Fate - First Reply A Night by the Fire

[Andonis Iraklidis]

Andonis rolled a few meters with the boy in his grasp, finally forcing himself to a halt but shoving his leg out to stay his momentum. Had he done it any sooner, it might have been a grievous error. But he managed to stop himself. He started to get to his feet, boy now hooked under his arm. He had no sword. He had no shield. And now, the Lich bore down on him, summoning up its own ethereal sword with which it could surely undo him. He surrendered some ground, hiding the young boy in his arm for a moment, before setting him to his feet and urging him to run - which he did.

The lich ignore him, just as the warrior hoped.

But now it drew even closer, its ghastly self seemingly floating across the ground. It raised his sword, and let loose a horrid screech from its non-existent lungs, and then just as it was certainly going to attack, it screamed out in agony as he saw clearly the point of a sword plunge through the being's head.

It screamed, violently, and writhed around while it spun and whirled in place. It took the shape of a small whirlwind, burning with purple flame, and then it funneled up into the sky and dispersed with an echoing cry.

The surrounding dead fell limp, and dropped to the ground motionless. Andonis meanwhile looked on in shock, unsure of what had just transpired - if these undead were only temporarily subdued or finished off completely, or if this was all just some kind of twisted trick of this demon's magic.

He looked to Melody, realizing now his helmet had been knocked to the wayside - displaying his obviously uncertain features. He sort of mouthed a thank you through his accelerated breath, and a thankful nod.

Rämna Sisters ​

 

[Rämna Sisters]

It worked. She could scarcely believe that it had worked. She had charged at the hooded nightmare, her better judgement cast aside by anger, adrenaline, and no small amount of fear. Perhaps it was seeing the children in danger, or hearing the women wailing as their babies were returned. Maybe it was the plight of the villagers, fighting tooth and nail to protect their quiet town. It was nothing special, but it was their home.

Or maybe, just maybe, it had been the sight of Andonis flying through the air like a seven-foot juggernaut, striking at the hellbeast as would an angel from the heavens themselves. Maybe it had been watching him crash to the ground, victorious, and seeing the children freed from the evil hold.

But he had been in trouble, the lich was not so easily beaten. She ran, she leapt, and she plunged Andonis' sword into the back of that tattered hood. There was a crunch and a horrible squelching sound, and then only screaming. Melody hit the ground and rolled beyond the reach of the whirlwind. She watch from her back, propped up on her elbows, as it disappeared into the night sky.

She saw Andonis in the dim firelight, nodded weakly at his thanks, her chest heaving in fatigue. Was it over?

Samford came over at a sprint. Her hair was wild and stuck to her face, and her clothing was torn in several places. She bled from wounds on her face, her arms, seemingly everywhere, but this did not seem to bother her. "Is that it?" She asked Andonis, half interrogation and half begging for it to be true. "The dead fell. Soldier, is it over?"

Melody very much wished she knew the answer. Things certainly seemed to have come to a grinding halt, but still she eyed the fallen bodies with suspicion.

 

[Andonis Iraklidis]

Andonis' eyes shot back and forth almost wildly. He scanned quickly all he could, careful not to miss any sign of movement not prompted by those still living. After a few exasperated breaths and a heavy sigh of relief, his shoulders dropped some and he nodded.

"Yes, I believe so."

Gods he hoped so.

He ambled over to Melody, and offered her his hand, "come, let us make sure you're unharmed." His tone, though stern, was laced with concern.

Rämna Sisters ​

 

[Rämna Sisters]

Melody took Andonis' hand as he lifted her to her feet with ease. She felt... alright. She wouldn't say "good," it had been a very not-good night, but she did not think she was grievously wounded. She briefly inspected her shirt for any sign of blood, and though it was dirty and torn in a few places she appeared to have been spared.

"Thank you. I think I'm alright," she said, although she walked with him to the building where the some of the villagers had been watching the children. It wouldn't hurt to be properly checked, and she looked up at the tall figure beside her. "What about you? That was quite a fall."

Samford followed them, and Melody noted that this woman was in far worse shape than either of them. She had a nasty cut across her forehead, and her sleeves had been entirely torn off. She moved with a noticeable limp, one that she had not had before. Melody wished there was something she could do, but she would need to wait until Faith awoke in the morning and replenished her magic. Melody had fought off the hoards, now only her sister could help these people further.

The large building, clearly meant as a gathering hall of some sort, had been hastily converted into a ward. Bodies lay in rows on the ground, most of them writhing or breathing uneasily, some of them unsettlingly still. Children cried loudly in the background and men and women alike were tending to the injured.