Dawnpoint

Chapter 25

His clothes hugged his body like a second skin, soaked with the metallic scent of his once red blood. He readied his bow and aimed with shaky hands, unable to get a clear visual through the consoling temptations of sleep.

Phoenix screamed as he was dragged across the wasteland, a sound that had Micah pivoting and trying to find an opening. This was the moment that decided everything. There was one Rulie and one survivor left standing. Liliana had been thrown to the side, grunting as she tried to move her leg, but the pain shot through her like one of Micah's arrows. Oryn laid still, face down in the cracked dirt at his feet.

The Rulie let Phoenix go. Opened its mouth.

Micah fired.

The arrow sizzled through the air and embedded itself ruthlessly into its right eye, drawing a piercing cry from the creature as it left its prey to scramble away and narrowed in on the interferer.

He grabbed the last arrow in his quiver.

The Rulie lunged.

He dived to the left, gritting his teeth as he rolled back onto his feet and fired without aim.

It missed.

The Rulie gained on him again; he grabbed his knife.

Struck.

Saliva drenched him as it hung over him, made no move to devour him.

It slumped as he rolled over and propped himself up on his arms, catching his breath. He gave it one final look before dragging himself over to Oryn. He shook him violently, shouting his name.

No answer.

He glanced at Liliana who gazed listlessly back, breathing heavy and smiling softly at him. Her leg trembled as she yelled out in pain, face caked in blood.

Phoenix.

He called out to him, twisting his head to find him. He sat slumped, clutching his arm. His clothes were destroyed. His complexion was pale.

He tried waking Oryn again, clenching his jaw as he rolled him over and examined the jagged gash from his collarbone to his stomach, spilling clots of blood over the ground.

A perfect summoning.

The Rulies were dead. But more would come.

He pushed himself to his feet and pulled Oryn into his arms, his body lifeless as his feet dragged across the ground when he moved over to Liliana. He placed him next to her, tore off the remnants of his shirt and bandaged his chest.

Phoenix forced himself over to them, seizing a bag. He fell to his knees beside Oryn and used his teeth to open it so Micah could grab the scraps.

Liliana rolled over onto her stomach and forced herself to keep quiet as she tried to move her leg. She pushed herself toward Oryn and took the dressings from his hands, sitting up on her right leg as she continued wrapping the body.

Micah stumbled back over to the Rulie and yanked the knife out of its heart, the silver blood splattering across his face and arms. He pierced the skin again and carved out a piece big enough to tie off the bandages.

A twitch.

He flinched and scampered back to Oryn, taking over, and stopped the blood from spilling out. He looked at Liliana and then Phoenix.

"Can you walk?"

Phoenix nodded grimly and let go of his arm to help Liliana up. She bit the inside of her cheek and clenched her fists as he supported her, counting her breaths as she waited for the pain to subside.

Micah picked up Oryn, slinging his arm over his shoulders and heaving him up. He struggled to keep his balance at first but slowly managed to drag him as they headed home.

A distant howl.

They quickened their speed, maintaining silence as they hobbled along, leaving their weapons. Liliana insisted on grabbing her bag as they passed it, slinging it over her shoulder and dropping a few grapes and berries as her leg gave way.

Phoenix grunted as he straightened her back up, left arm completely useless.

And they left.

Another howl.

The building was in sight.

Micah's vision blurred. His legs threatened to collapse as the strain finally took a toll on his muscles. They were almost there, just a bit further.

And then they were inside, dropping into the corridor and kicking the large doors shut.

The lanterns flickered, undisturbed, as they finally let their pain control them. Micah grunted and continued hauling Oryn to the bedroom with his arms under his, chest facing the ceiling. He dragged him onto his mattress and grabbed the lantern by the door, placing it by his head as he examined for more wounds.

He was growing tired, eyes refusing to stay open.

He shook him again.

"You have to wake up."

And again.

"Oryn, stay with us."

And again. Until he passed out and left his own injuries unattended.

------

Author's note:

Have your perceptions of Liliana, Phoenix, and Oryn changed?

Do you think they'll all survive?