Fall from Grace

Fall of the Inquisition VIII

The survivors managed to break away, but it was only for a moment.

The Elemental Knights, hell bent on bringing death to each and every single one of the survivors, closed in on them from behind. Casting away various types of magic at the survivors, they were doing what they could to slow them down.

None of their attacks managed to inflict the damage they sought. The Grand Wizard managed to use his own magicka to form shields and walls that protected the survivors.

Despite his success defending them, the survivors were breaking down. The forest had become a test of endurance as they were constantly running, and running, and running. If they took a break for even a split second the Elemental Knights would catch them, and it would all be over.

While the Elemental Knights and the Inquisitors both had demi-god-like endurance, normal men like the Lucky Sixty-Eight did not. It was only a matter of time until they failed the test that only ended with their deaths.

"Don't... stop... Keep... going..."

Vohom himself was breathing heavily, and he could feel himself losing consciousness. However, when he saw one of his soldiers drop, followed by running off from the rest of them, he quickly woke back up.

"Huh-- What are you--"

"Run!! Run without me!!! I can't keep going anymore, but I can buy you all time!!!"

Either soldiers collapsed to their knees as exhaustion kicked in or they would split off and accept their fates. By being sacrificial lambs, they forced an Elemental Knight or two to split off and deal with them to ensure that there would be no survivors.

And despite the knights being far superior, they had trouble dealing with the split off survivors because of them using every last bit of energy they had left inside of them. The adrenaline rush of knowing that death was near helped strengthen them as well.

"Go!!! Keep going!!!"

"We're getting closer!! I can feel it!!!"

The Lucky Sixty-Eight and others finally broke free from the forest and emerged in a flat green valley.

Following close behind were Shadow, Aerro, Creedo, and five other Elemental Knights who either caught up or kept chasing the main group.

Closer... I think...

The green valley was of major significance for the Inquisition. Years ago, a battle took place that became the turning point needed for the Inquisition against the Icarus Cult. It also was the first time the Inquisition had dealt with a minotaur.

The Great Burning Minotaur, a minotaur type unmatched by any of the others, was brought down by a few Inquisitors powered by Divine blessings - the Order kind.

But it must be said; the Lord Inquisitor, White Raven, Demon King, Laplace Demon, and even the Fallen Inquisitor were almost defeated by the Great Burning Minotaur. By pure luck did they survive. If that luck never came to them, the Dragon King and Minotaur King's war wouldn't have continued until another hundred years went by.

"...This is where we battled the Great Burning Minotaur, which means we're closer to the Domains of the Inquisition than we were before. It'll only be a matter of time until we make it there..."

But how much further do we have to go?

Just by looking at the group I can tell they're on the verge of breaking apart. It won't be hours until they break, but it will be in minutes.

How much further can we keep pushing them until the last one has reached their breaking point?

"How much further until we make it, Jingks?"