Al and Hydrick V

At the heart of the dueling grounds, the two generals traded blow for blow in quick succession, neither giving up any ground to the other.

Suddenly, the battle lines that had been caving in around them began to shift outward, and the cries of the respective armies began to change.

“Wolverines, form on me and make for the retreating general!”
“Teutons, make chase and take out all retreating enemies!”

“Elite units of Pursia, hold your lines until the general is recovered!”

“Re-form around General Hydrick!”

Finally, the two generals ceased their exchange and looked around them. The lines that remained had exploded in chaos, fighting recklessly in their attempt to rally around their leaders. The difference in numbers became evident as the Teutons struggled to fight their way to their general through the thick of Wolverines.

“General Pursia, come with me!” A mounted Red Wolf shouted as he emerged from the chaos with a spare horse. “We must aid the General!”

“General Hydrick, hold on!” A voice resounded in the distance. Hydrick identified the owner of the voice as his Lieutenant, Kenick, who was busy fighting through a horde of Wolverines. He glanced back as Pursia mounted his horse, tossing him one last look of disdain before pulling away with his small group. Meeting his gaze, he offered a firm stare of his own.

We’ll settle this when the time comes, Pursia.

Like true warriors… as you’ve desired all this time.

Taking his eyes off the retreating man, he calmly surveyed the chaos around him.

These battle lines, though… well done, Al.

You must have realized and forced him to retreat.

I wonder, did you fight him?

Ha… I can’t say I’m not jealous.

At that moment, a dozen Red Wolves broke into the former dueling ground and pounced on Hydrick.

You made the right move throwing everything at him and leaving me. Had you hesitated, we both probably would have died.

With no allies around him, he met the attackers, taking three out in one monstrous blow. The rest persisted, taking different angles at him and diving at him like preying wolves. One by one he cut them down, growing wearier with every blow.

However, it’s not like I’m just going to die in a place like this.

Even if Kenick doesn’t make it… I’ll be fine…

He cut down five more, his hands beginning to grow numb from the exchange of blows. Ten more men appeared from his backside, forcing him to up the pace and range of his counter-strikes.

There’s no way I’d fall to something like this…

He continued taking enemies out, despite yet more swarming him.

Not while I have someone looking to me as their hero!

Isn’t that right…Tess!

A ring of bodies surrounded him, blood painting both his blade and the sandy beach he stood on. He threw his hair back, catching his breath. No enemies were left. The battle lines thinned out, any remaining enemies chasing after the mass of retreating and pursuing soldiers.

“General, you’re okay!” the large, bearded Kenick shouted as he finally broke into the dueling ground. “I’m so sorry it took me so long!”

“It’s okay, Kenick,” Hydrick responded in a hoarse voice. “This was the toughest battlefield we’ve seen yet. Have we lost all of our horses nearby?”

“I’m afraid we have, sir, along with at least 4,000 men,” he declared with a dejected expression. “But I’ve managed to round up sixteen captains, so about 1,600 men should be re-forming on us very soon. The enemy is almost completely gone over here, after all, but it seems Al took a large chunk of our men with him as well.”

“Yes, that’s what I’d thought,” Hydrick answered as he limped forward, his voice growing weaker with every sentence. “We need to find horses, and then we’re taking all our men after Al.”

“But, General… those wounds! We need to get you to headquarters and—”

“I’ll be okay, Kenick,” he answered in a firm voice, clutching at his ribs. “I can receive sufficient medical aid while we ride. Now, let’s re-form these men, okay?”

“Y—yes sir, understood.”

“Alright,” Hydrick replied with a smile, shifting his gaze toward the mass exodus of troops. “Wait for me, Al… we’re going to come out of this night alive, and victorious.”