Madness descended upon the snowy fields the moment those words left his mouth.
Filled with so much confidence that it practically oozed out of their skin, the lord's guard, which Ark had decided to call knights for the sake of simplicity, charged forward.
Their shields were propped up in front of them while they charged, their eyes wild with hunger.
Ark unsheathed his sword and moved deeper into the crowd.
"Formation Rhino!" One of the guards screamed and their formation shifted.
Those holding shields moved forward swiftly, taking their formation, while those holding spears still held them out in front of them.
The archers let loose their arrows, the slender projectiles whistling through the air only to be deflected by their massive shields.
But that did not derail the knights, they did not slow their change, instead they slammed right into them.
Their formation was rocked to the core as the royal guards easily tore into them, dismantling their formation in an instant.
The spears were able to cause minor injuries to them but other than that, their knightly armour shoved off the rest like they were nothing.
The cacophony of shrilling screams and clanging swords surrounded them, creating an atmosphere of death and despair.
Steel rang against steel, arrows whistled through the air, the damp sound of a war hammer crushing through bone and the pained sounds of the injured were all Ark could hear.
Among the fighters, one man was doing the most damage, and he was none other than the chief of the royal guards.
He fought like a madman, his sword ripping life upon life. Every part of his body was defended, leaving no spot open.
And with his large figure, he simply shoved his shoulder into some of the guards to knock them down before reaping their life.
But it didn't matter.
Ark who was yet to join the battle, stepped backward and picked up a spear, one that he had instructed to be kept specifically at this location.
'No matter how skilled you are…'
Ark hoisted the spear on his shoulders, checking its weight. It felt a little heavier than the sword, probably due to its weighty wood and mighty tip.
He watched the battle as it raged on, waiting for the perfect moment.
Ark was not skilled when it came to sword fights… but there was one thing he had.
And that was his strength.
Very soon the perfect opportunity presented itself and Ark made sure to utilise it.
He tensed the muscles of his arm, the grip on the shaft tightening to the point he felt it might snap. And then he raised one hand forward, recalling it for momentum as he launched the spear like a javelin.
His feet left the floor as air from the force of the throw rushed past him, a miniature sound wave cut through the side as the javelin soared.
It was an unavoidable conclusion.
The spear plunged right through his armour with ease and embedded itself deep into his chest.
The mighty knight collapsed to his knees, his eyes vacant.
'No matter how skilled you are… a fatal hit, is a fatal hit.'
Ark finally unseated his sword and just then a feminine figure appeared right next to him.
Kiera had arrived.
He rushed forward lifting his sword high up and bringing it down upon one of the knights.
Clang!
The steel vibrated on contact but the knight did not budge, he shifted his foot and slid Ark's sword to the side, his body rolling over Ark's until he was now behind him.
Ark almost did not react in time.
The sword cut through his side, drawing blood but that was only because he was lucky…
He brought his sword forward in a defensive stance as he watched the guard carefully before going forward.
Their swords rang like an instrument, each strike creating a thunderous sound that spread through the area around them.
Ark's attacks were heavy and were slowly chipping down on his opponent's stamina but the man was far too skilled.
So skilled that Ark found himself running out of breath due to the obnoxious amount of mistakes he was making.
He was about to lunge forward once more when figure rushed past them like a shadow.
The knight reacted quickly, swinging his sword straight at their head, but it was easily parried to the side.
An astute dagger that was held in the assailant's second hand slipped through his helmet in an instant, ending his life.
Kiera acknowledged him for a little more than a second before rushing past.
Those who saw her screamed, their voices filled with relief.
"The lady is alive! She's alive!"
Although they seemed confused, this only seemed to fuel their morale while simultaneously bringing down the morale of the knights.
Kiera was fast and cunning, the difference between her, who was trained by a first generation curse bearer and him who had no substantial training was like light and day.
Her slender body cut through their formation, bringing a wave of death wherever she went.
Kiera's sword danced excellently in her grip, followed by the dagger which was never too far behind. Her electric blue eyes were cold and merciless, not once did she hesitate to end a life.
With her white bloodstained gown that made her appear like a vengeful spirit that had risen from the dead… she brought calamity upon all those who had wronged her.
She stood in front of a rather skilled knight who had successfully parried all her blows. The man's helmet had been knocked off at some point revealing the face of a young handsome man.
Right now, he was smiling as he swung his sword horizontally. Kiera jumped backward just in time before parrying another blow from the man.
She rushed past the man, slowing her dash as she was now behind him. Obviously, the knight had expected this and was already spinning to meet her, but it was all a ruse.
Kiera had done a front flip, easily flying past his weapon and to his now undefended back.
Her sword stabbed into his neck, the sword severing his spine and emerging at the other side.
Ark was soaked in sweat, blood and grim. His hair was now damp and his breathing escalated to the highest degree.
His chest rose and fell rhythmically as he lunged at one of the knights.
He blocked the blow from the large man and launched a heavy kick to his chest, pushing him forward.
With a mighty vertical swing, he cleaved right through his helmet and his head.
The sword was rendered useless in the process.
Ark picked up a hammer that was lying on the floor and observed the battle only to come to one chilling realization.
All of their allies were dead.