Chapter 2

CHAPTER 2: Ambush in Marston Forest

Nicolai continues to lead his troops further into the forest. The Marston Forest is one of the more tame forests. Even though occasionally a traveler would come to a bad end in the forest, this was extremely rare as it seemed that the forest, as a whole, was afraid of the elves. As he walks over the fallen leaves and branches, Nicolai becomes aware of a moaning noise. Grrrrraaaaggghhhghgghg...

Travis, one of Nicolai's subordinates, is scared out of his wits when a fellow subordinate named Jeremiah draws two daggers, ready for battle. However, the battle never comes as Nicolai walks forward and sees Simon, spread-eagled and on the ground, a faint groan escaping from his lips. As soon as Nicolai comes into sight, Simon bursts into speech.

"L-look out! There a-are b-b-ban-d-d-dits h-here!"

Nicolai's confusion instantly changes into awe as twelve masked troops attack. Simon gets up, drawing his sword, but is knocked back into a corner and disappears from sight. Jeremiah uses his Special Ability (Jeremiah's Ability is the "Bloody X", using his two blades to cut an x in the enemy). Two of the soldiers are hits with the "Bloody X", and go down. As they are thrown backwards, they knock into three more, knocking them all unconscious. Nicolai's bow is ready in a flash, and he releases seven arrows at once, a mighty feat, even for an elf. All seven arrows are hits, but not all of them fatal. Five more masked men go down, and the remaining two have been hit the leg with arrows, who attempt to flee but trip on branches. The two are killed, and it is then that Nicolai realizes what has happened to Simon.

Simon lies in a corner with half a sword hilt stuck inside of him. With his last breath, he tells Nicolai that the message was delivered to Hi-En and Li. Nicolai has now realized that this elf has given his life for the sake of everyone else on the planet, for now all the leaders of all nations will be meeting in Central City, and then perhaps Doom will be finally brought down. Nicolai gets on his mount and rides away with his posse of subordinates.