Guardian of Elements

Chapter 48 - Final battle

Morcion quickly returned to Eriana, followed by Kate, who gave the forest below one last look. However, there was no one coming up the pass. She realized that even if Lerinth got her message, he couldn't possibly get here in time. They would have to make this on their own.

The Guardian of Might wasn't waiting for either of them and moved into the northern pass to confront the incoming army, but Eriana stopped him.

"Morcion, wait. Remember what happened when we tried to take them head-on. We wouldn't stand a chance."

"Do you have a better idea?" he asked impatiently.

"Yes. This pass gives us an advantage. If we can keep them here, they won't be able to surround us. We'll make our stand here."

"Since when you are a tactician?"

Eriana, ignoring his note, looked around for anything that could help them. This passage was narrower than the other ones, spanning roughly five meters in width. Mountains were much steeper too.

"Hm, Kate, could you tear some boulders out of those mountains and bring them down on them? Or create an avalanche?" But she knew the answer.

"I'd have difficulties with that even at my full without using my body and not only the Shard. But maybe I can help at bit." Kate remembered how the excess water that she dropped on the ground froze, creating a slippery layer of ice. She went forward and used the tiny bit of power that had gotten restored since then to melt the snow in the pass and quickly freeze it. But with so little power available, she managed to make the glassy floor only six meters long. And that was it. She knew she wouldn't be able to use Elements in this battle.

"I hope you're confident in your steps," Kate tried to be ironic, but her tone was sad and tired. She knew what was about to come. She was powerless, Eriana was forbidden to use hers and Morcion couldn't stop an army of hundreds of humans alone after spending three years by fighting constantly.

Then, the first humans emerged from the bend. Morcion was right. Unlike the villagers Kate encountered so far, these had metal swords, spears or bows and fine leather armors. They were ready. However, their march was hardly a unified one. Some of them were stopping, looking back and even trying to return, but the crowd made them move forward.

"They're not organized," whispered Kate to Eriana.

"No. They are mad, blind with hatred. That's the only thing that makes them move forward," she replied.

"Maybe we could use that to our advantage."

The army finally stopped, ten meters away from the Guardians, who didn't move an inch. A man separated from the crowd, walking towards them. Morcion immediately went to face him. They both stopped at the opposite edges of the icy ground. The man grinned.

"I've been tasked by giving you a message. The Mistress herself personally chose me to deliver it to you."

"The Mistress?" whispered Kate.

"Later," told her Eriana.

The man continued.

"She says, that it was nice knowing you." His pale, evil smile would leave no mistake that he was corrupted. But Morcion didn't get phased.

"You can tell your so-called Mistress that we are grateful for her care."

"You misunderstood," the man grinned again. "She does not expect you to reply." And he charged. But before he could get any closer, Morcion sent him flying back with his telekinetic powers, letting him drop before the crowd. Humans looked at him and then charged too, screaming.