NOVEL NEXT Chapter 6: New Allies
The Knights of Elvaris moved swiftly, their silver armor gleaming like mirrors under the fading sun. Their leader, wielding a golden glaive, pointed toward Morrath and Kaela. His voice boomed across the valley. "By decree of the Elvaris Dominion, you are both sentenced to death for trespassing on holy grounds."
Frank, gripping the Shadow Blade, let out a tired sigh. "Great, more self-righteous types," he muttered, glancing at Kaela. Her grip on her staff tightened, her exhaustion clear, but she stood firm beside him. "Stay behind me," Frank said, his tone sharper now. "I'll deal with this."
The Knights formed a half-circle, advancing with practiced precision. Frank studied their movements, the system's interface flickering to life before him.
[Hostile faction: Knights of Elvaris. Estimated threat level: High. Formation type: Phalanx. Weak points: Disrupt central cohesion.]
Frank smirked grimly. "Disrupt their center, huh? Easy for you to say." As the knights closed in, the air around them shimmered, their glaive-wielding leader channeling a protective barrier of light. "Looks like they've got magic tricks too," Frank muttered, stepping forward. Shadows began to swirl around his blade, responding to his will.
The first knight lunged, his spear aimed for Frank's chest. Frank sidestepped, his blade slashing through the knight's exposed side. The armor didn't fully protect against the Shadow Blade, which left dark tendrils trailing from the wound. The knight fell, clutching his side, as the system chimed.
[Threat neutralized. Progress: 55%. New spell unlocked: Chill Touch. A spectral hand drains life from enemies and prevents them from healing.]
Frank didn't have time to celebrate. Two more knights charged, their movements fast and coordinated. "Kaela!" he shouted. "A little priestly help would be terrific right now!" Kaela's trembling hands rose, and her voice cut through the chaos. "Sanctified Flame!" A burst of fiery light erupted toward the advancing knights, searing their armor and forcing them to stagger back.
Frank capitalized on the opening, invoking Chill Touch. A spectral, skeletal hand materialized in the air, grasping one knight by the chest. The knight's movements faltered as the life seemed to drain from him, his skin growing pale. The spectral hand lingered, its icy grip preventing any recovery.
The leader of the knights stepped forward, his golden glaive glowing with holy energy. "You fight with skill, Paladin," he said, his voice steady. "But you cannot stand against our might!" Frank smirked, his confidence unwavering. "Maybe, but skill tends to outweigh speeches," he shot back. "Let's settle this."
The leader raised his glaive, a wave of radiant energy sweeping toward Frank. He barely dodged, the ground where he stood moments before erupting in a burst of light. Kaela cried out, throwing her staff forward to create a shimmering barrier around them. "I can't hold this for long!" she warned.
Frank's mind raced. He focused his energy and invoked Eldritch Blast, channeling a surge of demonic energy from his hand. The blast struck the knight leader squarely, green flames erupting and pushing him back as his glowing glaive flickered. Frank charged forward, using the opening to aim his blade for the leader's chest.
As the leader was engulfed in the green flames, he managed to parry, the golden glaive clashing with the Shadow Blade. Sparks flew as the two weapons collided, but the darkness infused in Frank's blade began to eat away at the holy energy. Kaela joined the fray, her staff glowing as she invoked Sanctified Flame. A burst of fiery light struck the knight leader's shoulder, forcing him to falter.
Frank seized the moment, driving his blade toward the leader's chest. The knight twisted away, but not before the Shadow Blade left a shallow cut, dark energy seeping into the wound.
The remaining knights faltered, their formation breaking as their leader struggled. "You want more?" Frank growled, his voice low and threatening. The knights hesitated before retreating, their polished armor disappearing over the ridge.
Kaela collapsed to her knees, her staff clattering beside her. "Is it over?" she asked, her voice trembling. Frank nodded, wiping the sweat from his brow. "For now," he said, sheathing the Shadow Blade. "But something tells me we're just getting started."
…As the knights retreated, one figure lingered in the shadows. His dented armor marked him as one of their own, yet his hesitation was palpable. He removed his helm, revealing a weathered face and weary eyes.
"You there," the man called, stepping forward cautiously. "Paladin, I… I wish to speak." Frank turned, narrowing his eyes. "What do you want?" he asked, his tone wary.
The man knelt, planting his sword in the ground as a gesture of submission. "My name is Durak. I was conscripted into the Elvaris Dominion at the age of fifteen," he began, his voice heavy with weariness. "Every day since then has been a fight for survival. Near-death experiences are all I know." He glanced at the ground, his fists clenching. "I've fought countless battles, watched comrades fall, and always wondered if I'd be next. They don't care about us—just about their glory. I'm twenty-three now, but I feel like an old man."
Durak's eyes met Frank's, filled with a desperate plea. "I have seen your strength. You fight not for orders but for purpose. I say this as I witnessed your fight with that beast, you protected this beautiful Priestess without hesitation. Please, let me join your party."
Frank glanced at Kaela, she shrugged, "Don't look at me, I don't know if we even are a party, you and I just met as well." Frank turned to Durak,, "What Kaela says is true, we aren't a party, I just saw she needed help and stepped in." He then looked at both Durak, and Kaela, "If you both want to join me on my travels, I wouldn't object, I could use the company".
Durak, and Kaela looked at each other, and gave a small salute gesture, raising their right fists to their chests and nodding. Frank gestured for them to move. "Let's get out of here before they decide to come back," he said. With his new allies in tow, the trio headed toward the horizon, each step taking them deeper into the unknown.