The Stonehearted Knight
Chapter 242: A crazy idea (1)

Chapter 242: A crazy idea (1)

"We are nearly through. Hold your ground!"

Cella’s shout injected another surge of energy in her friends. The Hawks held the Disasters at bay at the gate.

They persisted. Cella knew everyone still engaged in battle hoped, no, they prayed their Commander would triumph. No one dared to take a peek at the battle in the sky.

"Yes. Keep tight, lads...and ladies," Bert chimed in from the other side. Cella saw him smile at her. She scowled but her heart fluttered. She didn’t know when her heart started to react to him in such a manner. It happened slowly. Or did it?

No, she used to hate him. Or did she? Did she bottle up her feelings? She didn’t know. But it didn’t matter. They had to survive this ordeal.

And then...then they would discuss...maybe. Or they might start to discuss, just like the night they returned from the central area. Somehow, they didn’t get many words in. It was hard to talk when both tongues clashed against each other—possible but difficult. And they were tired. So why waste breath on words? Especially if they were gasping for breath. Who knew experienced warriors like them would wear out after a ten-minute exercise?

Cella fought with all her might. Her mind replayed the moments of that night. Their first night. It didn’t distract her. Those visuals filled her brain for the past three days. It became part of her.

But she didn’t face Disasters in those three days. She failed to analyze their powers. The Vice Commanders stood at the vanguard, bearing the most of the brunt.

But one slipped past them. Cella stood in the second line of attack. It happened so fast that she failed to react. The smell of decay assaulted her nostrils even before her eyes moved. The talons of the creature crept up to her. Somehow, time seemed to have slowed.

Visions of a happy life with her small family filled her sight. For a short second. She ’watched’ the talons tear through her picture of happiness. It came closer and closer. She felt the jagged nail touch her eyelash. She stood blank. If only she could live a bit longer.

"Thunder Strike!"

The warcry sounded far yet close. The talons disappeared. Cella blinked. She stared at the Disaster’s body, at least what remained of it.

"Don’t space out," Cella looked at the girl running away from her. Bret rushed to her.

"Are you all right?" It warmed her to see him concerned. At least, she hoped, her feelings weren’t one-sided.

"Yeah. I am fine," Cella said but turned toward the girl skirting all over the battlefield. She moved with a degree of nimbleness that would put a cat to shame. Yet, her fierceness rivaled lightning and thunder.

"She is pushing herself. She isn’t a Vice Commander." Cella was perhaps the only one who noticed how weary and injured Althea looked. Knowing her friend, she wouldn’t ever stop nor would she listen. She would continue to fight. What worried her was that she wouldn’t just continue till her body was able to. Althea would continue till everyone was safe, the sky was sunny and warm, and everyone lay in bed. That was the kind of person she was.

"She is always like this," Bret said, pulling her to support the group nearest to them. "But she will pull through. She always does. Just hope that black-haired idiot is there to let her relax once things have settled."

Cella nearly grinned. Yes, Bret was right. That boy was special. He was the only one she had seen Althea relax with. If she was honest, it hurt her a bit. She was supposed to be Althea’s best friend. But she would deal with that little bit of pain. As long as her best friend was happy, everything would be worth it.

"Yeah. I wonder where that moron has run off to."

...

Hex lifted Elsa’s light body in his arms. With a glance at the glaring hole above him, he jumped down the hole below him.

There was little time to waste. The hole in the floors appeared since the King made his move. As time trickled down, the hole just became larger and larger.

"Focus boy," the Frost Dragon snapped her eyes open and glared at him. Hex’s wild jump shook her, aggravating her injuries further. "Even though I am close to dying, I rather not go through the pain. Let me die in peace."

"Sorry." Hex didn’t look sorry though. "Now what? You said you could provide some help?"

"Don’t be grumpy. I know you wish to hurry and help that little girl of yours. But believe me, you will thank me once we are done."

Hex looked at her. His impatience showed as he lifted his brows. What did she wish to do?

"Lay me beside the head," the Frost Dragon instructed. "The way you pulled my child’s soul and put it in that inner space of yours hit me with an idea. If we manage to pull it off, you will see a sight unseen in this Era."

As the Frost Dragon explained her plan and what she hoped to do before her final moment, Hex stared slackjawed at her. It sounded crazy and impossible. Okay, maybe not impossible but certainly difficult.

Yet, a part of him wished to see it. And, apparently, there was no other option available. Without the Frost Dragon, he wouldn’t be able to defeat the King. Even if all the powerhouses ganged up against him, the King was the King. He controlled the land.

Every King was Blessed with the ability to command the land under him. The Frost Dragon didn’t explain why Heaven bestowed such a Blessing upon the rulers. But as she was close to her death, Hex felt little reason to doubt her.

He nodded and knelt beside her.

"The only thing I require is a little time. I can sense the King is about to move to the final phase. Can you win us some time?"

Hex looked at her. The wheels in his mind churned. Pressure always brought crazy ideas to his mind. But they always worked. In a way. This time only one crazy idea came to his mind. Strangely, he was certain it was the only one that would work. Imagining him pulling it off, he grinned.