Helpless, hopeless or something else?

Kali's scythe was beaming with more dark energy than what I had seen so far, like her anger was getting infused on her weapon, intending to use it against her opponent in the most literal way possible.

Meanwhile, I was wondering what was I meant to be doing in a situation like that. Both of them managed to kill several soldiers with one attack, especially Balor, the captain. I had trouble fighting one and had luck and help during the encounter. The only reason I was still alive was because someone saved my ass at the last second.

I looked at Nayleth, who was starting to walk towards Balor too. He was going to fight too. In whatever way he fought, he was going for it.

Why? Wouldn't it be better if we escaped? We would survive for another day. We would avoid turning into the soldiers and villagers that got killed that day. This was too much, I was afraid, my legs could not move. What was so important that they needed to continue fighting?

Nayleth cast a new spell, and we three got hit by it. I saw a symbol of a foot running appear, then a green sword, then a green shield. Was that a buff? Then I noticed a symbol I had not seen that appeared before, one of a wing with a crown in the middle.

"This is probably too much to ask" I heard Dara's voice on my mind "But just entertain him for a bit longer. Kali is not going to say it, but we could use your help now"

"And where are you?" I asked, looking around trying to search for her. I noticed both kids were gone, and disappeared. They were with Nayleth a second ago... did they run?

"I am overseeing that the evacuation happens safely. There are more soldiers in the woods, we just cleared a path for the villagers so they can reach the castle. And yes, the children you saved are with me. Do it for us and we will thank you. I have a plan to take all of you out of there safely."

"And what do you expect me to do?! One hit from him and I am dead!"

While I was talking with Dara, I barely noticed that the combat had already started. Balor was taller than the three of us, so he seemed more intimidating because of that and his bizarre slender body, especially the way he moved it. Kali jumped toward him and started swinging her weapon.

Balor managed to dodge several attacks, and the ones that did hit only grazed him for 20 or 30 damage, barely getting a scratch. That seemed like enough, knowing how little it took to kill the soldiers (and my own HP) but he seemed unfazed by getting hit for those amounts.

"It's a shame" suddenly spoke Balor, as he took a swing at Kali.

Kali managed to block it with her weapon, but she still took a part of the shock of the damage. I could see the similar -70 that I received earlier on her, but she seemed unfazed too.

"I thought the Demon Queen would pose more of a challenge" he continued, looking at her with a smirk.

Without missing a beat, he jumped against us.

"No Mercy!" he used his skill once more.

I was looking at him, afraid, scared. If that hits me, I am going to get mangled like the rest of the soldiers. I needed to do something. But my body activated my freeze response, I could not move. All I could do was look at him the adrenaline causing the movement to look slow.

At the last second, my body responded, and I jumped forward. And it was the longest jump to avoid anger I had ever taken so far. My body felt lighter than usual. I passed right between Balor's legs as he landed the attack on the ground. I still got hit with the shockwave, but all it did was cause me to roll on the ground for a couple of meters, but I was barely hurt for 10 points of damage.

I quickly stood up and looked at Balor. Then I saw the symbols under my bars. Nayleth had just buffed us! I forgot about that and it just happened a few moments ago.

Both Kali and Nayleth managed to dodge on their directions too, and seemed to be unharmed.

I was not going to risk how much the shield buff was going to protect me from a direct hit.

Besides, all I needed was to keep him entertained. Right?

"So, that is why they sent you here? You can barely take on level 10s?" I said, trying to tease him. "Show status!" the screen appeared and I quickly looked at my level. 1, not surprised. I managed to see my stats were all 10, and there were some skills listed "Look I am level 1 and you still haven't been able to kill me! You are pathetic!"

"What did you say?" Balor asked, turning to look at me, throwing daggers with his eyes. "You have no idea what you are talking about. What would a scavenger that sides with the Demon Queen know?"

"What are you doing, human?!" I heard Kali's voice talking through my mind.

"We have to make sure he keeps his attention on us, right?"

"Making him angry could make it worse for us!"

"I know, but Dara said she can take us out of here" I hoped she was telling the truth. I didn't even know why I was trusting her so much.

Kali sat straight, and placed her hand on her mouth, putting a smug smile.

"Don't act like the human is incorrect, trash captain!" she was getting into the play "Why else would you be fighting 2 level 10 and a level 1 and they are still alive? You are pathetic!" She started to laugh in her regal way once more.

Balor stood there, looking at both. Even when he was surrounded by the three of us, he felt like the biggest threat in the area.

"Fine... you decided to play that way" He pointed his morning star towards me. A chill ran through my spine when I saw his eyes aiming at me "I will make sure you suffer before I allow you today, heretic scum!"