What Goes Bump In The Night

XX: Lord's Tax

It's as if they're being toyed with. Darrin continuously suspends his own Drones from overwhelming Matvey and Sorina. He dispatches just enough for the overwhelmed to barely come out on top, but then they have to do it all over again with a new wave. The Ice Witch's blade is caked in layers of blood, almost to the point that it may be easier for her to just discard the weapon if she makes it out alive. Matvey, just behind her, fires so many rounds of arcane energy that it's beginning to take a toll on him physically. Every use of the special note saps his energy to create a devastating projectile, but after so many, he's struggling to even stay above his legs. With each shot, his shoulders slump and his eyes shut as he winces through the pain. I've been trying to break free, every muscle forcing at least a twitchㅡ but nothing. Pearce is shivering, attempting the same, but again, to no avail. We can't even speak, so instead we remain as spectators, forced to play a passive role in an impossible fight.

Wave after wave of horrible monstrosities, charging and fighting with zero concern for their lives. All the meanwhile, Darrin stands in the distance, illuminated by the unscrupulous green flames in his hands. I can make out a smile of pure bloodlust and joy, it sickens me. One of the Drones leaps in from Sorina's flank, crashing down atop her. Matvey aims, wanting to fire at it, but with them tangled as they are, he risks hitting the Ice Witch. So, unexpectedly, he shoulders the rifle and charges in barehanded. The percussive sound of skin slapping skin rises above all the Drone's growlings as Matvey blindsides the beast, wrestling it off of her. Not wasting the chance, Sorina pops up and then stabs clear through the pale skin of the Drone. It was an impressive show, but they turned around just to see seven more Drones standing, waiting for their turn.

"We need to do something!"

Matvey cries, spitting a lump of blood onto the snow.

"Oh, really? I wasn't aware!"

"Now ain't the time, Ice Bitch!"

She huffs angrily and then rips forward one of her few remaining spells. It forms a lance of ice, cracking and groaning as it manifests before her. With a cry, she launches it at Darrin. I watch it intently, hoping for the attack to be rewarded. Just as it's about to collide with the bastard, a Drone leaps in front of him to take the shot. As she reaches for another spell, Matvey shoots a Drone that is moments away from bearing down on her again. With the situation as dire as it is, the rifleman reiterates just how screwed they are.

"I'm running low on energy!"

"Don't you think I am too!"

Sorina retorts, shooting another icicle at Darrin just for a Drone to leap in the way again. At the point of desperation, I can see Matvey curse to himself before looking upwards, smiling.

"Forgive me."

He mutters before turning to face Sorina.

"I need you to do me a favor!"

"And what's that?!"

She yells back while chopping a Drone into two uneven pieces.

"Make it cold!"

Then he runs. Beginning to sprint right at Darrin, rifle raised. Drones attempt to collapse in on him, but he just pushes right past them.

"Now!"

Sorina reacts, slapping a spell note onto the frosted ground. Spreading quickly, like fire through a dry brush, ice forms along the floor. Several Drones find their feet locking into the frigid layer of earth. Just as it's about to reach Matvey, he performs a hop, then shifts to sit down on the new sheet beneath him. Momentum carries the mountaineer in a rapid slide as he approaches Darrin who leaped to avoid it as well. Two back-to-back shots are dodged by the Nest Queen, but I realize the intention wasn't to hit him. Forced to dodge, it's too late for the bastard to react when Matvey is barreling at him like a runaway cannonball. Colliding, Darrin takes a tumble along with the mountaineer. At that instant, the flames dissipate and I can move my body again. Wasting no time, I take my sword and slit my wrist, the searing pain making my breathing grow rampant.