Loopbreaker

Francis couldn’t help but stand in awe of the man before him. Baxter had looked intimidating since the first time he had seen the behemoth of a man. Today was no different.

Standing in a black set of plate armor with red wolves etched into it, the King shifted the shield that was taller than Francis with ease. Baxter’s sword hand was free right now, but Francis had seen the blade the king had displayed for a moment and the sight of that red blade with black lines had sent a shudder down his spine.

I can only imagine the kind of magical equipment Baxter has on.

“You ready for this?” Stenson asked.

Nodding at the older man next to him, Francis gazed at the battlefield, which was preparing for a fight that would not be held back. “I’ve been ready for a while,” he replied. “Everything I’ve been doing, all those deaths… it all comes down to this moment to see if we can win.”

He felt the general’s only hand grab his shoulder and squeeze.

“I want you to know, Francis, that I am grateful you’re the man you are,” Stenson said softly. “You have proven yourself to be a true ally of the kingdom. Whatever happens today, the next time we speak after it, know that even if I can’t voice it then, I’m proud of you.”

Francis cleared his throat and smiled. “Thank you. That means a lot.”

The older man nodded and clapped his shoulder once before walking off to join the king and a few of the other officers.

I’m not sure what’s worse… hearing those words from him or wanting to believe he actually means it…

Movement from his other side caught Francis’ attention, and he turned to see Priscilla beckoning him with a finger.

“Mage,” Francis said, giving a small wink after checking that no one was able to see what he had done.

“Sage Francis,” Priscilla said softly, bending her knees. “Your words the other day… I am… excited.” Her lips were curled up into a grin that Francis couldn’t recall ever seeing the woman wear. She looked beautiful and scary at the same time. Her red robes had metallic runes that ran down in lines from the top to the bottom of it. In her hand was a staff he had never seen with four different colored gems set inside the metal rod. She also had on more jewelry than he could recall, with a pair of bracelets on each wrist as well as a necklace laced with rubies. She had two earrings on each ear, all of them set with sapphires that glowed. “Today, you will get to bear witness to what I can do. Perhaps it might make you think twice about how you speak to me in the future.”

He couldn’t help but laugh. Francis tapped his own armor, which was a gift from Baxter and the pair of swords that the King had pulled from his treasury, strapped across his back.

“I’m certain that after witnessing the extent of what everyone can do today, I will be a little hesitant to upset any of you in the future,” Francis replied. “Still, I am grateful for your help. I know the request I made wasn’t an easy one.”

Priscilla nodded, her lips pressed together as her new expression hid her teeth. “Nothing has been easy since the day we stepped foot on this battlefield, but the truth is for over three hundred years, I have been in a battle of sorts. Today is the first time I can allow myself to let loose. Your… secret… allows me to bypass some of the ropes that bind me. Knowing what I do won’t break any of the oaths I am bound to because one way or another, you will die, and this will all start again.”

“I do try to be helpful sometimes,” Francis joked. “Now then, if you’re good, I need to go speak with Kels.”

Priscilla nodded, and Francis moved to where the knight was a little bit away, shouting at different men and giving orders. As he walked away, he could sense a barrier that he passed through, knowing that she had created a bubble of silence.

“Sage Francis!” Kels shouted as he drew near. “I cannot tell you how excited I am about today! You and I, slaying beasts without regard! And to hear we’re going to work together to take down a creature far greater than any of the others we have faced is a dream come true. Now tell me, what can I do for you?”

Admiring the knight who had trained him in so many different lessons beyond simply just how to swing a sword, Francis could see that the young man was wearing equipment better than the last few times they had fought together. He wore plate versus chain armor and had a sword on each hip as well as two more crossed on his back.

“You look like you’re ready to go to war or something,” Francis teased. “But all I wanted to say is I’ll let you lead once we find one of the special beasts.”

“I know you’re not being a coward, but why?” Kels asked, raising an eyebrow. “Are you hoping to learn just how good I am?”

“Maybe,” Francis replied. “I mean, what kind of fool would I be not to watch the great Knight Kels, whom the General handpicked? Besides, I think you’ll have an easier time surviving if they focus on you at first versus me. I need to last as long as I can for this to work.”

“Tsk,” the knight said. “You and Stenson both are so negative. It’s like neither of you expect this to turn out well.”

Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

“Maybe I’m a little… jaded by things,” Francis said. “In the end, I can’t wait to see us destroy every last one of those beasts on the other side of the field and return home. No matter what, today we’re going to take revenge on them for what they’ve done to our people.”

Kels only nodded, a small smile on the knight’s lips. A few seconds later, a warrior called for the man’s attention and Francis didn’t hold him back.

For once, we’ll see what power really lies beyond all these animals…

“Hey, moron!” a voice Francis knew by heart called out. “Get over here.”

Turning, he saw Michael waving at him, dressed in fine clothes and flanked by two women who he had yet to take up on their offer.

“What are you doing out here?” Francis asked as he reached his brother. “I thought you’d be somewhere safe, in a tent, staying busy while the real men and women fought.”

“Please,” Michael replied, rolling his eyes. “Some of us are tasked with keeping the two most beautiful women in the kingdom safe. Of course, I have been granted that privilege.”

He just smiled and nodded at Bella and Lucy. “Thank you both for watching over him. One day I’ll repay you two for that.”

“It is our honor,” Lucy said. “And we’ll hold you to that promise, Sage Francis.”

“Besides, if you’re half as good as your brother here, we’ll both be satisfied,” Bella said.

Michael’s cheek flushed just slightly as the woman wrapped her arm around his and drew close.

“Well, I won’t keep you all out here then,” Francis said. “I need to go join the army–”

His brother moved faster than he had expected, and Michael had freed his arm from Bella, wrapping Francis up in a hug.

“I love you,” Michael whispered. “No matter what, I’m always here. Let’s talk about what happens soon.”

Squeezing his brother, Francis had to stop when a grunt came from Michael.

“Sorry, I forgot how strong I have become.”

“Lies,” Michael replied, laughing. “You and I both know that was a lie.”

Francis winked. “True.”

***

The horn sounded, signaling the retreat, causing the warriors who were at the greatest risk of the death spell to turn and race toward the camp.

Francis watched as the men tossed down their swords and shields, knowing that there were only a few seconds that would determine who lived and who died. Even though he had watched this play out before, he still couldn’t tear his eyes from the line, urging every man to run faster.

Time ticked down slowly, and the black sheet descended, claiming the lives of those who didn’t make it far enough.

“You weren’t wrong,” Kels said. “That was gruesome. How long till we make them pay for that?”

“Less than a minute. I’ll motion for when to blow the horns,” Francis said, sensing the anger in the knight’s voice. “Focus on the path I lead. We’ll quickly reach the rhino-kin, and then after that, something should approach you.”

“And after that?”

“We kill whatever comes at us,” Francis replied. “Stenson has the one to the right. That leaves Priscilla and the king to manage the ones from the middle on. We’ll have to move as quickly as we can, protecting the other men so they can engage the elite warriors in the back.”

“All this,” Kels said, his eyes locked upon the group of warriors crying out in pain from the spell that was killing them. “Tell me we’ll win.”

“We’ll win. Someday we’ll cleanse this land from these beasts,” Francis said.

Even if it’s not today… one day it will happen.

Both men were silent, waiting for the moment to come when the battle would push forward. Every horse around Francis was waiting for the slightest nudge, telling them it was time to charge.

“Seven seconds,” Francis shouted.

“I still can’t believe you can’t ride a horse,” Kels stated.

“I can, but there’s no time for that discussion. Blow the horn,” Francis replied.

The knight gave the signal, and the horns erupted nearby, stretching across the battlefield field and the wave of warriors surged.

Francis took off running, knowing the horses would eventually catch up and pass him, but he wanted to see what was happening off to his left.

The human army ran toward the beasts, but a swirling of magical power formed hundreds of yards away. Fire rose into the sky and raced toward the first rows of beastkin that had waited outside the range of their death spell.

Soon, large chunks of fiery rocks rained down upon the beasts; any magical shield that appeared to stop the spell seemed to fail, the flames falling toward the creatures below. A single spell from Priscilla erased hundreds of beastkin, creating a massive hole in the enemy army lines as the fire seemed to spread from animal to animal.

“She’s strong!” Kels shouted, his horse having caught up with Francis. “You need to focus!”

Francis nodded, turning his gaze toward the line of beasts that had slowed their approach.

They're afraid…

Roars came from behind the beasts, barely audible over the pounding of hooves, but it took a moment for the enemy army to race toward them again. During that time Francis watched as the army around him seemed to realize things had shifted. Every warrior present was shouting, their gazes fixed upon the beasts before them.

As the first lines clashed, the healing spell came, stretching across the chaos that quickly turned one-sided.

We’re doing it… We’re fucking doing it!

Every beast that came near Francis was slaughtered in a moment. His swords cut through flesh, bone, and the light armor each opponent wore. He was death to any creature he got near. A little further away, Kels was the better version of him. The knight’s armor began to turn red, blood splashing against the silver metal plate.

A wave of magic struck some of the warriors to Francis’ left as a serpent sent out blasts of poison to try and halt the overwhelming force.

Once the magic healing wears off… they’re going to die.

Changing his original plan, Francis raced toward the snake and roared, drawing its attention.

It smiled, sending out a blast of poisonous magic at him.

Francis laughed, letting his Legendary skill make the caster pay for its attempt at attacking him.

I suppose Kels can handle things until I hear the leader challenge him… in the meantime, I’ll do what I can to save as many men as possible.

Francis’ skin burned, but the pain and damage were minimal. He’d felt worse and, with a clear goal set, did what he was good at. Killing the stronger ones so the other soldiers could handle the easier ones.

Minutes passed as Francis worked his way through the beast army, always keeping his attention focused where he knew Kels was.

As he freed his sword from the corpse of a rhino-kin that once had been his greatest threat, the sound of a cat calling out to his right rang out.

More roars came, and Francis ran with everything he had.

Up ahead, he saw the panther moving toward Kels as beasts began to give the pair room to fight.

He shouted, waving his sword, doing what he could to announce to Kels that he was coming. As Francis ran, he saw firsthand the difference between him and the knight.

Shit… I should have stayed closer!