Rise of the Rapha

Chapter 9: Old Times

In the painted light of the rising sun in the Southern Mountain Range, the Rapha Raiders crouched behind a line of mountains and trees. They lay in wait like vultures, their beady eyes glistening with malicious intent. Their faces were twisted in anger and weathered with rage. The air was heavy with tension as they beheld a distant figure tinged in a green cloak and a blonde woman. It was Val surrounded by an intrepid group.

"Look at them," snarled Shog through clenched teeth - Galith's former confidant and now leader of the Raiders clenched his six-fingered right hand into a fist that crackled with black energy-like tendrils flickering in his palm. A low hum could be heard emanating from the palp. He clenched his six-fingered fist tighter and spat in contempt. "The fools are traveling far from their home."

Shog, the terrified fool who believed Galith would fail was right. Nevertheless, he still felt a surge of spite toward Val. Once frightened, now no more. Now, for Shog, he had nothing to lose.

He sneered as his eyes followed Val and the rest of the travelers packing up camp, unaware of their sinister intentions.

Gog, his second-in-command, shrouded in a black robe hunched over beside him.

Gog examined the same scene.

"Patience," he muttered to Shog. "We strike when they least expect it, my lord.

****

The Alchovian guards marched in determined lockstep in front of Val and Raven. Each soldier's shield and sword gleamed in the sunlight. Despite the seemingly peaceful scene, it brought no solace to Val. He could feel the weight of fierce eyes hidden behind every boulder. Raven seemed unconcerned though, marching with an intense focus on the path ahead to Hilltop Village. Val's pace quickened.

The attack came swift.

A surge of energy tore through the ozone, striking down the unsuspecting Alchovian guards and flinging their unconscious bodies to the ground. A disorienting shockwave rocked the soil. Chaos erupted as a horde of raging brutes leapt from their hiding spot.

Val let out an icy, menacing cry. "Rapha!" as he was unceremoniously thrown off his feet by the explosive force of a violent hand blast. Forcing himself back to his feet, he instinctively reached for his bow and hastily strung a handful of arrows. He fired off a volley, each one finding its mark amongst the charging giants. It was futile; like trying to stop a wave of charging fiery chol with a minuscule pebble.

Val spun around with a harsh bark. "Stay back!" Raven's gaze was flinty and fierce as she snarled. Even as she squared off behind Val, her expression remained undaunted and unafraid. She unsheathed her dagger. With perfect aim and poise, Val let loose another set of arrows unleashing one after another in a shower of death sinking into Rapha flesh.

Raven broke formation from behind Val, her movements were those of a dancer, moving with sublime, graceful artistry. She dodged every blow that sought to ensnare her. Each stroke of her blade left a trail of blood slaking through the air.

The reverberating clang of steel against flesh filled the atmosphere, mixing with screams and shrieks of fury. With each passing moment, the odds seemed to stack higher against Val and his companions. Only four of the Alchovian guards remained standing. The Rapha, driven by their thirst for revenge, fought with an unfathomable ferocity, sending threatening beam after overwhelming beam from their six-fingered right hands.

Val and Raven held firm, fighting with relentless passion, their love for each other fueling their resolve to survive. The image of Isaak in safe hands with Megdda and Delilah back home sparked an avalanche of resolve in Raven's heart, her inner fire now unleashed.