"That's them!" Gewen whispered to Mars when he saw the carriage move steadily from the direction of the haunted forest toward the town center. Mars put his index finger on his lips, to motion Gewen to keep quiet.

He knew everyone was anxious. He was too, but he must keep his cool. Oh, how much he hated Thessalis Morelli. This witch was the source of all his sufferings.

Not just him, but most importantly, his beloved mother.  Queen Elara had shed countless tears and suffered so much after she lost her babies.

All because the witch decided to take her revenge and hatred to King Jared and Queen Elara on the innocent babies.

If only Mars didn't need to save Ellena's heart, he wouldn't hesitate to attack the witch immediately. He didn't care about anything else. The witch must die. She must pay for her crimes.

However, Mars was not a selfish man. As the future king, he had learned to always put forward the greater good, instead of his selfish desire. So, even though his chest was burned with fury as he witnessed the black carriage passed by, he held back his feelings and kept calm.

They only watched the carriage pass by, without making any sounds or movements. Mars looked at the vehicle with clenched jaws until it disappeared from sight.

"They're gone... let's go," he gave his order and everyone came out of their hiding.

They rode their horses together at high speed to enter the haunted forest in front of them. Even though they have a big number, they didn't look down on their enemies and still used the element of surprise.

The haunted forest was true to its name. The trees grew densely and it created a haunted vibe as soon as they entered it. The trees were tall and lush, blocking most of the sunlight inside the forest.

They slowed down their horses and started to increase their vigilance.

CROAK

CROAK

Everyone looked up when they heard the sounds of eagles croak from above the trees. They could see at least a dozen huge red eagles flying in a threatening manner.

"Gewen, shoot them," Mars said to his friend. 

Before he finished his words, two arrows were already sent flying toward the eagles. Gewen knew what to do before being told.

CROAAAKK CROAAKK

More arrows were shot. Gewen and at least ten knights were highly skilled archers, so they were prepared for this type of situation. 

"Shit!" The handsome man grumbled. Only two eagles were shot. They immediately flew higher and disappeared behind the trees, leaving behind a trail of blood, while the other eagles became furious and now flying around the crown prince's entourage at high speed.

"Ouch!!"

"Aaahh!"

The knights took out their swords and tried to charge at the eagles who came close to them. However, even though they swung their swords here and there, none of them could touch any eagles.

One knight was not fast enough to dodge when a red eagle came charging and expertly plucked his right eye. His scream broke the air as he fell from his horse with his hands holding his bloodied eye socket.

STAB!

Mars quickly unsheathed his sword and stabbed the eagle who just attacked the knight.

Blood instantly spurted from the headless eagle as its head sent flying far away from them.

Another knight quickly got down from his horse to check on his friend. He was stunned in horror as he realized the man's eye socket was rapidly melting, like it was splashed by a very strong acid.

The man who was injured was screaming non-stop from the unbearable pain.

"This is bad!" the second knight shouted his warning. "The eagles' beaks contain acid!"

The men let out audible gasps when they heard him.

How brutal! They were all thinking in unison.

They realized that if they were not careful and let the eagles bite them, they would experience the same fate as their friend whose eye was plucked by one of the eagles earlier.

"Help him!" Mars ordered the second knight to stay behind and treat his friend. When he saw the second knight didn't move, the prince was angry.

He wanted to scold the man for not helping his friend, but then he realized the knight might be shocked and couldn't immediately move.  So, Mars got off his horse to check on the wounded man's injury.

He winced when he saw the gruesome sight. The eye socket was melting rapidly and now half the man's face was gone. He still screamed at the top of his lungs, while curling on the ground

The second knight turned to the crown prince and shook his head dejectedly. His eyes were filled with horror.  Mars sighed.

He knew, soon the wounded man wouldn't be able to scream because his mouth would be melting too. In a situation like this, he had no choice but to kill the knight and ended his suffering. 

"Please forgive me," he said with a low voice. 

Mars took out his sword and stabbed it on the knight's heart. His stab was clean and accurate. The wounded man only gasped and then he stopped moving. Life had left his body.

Mars sheathed his sword back and climbed on Snow's back. His voice was firm when he ordered them to keep going.

"Let's go! From now on we must be more careful. Don't let any of those eagles come closer." He turned to Gewen and five other knights who carried bows and arrows with them. "They are your responsibility."

"Yes, Your Highness."

The men nodded solemnly. They held their bows tightly and got ready to shoot any eagles they encountered. The group continued their journey deeper into the forest. They had been moving for five minutes when they heard a growl coming from the front of them.

ROAAARRR!!!

ROAAARR!!!

Together with the deafening growl, they saw a huge grey wolf suddenly jump toward them. It was the size of an elephant and had vicious fangs and claws with bloodshot eyes.

It was a scary sight to behold!

"Aaaahh!! It's the werewolf!" screamed a knight who managed to escape the werewolf's claw in a split second. His friend, however, was not as lucky.

The wolf grabbed him with his two front claws and dragged the man with him as he landed on the ground.

In one swoop, the man was cut in two.  Blood splattered on the trees around the monster.

Everyone gasped in horror at the ghastly sight.

GRRRRRRRRR!!!

Now, the werewolf stood viciously, challenging them, showing its huge fangs and bloodshot eyes.

Mars ordered Bruinen and the rest of the knights to stay behind and face the werewolf, while he, Gewen, and Elmer continued their journey to the top of the cliff.

"We shouldn't waste time! Hold the werewolf here! We need to make sure Elmer can reach the mansion quickly!"

Mars shouldn't linger in one place. They knew they would meet a hydra and more blood-red eagles before they could reach the witch's mansion. It would be better if they split and quickly finished the job.

His horse, Snow, galloped, followed by Gewen's and Elmer's horses, leaving behind an intense battle between a young wizard, two dozen knights, and a monstrous werewolf.

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