching scream tore from my lips as it plunged into my stomach. "L-Leaf…" I managed to gasp, but her sinister laughter drowned out my feeble cries, leaving me sobbing in anguish.

Betrayal, sadness, and overwhelming pain washed over me in waves. I had trusted Leaf, considered her a friend, and now she was the one inflicting this torment upon me. Guilt gnawed at my insides. Perhaps if I hadn't interfered, Ludwig's knights would still be alive. The thought of my own helplessness in saving Commander Rivalz added to my despair. I felt utterly useless, weak, and filled with self-loathing.

The agony intensified, consuming my entire being. It was a different kind of pain, one that felt like my heart was being crushed and pierced by a thousand needles. The sensation of bombs exploding inside me was overwhelming, and the heat in my ears was unbearable. Darkness crept in, engulfing me in its embrace as the pain became too much to bear, and I succumbed to unconsciousness.

As I struggled to regain consciousness, a familiar voice calling my name broke through the haze of pain. With immense effort, I managed to pry open my heavy eyelids, and the concerned face of Commander Rivalz greeted me. His visage was marred by blood and a deep wound near his temple that refused to stop bleeding. He looked exhausted, panting heavily and drenched in sweat.

"Lady Louise, wake up," Commander Rivalz urged urgently. "My powers are no match for the Ravager. You must escape from here before it awakens again." His voice was filled with urgency as he carried me, and I realized we were running through the dark forest, illuminated only by faint flickers of light.

"What happened?" I managed to ask between labored breaths. "Leaf..."

The chaos intensified as an explosion rocked the area, throwing me to the ground and leaving me bruised and wounded. 

"And where do you think you're going?" Leaf's cruel grip on my hair forced me to stand, but before she could inflict more harm, Commander Rivalz intervened.

With a burst of fiery power, Commander Rivalz unleashed a massive fireball towards Leaf, causing her to stagger back momentarily, allowing me to break free and collapse to the ground. The searing heat of the flames licked at Leaf's back, though she seemed unfazed, her attention now fully on Commander Rivalz.

Leaf retaliated with her own barrage of flames, engaging in a fierce elemental battle with Commander Rivalz. The air crackled with the intensity of their powers, each trying to gain the upper hand in the fiery exchange.

As I struggled to catch my breath and assess the situation, I realized the gravity of the conflict unfolding before me. The betrayal of Leaf and her alliance with the Ravagers had escalated into a dangerous confrontation, and I could only watch helplessly as Commander Rivalz fought to protect me and fend off Leaf's relentless attacks.

Commander Rivalz helped me from the attacking Ghouls, unleashing fireballs to fend off the immediate threats. As I struggled against the pain from the scratches on my arms, I fought back as best as I could, using every ounce of strength to break free.

Finally released, I wasted no time and sprinted away from the Ghouls. Despite the aching in my body, I pushed myself to keep running, fueled by fear and adrenaline. Glancing back, I was shocked to see that I had distanced myself considerably from the pursuing Ghouls. They appeared as mere illusions in the distance, unable to keep up with my speed.

It dawned on me then that my running was far beyond normal. I was moving at an incredible pace, almost as if I were propelled by the wind itself. The branches swayed harshly as I passed, a testament to my unnaturally swift movements. Without dwelling on the strangeness of it all, I focused solely on the need to escape, pushing myself even harder to put more distance between me and the dangers lurking behind.

Despite the searing pain coursing through my legs, I pushed through and continued to run, driven by the urgent need to find Commander Rivalz and ensure our safety.

As I scanned the chaotic scene, I couldn't help but notice Leaf's prowess in combat. Despite her small stature, she moved with incredible speed and agility, her movements fluid and precise. The darkening of her lips and the change in her complexion were clear signs of something sinister at play, perhaps a manifestation of her alliance with the dark sorcery.

My attention then shifted to Commander Rivalz as he deftly evaded Leaf's attacks, his experience and skill evident in every move. With a swift motion, he deflected Leaf's punch and managed to dodge a potential kick aimed at him. Taking advantage of her momentary vulnerability, Commander Rivalz closed the distance and delivered a swift strike to Leaf's shoulder.