On the other side, Captain Edmund's figure was looming in the dark passage, and his movements were swift and decisive. The moment he was washed out of the cave by the rushing water, he felt like a broken ship thrown by a huge wave, and fell heavily on a shallow beach. The cold river water soaked his clothes, and he struggled to climb ashore, leaning against the cold stone wall and coughing violently, spitting out the water that choked his lungs. His vision was blurred, and everything in front of him seemed to be covered with a layer of mist.
He tore off the corner of his clothes and simply bandaged the wound on his back. The wound sent bursts of burning pain, making him gasp. Captain Edmund staggered forward along the cave. The cave was damp and cold, and water dripped along the top of the cave, making a "tick-tick" sound, which was particularly clear in the silent cave.
Deep in the cave, a hidden cave entrance was covered by vines. If you don't observe carefully, it is difficult to find. Edmund pushed aside the vines and got in.
This is a dry cave. The space inside is not big, but it is unusually warm. Edmund sat down against the wall of the cave and began to regulate his breathing to recover his strength. He took a deep breath, and the cold air filled his lungs, making him shiver involuntarily. The wound on his back was aching slightly, but he endured it and didn't make any sound. He knew that he had to recover his strength as soon as possible to cope with the next challenge. The cave was very quiet, with only the sound of dripping water, hitting his eardrums one by one, as if urging him to hurry up.
Edmund took a brief rest, stood up and continued on his way. He had to report what happened today to the high priest so that the Holy City could prepare for defense. The opponent is stronger than before.
Captain Edmund groped the wall of the cave, and with the weak light, he found a ray of light at the end of the cave. He was delighted and quickened his pace. When approaching the cave entrance, a fresh air blew in his face, mixed with the fragrance of soil and grass. Captain Edmund took a deep breath and felt refreshed.
He crawled out of the cave and found himself in a dense forest. Above his head was a starry night sky, and the moonlight shone through the gaps in the leaves, casting mottled light and shadows on the ground. Captain Edmund looked around and carefully identified the direction. He confirmed the direction of the Holy City based on the stars, and then immediately ran quickly in the direction of the Holy City.
Captain Edmund rushed through the woods, and the dead branches and leaves under his feet made a "rustling" sound. He looked back from time to time to make sure there were no pursuers behind him, with a hint of vigilance in his eyes. The light in the woods was dim, and the tall trees stood on both sides like ghosts. The night wind blew, and the leaves rustled, as if whispering something. Captain Edmund's heartbeat gradually accelerated. He knew that he had to get back to the Holy City as soon as possible to pass on the message.
Suddenly, Captain Edmund heard the sound of wings flapping behind him, and the sound came from far away and was very fast. He was startled and turned his head suddenly, seeing a black shadow approaching him rapidly. The black shadow looked particularly huge in the night sky, like a huge bat, covering the sky and the sun. Captain Edmund immediately drew the long sword from his waist and took a defensive posture. He stared at the rapidly approaching black shadow with his eyes full of vigilance and alertness. The cold moonlight reflected on his sword blade, reflecting a cold light. The black shadow was getting closer and closer, and Captain Edmund finally saw its true face. It was a woman with black wings, with a bloodthirsty smile on her face and murderous eyes. It was Elvira. Elvira landed on a mountaintop not far from the cave, looking at the brightly lit holy city in the distance, with a bloodthirsty smile on her face. The night wind blew her long black hair, making her look like a witch from hell. Elvira swooped down and went straight for Captain Edmund's throat. She was as fast as lightning, and Captain Edmund had almost no time to react. Captain Edmund swung his sword to block,
"Dang" sparks flew. Elvira's fingers collided with Captain Edmund's long sword, and there was a sharp metal friction sound. Captain Edmund felt a numbness in his palm, and the long sword in his hand almost slipped out of his hand. He quickly stepped back, steadied his body, and raised his sword to block again.
"Hey, Edmund, you are not dead yet!" Elvira steadied her body and greeted Edmund with a smile.
"You are not Lily anymore?" Edmund looked at Elvira with a low tone.
"Who is Lily? Just a failed shell!" Elvira laughed arrogantly, her eyes full of contempt, "My name now is Elvira, the master of darkness!"
Captain Edmund took a deep breath, he knew he was facing a powerful enemy. He clenched the long sword in his hand, his eyes firm: "No matter who you are, I will stop you!"
Elvira attacked Captain Edmund again. Her figure moved quickly in the air like a ghost, and her fingers kept attacking Captain Edmund's vital points. Captain Edmund, with his superb swordsmanship, resolved Elvira's attacks again and again.
The two figures intertwined in the woods, with swords flashing and claws flying. The fierce battle unfolded in the silent night, and the leaves were rustling in the strong wind, as if accompanying this life-and-death battle.
Elvira stopped suddenly and hung in the air. Her black wings flapped slowly, bringing a gust of wind, blowing Captain Edmund's hair on his forehead. Her scarlet eyes stared at Edmund, and a cruel smile appeared at the corner of her mouth. "Stop me? Just you?"
Captain Edmund said nothing, but silently adjusted his breathing, holding the long sword across his chest, staring at Elvira with a torch-like gaze. Sweat slid down his cheeks and dripped onto the grass, but he didn't care at all. He knew that he had to concentrate all his energy to survive this battle.
The surrounding trees swayed in the night wind, making rustling sounds. A few startled night birds fluttered into the night sky and disappeared into the darkness. The moonlight shone through the gaps between the leaves, casting mottled light and shadows on the ground, making the forest even more eerie and terrifying.
Elvira suddenly let out a sharp whistle and swooped down again. This time, her speed was faster than before, and her attack was more fierce. Her fingers cut through the air, making a piercing whistle, and went straight to Captain Edmund's chest.
Captain Edmund dodged Elvira's attack by moving sideways. He stabbed Elvira's abdomen with a backhanded sword. Elvira sneered, flapped her wings, and easily dodged Captain Edmund's attack.
"Your swordsmanship is too slow, Edmund!" Elvira taunted, her voice sharp and piercing.
Captain Edmund ignored Elvira's taunting, he knew the gap in strength between him and Elvira. He must find Elvira's weakness to have a chance to defeat her.
Captain Edmund's eyes fixed, noticing that Elvira's wings would reveal some flaws when flying. He decided to seize this opportunity and attack Elvira's wings.
"Try this!" Captain Edmund growled, leaped forward suddenly, and stabbed Elvira's left wing with the long sword in his hand.
Elvira obviously did not expect Captain Edmund to attack her wings, and was slightly stunned.
Edmund's long sword went straight through the wing.
"Stupid, don't you know that physical attacks can't hurt the soul?" Elvira taunted, and she flapped her wings violently, raising a gust of wind, forcing Captain Edmund back several steps.
Captain Edmund stabilized his body and frowned. He knew that he had to find a way to limit Elvira's flying ability to have a chance to defeat her.
Elvira rose to the sky again and hovered above Captain Edmund's head. She looked down at Edmund, her eyes full of teasing. "Give up, Edmund, you can't beat me!"