(Sky's POV)

     I have got to say, putting my tent in a tree was not a good idea. I woke up with with my sword hanging out of its sheath and about to slice open my leg, my arm was bent at an awkward angle that made it sore for a few hours, but worst of all, I fell out of the tree while trying to get down. So no, I didn't not have a good morning. A cold breakfast didn't improve it any. But watching Mitch try to find his knife, that I had hidden, brought my mood right back up.

     Today, I ride SmokeFire next to Quinten, who's never ridden a horse before. I can tell that he's sore from riding, but doesn't want to complain. I scold him a few different times throughout the day when he slouches. It'll hurt the horse back if you don't sit up straight. A few road songs also come tumbling from my lips to fill the quiet. My singing is probably as pleasant as a bee sting. It annoys some, makes others laughs, but helps release everyone's nerves of the upcoming battle.

     We left the forest and entered a hilly area a while ago. Quinten says that the base is near a lake in the center of these plains. "That close already? We should of found this base a lot sooner", Mitch huffs. "Well, we're here now. So let's not mess it up", Ty laughs. "J-Just be careful. The squids think of th-things that you wouldn't even consider", Quinten cautions. "Well, are we gonna find out? I'm bored", I wine.

     "We can go soon, but we can't just charge in blindly without a plan", Ty explains. "There's no cover, so we can't have a second force that is waiting in hiding. Set a group of archers at the top of the hills and on all sides of the base to clip off anyone who runs. Then have the remaining people split into a group of two and charge in from two different sides", I quickly throw in. "That...... actually might work", Ty says with a little shock. "And what's your catch?", Ian asks, knowing me better. I smirk before saying, "I want to go first! Give me a minute head start to cause some damage. That'll give the archers a chance to get in it position, and a distraction for the rest of you".

"Buts Sky! Whats if yous gets hit with an arrows? Alls the squids wills be focussed on yous!", Barney objects. (A/N Oh the irony) "Don't worry. I've lived through worse scenarios, almost died here and there, did die once, but brought back quick enough to live. I'll be fine", I try to reassure them, but it somehow only makes them more concerned.

      "Welp. Too late for objections. RUN SmokeFire!", I yell before they can stop me. He instantly charges forward, almost as battle hungry as I am. We crest the hill and charge down the slope. I see archers riding out from the corner of my eyes. I'm already closing in when the ignorant squids finally sound a horn to worn the others. Taping SmokeFire on the side, once slow, twice fast, I jump off him as he turns and races around the base.

     I land with my sword drawn before the gates as my first victims start to stream out. I can hear the other two groups riding towards me from behind, but ready myself for what's in front of me. The first one surprisingly tries to stab me with a spear. When he tries to strike at me, I jump and stomp his weapon into the ground, then impale him with my blade. The second gets a shallow cut on my arm from behind before getting decapitated. An arrow misses my head by a few inches, before I throw a dagger and silence the archer. I roll to the corpse and reclaim my dagger before rejoining the fight.

     And then the calvery finally get here. SmokeFire listened to instructions, and just like planned, finishes his loop around the base just in time for me to leap back onto him so I don't get trampled by accident. Once everyone's swords have gone into the fray, the battle is soon over. Surprisingly, a small group of squids actually did surrender. I wonder if anyone is in the mood for slow-roasted calamari? It might be fun to try.

     I dismount SmokeFire with a triumphant grin. I'm about to do a small victory dance when I realize that no one else is cheering. I don't understand why until I notice someone lying on the ground, a horse beside them. I walk over, curious as to why everyone is being so quiet.

I see the puddles of blood, and fall to my knees.