10 Minute Tales, Part 2

Jul 30 - Resurgence

He fell to his knees, his weapon clattering to the ground beside him. Blood trickled out of his mouth as he fought the urge to cough. Towering above him was that thrice-damned warrior, that blight upon all that saw the light.

"Yield." It demanded, voice grating like gravel. The axe it bore came to rest by his neck, the cursed energy tickling at his throat. "You will join my ranks. You will serve me."

"Never..." he groaned, reaching weakly for his warhammer. The fiend chuckled, raising the axe slightly.

"Your body lies broken before me, your magic vanquished, your very spirit crushed. And yet you defy me?"

"My spirit... is not gone yet...!" he grunted, fingers catching the handle. It wasn't enough to secure the grip.

"I admire your tenacity." the axe raised higher as more energy flowed into it with cursed whispering. "It shall serve me well." the axe swung down... a metallic ring echoed through the air as a small explosion echoed nearby. The beast looked over, the whispers growing angry. He looked over, the motion painful in itself.

"You ain't layin' a finger on him!" A short woman yelled, carrying a firm rifle and dressed in many layers of fur.  "You've done enough already, you slimy bastard!"

"Foolish mortal." the monster took a single step towards the markswoman. "You believe the action of a single being has any influence on a force as vast as my own?"

"Damn right I don't!" she giggled nervously, hastily loading a second bullet into her rifle. "I mean, I've got a gun, and you've got... what? Some magic armour? Army of zombies? Pretty awesome floating fort? Yeah, I haven't got much chance."

"Then why resist?" the fiend raised its hand, horrible energies flowing around and filling his grip. "Succumbing to my power will be far more... useful."

"See, that's kinda the thing?" she raised her eyebrow, grinning. "All I know is I really don't want to do that." She raised the rifle and quickly took a shot, the quick bullet finding its mark square in its helmet. The fiend stopped still, letting the wind tug at its cape. Before long, though, the heroes started to hear a quiet chuckle, having it slowly grow louder.

"You fool." it laughed louder, a hand reaching for the bullet hole. "You absolute fool... you cannot kill me with that thing." It removed its helmet, revealing... nothing. It had no head! "You have nothing to harm me!"

"She may not." the warrior grinned, rising to his feet. He had claimed his hammer again and his power had returned to him in force. His wounds were closed and his hammer glowed with a golden light. "But I do not fear your power."

"Ugh!" It growled, turning to face him again. "I cannot leave you insects alone for a minute! Look around, mortal, your allies are dead! Your light cannot save them! You, and everything you stand on, will fall!" the fiend roared and charged at the warrior again. He raised the hammer, catching the blade on the metal handle. The fiend had been able to take the entire army on single-handedly, but as long as even one man was alive, there was still hope. There would always be a chance.