The Devil’s Cage

Caw!

An ominous caw later, a black bird landed on half a wagon wheel. It turned its neck around, rolling its round dark eyes and watched the area with vigilance.

Then, it pecked on the wagon wheel and picked up a piece of flesh that lingered on the wheel. The black bird then swallowed it as part of its meal.

Souu!

A stray arrow grazed the wagon wheel and plunged into the dirt. The bird was frightened, it flapped its wings hard and soared the sky. It’s dark round eyes looked down and gazed upon the battle happening on the land.

The black monsters were growling.

The knights were wielding their swords in a flurry.

The soldiers used spears, bows, and arrows as cover.

The battle was fierce, both sides exchanged strikes relentlessly.

Sharp fangs clashed with keen swords, producing sparks upon contact, and blood would follow after each hit.

When the monsters fell, they turned into piles of dirt that reeked like rotten fish; when the humans fell, they become dead bodies with vicious looks.

The dead’s eyes showed unwillingness and anticipation, but… it couldn’t change the outcome.

Death meant death.

Dark red blood tainted the white priest robes, their pale white faces absent of blood still maintained the smile until the very last moment of their lives.

Similar to the creed of Mercy Temple: forgive all, forget one.

Harvest Temple’s archpriest, with only his left hand left, closed the eyes of Mercy Temple’s archpriest, laying him to rest.

Harvest Temple’s archpriest had to because Mercy Temple’s archpriest died saving him.

“The monsters! The monsters are retreating!”

Such claims were heard throughout the battlefield, it wasn’t the first time though.

However, this time around, the initial delights and happiness were gone, because everyone who survived the battle had to seize the moment to rest.

The archpriest of War Temple who commanded the battle spoke in a rough, low voice, “Did the messenger manage to get out?”

“He did, my lord!” the knight of War Temple bowed and replied.

“Great! That will be good enough!”

“Having hope is better than despair.”

The archpriest of War Temple turned around to the defense line, which was formed by broken wagons and dead bodies.

He then looked beyond the defense line, looking at the elderly, women, and children who were praying softly.

His shivering mouth wanted to say something, but in the end, it turned out to be whispers of apology.

“I am deeply sorry that I can’t lead you all out of danger.”

“I am truly sorry.”

His voice got deeper and softer, eventually becoming a silent sigh.

His body was wobbling, he then leaned back to the flagpole behind him. He was exhausted, he needed to rest, just for a bit.

War Temple’s archpriest closed his eyes, his snow-white beard moved along with the wind, the flag of the God of War above his head was also fluttering.

The lingering glow on the flag was also flickering, like a dying candle in the wind.

Pak!

The flag with the symbol of a sword and shield fell as the rope tying it to the flagpole snapped.

The mythical glow shattered, meaning the weak candle had finally been blown out.

The flag danced along with the wind and was sent up high in the sky by the motion before truly falling down on the ground.

The flag fell precisely on the archpriest of War Temple.

“My lord!”

A few of the knights of said temple who guarded around the archpriest knelt down en masse, calling out to their lord with sobbing voice.

Their sudden call to the archpriest was abrupt and evident on the battlefield after it went quiet.

Everyone else turned their attention to the group. They saw the knights put their hands in front of their chest, bowing in a solemn mood.

The soldiers looked down quietly, mourning the dead.

The protected civilians even started to cry and sob softly.

Unlike the knights, soldiers, priests, and deacons who fought the monsters away, the civilians weren’t harmed at all. That seemingly weak temporary defense line didn’t seem like it could take a single blow, and yet it protected them like the firmest of walls.

The temporary defense line was ordered by the archpriest, the elder who had just fallen.

The archpriest stood on top of the only wagon that wasn’t used in the defense line, holding up the flag of sword and shield, protecting the civilians like a real shield.

The archpriest of War Temple did it, and before him, the archpriest of Valiant Temple.

That time was the closest the civilians ever get in danger, a group of monsters sprung up from the ground and ambushed the unarmed, baring their bloody sharp teeth at their defenseless prey.

The archpriest of Valiant Temple dashed over without a second thought and fought the monsters away. Some of the children almost got eaten by the monsters, but they were saved by the archpriest, rescuing the innocent children from the bloody mouth of the monsters.

As valiant as he was, he’d always move forward.

As brave as he was, he’d kill the enemies and protected his people.

With the last shout, he stood in front of the people and became the last line of defense.

His angry eyes widened, his broken armor was filled with layers of claw marks and injuries.

He stopped breathing a while ago, but he didn’t fall in front of his people, just like the valiant and bravery that he believed and served in.

The archpriest of Valiant Temple killed hundreds of monsters that ambushed the civilians, alone. His beliefs weren’t tainted, despite his face being filthy and tainted by the bloody dirt.

Wuuu, Wuuuuuu Wuuuu!

“The monsters are back!”

A short, rushed horn sound later, the clear, horrible words followed, telling the people that battle was upon them again.

“God, save us all!”

A young child was sobbing softly, even though his mother covered his mouth tightly, the sobs would seep through. The mother then saw her father, who had been with her since the start, walked outside.

“Father!” the mother cried.

“Live!”

The father, grandfather, was too old even to wield a sword, let alone a spear, but he still had his body!

He shouted loudly at the monsters charging at them, “Come! Come at me! Eat me!”

“Use my body to fill your stomach!”

“Use my body to cure your hunger!”

“Use my body… to exchange for their hope!”

Pak!

Blood splashed.

The elderly father was bitten by the monster, breaking his body into half as they fell on the ground. The monsters grouped up on the shattered remains and ate what they could; more monsters joined in and wanted to get a piece for themselves.

The monsters whose food was getting eaten by others roared loudly, trying to scare away the others, but it was useless.

The hunger instinct drove them crazy over this kind of fresh, warm meat.

A little fight among the monsters occurred, and it shared some of the burdens of the soldiers and knights.

A lot more of the elderly stood up after they saw the scene. They bid farewell to their families with sad gazes, like their sons and sons-in-law, they walked into the battlefield without the intention of returning.

Death brought life and hope!

“Aaaaaaaarh!”

A young soldier shouted loudly because he saw his father, and his father saw him. The father waved his hand and was drowned by the monsters at the very next moment.

The young soldier widened his eyes due to pain, cracking the corners of his eyes. Bloody rolled down his cheeks with his tears, the stinging pain filled his heart, but he couldn’t move, he couldn’t afford to leave his team.

Because without him, his team formation would lose defense on one side, and it would result in even more death!

No! No more death!

That is enough death for today!

It’s enough!

The soldier turned around, clenched his teeth hard, and channeled all his strength to wield the shield, enduring the attacks from the monsters again and again.

…

“Ha, petty bugs.”

Further away on a hilltop, an elegantly dressed man saw the scene clearly. He couldn’t hold back his disdainful laughs.

He then told the ordering officer behind him without even looking back.

“Bring the message to the lord.”

“Harvest, Mercy, War, and Valiant Temples are… annihilated.”