Chapter 4 The Cavalry Arrives
Chapter 4 The Cavalry Arrives
Iryoku stood tall, battered and bleeding, but unyielding as he faced the massive minotaur. The monstrous creature let out a growl, lowering its bloodied horns for another charge. Alessandra, Reika , and Yumi huddled behind him, their faces pale but determined to stand their ground despite their exhaustion.
The air was thick with tension, the heavy rumble from the hole in the wall growing louder with every passing second. Then, just as the minotaur lunged forward, a thunderous battle cry echoed through the dark hall.
“Charge!”
The voice was powerful, commanding, and filled with resolve. It was followed by the clattering of armor, the rapid stomping of boots, and the unmistakable sound of steel meeting flesh.
The minotaur halted its charge, whipping its head toward the source of the commotion. From the shadows of the gaping hole, a squadron of knights burst forth, their polished armor gleaming even in the dim light.
At the head of the group was a towering knight clad in brown and black armor, his imposing presence dominating the battlefield. He carried a massive greatsword, its edge gleaming with a faint golden hue. The knight’s every movement was precise and deliberate, exuding the air of a seasoned warrior.
“Take down the beasts!” the knight roared, his deep voice cutting through the chaos like a blade.
The knights charged forward, their swords, spears, and shields striking down goblins, imps, and other monsters with brutal efficiency. The hall erupted into chaos once more, but this time, the tide of the battle shifted.
The black-armored knight advanced toward the minotaur without hesitation. The massive beast roared, stomping its hooves and swinging its horns wildly, but the knight was unfazed. He sidestepped the minotaur’s first charge with practiced ease, then brought his greatsword down in a devastating arc.
The blade cleaved through the minotaur’s horn and into its shoulder, sending the beast reeling back with a howl of pain. The knight followed up with a series of precise strikes, his movements fluid and methodical. Within moments, the minotaur collapsed to the ground with a final, defeated groan, its massive body still at last.
Iryoku stared in disbelief, his shoulders sagging in relief as the minotaur fell. He let out a shaky breath, his knees nearly buckling from exhaustion.
“They... they took it down...” Yumi whispered, her wide eyes fixed on the fallen beast.
Alessandra exhaled slowly, lowering her shield as she glanced at Iryoku, her expression a mixture of relief and pride. “Looks like the cavalry’s here.”
As the knights mopped up the remaining monsters, one of the survivors—a young man in torn servant’s clothes—approached the black-armored knight. Despite his injuries, he dropped to his knees and bowed his head.
“Sir Joseph,” the servant said, his voice trembling, “these people fought valiantly to protect Princess Agnes. They held their ground against the monsters, even when all hope seemed lost.”
The knight—Joseph Maria Mo—turned his piercing gaze toward Iryoku and the girls. The girls shifted nervously under his scrutiny, while Iryoku simply stood there, too exhausted to care.
“Is that so?” Joseph said, his tone thoughtful. He stepped closer, his towering figure casting a long shadow over them. “You have my thanks for defending Her Highness.”
He placed a gauntleted hand over his chest and bowed slightly, a gesture of respect that surprised the group.
“You fought with valor,” he continued, his deep voice softening slightly. “Few would have stood their ground in the face of such overwhelming odds. Your bravery will not go unrecognized.”
Iryoku blinked, his lips twitching into a tired smirk. “Bravery, huh? Sure... let’s call it that.”
Alessandra shot him a warning look but said nothing, her exhaustion evident in her posture.
Joseph’s gaze lingered on Princess Agnes, still unconscious but being tended by two maids and one of the knights. “We will take Her Highness to safety,” he said firmly. “You are all welcome to accompany us.”
Iryoku exchanged a glance with the girls, each of them silently agreeing—they had no better option.
“Fine by me,” Iryoku said, rolling his sore shoulders and wincing. “Just... give me a minute to catch my breath first.”
Joseph nodded, then turned to issue commands to his troops. As the group prepared to leave, Iryoku finally allowed himself to collapse onto the floor, letting out a long sigh of relief.
“For once,” he muttered, staring up at the cracked ceiling, “it feels good to let someone else do the heavy lifting.”
The group was soon led to safety, their wounds tended with healing magic by a magician, though fatigue still weighed heavily on their bodies.
They arrived in a large chamber, its design both elegant and commanding. The room was adorned with fine silks, polished wood furniture, and glowing crystal lamps that filled the space with a soft, warm light. However, the most striking feature was a massive painting that dominated one wall.
The artwork depicted a vast network of spiral lines, their intricate paths weaving and connecting countless dots across a stark white background. Each dot varied in size and brightness—some glowing faintly, others burning like miniature stars. At the center of the spirals was a single, immense dot radiating light, its tendrils stretching outward to touch the smaller points.
Reika stared at the painting, her curiosity piqued. “What is that?” she asked softly.
Princess Agnes, now conscious but visibly drained, glanced at the painting. Her expression was distant, thoughtful. “An ancient relic,” she said simply. “Its meaning is lost to time, though some say it’s tied to the gods.”
Her cryptic answer only deepened the group’s curiosity, but before anyone could press further, Agnes straightened, her voice steady despite a soft tremor.
“I must first thank you,” she said quietly, her voice trembling. “Without your courage, I would not be alive.”
Her words caught everyone by surprise. Yumi fidgeted with the hem of her borrowed robe. Reika sat poised but unsure of what to say. Alessandra watched intently, her brows furrowed with concern. Iryoku slouched with his arms crossed, masking his curiosity with a scowl.
“Can you explain what’s going on?” Alessandra finally asked, her tone firm.
Agnes nodded, bowing her head slightly. “Allow me to explain. I am Agnes Mor—daughter of King Alden Mor, ruler of the Uruk Kingdom. Our city was attacked without warning, in multiple places at once. My guards and my people were overwhelmed by a horde of demons. In the chaos, I was wounded. With no other options, I did the only thing I could think of—I invoked an ancient summoning spell my master once taught me. It was meant to call forth powerful champions from another world. I—”
She hesitated, glancing at the group with a mixture of hope and guilt. “I didn’t expect it to summon people as young as you. The spell was old, unstable… perhaps I used it incorrectly.”
“Champions?” Reika echoed, eyes widening.
Yumi’s voice wavered. “We’re just normal people… I don’t understand. Why us?”
Iryoku scoffed, leaning forward. “Yeah, champions? You’re looking at a high school delinquent here, not some chosen one.”
Princess Agnes flinched slightly at his tone, but looked at him with quiet determination. “I do not believe it was a mistake. You helped turn the tide of the battle. The spell doesn’t summon the strongest or most skilled—it summons those with the potential to save our world.”
Her words hung in the air, heavy with meaning.
Alessandra exhaled sharply, frustration flashing in her eyes. “You brought us into a war without our consent. Do you understand how dangerous this is?”
Agnes looked down, ashamed. “I do. But I had no choice. The demons have overrun much of our kingdom. If they succeed, our world will fall into complete darkness. I… I didn’t mean to put you in danger, but I have no one else to turn to.”
Silence fell over the room.
“The monsters we fought earlier,” Yumi asked hesitantly, “were those demons?”
Joseph let out a heavy sigh. “Not exactly,” he said, his voice low and weighted. Everyone instinctively leaned in.
“Those were just minions—small fry, the kind of creatures any decent warrior can cut down. But a true demon?” His gaze darkened, his hand tightening on the hilt of his greatsword. “That’s an entirely different nightmare.”
He straightened, the tension in his shoulders growing palpable. “True demons walk among us in forms that are almost human—but only just. Their bodies are covered in obsidian-black scales that shimmer like armor under the light. Massive, curling horns crown their heads. And their claws? They can carve through steel like butter. Some even sprout enormous wings, raining terror from above.”
He paused, his voice dropping. “And the aura they exude… It’s suffocating. Like being submerged in a sea of malice. Their presence alone can freeze even the bravest soldiers in place, their minds overwhelmed by primal fear.”
Joseph looked directly at the group, his expression grim. “You won’t just see a true demon—you’ll feel it. And when you do, you’ll know.”
“They are forces of destruction,” he finished, “capable of wiping out entire armies as if they were ants. Facing one isn’t a battle—it’s surviving a force of nature.”