Denied Entry (Part 10)
The warlord's howl terrifies
shakes the hall at its foundations
Kiara dances through incoming footmen
cutting and slashing
blood splattering
arms chopped off
chests rent
I touch an amulet
say a soft chant
arrows deflecting off my shield
reactive lightning crack and sizzle
absorbed by powerful elementalism
the amulet glows deep red
Kiara's outline begins to warp and fade
we become translucent
processing centers amplified
I see a sword slash toward my neck
like a child swinging
slow movements apparent
dodge easily to the side
raise my wand and shout
strong vines begin
grow up from the ground
guards trip and are tight wound
they hack and slash
thorns biting their ankles
the warlord raises his axe
bright plasmatic flechettes shooting forth
burning at the roots and stems
freeing the guards again
"Kiara behind you!"
A man with two long daggers takes a jab
she rolls aside and cuts at his thigh
the Warlord closes in
I charge toward him
casting icy daggers piercing necks and heads
cut through those who miss
rune sword flashing silhouette
archers above looking for targets
we duck and weave
moving in circular motions
approach the great tyrant
he swings the mighty axe
Kiara bends tries to deflect
with a great shattering magic
the axe rends through her rune sword
smashed into pieces
a hunk of shrapnel pierces her chest
she cries out in pain and withers
pierced multiple point incisors
she drops to the ground
the tyrant raises the axe
calculates for a death blow
she raises a hand to cast
a weak insufficient shield
no mana remains energy wanes
spells sputter and die
memory can't rely
I chant an ancient ritual
my sword glows dark and runes shine
close the distance between time
slash at his weapon arm and chest
he swivels across to bring the axe
duck down
avoid losing my head
he rolls back
chuckles at our effort
raises a hand
hundreds of arrows loose
we dodge and roll
deflection spells hold
an arrow makes it through
catches me in the hip
knocks me against a stone pillar
Kiara holds a hand to her wound
bright healing sutures
regenerating damaged tissue
a torch falls to the ground
a tapestry immolates
goes up in a magnificent flash
the warlord charges my way
leaps mightily
hacks in a downward arc
trying to split me in half
I jump to the side
speak a chant
leap high with elevated strength
land behind him
swing hard with a convicted thrust
plunge my sword into his back
the blade leaks poison into his veins
paralyzing mechanical functions
he leans forward and groans
swings the axe again
I dodge easily
he lays back and begins to chuckle
"So this is how it ends.
Killed by a young shoot.
You released the boot
my game is done
Valhalla awaits!"
in calm voiced hatred I respond
"Your soul is severed from the divine
poison on my blade imbibed
no longer shall reach the greatest shore
Valhalla
your body consumed
no grave ritual only death looms!"
his smile transforms
a look of panic
then a frown
puts on the face of a clown
he points at me with impudence
closes his eyes
drops to the ground
a corpse in the fire light
Kiara limps to my side
she glares with hatred
yet deep patience
expected such an inane reproach
are you okay I query
"I am fine.
the healing essence well repairs."
I lean back against a wall
she breaks the arrow shaft away
I wince in pain
she casts a healing essence
holds her hand gently above the wound
as the tissues shift and move
repairs ensue
the arrow head emerges
drops to the floor
she gives me a hug
tears flow from her eyes
"What's wrong" I ask with concern
It's nothing she responds spurned
I press further
"I feel great relief for the village.
Yet a quiet sadness for life lost
A moment I thought of losing you
was this our fate to imbue?"
I look into her eyes
share a heart of kindness
"We chose to be guided by destiny
to defend these poor souls
and some ingrates
free these men from tyranny
we preserved their lives and toils
soon they will walk free
yet there is one who remains
heart black soiled
a great sorcerer
Zethynos!".