Chapter 112 Assault on the Fortress (2/2)

Arran took a final deep breath The next few moments would be crucial, and he knew that the faster he ran, the better their chances would be

Then, he dashed off toward the fortress, using every bit of strength his body held He put such force into his strides that his feet tore the ground, and he was already halfhen the first calls of alarm sounded from the fortress

Several arrows fleard hi too fast for the archers to hit him — and even if they did hit, an arrow fired froathered up Force Essence as he ran, and when there were only a few dozen paces left between hi Force attack

Strong though the gate ainst Arran's attack The gate exploded inith a deafening crash, the wood shattered and torn from the sheer force of the ie he had wrought Without waiting, he ran through the reate and into the courtyard

Within the courtyard was a group of several dozens of bandits, but they looked confused and disorganized, with several only half-dressed — clearly, they had been roused only et their bearings He rushed toward the group with his sword drawn, launching several large fireballs into their midst as heeffect, killing at least half the group in an instant Screams of pain came fro was brief — Arran arrived adown all who still stood in a matter ofthe bandits who rehts theya defense vanished before the chaos unfolding around the, fire sprouting fros alike

As he rained down destruction upon the courtyard and those within it, Arran only barely paid attention to theThey posed no real threat, and his real opponents had yet to show the came quickly Arran Sensed a sudden build-up of Fire Essence that wasn't his, and he knew one of the novices had appeared Instantly, he threw up a Force shi+eld and turned toward the threat, but there was no need — this tie could even launch his attack, he was struck by a massive blow of Wind Essence that ra several dozens of paces backward, only halting when he slaround, motionless

There was no time to celebrate, however Even as one deserter died, another revealed hi a series of fireballs at Snowcloud She deflected them hat seemed like a shi+eld of Wind Essence, then retaliated with the sa she had used to kill a novice earlier Her opponent deflected the attack, but only barely, and he was forced backward

As Snowcloud exchanged attacks with the e, Arran did not intervene Confident that she would prevail withindeserter

The courtyard was empty apart froht, he was startled to find a figure only a dozen paces behind Snowcloud, approaching her rapidly He could neither Sense nor see the figure, but there was no time to think about that If there was a threat, it would not wait for Arran to study it

At once, he launched a Battering Force attack at the figure, then followed behind it hiure squarely with ruinous force, and it was sent sprawling to the ground To Arran's surprise, there was a slight blur in the air, and a ure, a sword in her hand and a startled look on her face

Arran did not pause to think about what happened Immediately, he launched a series of powerful sword blows, driving the woman back as she desperately defended herself Yet despite being taken by surprise, she e his attacks, and after a few ained her composure

Now, it was Arran who found himself on the defense, and he quickly sustained several sht hand, Arran Sensed a sudden surge of Fire Essence in her left hand At once, he dodged — and only narrowly escaped a streak of yellohite lightning that surged past his face, leaving a painful burn on his cheek

He Sensed another swell of Essence in the woman's hand and was about to raise a Force shi+eld, but then, the woman was struck by a blast of Wind Essence that nearly took her off her feet It seemed Snowcloud had finally defeated her opponent and co an opportunity, Arran did not hesitate In an instant, he raered woman's chest before she had a chance to recover A moment later, the Essence in her hand scattered into the air, and her lifeless body sluh of relief Once again, the battle had been far closer than he wanted But they had won, and right now, that was all that mattered

When he turned to Snowcloud, there were no tears in her eyes Instead, her normally pale cheeks were red with exertion, and she had a tired but relieved look on her face

”That should be the last of the deserters,” Arran said, although he did not dare to let down his guard

”I hope so,” Snowcloud said, still breathing heavy after the fight ”What do we do now?”

”Let's go inside,” Arran replied ”We can talk after we clear the fortress”

Snowcloud nodded, and Arran was reassured when he saw that despite the weary look on her face, her eyes were sharp and focused It seemed there was hope for her yet