Fate - First Reply A Night by the Fire

[Rämna Sisters]

The creatures fell one after the other, their grotesque bodies crumpling into heaps. After six or seven slain it seemed to be the end of it.

Melody was bent over, with her hands on her knees, breathing hard. "Who?" she asked nervously. Maybe she could convince Andonis he had misheard her over the noise of the battle... but it had been a very quiet battle in actuality. The monsters made no sounds except for when they burned.

After catching her breath she took another stick from the fire and set fire to each body in turn. The stench was becoming unbearable. "Gods, where did these come from?" she said, covering her face with her cloak.

It was very concerning that they had come here, and she knew, somehow, that they had been following her. They had come from the south, and Melody had been facing north on the road when she awoke.

 

[Andonis Iraklidis]

They finished off their final foes, and Andonis showed no lack of fury in one final stomp over one such enemy's skull. It left a nasty mess of his boot, but it was satisfying all the same. He wiped the sweat from his brow, and then turned toward Melody.

"Who?"

A frown crept across his lips. He began to grow a bit unsure of his companion. However, she had just fought tooth and nail alongside him - hardly worthy of his total distrust. But there was something about this that was very strange, and he was certain he'd heard her mention another.

He turned down to look upon the corpses that lay about them, also curious as to where they had come from. He remembered vague impressions of stories, or tales or songs. Something told to him. Of the dead rising, and causing much grief. It was not like the promises of paradise after life - it was a tortured hunger, a seething and controlling madness.

He gave his head a shake, and said, "I'm not sure. But I don't care much to stay here and wait for more..."

He wasn't really sure what to do, but remaining here seemed foolish now. These fiends would no doubt have drawn more, or worse.

Rämna Sisters ​

 

[Rämna Sisters]

Melody nodded, relieved that he had ignored her slip-up, at least for now. Undoubtedly he thought the undead to be a more pressing matter, and she wholeheartedly agreed.

"I'm not sure. But I don't care much to stay here and wait for more..."

"Agreed," she said, looking at the oozing aftermath of Andonis crushing a skull with his foot. Gods, he was strong. Did he have some magic in him as well? The thought drew her attention back to the emptiness she felt. She had held her own in this fight, still having her natural energy and the strength that came from a life of wandering and the occasional brawl, but she would much prefer to have the buffer of magic that she had gotten used to. Unfortunately, that would not be possible until sunrise which was still several hours off.

"These look like they came from the South...ish. We could go North and try to outrun them." They weren't exactly fast, but they had been able to track surprisingly well. Or maybe they had just been drawn to the light of the fire? Fire killed them... but were they smart enough to figure out that fire meant people? They seemed pretty hell-bent on attacking them for no reason.

 

[Andonis Iraklidis]

Andonis nodded. He gave his foot a quick shake to remove some of the more bulbous matter, then started toward his gear. Quickly he began to don his gear, fitting his armor, finishing with the affirmative setting of his helmet. He ran his hand across the black plume atop it, and then with one final adjustment of his breastplate he was ready.

He fitted himself remarkably quickly, obviously accustomed to doing so at a moments notice. The armour too, while obviously robust and well fitted, was simplistic and easy to adorn. It added a level of menace to his appearance that was befitting his stature.

"These look like they came from the South...ish. We could go North and try to outrun them."

He slung a pack over his shoulder, grasping its strap with one hand and carrying his spear and shield on the other.

"Let's move," he said, kicking out the stray embers he'd previously sprayed around before moving to depart. The fire itself would surely die out on its own.

Rämna Sisters ​

 

[Rämna Sisters]

Run it was, and Melody was fine with this decision. She couldn't help but gawk as Andonis donned his armor, miraculously becoming even larger than he already was. The black plume was imposing, and his spear no longer looked so large and out of place. His voice reverberated in his helmet giving it an even more commanding tone.

She nodded, moving would be good.

She started back towards the road. It would be more exposed there, but she didn't expect him to trudge through the branches wearing as much metal as two smaller men. At least this far from town and this late at night they were unlikely to run into anyone.

"Did you pass any towns or roadsigns on your way here? I'd give my left arm for some proper shelter."

 

[Andonis Iraklidis]

As they made their way further from the camp, Andonis instinctively became hyper vigilant of the surrounding area. It was like everything was perceived with a heightened sharpness. Though he wouldn't compare his sight or hearing to that of an elf, they were formidable enough for one such as he. As she spoke to him, he turned his head a adjusted the pack on his shoulder. In it he stashed little more than clothing, some spare supplies, the odd potion or herb, but nothing of any significant value or weight. It was easy enough to carry.

"I did pass a small village not terribly far from here. About a hundred folk, little more than farmers..."

As he mentioned them, he wondered if is was worth it to bring the potential for such trouble to such helpless people. A hearty bunch, to be sure, but they were not soldiers. They worked the land, and paid men like him to deal with fiends like these. Or at least, that is what he believed.

But he had more than his own well-being to consider, and Melody was right. And too, as far as he was concerned, she deserved to have proper shelter - especially with such dangerous creatures lurking about. Hell, he'd been right startled by the damned things, so he could just about imagine what her impression had been. He was not ignorant that the bigger you were - the smaller everything else was. Those things likely looked much different when they could properly look you in the eye.

Rämna Sisters ​

 

[Rämna Sisters]

Melody nodded in relief. More people would give them safety. She wasn't too worried about it being a small farming community. Too many guards might get her into trouble, it usually did. "So long as they can build a fire we should be safe until morning." They just had to get to morning. Then Faith could awaken, pray, and get her magic back. She could also, hopefully, explain what in the hell was going on.

She carried a charred stick with her. The flame had long since gone out but it made her feel better to have some sort of weapon. The moon was bright enough to illuminate their path, but everything looked like a monster in the ghostly light. Several times Melody started at a scraping tree branch or swooping bat.

She didn't speak, straining her ears against the silence.

Soon she could see light in the distance. It was unusually bright for a town, and when they got closer she could see why. Several bonfires had been lit at the town's edge, and she could see people pointing at her and Andonis, bringing torches out to meet them.

"I think we'd better get ready to explain ourselves." She said to her giant companion.

 

[Andonis Iraklidis]

Andonis paused, and nodded. He dropped the sack, and held his spear with both hands. He was not aggressive, but he was no fool. If they sought to attack them, he would be ready for it. Really though, he didn't expect any trouble. He'd been told by a few people here that plume on his helmet was, "quite the thing." Hopefully it was recognizable enough.

"If something goes wrong," he whispered, turning his head to see her through the eye holes of his helm, "then you run for it. I can handle them if it comes down to it."

He wasn't entirely sure of that. One man against many, didn't often go too well. But he was sure he would buy her some time, if nothing else.

Hope for the best. Seemed the better thing.

Rämna Sisters ​

 

[Rämna Sisters]

Melody picked up the sack and slung it over her own shoulder. ”And leave you all on your own? That wouldn’t make me a very grateful guest, now, would it?” Her smiled was illuminated by the flickering glow of the bonfires. She may not have her magic, but she could handle a couple of farmers... probably.

As they drew near the town a man in rough-been clothes held out a torch. ”Hold!” he called in a shaky voice. ”Stop there!”

“Shut it, Ronald.” Spoke a woman’s voice. She put a hand on his arm to lower it and held out her own torch to better see Andonis and Melody approaching. “If they was zombies they wouldn’t listen to you, would they? You there!” She called to them, “Come on up, nice and easy, and state your business.”

As they drew nearer a familiar scent assaulted Melody’s nose. Those weren’t bonfires, they were pyres. Heaps of bodies burned through the night, and she knew that they weren’t the only ones to encounter monsters tonight.

“I am Melody, and this is Sir Andonis. We were attacked by... creatures. We’re looking for shelter until morning. Can you help us?” She figured giving her companion a title might gain them some favor with the locals, as if his steel didn’t speak for itself.

The woman looked her and Andonis over, although her eyes stayed mostly glued to the hulk’s armor. “Aye, we’ve got shelter, and room and food to spare for two mouths... but it won’t come free.” She was a sturdy woman, with rough sun-worn skin, sinewy arms, and graying blonde hair. “You were attacked by walking corpses, weren’t you? Given that you’re alive you’ve got some fight in you. If you can fight, you can stay.”

Melody looked up at Andonis. They really didn’t have a choice.

 

[Andonis Iraklidis]

Andonis examined the fires as they drew close, the stench apparent to him before the sight. A terrible thing, one he would address after.

“You were attacked by walking corpses, weren’t you? Given that you’re alive you’ve got some fight in you. If you can fight, you can stay.”

He straightened his back, and slammed the butt of his spear into the ground and stood at attention - as if to fully display his menacing stature. In actuality, it was a gesture of his warriorhood, that he offered to them at their demand.

"Grant us shelter, and I will defend your homes, and destroy those who come to do you harm."

Certainly a comforting prospect coming from one such as himself. He watched the two older farmers exchange nods, and beckon them to come. He turned and offered to retake the sack from Melody, sparing her its weight. As he did he looked out into the dark they'd come from.

He didn't see anything, but it certainly felt as though someone, was watching them. Though he betrayed it not, it made a shiver run down even his spine. With a grunt he turned back, and started into the settlement.

"These dead... who are they?"

Rämna Sisters ​

 

[Rämna Sisters]

A look of relief swept across the faces of most people present as Andonis declared his allegiance to their cause. Melody handed him back his sack of supplies and gestured to the big man while looking at the woman who was clearly in charge. "Yeah, what he said. I, uh, don't have my own weapon, though."

"We have torches and pitchforks, and some of the older families have a sword or two." She reached out her hand and shook Melody's and Andonis' in turn. "We'll gear you up. Name's Samford, welcome to Hornsey."

She gestured for Melody to follow a short, balding man to get some supplies. While she was gone Samford answered Andonis' question.

"Some of them are ours, but most I couldn't say. I can tell you they died long before they marched up from the woods, though." She cast a hard glare at the dark forest's edge. "Don't know what they are or where they came from, they just kill. You seem like you know your way around a battle, you ever see anything like these before?"

Melody returned shortly, wielding a worn but acceptable short sword and a pair of leather bracers. She had tied her hair back messily with a bit of twine and discarded her cloak in favor of maneuverability.

 

[Andonis Iraklidis]

"We have torches and pitchforks, and some of the older families have a sword or two."

Even worse than he'd feared. But, at least they would be more help than harm. Maybe. But some help was better than none, and he imagined even if they were aged folk they didn't get on so long by laying down. They'd fight for their home, that much he could already blatantly see.

He shook Samford's hand with an affirmative nod, careful not to grasp too tightly. He offered a similar nod to Melody in an unspoken assurance that he would be watching for her return. He had little reason to trust these folk. Little reason not to either, but he was a cautious sort, he supposed.

"...you ever see anything like these before?"

He looked at the woman sternly, "I've heard of such creatures... but not until tonight have I faced them."

But he seemed unafraid. Whether that was a truth or not he did not betray, but within he was deeply unsettled. The imagery of their gnarled faces and lidless eyes had been haunting. A far cry from the sight Melody's return.

He turned to greet her, his voice falling short. With her hair tied back, and the bright glow of the fires here her visage was far more discernable. Discarding her cloak had revealed more of her feature, and his chest gave a brief flutter. He cleared his throat.

Damnit boy, you're likely old enough to be her father.

"Melody... uhhh."

His helm would hide the flush of his face, but the sputtering of his words were perhaps less, articulate, than they could have been.

Rämna Sisters ​

 

[Rämna Sisters]

Melody cocked her head at Andonis’ sudden ineloquence. She could not see his expression beneath his helm, nor could she trace his straying eyes. If she had, she likely would have raised a knowing eyebrow and reminded him to focus on the task at hand.

Samford was oblivious to his hiccup, and pressed him for any more details he could offer up. “And what have you heard? Anything about where they come from? How to stop them?”

“Fire kills them,” Melody interjected. “So does destroying their brain.”

Samford turned, looking pleasantly surprised that she knew such things. “The fire we figured out, but the brain... that’s helpful.”

A whistle rang out through the darkness and all the villagers snapped to attention. Many looked terrified, others wore scowls.

“Right. I want you at the front, big man. Reckon that armor will keep their claws off you better than my men’s rags. You, lass, watch his back.” She moved on without a word, giving more orders and rallying what was left of the farmers. They were mostly men, some young and some older. A few women were here to fight as well, but Melody had seen more of them back where she’d been armed as they tended to the wounded and children and kept the fires lit.

Melody breathed deeply, readying herself. She usually fought with fists, but she had used a sword before... once or twice. How hard could it be? She stood next to Andonis, his dark armor gleaming under the moon. She felt considerably better having him at her side.

“Let’s show them how it’s done,” she said, cracking her neck. If they were going to fight, ought to do it right.

At the wood’s edge, several dark shapes emerged.

 

[Andonis Iraklidis]

He nodded along with the conversation. He really could add little more than Melody did, and saw little need to interject. He did however examine the sword she'd been given.

By the gods.

When the whistle sounded, he too turned to see. In the dark of the night beyond the orange glow there was still little to see. Hurriedly as Samford beckoned him to the forefront, he urged Melody to exchange swords with him. His was in far better condition, and with his strength he would have much better luck than she with one of lesser caliber.

Then, he moved to the front. Now he could hear their movement. Muted scuffs, and the scuffling of leaves and twigs. He readied his spear in one hand and drew his shield up in front of him.

“Let’s show them how it’s done,”

He nodded with an amused grunt, a smile lifting one corner of his lips. It felt a little more like a game to him now. With the security of the settlement behind them, and the additional support of these hearty countrymen, it felt more like his proper place. No they were not soldiers, but tonight they were warriors - and in kindred company he felt most at ease.

As the first of the fiends came near, into the light, his arm shot forth and his spear tore the undead's head clear off. It collapsed, and he drew back. Several others, more tightly assembled followed.

He charged forward, slamming into one with his shield and like a doll it was propelling several meters away to violently roll even farther. As he did, he thrust his spear out forward, driving it up into the abdomen of his next victim, even hoisting it up off the ground before abruptly pulling back to free his spear. In his final display with it, he hurled it forward, and it struck into the same foe and pinned it to the ground.

He then loosed his sword with a roar, raising his shield in front of one monster, who pounded its flailing arms against it. While he was preoccupied, he saw some lumbering past.

"Melody!" he shouted, hopefully alerting her of the imminent flanking if he could not dispatch his current enemy quickly enough.

Rämna Sisters ​

 

[Rämna Sisters]

Melody wasn't about to turn down an offer of a better weapon, and so she exchanged the old blade with Andonis' exquisite saber. "Thanks," she said, knowing full well that the extra sharpness would help her. It was heavy, but she was much stronger than she looked.

Following Andonis into battle was like watching a great master paint a picture. It was like listening to a symphony as it was composed in real time. The man was a dancer of steel. It was not a ballet, there was no spinning and prancing here. It was a war dance, a dance of stomps and claps, of fists and sticks and heavy drums. The rhythm was punctuated by his spear making purchase in dead flesh and soft earth.

His call drew Melody out of her admiration, and she snapped to attention in time to lop the head off of the nearest creature. The sword carried her swing farther than anticipated, and she realized she did not need to wield it with nearly so much force. The edge was expertly honed and sliced bone like butter.

She kicked at another, and this was a mistake. It tore at her pant leg with sharp nails, but she managed to pull away before it reached her skin. She lopped off a leg and drove the sword's point through its fallen skull. "Alright, steel only," she muttered to herself.

The villagers were doing surprisingly well. The zombies were slow and were only truly dangerous if they got their hands on you. Long pitchforks and thrown torches seemed to be the most successful, although Melody did hear a pained scream as three of the monsters descended on an older farmer. It took took additional men to cut them down, and it was too late to save him.

More shadows on the forest's edge. How many were there? Why were they attacking this place? Where did they come from? Surely some dark and terrible magic had been used, and she found herself wishing even more that her sister could explain things to her.

 

[Andonis Iraklidis]

Andonis did well to finally stave off the flailing fiend, pushing it back with a shove and then finally cleaving down upon it with his borrowed sword. It hit harder than his would have, but backed by the strength in him it still sank deep into the undead's body and then he tore it free and with a quick swipe too its head off. He turned about, slamming yet another with his shield and forcing it to the ground as he drew himself closer to Melody.

He shoved one away from her, turned and drove the pommel down upon one's head as it reached out to bite him. He roared at it with surprised fury, and like the one by fire earlier decimated its head beneath his boot.

They seemed to fare well thus far, and the numbers seemed to dwindle.

But then he heard the sound of hooves and wheels traveling hard over the ground. The sound of some poor horses' cries rang out, grotesque and ungodly as they were. He could not see it, but he could hear it all the same.

"Back," he hollered, "watch out!"

Then, appearing from seemingly no where in the dark came the carriage. Both its horses and its rider were clearly like these other creatures, but the driver seemed far more agile and purposeful than they. And then, when its glowing eyes met his he realized this thing was most certainly not like the rest.

He pulled Melody from its path, and then he too dove out of the way. It was a close call, and an abrupt one which had no doubt startled her, but he had no time to dwell on it. He climbed to his feet as quickly as he could, kicking a lurching biter back. He grabbed up his sword, and killed it.

The carriage had broken through their barricades, and if the two of them weren't quick, they'd be surrounded as the undead swarmed into the settlement and around them.

Rämna Sisters​

 

[Rämna Sisters]

It was a strange and silent battle. Here and there a scream would pierce through the grunts of men, but overall their enemies made no more noise than rabbits. Somehow this added to the unease, the fear, and the overall weirdness of the situation.

More fell around them, Andonis pushing them away from Melody and Melody cutting them down before they could flank Andonis. As a pair they fought quite well. She was facing away from the woods, and so it was a great surprise when she was thrown to the ground and the carriage thundered past. She could feel Andonis' armored mass hit the ground beside her and silently commended him on his control. She would surely have been crushed beneath the weight had he landed on top of her.

The ground was a bad place to be. These monsters would just as easily fall on top of you and pin you down while they gnawed at your flesh. Scrambling to her feet, Melody thought to offer a hand to Andonis, but realized immediately that there was no way she could pull him to his feet, not without some help from the divine. He did not need her help, however, and easily rose.

She looked at him, and in an unspoken agreement rushed after it. Whatever drove that thing had found its way to the heart of the town, where most vulnerable lay. Already she could see Samford swinging a torch through the air, burning down enemies as she called new orders and pointed men to the carriage.

She sliced an undead clean in half as she passed. The upper torso continued to drag itself across the grass, but she was already away and at the town's border. A deep feeling of unease permeated the air as she drew closer to the dark carriage. She pushed it down and hurried to where the women and children had been sheltering.

 

[Andonis Iraklidis]

Andonis followed quickly behind Melody. He'd veer left or right and slam his shield into an undead as it lurched out toward her or he, leaving them in heaps to drag themselves up from. She got some paces ahead, and sliced one in half. He trampled over it, hearing and feeling a rather satisfying crunch underfoot. He looked up to the carriage, which had wheeled itself to a halt near the center of town.

As they drew near the door to the carriage swung open, and from within a horrid laugh and a terrible cold came forth. It blew out from it with the force of a northern wind, and the even the bonfires round about them were silenced. The light grew dim, the only remaining luminescence coming from indoor lighting. He cursed, and watched as someone stepped out of the carriage, which buckled and swayed from the weight of whomever it was within.

Out stepped a creature that was easily nine feet tall, robed in a long black cloak. It was torn, and tattered, and round about the figure seemed to be a dark fog which emanated from it. The ground under its feet turned like ice, and frost stretched out from its presence.

Andonis slid to a halt, and brought up his shield.

Behind him the townsmen panicked to fight off the undead and relight the fires.

In front of him he stared up at the terrifying sight of the tall cloaked figure, who seemed unnaturally passive for the moment, that brief moment where Andonis looked up to it and realized he had absolutely no idea, no comprehension of what the hell he was looking at. Then, finally the figure before him lifted one hand. Long, bony fingers stretched out from its swooping black sleeves, and curled them upward into a point. A dark purple mist then rose out from the ground all throughout the settlement it seemed, and the piles of bodies not yet relit began to stir.

"Fuck."

Rämna Sisters ​

 

[Rämna Sisters]

Melody slid to a halt as the carriage door opened and the terrible cold took hold of her. It was not an ordinary chill, it got *inside* of her and gripped her heart. It squeezed her lungs and she fought to take shallow breaths, the air fogging in front of her. The laugh sent shivers through her.

It was immense, but it glided out of its carriage like mist. Melody's heart pounded in fear, much more fear than normal. This being was leaching it out of her, drawing out her animal instincts to flee. She quickly ducked behind Andonis and his shield.

The purple mist wafted into the air all around them, and Melody tried not to breath. Bodies of the fallen, many of them farmers who had died but moments ago, began to rise. Shouts of farmers rang out as the bodies they were carrying began to writhe and lash out. She saw Samford running for the bonfires, barking orders, pointing at the piles of charred bodies that remained still.

"We have to get those fires lit." She said with determination. "Or this will never stop."

With a final look at Andonis to signal her intentions, she ran off towards Samford. Andonis would need to make up his own mind on whether to assist or to try and face the giant alone. She sincerely hoped he chose the former. There was nothing they could do to that thing without fire, she was certain of it.

"Bring the pitch and oil!" Samford was yelling as she approached, "Cut them down! They're not your neighbors anymore!"

 

[Andonis Iraklidis]

Andonis raised his shield to the fiend, blocking what mist and cold he could with it. His eyes narrowed while they adjusted from the sudden lack of light. Even he shook from the chill, but he shrugged it off and ground his teeth with the stomp of his foot, declaring his resentment of the figure's presence with a battle cry. He flinched somewhat when it raised its hand, but he kept his eyes on it, only keeping his shield between them.

The mists rose up, and confusion splayed his festures. He heard the fallen dead around them stir, and he hazarded a glance.

"We have to get those fires lit." She said with determination. "Or this will never stop."

He met her look, and exchanged her nod. He cast another glance back to the figure, who stood by rather passively now as his new ranks of minions began to stir. Andonis turned and bound behind Melody, covering her from attack as one came from this way, and another from that way. Utilizing both his sword and his shield as weaponry, he brutalized his victims where they stood - too slow and cumbersome to contend with him.

But, it would only last so long. He was only human, and eventually, he would tire.

As Samford leaned down to relight a pile, Andonis leapt to her side to crush down a monster, driving his sword down through its skull.

He whirled around, knocking another down and then looking back to the center. The driver thrashed on the reins, and the carriage began to move once more. The driver unveiled a long scythe, and brandished it as the carriage wheeled around toward a number of the villagers - Melody included.

"Look out!" he hollered, his voice cutting through the sound of battle like a mighty horn.

Rämna Sisters ​

 

[Rämna Sisters]

The villagers were in a frenzy, bringing buckets of thick black liquid and dousing the piles of bodies. Frantically, they tried to spark the fires to life. Melody did her best to keep the monsters away from them, but there were many.

"Look out!"

She whirled around to see the carriage bearing down and leapt to the side. The scythe cut through the air with a cold ring and two farmers were cleaved in two by its blade. Samford had managed to get out of the way and was covered in their blood.

The fire roared to life behind them, the warmth immediate. It seemed to drive the carriage driver away for a moment, but whatever hatred it had for fire was overcome, as it rounded and readied for another charge.

Melody's anger burst. She was tired of being weak, tired of feeling useless without her magic. She tucked the sword into her belt, and as the carriage started forwards she ran for it. The scythe was held to the driver's right, so she ran to his left. She was fast, faster than would be expected for someone of her build. The carriage was closing in and she jumped. She hit the side of the carriage hard, the wind forced form her lungs, but she held fast. Using all of her strength she pulled herself up to the roof. Steadying herself, she drew the sword, and plunged it into the back of the driver's head... or where she thought his head should be.

He crumpled immediately, scythe clattering to the ground. The undead horses, however, kept going. They careened into the newly lit bonfire, sending flaming logs and bodies rolling over the grass. Melody jumped from the carriage, rolling as she hit the ground.

Lifting herself onto her elbows, her chest aching, she saw the skeletal horses running free of their reigns, screeching as they burned.

 

[Andonis Iraklidis]

Andonis too dove out of the way in a narrow escape. Unfortunately he stumbled and fell backward into a pile of inanimate dead. Thankfully they stayed that way long enough for him to climb to his feet, and allow for the fires to overtake the corpses.

He moved to render aid to Melody, but something snagged his leg. He looked down, a bony, fiery hand had grasped his ankle.

A swift swipe of his sword undid that. He turned and beheld the carriage colliding with one of the fires and unleashing its flaming steeds to wreak havoc. But he could not be bothered immediately. He raced to Melody's aid, the hand still grasped to his ankle, and hoisted her to her feet.

The lich had now disappeared, and Andonis could not find him again amid the chaos, a strange thing given the height of the ghastly being. But nearby he heard something, almost like chanting.

Rämna Sisters ​

 

[Rämna Sisters]

Andonis lifted her to her feet like she weighed nothing, and her she felt her stomach flutter in the brief weightlessness. She was breathing hard, but she wore a wild smile on her open mouth. "I... got him..." she said in between pants.

She could hear the chanting, too, now, and she turned to try and locate the source. It was oppressively dark outside the light of the fires. "Where did the big one go?" She asked quietly.

She felt a cold creeping in from her fingertips, and although sweat still dotted her brow, he breath fogged in the air before her.

Samford was still holding off the last of the re-reanimated dead with the remaining villagers. Melody hoped that at least some of them were able to protect the children.

 

[Andonis Iraklidis]

Looking left. Then right. Behind.

He could see the lich no where, and in the desperation of his search he almost did not compute what Melody had said to him. But she had rid them of the carriage driver - a well done deed, he was a particularly dangerous one, as had been put on display for all to see with several bodies cloven in two. But the chanting... it came from somewhere near to them. He could not...

… he looked up. And above him, the creature floated, and a bright light shone out from underneath its hood. Around him... the very dread none would wish to have seen. Children, at least a dozen, all hovering around him in the shape of a ring, slowly spinning around. Andonis shouted, and made a hasty charge into the building just next to him.

It would likely seem strange, like he fled inside for fear of the dark figure looming overhead.

It reached out to ensnare one of the children in its bony grasp, clearly reveling in the fear and dismay the sight of this happening caused upon the still living below, causing their hearts to sink deeply - and break. He grabbed the child, slowly pulling it closer, and the poor boy writhed and kicked and screamed all the while.

And as the fiend reached out with its other hand, intend on preforming some despicable act - Andonis appeared. He burst through the opening of a window, hurling himself through the air with a tremendous roar.

For a moment, he felt like he was flying. But he reached the precipice, and began his arc downward - directly into the lich. He tossed his shield aside, reaching for the child. He stuck his sword deeply into the lich's chest, grabbing hold of the boy as its arm reared up from shock and surprise as Andonis barreled into him. The three of them descended to the ground with a violent crash, sending the lich and Andonis in separate directions. And Andonis rolled across the ground, the young boy held in his arms - desperate to spare him any injury.

The children overhead however - abruptly began to fall.

Rämna Sisters ​

 

[Rämna Sisters]

The wails that came from the living were worse than the screams of the dead. The anguish, the complete and insurmountable despair that howled from the fighters, the caretakers, the yelp of Melody's own voice. She was paralyzed with it, watching in hopelessness as the children spun around this monster. She felt Andonis leave but did nothing to react.

She had never particularly cared for children. She didn't mind them, but she never fawned or cooed over them like some women. Faith was particularly enamored by them, but Melody never seemed to have the time. Maybe it was her nocturnal existence that made encounters scarce, but even so, she'd be loathe to saddle herself with one.

But this... this was horrid. They were harmless to the lich, innocent in every sense. What possible purpose did it have for them? What cruel way would he snuff out their lives so early?

Luckily they did not have to find out, for the bear of a man leapt from a window and crashed down into the abomination. They hit the ground triumphantly, but the children did not stop screaming. Melody's body suddenly lurched into action, a deep insuppressible instinct shared by every adult present.

Save the children.

She bolted and leapt, diving with arms outstretch to catch a little boy before he hit the ground. Several others had been caught by mothers or fighters who had rushed to the scene... but many were not. Their cries of pain were heartbreaking, but it was tempered by relief that they were free of the beast's grasp.

Melody hurriedly passed the crying child off to a blonde woman and rushed to help Andonis, picking up his sword while she ran. She was going to stab this lich right in his evil face, she just had to get close enough.