SECOND CONTACT

The forest seemed to explode with motion. From every direction, the first wave of enemies rushed toward us, their pale forms resembling human warriors. Their armor was colored black and gold, with the wet red streaks of blood splatter acting almost as decoration. The darkness clung to them like a second skin and their eyes gleaming with an unnatural red light.

"Here they come!" Ellisar shouted, his sword flashing as he took the lead.

I didn't hesitate. My sword sang through the air as I slashed through the first demon that lunged at me. Its body crumpled to the ground. I moved with purpose, weaving through their ranks, cutting them down one by one. They fight with intensity and strength, yet their style was oddly familiar. 

I kicked one demon back as it charged towards me, sending it staggering into the dirt, while my sword arced cleanly through the neck of another, severing its head in a single strike.

The elves held their formation, though the fear in their eyes was evident. These weren't like any enemies they had faced before. I could see the doubt in their movements, the hesitation that could cost some of them dearly.

"Focus!" I barked, parrying a blow and driving my blade into another demon's chest. 

Despite the chaos, I held my magic in reserve. The battle had only begun, and I knew I couldn't afford to exhaust myself too soon. I had to pace my strength, no matter how much I wanted to unleash it.

Then, from the shadows of the treeline, it appeared.

The creature—no, I'll call it what it is, a true demon—it was massive, standing over twice my height. Its body was grotesque, a horrifying mix of muscle and jagged bone. Its face—if it could even be called that—was a nightmarish mask of jagged teeth and two prominent blood covered horns. It looked to be the same kind of demon I had faced all those months ago. The one that had destroyed my squad. The type of demon that still haunted my dreams, as much as I hated to admit it.

For a second fear washed over me, but it was quickly replaced by something else—resolve. I wasn't the same man I had been back then.

I launched at it with a defiant yell, my sword raised high. My sword clashed into one of its massive claws, the force of the impact reverberating through my arms. I swung again in an upward motion, grazing it slightly with the tip of my sword. It let out a guttural roar, its massive claw swiping at me with deadly speed. I ducked and swung once more, the blade scraping across its thick hide of its back.

It was fast for its size. Too fast. I stepped forward for another strike only for one of its claws to catch me square in the chest. The blow sent me flying, the world spinning as I crashed into a nearby tree. Pain shot through my body as I struggled to catch my breath. My sword clattered to the ground, far out of my reach. 

I gritted my teeth. Pain. An unfortunate source of motivation, as anger began to surge through me as I pushed myself to my feet.

"Alright, let's try this again," I muttered, my hands beginning to glow with the faint, white energy of my magic. "Let's see how you handle this!"

Essence coursed through me, amplifying my speed and strength as I leaped off the ground jumping at the demon. My fists collided with its grotesque form, the magic-infused blows staggering the creature. It let out a deafening roar, its massive frame shaking with fury.

It raised one clawed hand and gestured toward the remaining human-like demons. They began to fall back, retreating deeper into the forest.

"Don't let them escape!" I yelled, pressing forward. My fists cracked against another demon's skull as it tried to retreat, the force of the blow sending it sprawling to the ground in a bloody heap.

I turned to see Ellisar kneeling beside one of the injured elves, his face expressionless as he applied pressure to a deep wound. "We can't afford to lose more people here!" he called.

Another sound reached my ears—a scream. Female. Faint, but unmistakable.

It must be the Queen.

Ellisar met my gaze, his expression firm. "Go!"

I didn't hesitate. My magic flaring up further as I broke into a sprint, the world blurring around me as I ran deeper into the forest. Shadows darted past me, some of the retreating demon warriors attempting to block my path. My eyes widened. I ripped through them without slowing, my speed and precision was unmatched. A slight grin came to my face. 

The scream echoed again, guiding me towards the river, snapping me out of the blood-lust. 

I pushed harder, the trees whipping past as I followed the trail of broken branches and churned earth. The demons had left a clear path in their wake, and I wasn't going to let them slip away.

As I approached the riverbank, the forest thinned abruptly, opening into a wide clearing bathed in the light of the late afternoon. The river cut through the landscape, its waters were flowing calmly, despite the scene that was playing out on its bank. 

There they were.

The Queen, her white hair disheveled, stumbled forward, her hands bound with chains. Her face were pale with fear, her fine clothes torn and bloodied from the struggle. Beside her, two other figures in noble attire were also being dragged along by the group of the armored human-like demons. They were all being led towards a large portal that was opening close to the river. 

I paused momentarily in thought. How far can I push my new abilities? I don't have time to wait for reinforcements. I have to act now. 

In that moment of resolve, with a large burst of energy, I launched into the clearing, the glow of my magic lighting up the demons from above. The demons turned, their red eyes narrowing as I closed the distance. One of them growled something in a guttural, unearthly language, and two of its comrades stepped forward, drawing swords to intercept me.

I landed just before them sending out a small shockwave, which made them stagger to try maintain their footing. The first swung high, and I ducked, countering with a magic-infused strike to its ribs that sent the demon flying backward into one of his comrades. The second tried to capitalize on the opening, but I pivoted, slamming my palm against its chin, with enough force its neck could be heard snapping back violently as it fell backwards dead.

The rest of the demons holding the captives hissed, their movements growing more frantic. They were trying to drag their prizes toward the portal which was at near full size. 

"Not happening!" I growled, surging forward.

Another demon rushed me, its blade aimed for my throat. I sidestepped the strike and slammed my knee into its midsection, following with a elbow to the back of its head that ended its struggle.

The Queen stumbled, her captor jerking her forward with enough force to make her cry out. The sound spurred me onward, my vision narrowing to the chains binding her wrists.

I unleashed devastating strikes on two more demons that stepped into my path. Their forms crumpled to the ground as I further closed the gap between myself and the captives.

One of the nobles, a elderly elf with a bloodied face, tried to resist, kicking weakly at the demon holding him. It snarled and struck him hard, sending him to the ground. The Queen tried to intervene only to also get knocked to the ground.

I could feel the intense thump of my heart in my chest. My magic was nearing the limits of what my body could bear. The events of the last few days beginning to take their toll, but I had come to far to fail now. 

Moving with speed, I grabbed a demon by the throat and with a ripping motion ending its life before it could react. It let out a guttural cry, stumbling backward before collapsing.

I was out for blood. I had to focus. This wasn't like me. 

I was now in front of the captors. The first of the guards swung his sword in my direction. I barley dodged it as sparks flew as the sword caught against the armor plating on my forearm. A well placed side thrust kick made stumble. I capitalized on the moment by disarming him, followed by grabbing his own sword and driving it through his torso.

Pulling the sword out, I followed up with two quick slashes as two more of the demons were defeated.

I then was able to brake the chain of the elderly noble, who was clambering to try get up. 

"Get behind me!" I barked, as I pulled the noble to his feet.

The last of the captors turned towards me, its glowing eyes narrowing as it raised a hand. Dark energy began to swirl around it, preparing of a powerful strike of magic I had never seen.

But it was too slow.

With a yell, I released my own focused blast of magic, the energy colliding with the demon and shattering its spell. It stepped backwards in shock, its grip on the Queen faltering just enough for me to close the distance. Finishing the demons life off with a final flick of the sword. 

Using the sword I cut through the chains binding the Queen and the second noble, the links clattering to the floor.

The elderly noble moved to assist the second noble, a female elf, who was barely managing to stay upright, while I caught the Queen in my arms as she began to collapse.

"Don't worry," I said, my voice steady despite the chaos. "It'll all be over soon."

Her deep blue eyes, just as Triandal had described, met mine briefly before her consciousness faded.

A guttural roar echoed behind me, pulling my attention away. I gently laid the Queen down beside the other nobles. "Look after her for a moment," I said firmly.

At the edge of the now fully opened portal, the largest demon stood. Its towering frame loomed as its clawed hand rose in a commanding gesture. More soldiers poured through the portal, falling into formation as they created a defensive line, preparing for the retreat of their forces.

My fists clenched as magic crackled and surged around my fingers. My instincts screamed to charge, to end this nightmare here and now. One step forward, then another.

But then, a sound froze me in my tracks—a sound my father told me of as a child. One he heard of on the battlefield.

A low, resonant horn echoed through the forest, its deep timbre carrying with it a chilling weight.

An elven corp had arrived.