"Everyone, get up!" A scream rang through the forest.
...
"Hmmph, just give me another hour," Starlight mumbled. He rolled over on his back and covered his ears.
Boom!
Starlight shot upright and blinked profusely, trying to adjust to the surrounding darkness. When his vision recovered, a bloody, severed head lay right beside him.
Starlight flinched.
"A monster?" he gasped, fear flooding him.
The monster's head was covered in blood-stained fur, its bloodshot eye eerily staring right at Starlight.
Taking his eyes off the beast, he scanned around the campsite, all five of the warriors were fending off monsters.
His gaze found Godric, who swung a spiked mace. As a four-legged, dog-like monster lunged at Godric, he stepped back, brought up the weapon, and smashed it against the creature's skull.
Starlight shifted his head over to a taller and bigger man, who was also fighting one of those furry monsters. Aster stood in a boxing stance, his hands held high around his face. Before Starlight could react, the monster collapsed with the swift strike of Aster's arm.
Beside him, Bram was slashing monsters with his whip - made from bone connecting like a spine, dodging attacks within a hair's breadth. His movements were like an intricate dance, mesmerizing Starlight.
Above, a woman hovered in silver armor with outstretched feathered wings coming from her back. It was Lyra. Her spear's tip spiraled into a doubled-edged blade. Every so often, she plunged into the wild monsters, striking them and soaring back to safety.
Beside Starlight, a girl was fighting a swarm of monsters; she weaved around them with grace. With every swing, her sword pierced through the hides of the creatures. It was Liriel. He watched her for a moment, then attempted to stand up.
Growl!
Starlight flinched and turned his head. Right in front of him was a monster! Its whiskered snout inched closer, eyes burning with murderous intent. A mane of thick grey fur and two long black horns framed its face. Below its muscular figure covered in bristled fur, its four legs stepped closer towards him. Near its rear, a thin tail wagged - like a dog's would when it's about to eat dinner, but he was the dinner.
"Shit," Starlight scowled. The monster moved forward, growling and showing its teeth. Still on the ground, Starlight began scooting back, attempting to get away from the monster.
The monster still pressed forward, becoming more aggressive. Starlight looked behind him, and he spotted a dagger held up against a rock. He changed his direction, trying to move closer towards it, making no sudden movements so as not to provoke the creature.
"Come on, just a couple more meters," Starlight muttered, looking back at the dagger. He turned his head, looking at the creature again. It wasn't there.
Time seemed to slow; the monster was right above him, claws out and jaw wide open. All Starlight could do was stare into its throat, frozen in fear. He was completely helpless. What could he do? He was just a sheltered fourteen-year-old with no real combat experience.
Swoosh!
A sword pierced through the neck of the creature. The monster fell, its corpse thumped against the ground, landing between Starlight's legs. Its head rolled inches away from Starlight's body. The monsters' once murderous eyes fell blank.
Starlight looked up, horrified at the events that had just unfolded before him. Standing before him was Liriel. Her white hair hung down her face as she leaned against her sword. Her armor was cracked -and in several places, shattered. Crimson blood rolled down her muddy armor, mixed with dirt.
Starlight sprang to his feet, rushing over to her side. As he got closer, he saw the extent of her damage. Bite marks littered her armor and blood - presumably from monsters, splattered over her legs.
"Liriel, are you okay... Liriel?" Starlight asked, the woman clearly unresponsive.
After a couple of seconds of silence, she whispered: "Mhm, I need to rest..."
Liriel slumped over and fell into Starlight's arms. Starlight, stunned for a second, came back to his senses and wrapped his arms around her chest plate and dragged her closer towards the fire.
Starlight looked around, trying to find help, but all the others were fighting their own battles.
"Damn it," Starlight groaned, still carrying the unconscious body of Liriel. He looked up, trying to spot Lyra.
'They were cousins; surely she would come and help if she saw Liriel in this state, right?'
Eventually, he did spot her, hovering above a pack of corpses. Luckily, Lyra did meet his gaze, taking advantage of this situation, he gestured for her to come over.
Lyra hesitated, then her eyes landed on the unconscious body in his arms. She flapped her wings and flew over to them with unfathomable speed, landing right beside the two.
"What happened to her?" Lyra coldly asked.
"I'm...I'm not sure, I only saw her about a minute ago." Starlight frantically explained. His heart was almost beating out of his chest.
'What if she blames me?' Starlight thought. 'I was the only one around her.'
She waited for a moment, then grabbed Liriel from his arms. Lyra cradled the unconscious girl in her arms.
Moments later, Aster ran over, his expression showing clear worry and concern for the girl.
"We need to leave now! Bram and Godric will... huff... will follow behind shortly," Aster said, heavily breathing.
Aster bent over, motioning to Lyra to put Liriel on his back. Once she was secured, he looked over at Starlight and motioned to follow.
Lyra grabbed a thick branch from a pile of wood and set it on fire. When the four of them were ready, they rushed past the onslaught of monsters and right into the forest, with Lyra at the lead, Aster in the middle, and Starlight at the back.
Right before reaching the edge of the campsite, Starlight spotted the sky faintly light up, marking dawn.
Hope swelled in his chest. 'If Godric was right... We might have a chance to escape this nightmare.'