Eleutheria [A SONGS OF WAR PRE-CANON STORY]

Chapter 1: Carcass

Carcass: the body of a dead animal, especially a large one that is soon to be cut up as meat or eaten by wild animals.

Coming up: Arcass fights off a band of pursuers. Tristus makes a decision.

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Arcass Nestoris ran as if the snow floor was collapsing behind him. The sack in his hand clattered against his huffing chest. The patrols killed his horse while he was escaping-- all of his supplies were there. He had to get to somewhere safe-- with food and warmth and a shelter to pass the night. Somehow.

That Supporium stunt had drained him more than expected, but at least he had bought a few seconds. His legs were sore under him and he could reckon there were blisters on his toes, and every frosty breath felt like razor blades as his throat ran dry. Yet he sprinted and sprinted.

As he ran, he looked behind him to find an exasperated squad chasing after him, with two of them distantly adjacent, having caught up to his pace with the use of Mobilium. But Arcass was never going to go back-- not after he sacrificed everything to get here. A patrol fired a shot-- and Arcass dodged, the energy projectile hitting the snow behind him. Arcass zig-zagged between pines, vaulting over fallen logs, allowing his instincts to carry him wherever he should go. A patrol shot another Aggrobolt from behind, but Arcass charged Supporokinesis, aiming his spear at the projectile, deflecting the energy blast at the patrol, instantly watching the light go out in the patrol's markings.

Arcass hurled the sack onto his back, giving him a free hand to balance his almost-stumbling body. He pulled his arms back as an attempt to get his legs moving, his long, damp hair flailing wildly against his flapping cloak. It was cold but he felt like he was standing on hot coal in a deadly outmatched dance with men he once called his comrades. He jumped over a small mound of dirt, crashing down clumsily while hellfire rained down beside him. He rolled on the dirt as Songfire flew right past his face, before stumbling back up and cutting back to the chase. Tree bark splintered as Agressium met wood. Arcass reflexively closed his eyes and ducked, hearing the dead branches cracking around him.

However, he tripped on a dead bush and fell flat on his face. A patrol took the chance and closed up against him. He then swung his sword, nearly slicing Arcass' face. Arcass pulled out his spear and blocked the next strike. He kicked the patrol in the leg, causing the patrol to stumble. Arcass then rolled over and parried a slash from the patrol, stabbing his adversary using the full range of his weapon. As the patrol's body fell dead on the ground, Arcass gasped for air, elbowing himself up as he teetered for a few steps.

However, as he stood up, he found himself surrounded.

"It is useless to resist, Arcass." The leader of the Honour Guard patrols said, "Surrender and you will be tried fairly by our clan."

Out of breath, Arcass tauntingly held up the sack in his hand before putting it back on his arm, an invitation to a dance.

The Honour Guards advanced towards Arcass, their weapons ready.

A Song projectile barely grazed Arcass' cloak. Using Supporokinesis, he threw a pile of snow over some of the guards, throwing them off balance. He charged Supporokinesis again, crashing the Patrol Leader towards a tree.

He dodged an incoming blow from an attacker, then blocked another sword strike and spun around, stabbing a Guard in one circular motion.

Two guards closed up on him. He ducked a slash on his head and hit a guard's stomach with the blunt end, effectively pulling some distance between them. He lunged towards the other guard with the sharp end of his spear. Enchanted diamond clashed against metal alloy, producing a screeching ring as Arcass engaged in a flurry of blows with the dual-wielder. Arcass kept his footwork steady as he parried the strikes with as least effort as possible, keeping some range with the assailant.