Dragonfire II: The Twilight Invasion

Chapter 26: Golden Storm

After exiting the lab beneath Anwir's mansion, Gabriella, Goltač, and their feline friend found themselves in yet another crypt. It was shorter than the crypt they passed through earlier and led directly into a graveyard within the mansion itself. The moon shone down on the graves overhead, reflecting off the polished black eves looming over them. To their surprise, Anwir and the Woman that captured Lucille were passing through the graveyard as they emerged from the crypt! "You! Monster!" Gabriella shouted. Anwir jolted, spinning around to face them! "Wh-What the hell?! How did you get in here?! Did you open the lab?!" He asked, "We did! And we saw your science projects! What kind of monster do you have to be to do that to people?!" Gabriella answered, throwing a question back at Anwir. He took a cautious step back, shoving the Woman in front of him! "Kill them! I'm getting out of this damn mansion!" He exclaimed, "How many times do I have to tell you? My job is to protect you. That's what you told me to do when you hired me." The Woman responded, "I'm telling you to kill them now! They mean me harm, or were you turned the other way when they took a swing at me on the bridge?! Kill them already, you useless fucking animal!" Anwir exclaimed, "I protected you then, and I'm protecting you now. You wanna leave? Get moving." The Woman responded, shoving him back. He let out a frustrated sigh, walking off. "Wait! You're not going anywhere until I get Lucille back!" Gabriella shouted. The Woman whistled, before following Anwir. At that moment, several Mercenaries burst out of nearby doors into the graveyard! "Get back here you coward!" Gabriella shouted. Anwir simply continued on, heading inside the mansion. 

There were five Mercenaries surrounding them. It wasn't as overwhelming as it could have been, though Gabriella was feeling the effects of the poison. Whatever it was, it was progressing steadily. Regardless, she readied her blade. "Are you able to fight with that wound?" Goltač asked, "I'll be fine...we've got to deal with these goons..." Gabriella answered. The Mercenaries didn't make a move, keeping their weapons at the ready. "What are you doing? Waiting for your master to tell you it's okay?!" Gabriella asked, "They are delaying us." Goltač answered. With that, he took a step forward, swinging out at a Mercenary! They blocked, though they didn't take Goltač's potential strength into account. And with that, they were sent flying into a nearby wall! They slumped to the floor, falling unconscious. Seeing Goltač attacking, Gabriella went in for an attack! The Mercenaries were distracted by Goltač, allowing her to stab one easily! Goltač swiftly got to work on another while Gabriella did the same! She swung at one of them - an attack they blocked. Unlike Goltač, she didn't have any surprising strength. If anything, she was losing strength from the poison. She still had strategy and skill, however, which she used to maneuver around the Mercenary and slash his neck! The final Mercenary saw an opportunity and came in for an attack from behind. Gabriella was forced to block, though her strength was wavering! He pushed her down to one knee, holding a tense blade lock! Goltač took out the Mercenary he was fighting, turning to Gabriella! He rushed over, swinging at the Mercenary's back! This connected, causing him to break the lock! Gabriella then stabbed him in the stomach, finishing him off! 

She let out a deep breath, rising to her feet. "Thanks..." She said, "No problem. We need to find a remedy for that poison soon. It's getting worse." Goltač responded, "Not before we save Lucille. That coward is planning to leave...and I bet he's going to take her with him. We have to stop him..." She said, "Alright. We need to catch up with them." Goltač responded. They rushed through the same door Anwir and the Woman went through and found two Mercenaries guarding a path. They had their weapons drawn, looking in their direction. "I suppose they went that way." Goltač said, "I'm willing to bet on it." Gabriella responded. They followed the hallway, taking several Mercenaries down on the way. It wasn't long before Anwir and the Woman came into view! "Stop right there!" Gabriella shouted! They did exactly that, turning around to face them. "You're quite persistent, aren't you? Why don't you just die already and make this easier?! You're only delaying the inevitable!" Anwir exclaimed, "Give me back Lucille, or I'll..." She stopped herself, balling her hands into fists. "...I'll rip you apart!" She shouted. Anwir shook his head. "Is that supposed to be intimidating? Trust me, there are far scarier things in this very mansion than you!" He exclaimed. The Woman took a step in front of him, adjusting her sunglasses. "You two are quite persistent, I'll give you that. I'd hoped to avoid any real confrontation, but it can't be helped, I suppose." She said. She gripped the right side of her sunglasses, putting her other hand on her hip. "I don't believe we've been properly acquainted. I'm Ashley. Ashley Aurelia. You can call me 'Ash,' most people do." She said. Gabriella narrowed her eyes, only for them to widen as Ash took off her sunglasses.