Lord Amelia

As Leaf's scream pierced the air, I saw her fall in pain from Commander Rivalz's well-aimed strike to her shoulder. The sudden appearance of more than ten Ghouls added to the chaos, launching simultaneous attacks on Commander Rivalz, who despite his strength, struggled against the overwhelming numbers.

My eyes widened in shock as the monstrous Ravager, whom Commander Rivalz had previously fought, stood menacingly before us. Its roar echoed through the forest, causing the ground to tremble and the branches to shiver in fear. With a powerful motion, it uprooted a nearby tree and hurled it at Commander Rivalz with incredible force.

Reacting on pure instinct, I sprinted toward Commander Rivalz and pushed him out of harm's way just as the massive tree crashed down. Miraculously, we rolled over the ground and managed to stand up amidst the chaos.

But our respite was short-lived as the Ghouls and the Ravager renewed their assault, relentless in their pursuit to kill us. We were outnumbered and facing a formidable enemy, but we had to find a way to survive and fight back. 

The tense situation escalated as Leaf, surrounded by her Ghoul guards, observed us intently while healing her injured arm. She seemed unfazed by Commander Rivalz's fiery attacks, shielded by her loyal Ghouls.

Commander Rivalz unleashed a barrage of strikes against the towering Ravager, targeting its legs and vital spots, but the monstrous creature remained unscathed, shrugging off the assaults with ease. I, on the other hand, struggled against the relentless Ghouls pursuing me, using whatever objects I could find to defend myself, although my efforts were futile in causing significant harm.

Amidst the chaos, Leaf suddenly appeared before me, her healed arm wielding a metallic staff that she forcefully shoved into my face. The impact was jarring, and I collapsed to the ground, dazed and disoriented from the blow.

As Leaf mercilessly kicked me in the stomach, each blow stealing the air from my lungs and causing me to cough up blood, I struggled to regain my breath. The pain was excruciating, but I refused to yield, attempting to stand despite the agony coursing through my body.

However, Leaf's relentless assault continued, her foot stomping down on my back, forcing me back to the ground. She gripped my hair with a ferocity that threatened to snap my neck, her once friendly demeanor replaced by an unrecognizable cruelty.

The disbelief and confusion swirled in my mind as I grappled with the betrayal before me. Leaf, who I had considered a friend, was now a ruthless enemy intent on my demise. Questions raced through my thoughts. What had gone wrong? Had I unknowingly provoked her? Was she under some form of dark influence or manipulation?

The pain and torment inflicted upon me by Leaf's actions were unbearable, both physically and emotionally. It was a harsh realization that the Leaf I once knew had been replaced by someone consumed by malice and devoid of remorse.

As I lay on the ground, unable to move or even cry out due to the intense pain in my throat, I watched in horror as Commander Rivalz valiantly fought against the monstrous Ravager. His leg was broken, making movement difficult, and his once recognizable attire was now soaked in blood, a grim testament to the ferocity of the battle.

With a powerful punch, the Ravager aimed to strike Commander Rivalz, but he managed to block the blow, although the impact created a powerful gust of wind. Despite his injuries, Commander Rivalz attempted to rise and retaliate against the Ravager, only to be thwarted by the relentless Ghouls.

The Ghouls, acting as the Ravager's minions, seized Commander Rivalz's limbs, breaking them one by one with sickening cracks that echoed through the forest. Bones shattered under the force of the attacks, and I couldn't help but well up with tears at the agonizing sounds.

Despite the severity of his injuries and the excruciating pain he must have been enduring, Commander Rivalz displayed a remarkable resilience, showing no outward signs of pain or distress. His unwavering determination to protect me and continue the fight was both awe-inspiring and heartbreaking to witness.

As the Ravager's minions held Commander Rivalz in place, the monstrous creature approached, its clawed hands free to inflict more wounds upon him. Each scratch and gash painted his chest with fresh blood.

Despite his stoic demeanor and lack of outward screams, the pain etched across Commander Rivalz's face and reflected in his eyes told a different story. The Ghouls, relentless in their grip, held his head and limbs, rendering him unable to defend himself effectively.

In the midst of this chaos, Leaf continued her assault on me, pulling my hair and attempting to break my neck. The struggle was intense, but my focus shifted momentarily to the heartbreaking sight of Commander Rivalz, fighting against overwhelming odds.

Then, in a cruel twist of fate, the Ravager retrieved a long sword and hurled it directly at Commander Rivalz's heart. Time seemed to slow down as the sword sailed through the air, aimed at ending the valiant knight's life.

A scream escaped my lips, but the sound was drowned out by the chaos and the rush of emotions flooding through me. The impending tragedy felt like a nightmare unfolding before my eyes, and I could only watch in horror, helpless to intervene. 

As the sword flew towards Commander Rivalz, his unwavering courage and determination were palpable. Despite the impending threat to his life, his eyes reflected a deep sense of honor and loyalty, standing resolute in the face of danger.

The realization hit me like a wave of guilt and regret. Commander Rivalz, a new friend whom I had grown close to, was now in mortal peril because of the actions and choices I had made. His loyalty to Ludwig and his commitment to protect me and Hiyasmin were evident, even in this dire moment.

Leaf's anger and punishment towards me had inadvertently placed Commander Rivalz and the other knights in harm's way. They were only fulfilling their duty to guard me, yet they were now facing the brunt of the consequences.

I couldn't bear the weight of responsibility and remorse that flooded my mind. Everything felt like it was spiraling out of control, and I was at the center of it all, the catalyst for this chaos and destruction.

In that fleeting moment before the sword would strike, I wished with all my being that I could turn back time, undo my mistakes, and prevent this tragedy from unfolding. But all I could do was watch, overwhelmed with a sense of helplessness and despair, as Commander Rivalz faced his fate with unwavering courage.

A surge of determination and desperation overcame me. I couldn't bear to witness Commander Rivalz's potential demise, knowing that my actions had inadvertently put him in harm's way. With all my willpower and a sense of urgency, I reached out to him, even though I knew it was futile in the physical sense.

To my astonishment, a blinding light erupted from my hands, radiating with an intensity that seemed to defy logic. The light enveloped Commander Rivalz, creating a barrier between him and the Ravager's weapon. It was as if a protective shield had materialized around him, deflecting the impending strike aimed at his heart.

When the light subsided, I witnessed a miraculous sight. The sword, now embedded halfway into the ground, stood as a testament to the failed attack. But Commander Rivalz was nowhere to be seen amidst the chaos. The Ghouls and the Ravager remained, but their intended target had vanished, as if spirited away by the light that had shielded him.

Confusion mingled with relief washed over me. Had I just witnessed a manifestation of some unknown power within me? Or was it merely a stroke of luck in a dire situation? Regardless, Commander Rivalz's sudden disappearance left me with a mix of hope and apprehension, uncertain of what had just transpired but grateful that he was no longer in immediate danger.

As Leaf's fury and confusion collided, I found myself caught in a whirlwind of emotions and questions. Where had Commander Rivalz vanished to? What had that inexplicable light from my hands meant? Had I inadvertently caused harm to him?

Leaf's aggressive actions snapped me back to the present reality. I could feel the sting of her slap on my cheeks, a sharp contrast to the cold fear gripping my heart. The rain of her shouts further added to the chaotic atmosphere.

"What the hell did you do?" Leaf's voice reverberated with disbelief, her anger palpable as she demanded answers.

Before I could muster a response, Leaf seized me once more, dragging me to the ground and hurling a dagger in my direction. With reflexes sharpened by fear, I managed to evade the deadly projectile just in time. The dagger embedded itself into the ground beside me.

You're fast," said Leaf, smiling menacingly.

As Leaf's fires rained down on me, I struggled desperately to evade them, my heart pounding in fear and exhaustion. With every ounce of strength, I tried to outrun the blazing onslaught, but Leaf's menacing smile revealed that escape was not so simple.

In the chaos, I suddenly found myself ensnared by the powerful grip of the Ravager. It effortlessly lifted me and hurled me back towards Leaf, who wasted no time in asserting her dominance. Her foot pressed against my cheek, and another brutal kick followed, sending waves of pain through my already battered body.

The Ravager, not content with mere physical harm, seized me by the hair and began to choke the life from me. Darkness crept in at the edges of my vision, threatening to consume me entirely.

But then, like a beacon of hope amidst the darkness, dark smokes swirled around us, signaling the arrival of unexpected allies. Through the haze of pain and confusion, I couldn't believe my eyes. It felt surreal, as though I had slipped into a dream, yet the agony coursing through my body grounded me firmly in reality.

"Mother?" I managed to whisper through the choking grasp around my neck, disbelief and hope intermingling in my voice.

Tears streamed down my cheeks as I gazed at my mother, unable to contain the rush of emotions flooding my heart. Her presence was a lifeline in the midst of chaos and danger. The Ravager's grip tightened around my neck, but my focus remained locked on my mother's familiar features, a mixture of disbelief and joy coloring my tear-stained face.

"Mother..." I whispered again, my voice trembling with a mix of fear and relief. She was here, standing before me, defying the odds of death. Her presence filled me with a sense of hope I hadn't felt in so long.

As my mother turned her attention to the Ravager, her expression shifted to one of utmost seriousness. A surge of panic washed over me. What was she planning to do? Would the monstrous creature harm her? I couldn't bear the thought of my mother being in danger because of me. Determination flickered in my eyes as I resolved to protect her at all costs.

I thrashed and kicked in a futile attempt to break free, but the Ravager's grip remained unyielding, suffocating any hope of escape.

Leaf's attention snapped to my mother's sudden appearance, her gaze narrowing with curiosity and caution as she closed the distance between them.

A surge of agony pierced my heart as I realized the impending danger my mother faced. I strained to utter a warning, urging her to flee to safety, but my weakening state rendered my voice a mere whisper amidst the chaos.

As Leaf advanced towards my mother, a wave of helplessness washed over me. I struggled against the Ravager's relentless hold, its grip tightening around my neck like an iron vise, leaving me gasping for air.

My breath caught as Leaf finally confronted my mother, her voice carrying a chilling edge as she spoke.

"What shall we do with her, Lord Amelia?"