Across the Threshold

Bastion

"The Bastion is just up ahead," Kane said. They had been traveling for days, and they were nearing their goal. The only problem was the Nether Bastion in the way.

"The plan is, we charge in, overwhelming the guards. Then we charge through the Bastion, killing anyone we come to." Kane continued.

Ciara looked at Kane in surprise. "I never thought that I would hear you propose such a reckless plan."

Kane grinned. "Well, I am now."

"Would it not be better to just go around the Bastion?" Ceris asked.

"Yes," replied Rain, "but where is the fun in that?"

Ceris paused, considering that. She nodded, agreeing with Rain.

Kane turned to Shade, "Remember, you don't have any training," he told him. "Lie low and stay back. If needed, try to use magic, but do your best to stay out of the fight."

Shade nodded. He was nervous about this battle, and not just because he couldn't fight. He had a nagging feeling that something was going to go wrong.

Kane looked around at the group. "Ready?" he asked. Everyone nodded, hoisting their weapons.

They snuck as close as they could to the Bastion without being caught, which proved very difficult because of their horses. Once they were close enough, Kane gave to order to charge.

Ciara and Ceris teleported ahead, taking out the guards at the door, before launching themselves onto the wall. Stella used pyromancy to blast the gate inwards, and the four of them charged through. Kane took out the archers with his crossbow, while Rain sliced through entire battalions with the Ender Greatsword.

Shade watched in awe at the fighting.
Here was a group of five warriors, taking on a whole Bastion and easily winning. The display almost felt choreographed.

They were almost through the Bastion, when disaster struck. Out of nowhere, a pigman attacked Shade, knocking him off of his horse. He was quickly surrounded by a group of pigmen.

The other's momentum had carried them too far away to help. They were turning to come back, but it would take to long. Ceris and Ciara we're occupied. Shade was on his own.

As the lead pigman lifted his sword to strike, Shade tried desperately to access the End Crystal. He found the power inside him, and fought through the barrier. Suddenly, he felt a new force inside him, coming from a different source. The power flooded through him, heightening his senses and reflexes.

As the pigman's sword began to fall, Shade's eyes flashed into Ender Eyes. He suddenly knew where the pigman would strike and how to avoid it.

Shade launched forward, under the pigman's guard. He punched the pigman squarely in the chest, and imbuing is strike with magic. He launched the pigman backwards, causing him to land on one of his friends spears. The two pigmen tumbled to the ground.

Shade turned to see the rest of the pigmen looking it him in shock. He summoned his Armblade, and charged.

The first few pigmen went down without a fight. The rest finally seemed to realize that Shade had killed their friends and charged in. Shade grinned and teleported into their midsts, cutting down the pigmen in a circle around him.

Shade flipped into the air, dodging multiple strikes, and landed on top of another pigman. He decapitated him and launched back into battle.

Soon, the group of pigmen was reduced to a pile of corpses. The others had reached him, and Shade climbed back into his horse. They charged to the exit, Shade and Stella casting Arcane Beams behind them to cover their retreat.

They joined back up with Ceris and Ciara, and charged into the woods, away from the Bastion. They were finally in the home straight, just a few hours ride from Dreadfort.

And now, Shade was finally starting to get a grasp on his new powers.