On the sixth layer, there's said to be a waterfall more beautiful than anyone could imagine. The water is crystal green and emanates life. I've heard bathing in it makes you young again. Does it erase memories, too?
Soldiers screamed out as they were cut down. Those lucky enough to die by sharp blades thank their gods for an easy death. Others shrieked as swords failed to cut through bone.
Four gates opened around the city, and soldiers poured from each. The Krovlizt knights formed a fractured line just beyond the walls.
"Dock! Aim! Fire!"
Arrows rained from above, taking out some of Broxonlec's front line.
Milo looked around, not knowing who to attack or who to defend.
"Ahh!"
The boy turned to see a man in blue charging at him. An arrow jutted from his left shoulder, but he didn't slow.
Milo stumbled back and fell to the ground. The man raised his sword high and brought it down in a forceful, two-handed swing.
"Eugh!"
As the blade barreled toward Milo's head, a Krovlizt soldier was pushed into its path. Steel struck his pauldron instead of the boy's skull. He screamed as blood poured into Milo's lap.
Flipping to his hands and knees, Milo quickly crawled away as he brought himself back on his feet. He turned, expecting to see his opponent chasing, but slowed once he saw the Broxonlec sword stuck between the Krovlizt knight's armor.
Blue.
On the attacker's chest, a blue insignia of his hometown.
Vice-Captain Kael said the enemy would be wearing blue.
Milo looked around for anyone wearing similar colors.
A blue crest flashed through the hoard of soldiers, not too far from the boy. Four of Krovlizt's knights worked discordantly to attack the large swordsman.
The Broxonlec soldier made small, efficient movements. One blade slid past his shoulder as he cut one man down. The Broxonlec twisted, caught another sword in his guard, and answered back with a deep cut into the Krovlizt knight's armor.
Milo's stomach tightened. His hands didn't move. For a second, he just stared.
"No," he whispered.
No, I can't freeze now.
Milo remembered the last words he had exchanged with Elias. He inhaled and exhaled slowly, but his breath shook despite his efforts to calm himself.
He's the only one who's that far in. I can make it.
Swiftly, Milo dashed around, taking a wide angle to attack the knight. As the man focused on the Krovlizt knights in front of him, Milo ran behind.
Quick and quiet, blood sprayed.
The knight screamed and fell to his knees. As his arms swung open, two blades pierced his chest, finishing him off.
Confused by what had happened, the Krovlizt knights looked around as Milo disappeared into the thick sea of soldiers. The knights didn't think much of it as the enemy pressed forth, ridding them of fleeting thoughts.
Milo's vision was spotty. He tried his best to reclaim sight, forcing himself to breathe.
Calm down. No emotion.
His small, trembling hands clenched the knife harder.
Focus on what you can. Remember Fowler's words.
Milo spotted another enemy overextended into Krovlizt's ranks. Like before, he swung wide to avoid being seen. As he dashed behind the enemy, he stayed low, dragging his blade tightly across their tendons.
Another scream, and soon, another dead.
The soldier, who had been fighting with the Broxonlec knight, watched the boy disappear into the fog of war.
Milo was beginning to understand the pattern of battle and how he could help.
Doing his best to avoid a head-on fight, Milo looked for another enemy to single out.
*Ching*
Krovlizt and Broxonlec swords clashed as two men fought close by. The sounds of their blades rang sharper than the rest.
The Broxonlec knight whipped his sword up to catch his opponent's blow. With a simple twist, he sent the Krovlizt knight's blade sliding into the dirt. Before it could be recovered, he planted his boot on the steel. The Krovlizt knight's fingers tore from the hilt, and the weapon fell free.
He followed with an upward cut as the Krovlizt knight stumbled back. The unarmed knight barely avoided each strike. With no time to recover his sword, he ripped a small blade from his belt and raised his guard.
Milo crouched low and ran behind the Broxonlec knight. Just as he started closing in, his foot caught on something in the dirt.
"Hmp."
He let out a small groan as he stumbled forward.
The Broxonlec knight's eyes flicked to the boy, but he pressed forward against the disarmed man.
I don't think he saw me.
Milo closed in, but as he swiped at the Broxonlec's legs, the knight dodged. Black spots in Milo's vision concealed the incoming attack until the final second. The boy flinched, bracing himself for a fatal cut.
*Ding*
The opponent's blade collided with Milo's scabbard. The impact hurled him to the ground.
"Huegh!"
Milo's chest hit the dirt, pulling the air from his lungs. As he gasped, the shadow of a second swing forced him to react quickly.
Milo turned and drew his shortsword to block the attack.
*Ching*
The strength of the man's swing bent Milo's elbows, allowing the blade to bite into his forehead.
Blood coursed down his scalp.
No choice. Fight back.
Milo thrust his foot at the knight's ankle. No effect. The knight raised his sword once more. Anticipating a heavy swing, Milo struck first. He slashed at the knight's legs, but it was too weak.
*Shlink*
A blade burst through the man's throat. As the blade tore free, the Broxonlec knight collapsed to the ground. The Krovlizt knight met Milo's eyes, gave a slight nod, and continued into the fray.
Milo snatched his knife from the ground and ran to the city walls.
He pressed his back against the cold stone, and he fumbled to sheath his sword, jabbing himself in the shoulder multiple times.
*Click*
The blade locked into place. Seeing no immediate threat, Milo let his body slide to the ground.
The boy panted violently as his head spun. Flakes of skin clung to his knife. Blood stained his brown tunic and ran down his arms.
Slowly, black splotches cleared from his vision as his thoughts became sharper. The tremble that infected his hands subsided.
I can do this. I can live. For Amy. For Leo.
"For them all," he mumbled.
He looked at the sun.
Hardly moved.
He pushed himself to his feet and ran toward the battle, searching for anyone to assist.
Nearby, Piers fought with his back pressed against Conrad's.
Precise. Efficient. The two formed a fortress around one another. When Piers twisted and cut, Conrad would already be ducking.
Milo spotted his comrades and ran toward them. Steel cut in his path. He jerked back, narrowly avoiding a fatal cut.
"Aegh!"
Milo screamed.
Blood gushed from his right shoulder. Milo stumbled back as his fist covered the wound, but the young Broxonlec knight didn't let up on his assault.
His blade pulled him off balance. Each swing left him exposed as he recovered.
Milo's left hand pulled away from the gash. Fresh blood layered the old. His right fingers twitched, refusing to close.
Not fatal. Can't make a fist.
The knight raised his sword overhead, but the weight dragged him backward, slowing the strike.
Milo stepped aside, dodging the blade. He winced as pain flared in his shoulder.
He's slow. Inexperienced. Like me.
The knight adjusted his approach. Quick jabs replaced the wide, unbalanced swings. Milo scrambled to keep pace.
Maybe I should...
Milo's shortsword flashed in his mind, but he shook the thought away.
No. Too heavy.
Milo swayed and ducked each strike, parrying with his knife when he was forced to. Slowly, the knight's breath grew ragged.
Soon.
The attacks kept coming. The knight's arms burned. His muscles begged him to stop—but he didn't. The two circled as Milo slipped around each thrust.
The boy was calm.
The knight clenched his jaw as he struck air. Finally, he raised his sword high above his head. He hacked downward and missed. Dirt burst up around the blade, and rage twisted his face.
"RAH!"
The young knight screamed and ripped his sword back and lunged forward with a heavy jab.
Now.
Milo slapped the blade aside, dragging the knight with it. As the knight stumbled forward, Milo's left hand shot up, blade held horizontal.
The knight's eyes widened as he dropped his sword and retreated. Jerking his head back hard, he narrowly escaped the range of the punch.
Milo's fingers twisted. His wrist snapped the blade vertical as he drove it forward.
*Shhhk*
"Ah— AUGH!"
A soft squelch made the young knight scream. The small blade disappeared into his left eye.
I did it—
"AUGH!"
He clawed at his face as blood spilled through his fingers.
Milo stepped back.
N— No.
"AHHH!"
Stop it.
Milo clutched his hair as the screams tore through his skull.
"AHH—"
"STOP IT!"
Milo's hand flew to his sword.
*Shlink*