Timely Love ( A were story)

Chapter 62

The battle at the castle did not slow.

It intensified.

For every creature that fell, more poured through the torn barrier above, their forms twisting as they emerged, darker and more unstable than before.

The courtyard had become a war zone.

“Keep formation!” a commander shouted, though the lines were already shifting under pressure.

Herald drove his blade through one creature, barely pulling it free before another lunged at him. He blocked, turned, and struck again, his movements sharp but growing heavier with time.

Beside him, Aaron fought with equal force, pushing back wave after wave without pause. Neither spoke. There was no space for it anymore.

Further behind the front lines, Maltida stood firm, her presence calm despite the chaos.

“Bring them here!” she commanded.

Wounded soldiers were pulled back toward her, supported by those still able to move.

At her side stood Joanna, her hands glowing faintly as she worked quickly, efficiently—stabilizing injuries, closing wounds just enough to send soldiers back into the fight.

Near them, Victoria moved with urgency, her focus unwavering despite the fear in her eyes. She followed every instruction, her magic unsteady at times but determined.

“Again,” Maltida said firmly. “Focus.”

Victoria nodded, swallowing hard as she tried once more.

Not far from the healers, Alaric and Seraphina fought beside Aaron.

Their movements were relentless—each strike pushing the creatures back, each step refusing to give ground.

But even they could feel it.

This wouldn’t end—

not unless something changed.

“Unless Camilla falls…” Aaron muttered under his breath.

Dylan’s parent didn’t respond.

They didn’t need to.

They both knew.

Far from the castle—

the battlefield had thinned.

But only barely.

The last of Camilla’s generals fell.

Dylan’s blade cut clean through, and the figure collapsed without a sound.

For a moment—

there was space.

Then reality settled in.

Kaelen dropped to one knee, breathing hard, his strength nearly gone.

“…That better be the last of them,” he muttered, though he already knew the answer.

Theon stood a short distance away—

or rather, he tried to.

His body swayed slightly before he forced himself still.

He was pale.

Too pale.

Blood stained his side, his breathing shallow and uneven.

“…We’re done,” Kaelen said quietly, glancing at him.

Theon didn’t answer.

He couldn’t.

Dylan turned sharply, his chest rising and falling with controlled urgency.

“…No,” he said.

His hands were already moving.

Energy gathered around him, unstable at first, then tightening into focus.

He exhaled sharply, forcing control.

“I’m not losing anyone else.”

He pressed his hand against his own injury first.

Light flared—

pain twisting through him as he forced the healing through his own body.

It wasn’t gentle.

It wasn’t clean.

But it worked.

His breathing steadied slightly.

Not enough.

But enough.

Then he turned to them.

“Stay awake,” he said, his voice firm as he moved toward Theon.

“You don’t get to die here.”

At the center of everything—

Diana and Camilla collided again.

This time, there was no distance.

No pause.

Only impact.

Diana’s blade met Camilla’s power head-on, the force sending a shockwave through the ground beneath them.

She pushed forward—

faster, sharper—

then shifted.

The transformation came—

but not fully.

Her body resisted.

Her power pressed back.

Something around them held it in place.

Diana’s eyes narrowed.

“…A barrier.”

Camilla smiled faintly. “A controlled space.”

Diana didn’t stop.

She couldn’t.

Instead, she adapted.

Her form shifted partially—power threading through her limbs, her senses sharpening, her movements faster, more precise.

Not complete.

But enough.

She moved again.

Magic and steel together.

Her blade struck—

once—

twice—

forcing Camilla back for the first time.

But not without cost.

A sharp counter struck her side—

another caught her leg—

and a final impact sent her stumbling, pain tearing through her back as she forced herself upright again.

Her breathing grew heavier.

Her body slower.

But she didn’t fall.

Across from her—

Camilla stood.

Unbroken.

Unshaken.

At least—

that’s how it looked.

Because beneath it—

something was changing.

Her movements were still precise.

But slower.

Slightly.

Her form flickered faintly at the edges.

Wilting.

Nyxara’s voice surfaced.

“She’s fading.”

Kaida followed.

“But not fast enough.”

Camilla exhaled softly, watching Diana closely.

“…Good,” she murmured.

“Keep going.”

Diana tightened her grip on her blade.

Despite the pain.

Despite the weight.

And stepped forward again.

Because neither of them could stop now.

And somewhere far away—

the battle still raged.

Unending.

Waiting—

for one of them to fall.