Andrilison

A Final Stand

Lord Jason sprinted past the last barricade and into the marketplace. He skidded to a halt, he was alone in the plaza. Over another barricade stumbled two people. Lord Shora drops a body to the ground.

"What happened to him?" Lord Jason said, leaning over the body.

"I don't know. When you ordered the retreat I went for the streets and saw Lord Andri getting attacked by some demons. I dragged him onto my shoulder and here we are."

"Do you know where the others are?"

"They'll be here I'm sure." Lord Shora reassured.

They waited anxiously for a few minutes but no one came.

Smoke billowed from one of the streets. Men both uninjured and limping hobbled at haste to the market. Lord Jason rushed over to help the survivors. He grabbed the legs of a man being carried, a large splinter pierced through the stomach. 

"What happened?" Cried Lord Jason desperately.

The injured soldier was a panicked wreck, "I-i don't know, we were holding then then this creature appears and then I-i blacked out."

"What do you mean a creature?" he pressed. No answer graced him, the mans eyes had gone hazy and his breathing rasping. They lowered him to the ground and tried to stop the bleeding. A dark shadow loomed over them. They exchanged a look that said more than could be spoken, 'Run.'

Panting and stumbling the able men sprinted to the market leaving the poor man. They reached the soldiers that were gathering. All looked up with wide eyes at the monstrosity they'd just escaped.

It was a large spider like creature that speedily scuttled through the streets, hopping effortlessly over the barricades and tearing chunks out of shops and houses as it went. A chariot was strapped to the back of the creature and holding the whip was one of the Children of Darkness. It spurred on the spider into the marketplace.

Lord Jason had arrived back to the other lords.

"Gather the troops we are in serious trouble." He exclaimed rushing to the fallen lord and sliding the sword from his twitching hands. A clicking and hissing came from the spider as it scuttled out of the street. Lord Shora glanced up at the creature as the chariot wheels squeeled. Other spiders burst from the streets tailing closely ahead of more soldiers. Those that stumbled were crushed under its legs. The spiders and their passengers stopped as the demon infantry spewed from the streets and surrounded the marketplace entrapping the soldiers. Lord Jason raised the sword to the air. He realised he'd lost his helmet in the explosion. He realised his cloak was being tugged. A young boy, barely a teen was holding his crown. Lord Jason took it graciously and placed it on his head.

"Now go, you've too few years to be at a place like this."

The boy ran off down some backstreets.

"This is our final stand, we fall the kingdom falls."

The soldiers still breathless and exhausted gathered their weapons and put back on their helmets. They were ready. For a final stand.