Loopbreaker

"Left!"

Blood was pouring into his eyes from the gash in his scalp, yet all Francis could think of was wanting to kiss the armorer who had given the helmet.

A clawed swipe by a tiger-kin or something had struck his head partially, and while the claw had raked across his scalp, taking his padded cap off as well as some hair and flesh.

That had given him a chance to thrust--somehow, his attack hit home, piercing through the beast's side and into its chest.

[ Swordsmanship Skill Increased - 17 Novice ]

[ Shield Use Skill Increased - 12 Novice ]

His skills continued to improve. With each second he was alive and managed to deliver a blow or a strike, it seemed to get better.

Not only that, but Michael and Gregory were still standing.

He wasn't sure if Henry was alive, but there wasn't time to look around. Already, the line of troops behind him had joined the fight. The battle’s intensity grew as more spells flew overhead and constant cries of pain rang out. Some spells landed in the midst of animals and people, snuffing out life on both sides.

Michael blocked a strike from a wolf-kin as Gregory thrust into the same creature with his sword.

Seeing the opening, Francis darted forward two steps, his weapon slashing at its hamstring.

It cried as its left leg buckled, unable to stand against the three of them working together.

They finished it quickly before the beast could do any more harm. Another tiger-kin came, replacing the falling one, landing a kick that sent Michael tumbling. Francis worked with Gregory, staying side by side as they fought to retrieve his brother.

Someone from another line came up on their right. Their sword stuck through the wolf's side. The beast backhanded the warrior, snapping his head off like a twig, but that gave Francis an opening. He took it, thrusting his sword into the beast's chest and yanking it free while holding up his shield to block the creature's clawed hand, which he assumed would counterattack.

Instead, a foot came out and caught his midsection, sending him tumbling backward and into his brother, who had just gotten to his feet.

Breathing was hard, and it felt like a mule had just kicked him.

Wheezing, Francis tried to stand but found it hard until Michael grabbed his shield arm and helped him to his feet.

"Breathe! I know your chest hurts, but breathe!" Michael shouted.

Trying to regain his breath, Francis finally had a moment to take in his surroundings. His brother was before him, shield up and sword ready.

The birds... they will grow fat...

A hundred yards of corpses... stretched out across so much space.

Flee! Run away!

"We should run!" his brother yelled.

Michael's words hit Francis as he felt the same thought attack his mind.

Francis saw Gregory turn, fleeing as they had been commanded. As he did, a wolf-kin bit down from behind on Gregory’s shoulder and neck, ripping its maw upward, blood gushing like a fountain.

Francis almost stumbled, his eyes locked upon the beast who had just killed his friend. Rage, fear, and doubt all filled him at the same time.

Someone slammed into him, shaking Francis from the dazed state he had been in.

This voice… I’ve… It’s the same one!

[ Mental Resist Check Successful ]

[ Mental Resist Skill Increased - 18 ]

Gone was the pressure to run away. The increase in skill had suddenly cleared the fog that had been present.

Michael turned around before Francis, his brother’s face filled with fear, and started to retreat like so many others around him.

Slapping his brother in the cheek, Francis watched Michael's eyes return to normal. He then quickly moved to block an incoming attack from a charging tiger-kin at his brother’s back.

The claws raked across his wooden shield, a gap appearing in the wood as the claws were sharp enough to shred it.

"DO NOT FLEE! STAND STRONG!"

The calming sensation hit him, but there wasn't time to worry about what was trying to influence him.

A warrior ran right into the back of the tiger-kin, making the beast's second follow-up attack miss. The tiger-kin grazed his leg, claws slicing the thin leather armor on Francis’ thigh, and opened up his skin about an eighth of an inch. The tiger-kin was off balance from the fleeing soldier, leaning sideways, allowing Francis to thrust his sword into its chest.

A grunt came as those yellow eyes went wide.

It turned, teeth coming for him, but a sword intercepted the attack, driving deep into the open maw and penetrating the skull.

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"You ok?!" his brother asked. Francis nodded, yanking the blade free from the tiger-kin Michael had just saved him from.

Wincing from the pain in his leg, Francis was thankful that Michael had been there to help him.

Another pressure of intimidation came as the voice cried out again, causing Francis to turn and look at the woods off to the left. He sensed the same creature he had struck down before, trying to make people flee.

It can reach this far? So it wasn’t just for the forest. If that’s the case.

He saw the chaos on the battlefield as men either fled or froze, providing easy targets for the beastkin.

"Michael! We need to go this way!" Francis called out.

"We can't flee! You heard the order!" His brother replied.

Again, the sensation of something wanting them to run came from the forest. In the darkness, a power of some kind was trying to affect them.

"We're not fleeing! There's something out there! Trust me." Francis stated.

Amid the battle, they locked eyes for a second. Then Michael nodded.

They were in this together. No matter what.

As one, they turned and raced toward the forest, doing their best to help when possible while also avoiding direct fights, ignoring the commands that came their way.

Every time Michael slowed down, Francis pushed him, calling out his name and forcing him forward.

[ Mental Resist Check Success ]

[ Mental Resist Skill Increased - 19 ]

That lizard out there really doesn’t want us to fight.

It took half an hour to make their way to the edge of the men, and then there was about one hundred yards of open space between them and the forest.

Unsure what would happen, Francis took a deep breath.

"We need to run, don't stop. Both sides might attack us when we do that. No matter what, we move!"

"You're certain this is right?"

He could almost close his eyes and sense where the pressure was. Deeper in the woods, up ahead, was the same sensation he had felt before. It seemed like yesterday. Several days had passed, but he was certain the lizard he had killed was the source of this attack.

"Yes, I'd bet every coin I own on it."

A chuckle came as his brother took a deep breath.

"Then let's go!" Michael said.

Shouts came from the line as they moved toward the woods.

Halfway there, nothing had attacked them yet; for a moment, it felt like they might escape when a presence far greater than the one wanting them to run away assaulted their minds.

"DO NOT FLEE TO THE WOODS!"

It made Francis stumble and caused Michael to come to a halt. Francis shook his head, needing a moment to clear the fog again.

Blinking his eyes, it felt like he was crying, but when Francis turned to see his brother, blood had started coming out from the corner of Michael’s eyes.

"Michael! Let's move!" He slapped his brother twice before yanking on his leather armor, dragging him the rest of the way into the woods. The moment they stepped into the shadows, the assault from the King lessened, and Michael began to gasp for air.

"I... I... I couldn't breathe. My head... It hurts,” Michael groaned between breaths. “I… the pain is decreasing and...” His brother’s mouth hung open, eyes darting across the space before him. “I… I got a skill, Francis. A skill!”

"Mental Resist?"

His brother blinked a few times and nodded. "Yes! How did you know?"

Glancing around, Francis held up his hand. "No time, we need to move. Stay close and follow me. I’ll tell you when I think we’re safe." Wiping the blood from his face, he pointed ahead and to the left. "This way."

Both men were breathing hard as they jogged through woods so dark that it almost felt like night. Screams came from the south of them, and the battle raged on. The canopy above wasn't thick, but something seemed to steal the light from the forest. The deeper they went, the darker it got, and Francis started to slow, sensing that they were getting closer. Even without knowing how far they had run, the pressure had increased. Even worse was how badly his brother was struggling to keep up.

"Stay close, step where I step, and don't talk," Francis whispered.

He saw his brother nod, and they began to move, the youngest brother setting the path, doing his best to avoid any twigs or leaves that might make noise as they crept through the woods.

Each second felt like hours as they crept along; the presence had become nearly overwhelming. Moving past a set of trees, Francis saw it about seventy yards ahead. The same ring of trees was out there. He held up a hand, and they squatted lower to the ground.

Francis scanned everywhere he could see in the darkness. Something was off. Last time there was more light, yet right now it was pitch black. So many shadows were everywhere. It allowed him to move around as he had been, but it also meant there might be an enemy hiding.

Why doesn’t the light penetrate the canopy like last time? Am I just remembering this wrong?

Frowning, he focused on the things he knew -- the sad truth was, that wasn’t much. The little he knew about magic said that casters were dangerous. Francis knew the only reason he had defeated that caster had been because he had surprised it. Most were weak when one got close. Fighting one from a distance was asking to die.

Using his fingers, he pointed at the tree circle and then made some walking motions with his fingers.

Michael nodded, so Francis leaned close and shared the plan with his brother.

Each step they took was slow and deliberate, and as they came near the opening of the circle of trees, a howl sounded from somewhere farther in the forest.

Crap... we gotta hurry.

Waving with his hand, Francis crept up to the tree where the opening was.

Large hardwoods had grown into a death circle.

Peering around the bark, he saw what was standing in the middle.

It was a lizard, yet it didn’t look exactly like the first one he had encountered. This one physically looked the same, dark as night, and with a purple skin tone. The difference was that the one before him now stood about seven feet tall. Dark black robes made from skin moved as it moved, and in its clawed hands was a staff like the one he had seen the first time.

It was making weird noises, chanting with both eyes closed.

Right before he was about to motion for them to attack, crunches came from around them. Shapes began to appear from the darkness as they dropped from the trees.

“Francis?!” Michael’s voice cracked as they stared at the trio of cat-kin all moving toward them. Each looked different from the ones they had faced on the battlefield, the beasts’ eyes glowing in the darkness of the forest.

“Fools… how you found me is most… unfortunate.”

Francis turned his head, looking at the lizard staring at him, eyes glowing purple and a mouthful of teeth in what he guessed was a grin.

“Fear not. We shall send you to meet your gods.”

Francis cried out, and he tried to turn. Before he could get his shield and weapon in position, a clawed hand pierced his chest. A ripping sound followed by excruciating pain came as the cat-kin ripped its claws back.

Francis glanced down, seeing a hole where his sternum had been. Looking up, he saw the cat-kin smile and shove his heart, still beating, into its mouth.

“Mi…chael… I’m… sorry.”

Darkness took over again.