Chapter 5: Chapter 5

Preparing for battle

Drifting into a deep sleep in Elijah’s arms I dreamt of a thousand beastly creatures all surrounding us. The cell wall was keeping all of them out but they were punching and hitting at it in the hopes of breaking it. My scared self was running in the corridors of Elijah’s house calling out to him but he was nowhere to be found. Suddenly I felt a pull from underneath me and fell into darkness.

I woke up finding myself sitting on the bed, breathless and soaked in sweat. It was still dark outside and I could hear the wind blowing. I couldn’t go back to sleep feeling sticky so I headed off to refresh myself with a nice cold shower and a change of clothes. I borrowed a red sports bra and black leggings that showed all my curves. When I went out back to the bedroom Elijah was gone and I knew where he went as I could smell something cooking downstairs in the kitchen.

I felt very hungry so I joined him at the table and enjoyed some Grakan eggs with bacon-like meat. I told him of my bad dream and both hoped it remains a dream for it was not a pleasant one to have for such a time.

“Today is the day Elle. I am worried. One Gowduger is easy to fight, but they come in millions so it will take us some time to lure them away. The weaker they become, the stronger the Zarogian trees get. Hopefully, they will be strong enough to open up the portals for these idiots to return to their planet.”

He drank the glass of water in one shot and stood up to get dressed in his fighting gear. He brought out a long heavy sword from a box that he had hidden under the bed and swung it like he was drawing a figure of eight to show off a little. With a grin, he placed the sword in its pocket which he buckled against his muscled back, then smiled and walked towards me for a kiss on my forehead.

"You show off!" I chuckled, as I leaned in to hug his waist.

We left the house and rushed through the forest and into a huge building that was fortified with high walls where all the Ragnons gathered in preparation. Its walls were made of grey stone and a large door made of strong thick metal. Medics were called to gather in one section, warriors were taken into another room so they discuss their plan on how to win, children were taken to a safe place to hide and the rest were all given a task to help out in one way or another.

I was allowed to be on the medic’s section which was at the backside of the building and we were all given equipment and an area to work on. I started to sterilise everything and place them neatly onto a tray. Elijah came just to give me a hug and a kiss on my cheek before they were ordered to go in line. I waited there hoping that no one will need to be treated and that the Gowdugers would just leave.

There was a large window behind me that had window bars to keep the enemies out since this area was the ground floor. I peeped out to see if I would be able to find out what the Gowdugers looked like since I have not yet seen one. There was nothing from this site yet. Just the forest and the sound of birds chirping.

Elijah's POV

I stood outside waiting with all the other fighters. I know that the Gowdugers would manage to make their way past the fortified wall. My sister and I had already plotted our plan on how to lure them away. Of course, it was discussed during the planning with the others, but we were given the task to decide on how to manage it well.

“Are you ready sis?” I smiled at Belle and gave her a side hug.

“I am as ready as I can get" She answered and smiled back still looking straight ahead.

A few hours went by and it seemed like the Gowdugers were also planning their way in well. All the fighters remained in line and ready for action. Occasionally we were given water and food to remain strong and focussed but we were all getting bored of waiting in silence.

Suddenly we could see a swarm of Gowdugers climbing down the fortified walls. Our commander gave us the order to get ready.

“We have won battles in the past, we can do it again!" Shiloah shouted with her strong voice.

We all cheered to her encouragement and waited for all our enemies to get closer. Then it all began. I drove the sword into my first Gowduger, then the next and the next. My sister had a rope and a small knife just in case. Halfway through the battle, I gave her a nod to start our plan.

Elle’s POV

I was there for hours and there was no action yet. I decided to walk outside my section and find someone to talk to when I started hearing a lot of commotion coming from outside. I rushed to a nearby window that was on the front side of the building where I could see all the warriors and the Gowdugers charging at each other whilst screaming and shouting.

One Gowduger was close enough for me to inspect. It had an armour made of leather and metal, its skin colour was greenish-brown, had no hair and no neck. Its head had a form of an eggshell. I could see two horns coming out from the cheeks and used them to attack the opponent. All Gowdugers had a shield on one hand but no other weapon but the horns.

I stood there trying to find Elijah amongst everyone else but I was not able to see him. A young female Ragnon with very long natural blue braided hair that was fighting had two small knives on each hand. She was quick and confident running fast and slashing every Gowduger that comes her way.

Another male Ragnon, tall with broad shoulders and had green mohawk hair charged at everything that was coming his way. One Gowduger looked straight at me and I could hear it snort like a wild boar. It looked ferocious and was about to head towards me when Belle showed up.

She had her long hair pulled into a high ponytail and had worn armour like the rest of the other warriors. With one hit with her fist she brought the Gowduger down, then grabbed a rope and wrapped it tight around its body. I saw her dragging the Gowduger somewhere but I could not follow since I could only see to a certain extent because of the window.

I decided to go back to my section and get ready for the worst.

It has been hours of fighting and only a few came in injured. I tended to a slash at the side and a broken leg that happened whilst jumping off some high rock onto a Gowduger. It was almost getting dark now and it will be very difficult to fight when you cannot see properly. The Ragnons were getting more tired now even though they trained for such fights, but these Gowdugers keep coming and they do not know how many are left.

Belle's Pov

I trained hard for this moment. My dad used to tell me stories about all the wars he had fought in before my time, but as I was growing, it was very peaceful until I turned eighteen where I took part in my first ever battle with the Nomas. They were also the first aliens I laid eyes on. Since then, a few more aliens came to try their luck in taking our planet, but we were trained since our childhood and fighting was second for us.

It was my second fight with these creatures and so I knew how to fight them. This time I was more prepared than last time and so I was more confident. I took off in a hiding spot someplace high where I could observe well. It didn’t take me long to spot my target. I jumped out of my hiding, holding a fist to knock the Gowduger down, then as fast as my hands could go I wrapped it up with my rope like a present and dragged it through the small emergency door out to the forest outside the walls.

I wrapped him again this time to a tree that I hoped was a Zarogian so I would send this creature back as soon as the portal decides to open. I headed back to the fighting area and kept dragging some of these creatures to trees in the forest. My brother had to go stay on guard with the Gowdugers that I catch and make sure they don’t escape or have any help from any of their fellow mates.