-Callia-

  Without another breath of hesitation, I charged forward. Stopping right next to the shieldbearer on the left, I thrust my palm forward, hammering into the shield with great force. The user stumbled backward, opening the shield wall just enough for my spear to slip between the shields. A hard impact and then the familiar feeling of digging through flesh signal my hit, but the enemies respond just as swiftly. Both shield bearers turn sideways, hiding themselves behind their shields while opening the hallway for the men behind to counterattack. I hop backwards on the tips of my toes, weaving away from the eager spear tips. Behind the spearmen two archers also open fire. I narrowly dodge one with a tilt of my head, a sliver of my bangs being cut by the arrow whizzing by, and my open hand shoots upwards, snatching the other arrow midflight. The moment I escaped the reach of the spearmen, a short but deliberate grunt from one of the spearmen signaled both of the shielders back in place.

  I tracked the rapid shuffle of feet as the previous shielder I scored a hit on handed his shield off to the spearman directly behind him. The entire line shifted one place forward seamlessly, cycling the injured man out of combat. I couldn’t help but appreciate the impressive display of discipline, but I wasn’t done yet. I launched myself forward again, but this time instead of stopping, I jumped forward, launching myself like a projectile in a double-legged flying sidekick. I noticed the runes on the shield glowed in an attempt to resist, but with my entire mass behind the strike, the runes achieved only partial success. The shield cracked as my legs impacted the entire structure, caving inward slightly as my impact dented the thick sheet of metal, but more importantly, the user was launched violently backwards into the guards behind him.

  I gave them no space to breathe as I used the opening to slide behind the shield of the man who was still standing. He had tried to turn and hide like the man before but was still far too slow. I got in close, decisively grabbing and twisting the throat and then springing off his limp body while snatching the shield from his dying grasp. The archers behind opened fire before the spearmen got a chance to recover. I flipped in place, swinging the stolen shield between me and the arrows. The shield’s runes glowed, and the arrows harmlessly bounced off the surface. I rolled back to my feet in one motion and immediately skipped backward, widening the gap between us. With sufficient space to dodge, I shifted the shield into the voidspace while also summoning my bow back into my hands.

  More arrows zipped through the dark at me, but I spotted their glinting in the darkness and carefully sent arrows of my own. The enemy projectiles were deflected, and I shifted my aim to the enemy formation that had adjusted yet again with the one shielder in the center and the others pressed into a tight formation behind him. Instead of the slow advance from before, their boots were already hammering against the ground as they started to charge. I started jogging backwards at the same pace as their charge while unleashing my fury on the enemies. My first arrows didn’t just deflect the enemy arrows but pushed through, striking down the men who shot at me. My next volley started clipping the legs and arms exposed by the limited cover of the remaining shield.

  As men fell, those behind didn’t hesitate to trample their comrades. I continued to fall backward as the column advanced relentlessly. It didn’t take long for the echo of our battle to start reflecting back from the end of the tunnel. My generous space was rapidly starting to run out, and yet the column seemed to have endless replacements for each man I crippled. Suddenly the stone above me started cracking as something above hit it with incredible force. I dived clear as the ceiling shattered. A large, fur-coated humanoid hand reached into the tunnel, digging through tons of stone as if pebbles, forcing its way deeper into the tunnel, blindly grasping for me. I didn’t hesitate in the slightest to flee from its grasp even if it meant abandoning the tunnel.

  A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  I ran back out from the secret passageway and back into the prison itself. In front of the prison cell was a deeply imprinted hoof roughly 5 times the size of my feet. The sound of something massive moving came from the neighboring hall, which would be directly above the collapsed tunnel. I hesitated for a moment before sprinting through the dark again, but this time back towards the prison’s main entrance. My feet tapped soundlessly against the dark, contrasting against the heavy cracks as a massive bipedal creature's feet slammed into the stone, cracking it. The extended running was beginning to wear me down, but despite the height advantage, I still managed to outrun the monster, arriving at the exit first. The rubble I used to seal the entryway was still intact, but I easily shifted it back into the void. I reached the door and didn’t hesitate to kick it inwards.

  I nearly lost my balance as the door didn’t give way. I focused my attention in front instead of on the monster and immediately realized that the door was being braced by over a dozen guards. I summoned my bow and hammered into the door mercilessly with my arrows, but the sound of flesh being blasted apart didn’t reach me; instead, a frustrating ring of metal striking metal sounded back. The door had been ripped apart enough for me to see that another of the specialized shields was being deployed and braced against the doorway. The purpose was clearly to trap me in the prison with the giant monster. Looking back, my gut sank as it became apparent that their efforts hadn’t been in vain. In the distant light, the heavy pounding continued without stopping, and the form of a massive minotaur-like demon came into view. Seeing me cornered, it slowed its charge and gave a massive human-like smile on its animal-like face, revealing a mouth of black, pus-ridden fangs.

  “Mammon promised me something special.” Its voice rumbled out deeply and strangely repulsively. “Mmm. . . He was right; you will be a delicious offering. Not just firstborn, but still young. Maybe a bit old for my personal preferences but nothing I can’t tolerate when you reek so tantalizingly of him.” I felt the evil presence vibrate in response, displaying a mix of aggression and impatience. The mino-demon snorted at the interjection and waved its arm dismissively.

  “For an offering like this I, Baal, shall accommodate your requests. The death of all paladins and the destruction of the mortals. You’re always too strung up with your deals, Mammon. I would’ve done it for fun anyway!” My heart beat heavily as I recognized the familiar names of the demons. My throat swallowed dryly as I realized these weren’t just any unnamed demons but ones famous even in another world. However, if the demons had names like these, then I would also know the name I should give my prayers to. Though considering I had the holy grail, maybe I could’ve guessed it earlier. I decisively clapped my hands, praying to the creator.

  “Deliver me from evil. Oh Lord, let your will be done!” At the very least it was enough to break the conversation between the two demons. Both the evil presence and the bull glared at me with hatred sparking in their eyes. I summoned my spear and pointed it resolutely at the bull, and as I blinked, I felt something click into place. Both Listen and Kick broke the final barrier into 100, and new tier five skills settled in me instantly.

  A slow and shaky breath escaped my lips, but the unease and fear were gone. I was not alone, and I would not fail. Confidence that should be considered misplaced against monsters like these flooded me. Looking into the demon’s eyes, I could tell that underneath the outrage and hatred, a flicker of fear had formed. I didn’t wait and immediately sent myself forward with a determined lunge. The demon faltered for a moment before shock, outrage, and wrath took control, and his human expression twisted into an animalistic one. He stomped forward while swinging downward with his fist. I jumped to the side onto a wall, then from the wall, launching myself, spinning horizontally. My legs glowed with a soft, pale light like moonlight striking the wrist of the bull demon. Despite the difference in size, the demon wailed in agony, recoiling while clutching its arm.

  “HUMAN!” It roared with vitriol as he stumbled backwards before launching forward yet again. I met his charge with my own as resolution and confidence blossomed fully in the baptism of fire and blood.

  Luke 22:42 NIV - “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”