Chapter 27: Ember City Massacre - Part 8

The knights of Colnite City charged across the open plains, their armored horses thundering against the dirt. The sky was dark with smoke, and in the distance, Ember City loomed, its once-proud walls now a battlefield.

Achtur rode in formation, gripping his sword tightly. This was it—the battle they had trained for.

Then—

A deafening whistle cut through the air.

"SHIELDS UP!" Sir Endrick Levus roared.

Before Achtur could react—

Massive arrows rained down.

Each one was the size of a ballista bolt, tearing through armor, flesh, and bone like paper.

Knights were impaled instantly, their bodies lifted from their saddles before crashing to the ground.

Horses screamed as the arrows skewered them, toppling over and crushing their riders beneath them.

Blood splattered across Achtur's face. Too many knights were dying already.

But still—

They charged forward.

Even as the rain of death continued, the knights of Colnite refused to stop.

⸻

As the knights neared Ember City's ruined gates, 500 Rankers stood waiting.

Their eyes glowed with hunger, weapons drawn. They were ready to massacre.

Sir Endrick didn't hesitate.

"CHARGE!"

He kicked his horse forward, greatsword raised high.

Achtur followed, his heart pounding.

And then—

The two forces collided in a storm of steel, lightning, and blood.

Achtur's first opponent was a dual-wielding Ranker who lunged at him with curved daggers.

Achtur raised his sword—sparks crackling around the blade.

"Thunder Edge!"

With a swift slash, his electrified sword tore through the Ranker's chest, sending his convulsing body to the ground.

Another Ranker, a burly man wielding a mace, swung at Achtur's head—

Achtur ducked, rolling to the side before thrusting his palm forward.

"Lightning Spear!"

A crackling bolt of electricity shot from his hand, piercing straight through the Ranker's heart.

The man staggered, electricity coursing through his body, before collapsing lifelessly.

Achtur was an element user of lightning. 

More Rankers swarmed toward him.

Achtur sidestepped a sword swing, parried another attack, and spun on his heel, slashing through an enemy's side.

Blood sprayed, but he didn't stop moving.

Another came at him with an axe—Achtur dodged, electricity surging through his leg as he kicked the man's chest.

The Ranker was sent flying backward, crashing into another enemy.

Achtur to a sharp breathe.

He was winning.

But then—

His horse screamed.

An arrow pierced its neck, and before Achtur could react—

It collapsed.

He was thrown from the saddle, rolling onto the ground.

The impact knocked the breath from his lungs.

But there was no time to recover.

Two Rankers lunged at him—

Achtur reacted on instinct, lightning crackling from his body.

"Thunderclap!"

A wave of electricity erupted from his feet, shocking both enemies and sending them sprawling.

He pushed himself up, sword in hand, and charged forward on foot.

⸻

The battle raged on.

Achtur fought with everything he had—slashing, parrying, dodging, and electrocuting enemies in a deadly rhythm.

But as the fight dragged on—

His comrades began to fall.

He saw one knight—a man he had trained with—get impaled by a Ranker's spear.

Another was crushed under a giant's hammer.

A female knight tried to escape but was burned alive by a Ranker's fireball.

One by one—they died.

Achtur's chest tightened. This wasn't a battle. This was a massacre.

But amidst the chaos—

Sir Endrick Levus stood like a demon of war.

His greatsword cleaved through Rankers effortlessly, each swing tearing through bodies.

"STAND YOUR GROUND!" he roared. "DO NOT FALTER!"

Even as his men were cut down around him, Endrick kept fighting.

Achtur felt sick, but he forced himself to focus.

He couldn't afford to break now.

⸻

After what felt like hours of bloodshed, the surviving knights of Colnite broke through the gates.

Less than half remained.

Achtur staggered inside the city, gripping his sword, chest heaving.

But what awaited them inside—

Was horror.

Buildings reduced to rubble.

Fires burning unchecked.

Bodies littered the streets—civilians, soldiers, even children.

Some knights stopped in shock.

Others vomited.

Achtur clenched his fists, forcing himself to look away.

Sir Endrick surveyed the carnage before turning to his men.

"Spread out! Find survivors! If you see a Ranker—kill them."

The knights saluted and moved into the ruins.

Achtur moved through the streets, his boots stepping over bodies.

His heart pounded in his chest.

This was his first real war.

He had always been told what war was like—brutal, merciless.

But now, seeing it firsthand… he wasn't ready for this.

Yet he had no choice.

As he searched, he heard something—

A scream.

A woman's voice, begging.

Achtur's eyes narrowed, and he sprinted toward the sound.

He turned a corner—

And froze.

A group of Rankers stood around a terrified woman.

Her clothes were torn, her body trembling.

One of the Rankers chuckled, running his blade along her cheek.

"Please…" she whimpered. "Don't—"

Achtur moved before he could think.

"Thunder Step!"

Electricity exploded from his body as he surged forward.

Before they even realized he was there—

His sword sliced through the first Ranker's throat.

Blood sprayed.

The others turned, startled.

Achtur glared at them, lightning crackling in his eyes.

"You die here."

To be continued…