The Forsaken Arts

Chapter 39: Clearing The Battlefield

The landscape suffered greatly from the destruction that accompanies war; crimson skies continued to shed what appeared to be tears of blood as the last remaining creations continued their descent.

High above the warzone, on a jagged pillar, stood the meekest member of the Steel Guard. Evenharth was the most reserved among his peers, definitely one who would rather follow than lead, but he now stood center stage demanding all attention as he hurled bolts of lightning and waves of flames at the clusters of creations beneath him.

Though completely in control and executing his attack with precise aim, soldiers scurried and dove out of harm's way as quickly as their wounded bodies would allow. Just in time to see the mindless drones vaporize into ash.

Nested near the ingress of the kingdom, Thengol, Chri and Llaw enjoyed a moment of much needed rest while admiring the amazing display of power that exploded from their ally.

"Evenharth you say?" Chri curiously asked with widened eyes.

Removing his hands from their shoulders, Thengol calmly inched toward the occurring mayhem, "Yeah, he's a member of my unit and a close friend." he replied while thinking just how dire the circumstances must be for him to unleash such an attack.

"Well that's good to h...e...ar... ugh." Llaw attempted to add as his body suddenly gave out, sending him crashing to his knees.

Worried for his well-being, Chri called out to him as he quickly helped in breaking his fall. Thengol looked over his shoulder and saw Chri attempting to help him stand, then began to approach them to see if the bard was okay. Llaw struggled to raise his bloody arm to warn him as Chri followed with his eyes to see what had acquired the fatigued warrior's attention.

"Thengol behind you!" he snapped, just as two creations lunged in for the kill.

Noticing through his peripheral, Thengol spun around while unsheathing his blades in one graceful motion. The two creatures stood no chance against him as his mastery in finesse, speed, and agility gave him the upper hand as he hastily dismantled the miniscule threat.

While Chri helped Llaw back to his feet, Thengol returned his blades to their holsters and suggested that perhaps he should rest a bit.

"No it's alright, just felt a bit light-headed that's all, I'm good." he stubbornly replied.

The two eastern warriors exchanged looks of doubt, but as much as they wanted to insist on him possibly remaining hidden for the time being, they too knew that resting any longer was a luxury they could not afford.

Thengol's expression hardened as he turned back to Llaw and asked if he was ready. Both he and Chri nodded, then they dashed back onto the field to assist with the remaining creations that had survived Evenharth's attack.

As the last of the creatures fell around them, Evenharth leaped from the pillar and once again slowed his descent by projecting pulses of water from his palms towards the ground.

"Nice of you to join us." said Thengol, grinning as they ran up to meet him.

The water projecting from his palms ceased just before his feet touched the ground and without a moment's hesitation, he bolted off towards the entrance shouting that there was no time to explain, and they must move quickly.

Chri and Llaw quickly followed suit, but a confused Thengol briefly hesitated, "Huh, what're you talking about?"

Realizing that he was now in conversation with himself, he shook his head and sighed. Here we go again. Having hurried to catch up with his allies, the four ran through the palace unaware that the blood and slaughter they were passing was the result of Cecilee's brutality.

Continuing his ascent back upstairs, Evenharth pleaded with himself hoping that he was not too late.

For Chri, it had been years since he last stepped foot inside the kingdom, but returning under such extreme circumstances didn't allow for even one reminiscent thought to surface. Following close behind, he looked at the grotesque aftermath and prayed that he was strong enough to make a difference.

Blood and mutilated bodies lined the corridors as they passed through them, with each step bringing them closer to their allies, the pace quickened. Llaw glanced at his ocarina with a dumbfound expression, recalling his failed attempt at destroying the demons as he's done so many times before with his melody.

Everyone's expression hardened after Llaw dropped the unknown revelation, "Umm...guys, just so you know, Krinx is up there."