Repentance

Part 8

Catalyna looked on as the Pact's numbers began to thin, the six warriors who were left to take the field fought like savages. They bathed in an unnatural aura, and a sickening blighted smell wafted off them. Brutal and savage, they cleaved and carved through any who tried to oppose them. No warrior lasted long against them. The one with the crimson sword in particular made swift work, chopping, beheading and goring any who came near him.

She looked across the mass of soldiers, some were fleeing, most were holding their ground however. "Back! Get back!" She ordered above the chaos. "Regroup and take up a defensive position!" She continued to shout, she shouldered her way through the throng of metal and soldiers, bracing herself near the front of the line. She eyed the Confessor, her sword at the ready.

The Confessor and his five soldiers rushed forward. Her blade clashed against that crimson weapon. She could feel herself weakening under its magics. She broke the engagement and swung wide, causing the Confessor to lunge backward before ramping forward, driving the point of his weapon so near Catalyna's body she could feel it's edge carving into her armor. Her eyes widened as she heard the protective metal creak and sizzle from Antaeus' blade. Cat jerked back and whipped her own sword around, throwing the Confessor's blade wide before both weapons clashed again. The field around them thrown into chaos as the Cardinal Hand continued to hold their own, slaughtering soldiers relentlessly.

Another sharp clang of metal meeting metal rang out as Catalyna and Antaeus' weapons clashed, sparking and hammering against one another. Her blade was growing weaker, notched and damaged from the months worth of fighting and lack of proper attention. She parried once again holding her weapon up as Antaeus pushed her back. She felt herself bending under his unholy strength, the back edge of her blade began to cut into her armor, and she felt the cold metal of her own sword starting to slip through the protective plate. She cried out as it's edge bit into her flesh, shredding through thin under leather. A warm rush of blood began to trickle out from the fresh cut and with the last remnants of her strength she shoved him back enough to back off from the fight.

Antaeus merely smirked and shouted said something in some foreign sounding language. The Cardinal Hand broke their warring tending to their respective opponents swiftly and mercilessly before they made their way back into the Bastion, the doors closing behind them. Leaving Cat holding her shoulder as blood stained her gray armor and trickled between her fingers.

"Don't just stand there! After them!" She said, pointing forward with her chipped and battle worn weapon. Despite being wounded, weary and weakened Catalyna was the first one to rush the door, pushing both wide before the rest of the Pact forces charged in after her.