Return to Jorgaldur Volume V: Reunion (2)

Attack between the shadows

When the elf sensed the corrupted snake's aura, she had barely a few tenths of a second to react. That wasn't enough time to think about what to do, how to defend herself. An instinctive reaction was needed, which was more typical of warriors experienced in hand-to-hand combat.

She wasn't one, although she had some experience and training. Despite this, even though it seemed impossible, her dagger came between her and her enemy and blocked the snake's open mouth with its edge. Her reaction, out of pure instinct, had stopped the attack.

Under normal circumstances, it should have been impossible for her to react with such speed and precision. Part of the credit had to go to her vampiress friend.

The vampiress had often come to visit her unannounced, and appeared suddenly from Darkness. The first few times, the elf had been taken by surprise, but over time, she had learned to react to the sudden appearance.

Far from regretting it, Gjaki had become so enthusiastic that she had insisted on training with her friend, to make it 'more interesting'. She hid in her spell, and appeared at any point. Sometimes she even moved through Shadow Melt.

The elf had had no choice but to develop the instinct to block her friend's attacks, to automate the response. Besides, her friend hadn't stopped greeting her like that every time she had the chance. Perhaps, that had just saved her life.

With her other hand, she grasped the sword, with which she began to attack the snake. Twenty consecutive blows hit the corrupted being with Multi Sword Thrust, thus filling it with holes.

It wasn't that powerful nor did it have a great defense. Its greatest danger was in the unpredictability and lightning speed of its attacks, in addition to its poison. It was weak in other aspects. In addition, the sword had Purifying Touch.

Immediately after, the tentacles of a furious kraken Enlarged to wrap around the snake and squeeze it. The aquatic being couldn't forgive that attack on her sister's life. She was quite scared, and was cursing herself for taking so long to react.

"I'm fine," she reassured her sisters, now that the situation was under control.

Despite this, the goshawk landed on her shoulder, worried. She even rubbed her face against her sister's, as if to make sure she was fine.

The lynx also came closer and rubbed against the elf's legs. Both escorted her to the others, who sighed in relief to see her safe and sound.

"Are you okay?" Maldoa wanted to be sure.

"Of course. Gjaki is much worse than that snake," Goldmi assured, smiling.

"Hey! You don't have to say it that way!" the vampiress complained.

"Without your training, I wouldn't have been able to react so quickly," the elf hugged her.

"That's... better," Gjaki wanted to look proud, although now she was a bit embarrassed. She was weak against flattery.

"What training is that?" Eldi asked.

"He, he. Don't worry, I'll train you too," the vampiress boasted.

"You shouldn't have asked," Goldmi mocked.

"That's why I didn't," Maldoa assured.

The four laughed, relieved, before starting to take out rocks. The goshawk took flight again to keep watch, while the feline did so from the ground.

"My sister says to move away," Goldmi then requested.

"Move away? Like this?" Maldoa was surprised.

"Quite a bit more. Up to there," the elf pointed out.

They did so, for a few moments without understanding what was it for. Until the elf brought her aquatic sister in front of the buried cave, and also moved away.

The kraken then undid Shrink. Her large size prevented her from moving on land, and exerted great pressure on her outside the water. In addition, the miasma was more bothersome, as it affected her on a larger surface. However, she was a level 100 creature, so she could deal with those difficulties. In addition, she didn't need to move her body, only her tentacles.

The kraken moved the rocks with them, and soon freed the entrance. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief when they saw that they were fine, although the Guardians of the North didn't know very well what to think. Before them, there was a threatening sea monster, which nevertheless soon disappeared.

The kraken couldn't change size continuously. In fact, she wouldn't be able to do it again for a few hours, but it had been worth it. Her performance had served to free their astonished allies.

Many embraced their saviors, and quite a few looked with apprehension at the rocks that had fallen down the slope. The destruction of the army of losts was a testament to how devastating they had been. In fact, Avalanche had gone from 5 to 8 with a single use, such was the magnitude of the devastation.

They were tired and dirty, but once again, they had survived. When their allies told them of the existence of a Source nearby, they didn't hesitate to follow them. Not only could they rest in a place free of miasma, but Menxilya was there, waiting for them.

"Sister, two are coming, flying. They're the usual two. They'll be there in a couple of minutes," the goshawk suddenly reported.

The group was halfway, so there wasn't time to get to their destination. If they were seen, it could spoil part of what they had achieved.

"The two from the other times are coming. They'll arrive in a couple of minutes. They'll see us if we don't do something," Goldmi warned the others.

"They won't all fit in one Protection," Gjaki refuted the first idea that had occurred to her.

"What if we put them in a castle?" Goldmi suggested.

"It could work. We can use all three," Eldi added.

"Who're those two?" Menxolor asked.

"Some high-level vampires. They've come other times to explore the areas where we've caused a bit of a fuss. So far, they haven't seen us," Maldoa explained.

"Would they attack us if they saw only a few wounded survivors?" a guardian suggested.

"I like the way you think..." the vampiress smiled knowingly.

"We have to hurry. How many?" another guardian urged.

"There can't be many of us. It has to look like they can finish us off easily," another said.

"It'll have to look like we're injured."

"I'll take care of that," Gjaki offered, as she took out a bottle of fake blood. She often used it on the twins.

"Well, let's make it four. A couple that look very injured, barely able to walk. They have to be able to defend themselves from at least a couple of attacks. I need volunteers among mages with barriers," Menxolor intervened.

"Count on me."

"I'm in."

"The rest of you come with me. Those who can't attack from range, go to the castles. The rest of us, we'll wait inside Gjaki's Shadow Protection," Goldmi ordered.

"I'll give you blessings. Stay in the Area of Attack. Does anyone else have useful blessings for this?" Eldi continued.

After a minute, only four guardians could be seen with torn and bloody clothes. Two of them were leaning on the other two, dragging their legs. They looked like easy prey.