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?"

"Indeed I am," I say. "But we can talk about that later. Another group of elves are coming."

"Well, all I can say is that I'm glad you're on our side," says the warrior, standing beside me as he readies his weapon.

Serena stands by me, her weapon raised. Our numbers are smaller than the group that approaches, but it's an easy fight with me here.

The humans hold their own while I take on two or three elves at a time. None wear that damned armor, thankfully. But as soon as we slay the last soldier, we learn the threat is far from over.

"Over there!" shouts Serena. "More of them coming over the hills!"

Again, their numbers dwarf ours, not only that, but these men are tired. I wonder how long they had been fighting before my mate and I showed up.

"Fuck," cries one of the soldiers. "Look, the shore!"

We look to the shoreline, where two massive warships wash up. Their doors open with a ramp quickly hurling down to the ground, followed by the heavy footsteps of at least thirty elves from each vessel.

I look at our numbers, counting roughly around fifty, and some are bleeding, weakly holding their wounds.

"Father!" calls a small voice behind all of us.

We turn to see a child running up to us, clutching a toy. His face is stricken with tears and mucus.

"That's Darkus's child," mutters Serena, stooping down to the small human. She picks him up and turns to the men. "Has anyone seen Darkus?"

All of the men look to the ground in shame, a clear indicator of the answer. Serena's face contorts in horror, looking away from the child so that her face cannot be seen.

"Serena, go hide the child and round up any more you can find," I tell her.

She nods and turns to jog away. I regroup with the men, standing in front of the assembly. Among the warriors, I feel like an outsider, but I stand with them regardless, ready to defend the encampment as one.

I can see the humans looking at me from the corner of my eye, a mixture of faith and fear. I'm probably the last reinforcement they ever expected to get.

"I don't know if you drink," stutters the man beside me. "But if you do, I'll give you my best ale if we survive this."

"I have no idea what you are talking about, but if it's something that will bring me closer to your kind, so be it. Here they come."

"Charge!"

I let out a guttural roar, shaking the very ground beneath me, thinking of the scream that Serena did when we first approached the camp. I'm not just fighting for her now but for the sake of humankind.

Orbs of magic and flame rush our way. I blast fire, my elements meeting with theirs to counter their attacks.

We clash, the air filling with clanging steel, screams, and blood. Explosions threaten to sever the ground in two as lethal magic rings out in all directions.

Bodies of both men and elves are thrown around. Heads roll and limbs are discarded. Humans and elves fall around me, some fighting with their fists after their weapons are swiped away.

I move forward, cutting the elves down with my flames and draining their souls. I eat as many as I can, each taste of their souls not satiating me, but only fueling my hunger.

Many fall before, but their numbers still outweigh ours. I hold one in my hands as I feed on him when I hear a sudden scream behind me.

I turn to see an approaching elf with his sword already coming down. I have no time to counter and brace myself for the impact, but another sword meets the attackers.

Serena drives him back. She is coated in blood and moves fiercely, like a wild animal on a hunting frenzy. I join her, making quick work of the elf who tried to take my life.

"We just might win this," she yells amidst the chaos.

"Don't stop fighting! Watch out!"

I pull her down to the ground, just narrowly avoiding a blast of lethal magic. I land on top of her, with my pelvis pressing between her legs.

Not exactly the best time for this.

We get back on our feet. A quick glance around reveals more damage inflicted on the camp, but the enemy forces are dwindling.

I don't know where the human warriors draw their resilience from, but it makes me proud to fight with them.

I continue slaughtering any elf I see, countering their attacks and distracting them with mind games so that the warriors can slay them where they stand.

We're down to the final squad. They retreat to the ships, but I will not allow them to escape so easily. I use the elements to destroy the vessels, cutting off their route of escape before moving in.

Even those who attempt a surrender are not safe. They must pay for what they have done. I hold up the last soldier in front of me, wanting him to get a good look at the monster whose appetite he shall serve.

I throw down his corpse, his body hitting the ground with an echoing finality. Serena runs into my arms.

"We did it," she gasps.

"Are you hurt?" I ask, looking for wounds amongst her blood-covered attire.

"None of it's mine," she says. "Cinis, you helped save my people."

The humans regroup. I look over the ruins of the camp. Many have fallen for today's victory, and a lot of homes must be rebuilt.

Some cry for the dead and the fatally wounded, but the majority of the bodies around here belong to the elves, the sight of them citing celebration among the humans.

"Your kind fought valiantly," I say to Serena, stroking her cheek.

She smiles at me, then her eyes move behind me. I turn to see the remaining warriors standing before me.

"We have defeated the elves, thanks to you Serena. You brought a formidable ally with you today, and because of you two, we shall live to fight another day."

They bow and get on their knees, lowering their heads. Shocked, I do not know what to say, but I know they mean this as a sign of respect. I bow my head alongside Serena.

In the distance, the sun begins to dive behind the horizon, its shade almost as red as the blood lining the snow. The leader of the warriors approaches Serena.

"Serena, the last time we saw you, you were with Nielsen, Aldor, and some of the others. Where are they?"

"They… they did not make it," she says, shaking her head.

"So I suspected," replies the man. "I am also sorry to say your home was destroyed in the battle."

"That's okay," says Serena. "I have a new one now," she continues, smiling at me.

"Where is it?"

"Very far from here," I answer.

"Well then," the man chuckles. "I invite the both of you to stay in my home and rest. It is the least I can do after you save us."

We bow to one another, and then the man leaves. I hug Serena, gripping her tighter than ever before.

"Oh Cinis, I don't know what to say."

"You don't have to say anything," I reply, kissing her. "Just know that I love you."

"I'll never forget it, and I love you too."