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N E R I S S A
My eyes followed the gryphon that flew overhead, losing sight of it for a moment as it flew over me before soaring gracefully back again.
"They come, Your highness. In numbers and weapons far greater than our own." The gryphon informs as it lands beside Peter, who's so nervous he looks as if he's about to throw up.
"Numbers do not win a battle," Oreius states firmly.
"No," Peter mumbles, "But I bet they help."
I shoot him an exasperated look and he simply shrugs.
"So much for staying optimistic." I grumble, "Anything else you might want to add, your majesty?"
The blare of a horn interrupts Peter before he could reply. In the distance, I spot the Witch's army flooding onto the field before us. I took a deep breath, rolling my shoulders back and preparing myself mentally for the battle ahead.
Peter raises his sword, pointing it forward- the signal for the gryphons' departure.
Just as planned, they take off, each of them
carrying boulders and as soon as they were close enough, they released them.
Boulders fell from the sky and onto the enemy troop beneath them, looking almost like a hail storm.
I feel a knot form in my stomach. I've fought my share of battles in my life, but the pre-battle jitters were still a constant part of the process. After all, wars can be unpredictable.
My heart clenched as I watched the results of the enemy's retaliation- gryphons fell from the sky, all victims to the Witch's arrows.
I balled my fist at my sides, steeling my nerves.
"We should get ready," Oreius says, holding out a hand to me.
I take it, climbing up onto his back as planned. I have never been a big fan of riding horses, but I needed a head start and Oreius was kind enough to offer a ride.
I took a deep breath as Peter turned towards us with worry-filled eyes, "Are you both with me?"
Oreius and I exchange a glance, "To the Death." We replied in unison.
For a moment, Peter catches my eye, an emotion that I couldn't put my finger on flashing across his eyes. I flash him a comforting smile, figuring he probably needed it.
It seemed to have done the trick. His shoulders relaxed slightly as he returns a smile. No doubt he was still anxious, but at least he was a little less so.
I watched as he refocused his attention on the battle ahead and I found myself having to pry my gaze away from him.
"For Narnia!" His voice echos through the field, "And for Aslan!"
Our army cheers as they followed his lead and started advancing on the enemy.
Everything around me seemed to ten times slower from all the nervous anticipation building up inside we as we charged forward.
As our both troops merged together, marking the official beginning of our battle, I raised on Oreius's back and leaped off onto a passing Minotaur and claimed my first victim.
*
The scorching heat was starting to get to me as the battle went on. My mouth was parched, a drink of water sounded like an amazing idea right about now.
Shaking the thoughts from my head, I prevailed, pulling my sword from the chest of an enemy. I swung my sword again, marking my next victim as my blade sliced across a Minotaurs arm. The creature reared back in pain and I sink my blade into its abdomen.
"Nerissa!" I hear Edmund's voice calling to me from a distance.
Looking up at him in acknowledgment, he continues, "Fire!" He orders point his blade at the Witch who was now on the move.
I sheathed my sword, replacing it with my bow instead. Nocking an arrow into place, I take my aim and did as I was told.
I watched as my arrow soared through the sky before combusting into flames and taking the form of a Phoenix, swooping down and drawing a line of fire across right across the field, dividing the troop.
The plan seemed to be working and our army cheered around us. But the line of fire didn't hold her back for as long as we had hoped.
Soon, the Witch had breached through the fire and the battle continued.
"Fall back! Draw them to the rocks!"
I watched as our troops made their retreat, some not quite fast enough. My heart wrenches as I watch them fall, our numbers depleting quickly.
"Nerissa!" Peter's voice snaps me out of my daze, "Come on!"
I turn towards Peter, just in time to watch him get thrown off his Pegasus as it got shot down.
"Peter!" I call, rushing to help him.
I help him to his feet, catching Oreius's eyes before he starts galloping forward towards the oncoming horde. He was clearly outnumbered, with just one other companion at his aid.
"Stop!" Peter ordered as they rushed past us, but neither heeded their King's instructions.
I turn to Peter, "Are you alright?" I ask quickly, to which he nods in reply, "Okay, get to safety. Oreius needs backup."
"Nerissa, don't-" I slip out of Peter's grasp before he could get another word in, charging into the crowd and straining my neck to spot Oreius.
I couldn't see him over the sea of enemy. With my sword at the ready, I take down as many of them as I can while searching for the centaur I have come to see as a friend.
Instead of finding Oreius, I spot another familiar face in the crowd- one that has me seeing red. For a brief moment, the White Witch catches my eyes and the corners of her lips curl up into a mocking smirk.
I let out a growl in anger, twirling my blade in my hand as I start forward. I wasn't going to let her get away this time.
Determination surges through me at I charge forward. Soon, my blade meets hers as I leap forward. Every swipe I take fuelled with fatal intents.
Our blades meet with a loud clank and the Witch's smirk widens, "Ready give up yet?"
I meet her eyes in challenge, "You wish, Witch."
Kicking her legs out from under her, I send her falling off her sleigh, continuing our battle on solid ground.
Frustration takes over me as the Witch manages to evade my blows, somehow landing an attack of her own. The heel of her feet collides with my stomach, sending me tumbling back.
I land hard on the ground, clutching my stomach in pain. The exhaustion from the lengthy battle hits me as I try to push myself back onto my feet.
Although not ideal, I take a moment to recollect myself. A mix of fury and exhaustion had evidently taken its toll on my combat skills.
With one final huff, I push myself back onto my feet, ready to face the Witch again.
"You're persistent, I'll give you that." She shrugs, "Doesn't change the fact that you'll die like everybody else."
I don't even bother with a reply as I swing my blade in an upward arc, this time, successfully slicing at her shoulder.
The Witch reels back in pain. Just then, Edmund appears out of nowhere, bringing his sword down on the exposed end of the Witch's wand.
The Witch gasps as the tip shatters, deeming her magic useless.
"No!" I yell as rage clouded the Witch's eyes as she thrusts the broken end forward and into the boy's stomach.
"Edmund!" I hear Peter's desperate cry from behind me.
"You're going to pay for that." I hissed as the Witch smiled in triumphant.
I lunge forward, tackling the Witch to the ground, somehow managing to land a punch to her jaw.
I raised my blade over my head, ready to sink it into the Witch pinned under me when I hear an unmistakable roar.
The Witch's eyes widened in shock, "Impossible."
This time, it was my turn to smile, "You're done now." I say, rolling off the Witch just as the almighty Lion pounced onto her.
A sense of victory washed over me, but now was no time to celebrate. My heart pounded against my chest as soon as my mind wandered back to Edmund.
Whirling around to rush to the boy's aid, I realise that my help was hardly needed. Edmund was surrounded by his family, huddled in a group hug with bright smiles on their faces. If I had to take a guess, it would be that Lucy's Fire-flower juice had worked its magic.
My eyes roamed the now empty battlefield where I stood alone. The war was over. We had won. Still, my heart felt heavy as the feeling that something was missing filled my chest.
Tears started to burn at the back of my eyes as I looked up at the sky.
"I really miss you, Jed."