Page 74 of Crown of Flame
Even with my amulet, I can feel the heat in his body rising. I tighten my grip on his arm.
“Cinis, that’s my home camp, it’s got to be!”
An explosion rocks the ground beneath us as a cloud rises from my camp. We can’t see the camp itself which is hidden by a hill, but I can only imagine what horrors lie behind it.
Without hesitation, we break into a sprint. My body is already tired from building our new home, but I don’t want it to come at the cost of my old home.
The screams and cries of humans fill the air as we approach, as do the sounds of iron and steel clanging.
I climb up the hill on all fours. The sight that greets me at its peak is worse than anything I could have imagined.
The carnage entails hordes of dark elves coming in from the nearby coastline and more from another hill opposite to us in the distance. Human warriors meet them in battle, fighting fiercely like I’ve never seen them before. Orbs of magic ring out in all directions.
But that’s far from the worst of it. I cry out in anguish seeing the burning homes of my people, with countless corpses strewn across the camp grounds.
I spot children hiding amongst the rubble and fallen tents, some of whom I can hear calling out from their parents.
It is a nightmare come to life. My knees almost fail beneath me, seeing the worst unfold before my very eyes.
I think of Nielsen, Pierce, Aldor, and even Beth. All of their deaths will be in vain if I do not intervene.
Rage replaces the shock in me as I unsheathe my sword. I look at Cinis, seeing the fire in him burning through the gaps in his rock-like formation. Our eyes meet in a look of acknowledgment. We both know what we must do.
Together, we charge. There are still lives to be saved, not all have fallen. I will ensure no more are lost.
27
CINIS
Serena and I charge side by side towards the mayhem. The elements are quite literally firing up inside of me. What was supposed to be a stroll is about to become a battle for survival. It’s a good thing that I hunger for sustenance.
Until now, I have only ever been told stories of the vicious acts committed by the dark elves unto the good people of Serena’s kind, but the chaos unfolding before me is far worse than anything my ancient imagination could have conjured up.
Too many corpses to count lay on the ground, some of whom are elderly. I do not wish to look further, fearing children may lie among them. How could the dark elves act so mercilessly? They will pay for this massacre.
Serena lets loose a scream reaching octaves I never knew existed. I would too if I came across my home ruined and in shambles, with my kindred lying dead in numbers all around me.
We run up on a battle between a group of human warriors and a squad of dark elf soldiers, all of whom freeze and stare as I hurl myself toward them.
“What in the hells is that thing!”
The warriors roll out of the way as I spring forward to an elf, making quick work of the bastard as I devour his soul into my form. The other elves stumble back in confusion and fear, while the warriors have their swords raised at me, seemingly unsure if I am helping them or trying to take everyone out.
Behind them, Serena takes on an elf by herself. She isn’t exactly at liberty to tell the humans I am here to help, and so there is only one way to do so.
I drain two of the enemies simultaneously, causing the others to stumble even more, with one of them tripping over themselves. He and the remaining soldier are swiftly dealt with.
Another squad of elves spot us and are running over, but the humans attempt to talk to me.
“That… thing,” gasps a human. “I think it’s on our side.”
“I am Cinis,” I tell them. “And I am no mere thing. I am an ally, here with Serena of your encampment.”
She runs over, having slain the soldier she was fighting.
“I brought him,” she says, her breath heavy. “He’s here to help rid the camp of the elves.”
“He can talk,” marvels another warrior. “But I don’t see his mouth moving. Is he speaking into my mind?”