The Grey Chronicles Part Two: Under Siege.

Chapter 23: Real Men Wear Pink.

           

Nephilim encampment on Apostle Nine, planet's surface, January of 360 BL.

Nine Nephilim converged, dashing forwards to make nine killing blows on the Machinae Prince that stumbled before them. Even as they did so, a loud mechanical buzz reached their ears. In the case of one particular beast, it reached his ears in the literal manner rather than the figurative; a thin piece of metal with rotating teeth entered his peripheral vision, then it entered the side of his head, then his brain as it threw bits of skin and gray matter and black tar in all directions, including onto the woman wielding the massive saw.

The eight remaining monsters stopped to stare, stunned by the sight of a small woman who had been their captive just hours earlier. Absolute malice seeped from Korana like an aura, and black tar dripped from the four-foot bar of the chainsaw she pulled from their comrade. The prisoner hefted the saw, squeezing the trigger and revving the motor.

"Just in the nick of time," Salem grimaced as he rolled over onto his knees and kicked the squadron leader in the face. The Nephilim released his leg, and Salem pounced on the nearest monster.

The stunned creatures started, their daze broken by the sudden attack. The point of a sword buried itself into the stomach of one, while the others rushed forward again towards Salem. He released his grip on the sword hilt and jumped backwards, halting in front of Korana. Seven Nephilim rounded on the pair while an eighth sunk to his knees, Salem held his shield in both hands like a discus.

"Have any other tricks up your sleeve? Or is that hulking thing all you've got?" Salem asked, "Because I've got nothing."

"Why does that not surprise me?" Korana grumbled as she revved the saw, brandishing it in front of her as two Nephilim charged towards them.

Salem reacted first, sliding the shield onto his arm again as he darted in close to stand between the charging Nephilim. His speed caught them off guard, and the creature to his left was particularly surprised by the shield that broke his nose. He recoiled, and Salem snatched the dagger from his belt. He spun around and blocked a spear thrust by the other soldier with his shield, then jabbed the dagger into the bottom of the Nephilim's jaw and up into his cranium through the roof of his mouth. Korana was right behind him, cursing the brash and reckless attack as she shoved the saw into the torso of the monster with the broken nose. The blade punched through his armor, ripping the boiled leather to shreds and throwing chunks at his feet. Black tar oozed from his nose and from his stomach as he clutched his innards, attempting to hold them in. Korana shoved the saw away, allowing its weight to topple the dying beast.

"That was a stupid move, we should be on the defensive," she griped at Salem, retrieving a jagged sword from the torn corpse in front of her.

"That was defensive, they're dead, so they can't hurt us anymore," Salem grinned at her over his shoulder. He tossed the dagger at one of the other Nephilim as three more charged, catching him in the forehead. Salem grabbed the spear from at his feet and crouched slightly, hiding like a spartan behind his shield with the spear point sticking out from under it. "I caught them off guard with a rush, and you were surprised on deh-fence."

"What, what does that even mean?" Korana furled her brow and parried a broadsword strike, deflecting it to the side and slashing her curved sword across her opponent's torso.

"Honestly? Haven't the foggiest, it was the best I could come up with on the spot. Your ass is distracting me." Salem slapped a battleaxe aside with his shield, the blade bounced off the polished metal and buried itself in the dirt. With a swift thrust his spearhead pierced the Nephilim's shoulder. Another shield bash to the nose crumpled the beast, and Salem found himself swapping his weapon again; he slung his shield over his back and took up the battleaxe.