Fantasy The Mountain Stands

[Soviet Panda]

Otrygg stared at the stacks of charts and statistics, all of them telling him the same thing. They were running out, some more slowly then others, but that did not change the fact they were inexorably heading towards zero. "What of the fungal beds, have they yielded any results?" He asked the studious looking dwarf across the table from him. "Surely we could..."

"They need more time, sir."

"Hm, and what of our digging for water? I heard we hit an underground lake?"

"That is true, but it alone cannot support all of us. I give it a month before it runs dry."

"Then we have another month. Any creatures you find, slaughter them for their meat. The warriors will be grateful for it."

The studious dwarf gave a sour expression, clearly wanting to study the creatures in the underground lake, but knowing all to well that the studies would be meaningless if they were to all die. "Yes, sir, I'll inform the surveyors. I also advise sending out a salvage strike. Our metal stock is running low, and there are some promising results with sawdust and dried..."

They were interrupted by a low, ominous boom. Otrygg immediately perking up at the noise. "The Lower Gates," he hissed as he walked towards the entrance to his tent. Grabbing a runner, he begins giving his orders. "Move half of the Upper Gate guard to the Lower Gates, do it quietly, we don't want Necme's generals knowing we have to move men. Get the Rune Masons and their guards as well, reinforce the warding and guarding runes on the Lower Gates. As soon as they are in place, fall back to within the Gates. And if a Mason is to fall.... Take his stamps, we cannot afford to lose them."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A nervous looking dwarf held their hammer tightly, a stamp with the runic symbol for 'guard' all but hidden by their other. A large human leaned down to comfort them. "It'll be simple. We go out, you stamp those runes into the wall, and we go back in. Move fast, keep low, and swing hard. Don't worry, we'll make sure you get back in one piece." This comfort did little for the dwarf, whose loose fitting armor was slightly rattling from their shaking. "Enough of that, we got a job to do."

The gate controller poked their head out from their position above the gates, waving their hands and signaling the force to prepare to charge through, without alerting the demonic force that was no doubt lurking on the other side.

Nessi Kaihaku Ace Cream Vudukudu Mineczka mysteryxio

 

[Vudukudu]

Edorai Vaas'Eo is a patient Elf. It is said by his kin-folk, what few of them remain, that he once waited in the blood and carnage of a battlefield, half-buried beneath the corpses to hide himself, for the better part of ten days to wait for his prey to arrive. In recent days and weeks, he has not had to be patient. The prey comes to him, again and again, and each time his brother's forces reap the whirlwind their Lich King unleashed centuries ago. The rest of the people fight for survival; Vaas'Eo fights because fate and justice demanded it of him.

But today, fate has demanded he spill the blood of infernals. He'd bickered with the Grand General in the early days, refusing to allow himself or his men to be deployed to the Lower Gate for any purpose. It would be foolish to waste them below when their preferred foe could strike at any time, he had insisted. He still believed it, but he had also come to realize it was better to keep the General's favor. He'd heard the call for a strike force to exit the Lower Gate, and of the six Sin Eaters that remained, he was the only who was going to heed the call. After all, if Necme's forces saw an opportunity, the Upper Gate would crumble without them. It would probably crumble even with them, judging by the way things were going.

Since arriving, Edorai had acquired something of a squire, an orphaned Elf girl named Linora. She tended to his mundane needs like food and laundry, polished his armor, and helped him put it on when the time came. In return, he's given her a purpose, a tent to sleep under, and little else. Once the adolescent girl finishes strapping his armor on and gives him his sword, he extends the backside of his left hand to her. As she has a dozen times now, she bites her tongue and then spits blood on his waiting hand before stammering uncertainly. It was an Elven war ritual that usually included the beating of drums and a chorus, most often conducted by lovers or family - instead, he settled for the bitter song of a girl who'd lost her entire world and she for a man that was not her brother or son. "Midnight mare and blood red roan, fight to keep this land your home." She starts, her lips curling in a frown at the suggestion this dreary place is home. "Sound the horn and call the cry." She continues, blood leaking from her mouth while he cups her cheek in his left hand.

"How many of them can we make die?" He murmurs, and then fades like a cloud of pitch-black smoke before reappearing in the distance, moving wraith-like across the Dwarven city ahead of the other forces bound for the Lower Gate. When his tell-tale cloud of mist appears by the General, he emerges facing him, sword and mace drawn before he gives them a quick flick. The scraping sprays a small hail of sparks off the blade as it drags along the haft of the mace before he tramps off alongside the other troops gathered at the gate.

 

[Kaihaku]

In better times Ragnhildur would have had the nervous dwarf down a pint of 'liquid courage' but the Mountain was low on courage - liquid or otherwise.

"We stop the fiends here or they end us in the inner chambers. It's a grim time to be alive." Ragnhildur states in gruff reassurance as she steps over to the shaking dwarf and tightens the straps on their armor. She then takes a long strip of cloth from her pack and jams it into the spaces of the armor to keep it from rattling so. She doesn't tell the nervous dwarf that the cloth is a burial shroud that she had brought to use in burning the dead. "Just remember that the only thing you need fear is shaming your ancestors." She claps a strong hand on the dwarf's shoulder, then slings her hammer over a shoulder and walks to the front of troops gathered at the gate.

Between the undying elf that had conquered the lands above and the fiend that sought to destroy them from below, there was nothing left for them save to fight to the bitter end - to make an ending worthy of their ancestors. There were no allies left. No hope that someone would save them. They clung to life by their power alone and when that strength was exhausted... That would be the end of it. No one would be left alive to remember it but that did not matter - this was her end. It was the final thing she could control. The final thing any living being would control. By her will she would decide how her life ended. Not cowering or begging. With a hammer in her hand, defiance on her lips, and grim satisfaction in her eyes.

As she passed through the assembled warriors, she exchanged grim pleasantries with the dwarfs and offered begrudging respect to the humans and others. Only to the elves did she say nothing, offering them only stony silence.

 

[Ace Cream]

Kindle

Kindle worked 24 hours a day non-stop for the past few weeks. At morning they would go to the mine and help the miner dig some resources, during the night they would also go to the mine to dig more resources. They didn't need to rest as long as they kept themself well maintained and didn't use more mana than their runes can absorb.

The drill on their left hand hummed loudly as it dug out soil and pierced rock. Their right hand acted as a spade that would shovel the soil away, taken somewhere else by the other miners. It was a relatively peaceful task compared to the ones in the settlement, but then a loud boom occured and everyone fell on their knees while muttering prayers to the Earth God. Everyone except Kindle, the robust golem glanced at the other workers in confusion before decided to follow suit, kneeling on the ground while connecting both of their hand. Only when a second and third boom occured that everyone realized what was happening.

"Damn demons! I thought the tunnel is going to collapse!" The head miner yelled angrily and then grabbed a great sword. "Anyone good enough to swing a sword follow me. The rest stay here, this place should be safe."

"Kindle is good at swinging sword. Kindle follow." The golem concluded and followed the other miners-turned-warriors assembling at the front of the gate.

 

[mysteryxio]

Dorenas woke to the feeling of his side being nudged at. He rolled from his back to his side and swatted away at whatever had poked him. A few more pokes hit him, this time harder, making him rouse from his slumber on...well calling it a cot would be a lie as it was just a small pile of hey covered with a blanket that didn't even raise that much off of the stone floor. He wanted to return to his sleep, to dreams of past lovers in their embrace but then the thought of where he was had come back to him. The one poking him, a dwarven messenger, whispered into his ear. His orders where to make his way to the lower area and provide support. He rose as silently as he could, a small, worn out blanket covering him falling from his body, one of the children must've covered him in the night.

All around him he saw a children (as well as some adults) laying in different positions. Some leaning up against walls huddled together. Others were like him and laid on the floor on small beds of hey. Theirs were not as big as his but then again he was the by far the largest one there. He took his pillow, which was just his rolled up cloak, then made his way to the door, the messenger having already left. He walked by one child, shivering, laying in the corner alone. Taking the child, he silently and skillfully moved them to where he just was, sure that the heat and his own blanket would make them warm.

Dorenas had taken to entertaining the young children and families. He told them stories he'd heard from his travels. Even editing his own experiences so that there'd be a steady supply. He always tried to keep children entertained since their hope could inspire others to keep fighting. He also tried to keep the spirits up of those who'd lost someone in a battle, as they seemed to need help the most. Often when not fighting or on some other assignment, he could be found right where he was, the orphanage, which had been converted from a storehouse.

As he walked by some taverns that had longed closed their doors, he sighed and smiled a melancholy smile. How he longed for a drink or a rousing card game. Since he arrived, he found little ale and no one in the mood for a game of cards. Problem ahead, he heard a voice say, one he'd become accustomed to. They were correct as always as in front of Dorenas' eyes was a dwarf with a look of hatred on his face. "What can I do ya for?" Dorenas did not stop as he spoke. The dwarf walked a few steps behind him.

"You can leave is what you can do. We don't need any Lessones here. Bad enough we got all kinds here, now they're breeding with each other." He had been called a Lessone before...he'd also been called far worse things by others. As he walked the dwarf kept hurling insults at him and other non dwarves in the city, how him being here had somehow caused all of this. Dorenas merely ignored his whining, he was used to stuff like this. When he had gotten close to the rendezvous, he readied himself to strike the dwarf. Instead he saw him slammed against a nearby wall. A female dwarf crushing his throat with her hands.

"You ever come down here, insult him, or even if I see your face, I'll do more than just crush your throat. Understood?" He saw the male dwarf nod then heard some type of screech as she lowered her knee from between his legs. She walked back, leaving the man to try not to cry, holding his hands over where she hit him.

"Oh my hero. Savior of my life how shall I repay you for this deed. I'll never feel safe without you," Dorenas spoke in a mocking and overly dramatic tone. She responded with a laugh and a punch to his arm. He laughed with her. "Seriously Waze. I want to say thanks for all the help. Feels nice to have someone who I trust with me."

 

[Mineczka]

Deep within the mountain, stands one of, if not the, last bastions against the undead. A living fortress that housed all it could under the stone and earth that once many of the people lived within called their home. Within said shelter, the soldiers were ever at the ready, there was naught a time where the mountain's protectors didn't stand readied, whether a knight, hind, spearman, or, in the case of Colette, a Sky Knight. However glamourous the words that she possessed with her position as a Sky Knight, one would find the young woman within the stables, tending to the many Pegusi, Lesser Wyverns, and other beasts that see combat with their fellow riders. Giving some of the creatures baths, checking horseshoes, grooming manes, plucking loose scales and feathers, shoveling the remains of likely yesterday's lunch, and so on.

It wasn't that her fellow Sky Knights and cavalrymen didn't tend to their mounts, as, she wasn't alone in the stables more often than not, but, more Colette's aptitude to tending the beasts, and caring for specific needs that some beasts would need. That being said, out of all the beasts within the stables, there was one she tended to the most, today even, detangling the mane and putting in several decorative ornaments, there were many small laughs and smiles, as the Pegasus in question seemed to try doing the same for the blonde knight, though mostly just ruined the braid that her long hair was in,

"Come on, Rinea, stop that!" Colette remarked, laughing gently in a brief moment of calm, before placing the final ornament in the mane of the Pegusi, before stepping back, seeming slightly proud of her work, one of the last normal things from her childhood was decorating the mane of her Pegasus, and doing so felt... Normal, as if the world as she knew it hadn't turned into the hellscape that now encompassed the lands under the azure skies. Even with the pride, and the small joys this brought, the pain was still there, deep down, as the cheerful look that gleamed from Colette's face soon began to fade, she missed the times in which life was peaceful.

Yet, before the memories were allowed to set in, a dull booming sound came from below, a faint sound, echoed by the caves. Followed by a runner soon after. Colette's feet shifted rapidly, hearing the orders from Otryyg, half the garrison was to head to the lower gate and aid there. It had to be quietly, as to not alert the generals of the Litch, which meant the Sky Knights were to be deployed immediately. Gathering her weapons from the armoury near the stable, she soon came back in watching her fellow knights scrambling to the armoury, mounts, and what-have-you. Getting to Rinea's pen, she joined the two stable-hands in preparing the Pegasus for combat, strapping on the saddle, and what little bit of armour protected the winged horse quickly, it wasn't their first time doing this, nor would it be their last.

As soon as Rinea was readied, Colette took up the reigns of her beloved friend, patting the Pegasus' neck gently, speaking in the native tongue of her home, "Πάμε, Ρινέα..." ("Let's go, Rinea") With those words, the pegasus began to start to a gallop, before spreading it's wings and flying within the caverns, circling the barracks a few times, before banking off towards the lower gate, to join the forces there with her fellow Sky Knights. Flying overhead of the forces mobilizing for battle at the lower gates...

Noticing the Rune Masons, Colette turned to her fellow knights, "We are to keep the skies clear for the Rune Masons. Keep your eyes on the skies and on each other." She directed, before turning back to the gates, watching the gatekeeper wave the readied charge signal, no matter how many times this was done, Colette couldn't help but feel that nervous edge draw across her mind, as today could very well be the day she doesn't fly back to her home, gripping Sklirós ílios ever tighter, as the air of battle lingered over the warriors, ready to defend what home they have left...

 

[Soviet Panda]

Otrygg grunted at the display the death cult elf, Edorai, gave before speaking a few quick words. "I know these are not your favored prey, but they will be your current one." He was in his armor, his helmet resembling that of a charging boar and his armor shined brightly, with his shield strapped onto his back and axe at his side. He decided he would lead near the front, get his orders to the troops faster that way and not have to rely on a runner to remember the orders. He was about to climb the gate tower to observe for himself what lay on the other side when the miners arrived, some with swords and axes others with pickaxes and shovels. He hadn't wanted them to come, they had their own job to do, but he wouldn't go yelling at them to go back, not when they brought their golem with them. Giving a shake of his head, he ascends the steps to the top of the gatehouse.

"What do you see out there."

"Very little after the initial charge. Mostly Imps, though, though a Goliath or Destroyer is out there, probably both. I was just about to send out a flare, sir."

Giving a nod of agreement, he lets the gatehouse guard load a flare into a small crossbow and fire it out into the dark expanse of the cave. There was nothing, not even an imp. It was as if the Infernals had simply retreated. Though he knew better. He personally signaled for them to be ready to exit the gates. 'Raise shields. No enemies. Trap' was all that he signaled down to the assembled troops as the gates were slowly opened. Those that could raised their shields and interlocked them with their allies, with the rest readied their weapons before hurrying out of the gate. The dwarf that had their armor tightened and muffled was the first to the wall, muttering prayers to any and all gods that they thought might listen as they placed their stamp on the wall and prepared their hammer.

That was when it started, a terrible shrieking that sent a chill down to the bone of all but the most stalwart and battle hardened warriors. As if from no where they appeared, small demons, propelled along as much by their small wings as by their legs, twisted and grotesquely deformed figures that eagerly charged at their enemy. Intermixed with the imps were larger demons, with bulging muscles and curling horns and eyes of fire, they glared at their enemy, their bulk making them slower than their smaller cousins even though each one of their steps were equal to dozens of the smaller, leaping and bounding stride of the imps.

"SKY KNIGHTS! CHARGE THE GOLIATHS!" Otrygg shouted above the shrieking, the voice of authority carrying over that infernal racket. "Masons! On the double! Guards, lock shield and prepare to meet the enemy!"

 

[Vudukudu]

Edorai gives Otrygg something of a rictus grin, his pallid skin looking almost sickly in the glow of the torch lights illuminating the cavern. He hadn't fed properly in days, and it shows. "That which rushes to the slaughter is hardly proper prey. Lets get this over with." He replies, then decides to return his mace to its resting place on his back. He'd learned in prior excursions to the lower gate that it was better to take a defensive posture given that the demons below were a great deal more agile than the demons above, and a free hand was a weapon unto itself if used properly.

Edorai doesn't fit in a formation of any sort, and he exits ahead of the Dwarven shield wall, striding on long legs with the posture of a predator turned loose. His eyes have, over time, begun to adjust to the darkness, but he's not in his element like the Dwarves are. Still, he sees what's coming in time to defend himself and the first imp to reach him is bisected up the middle as his broadsword whips upward. These foul things offer no sustenance and anyone who's seen him fight the dead should have no trouble seeing the difference - this is mechanical, but his work above is like watching a starved man descend on a banquet spread. Still, he works his magic, if only less enthusiastically.

His mission here, however, is different from that of the rest. They are here to protect the Masons, and he is here to inflict casualties. Surging forward, he lunges from foe to foe, keeping his momentum high as he blinks haphazardly across the enemy's loose formation, disemboweling one imp before appearing a foot above another and crushing it under his weight before disappearing once again. He'd never fit in the Dwarven formation, and as such, he's always made it his job to soften the charge going to meet them. He keeps well away from the goliaths, preferring to skirmish his way laterally across the cavern and bring down weaker foes. His howling joins the infernal tumult, baying for blood in Elven with each fresh kill.

 

[Ace Cream]

Kindle

"DIE, DAMN DEMONS! DIE!" The head of the miner yelled loudly as he split an imp into two with his greatsword. Totally an overkill, and it actually left him in vulnerable state for other imps to attack him. Fortunately he wasn't alone, a tired dwarf spearman and a young farmer with pitchfork managed to skewer the retaliating imps. Kindle watched with interest how things unfolded and clapped merrily as the trio wiped away the demon blood from their weapons. They were in the back line, cleaning any imps who managed to slip past the shield formation in the front.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE, BIG BOY! I DON'T NEED YOUR CHEERING. GO TO THE FRONT LINE NOW!!" Kindle was startled when the head miner yelled at them, but they obediently walked towards the front.

"Excuse Kindle." They said politely before brushing past a few of the shieldbearers. Other than the sky knights there were already a few warriors who charged ahead of the formation to whittle down the number of the incoming imps. Kindle decided to mimic them and started beating the imps who come into contact with them, but it didn't work as smoothly as they thought would be. They're big and their fists were too clumsy to actually hit any imps, the imps who managed to latch onto their body also soon discover that they wouldn't be able to dent their metal body so the imps ended up leaving them alone.

"PATthEtiCc. UsEElesSs." A large three-headed demon with scaly body approached the golem. Their heads looks like that of a dog, but with sharp horns potruding from the side. A long scorpion tail could be seen curling at their back and they carried a very crude but very bloody mace made by materials that looks like a combination of bone and magma.

The demon raised their mace and hit Kindle on the head. The sheer power of the attack sent Kindle down sitting on the ground and the sound of reverberating metal could be heard across the battlefield. For a few moments Kindle could only see static from their surrounding and when they regained their senses the demon was walking away towards the shielbearers. Must prevent more death. They caught up with the demon and tapped their shoulder.

"Is this pain?" Kindle asked. The demon turned to face Kindle before their middle head got slammed down by Kindle's fist. The left and right heads laughed loudly as they saw the middle head limped down, probably dead.

"Nice one." The left head said.

"I don't like him anyway." Said the right head.

"AS a gRatItUDe We wiLl tEaCH You REAL PAin." Both of the head said the line at the same time before they brandished not one, but two bloody maces. One in each hand. Their hands spinned wildly and barraged Kindle with countless bashing.

"FeeL ThE PaIn! fEEl THe pAin! AHaHaHAHa!"

 

[mysteryxio]

Dorenas

Dorenas moved as fast as he possible through the battlefield. He had a short sword in one hand with a small shield in the other, though he was using it more for offense than defense, slamming it into creatures heads for a distraction before slashing at their throats. He dodges easily, not even needing to rely on his power to tell him when an enemy is coming at him as they were everywhere. As he clears away a few more he hears something like a bell being rung. Looking around he notices a creature of some kind fighting off what could only be described, at least to him, as a mutant hound. He wasn't sure what that was, but if the demons were attacking it then it was probably on their side. He tried to find his companion but didn't see her, unaware she didn't follow him when he jumped over the line of dwarves.

He ran to the golem then heard from the voice, On both sides. He reacted before he knew that he did. Jumping and causing the imps to run into and stab each other, which certainly saved him some time. He slayed the enemies that he could, tossing the short sword at one then claiming a spear head as his new weapon, but his main concern was the battle in front of him. Once close he slid underneath the two, then sliced at the demon's ankles. He jumped onto the demon's back then ran up to it's head, slashing across both sets of it's eyes, then used the tail to jump over them. He landed on top of the mechanical creature, still unsure as to it's identity. "Now now, two versus one is not a very fair fight, though perhaps I should have expected as much from demons." Still using the spearhead he jumped from the mechanical creature to the tail, he held onto it for dear life with one hand then stabbed it with the other.

 

[Kaihaku]

Ragnhildur didn't waste time with words, following half a step after the shield wall before peeling off to stamp runes of protection on last sanctuary's defenses. Her hands are surprisingly deft and efficiency, at least compared to the way she trudged along otherwise. The magic would be stronger if the runes were chiseled in but that kind of time was a luxury they didn't have. She barely turns when an imp slips through the front line and almost reaches the line of artisan's stamping runes into the wall - she just smashes it's head in with a backswing and then brings the hammer back to continue stamping runes.

Imps were one thing. The quick demonic little sprites were dangerous but went down quick enough. The other demons were stronger, much stronger. Still Ragnhildur preferred facing them than the undead on the surface. It was easier to smash a demon's face in than smash in the face of a friend - a dead friend brought back as an enemy.

"Keep on stamping!" Ragnhildur reassures the others as she continues on, stamping runes as quickly as she can. She knew she could count on the dwarf defenders holding the line behind them. She was worried that the elves would cut and run. The others she had more faith in, especially that furnace golem. It was quirky but a piece of good craftmanship. "If we hold the gates hold! If the gates hold the mountain stands another day!"

 

[Mineczka]

Advancing slowly, Colette reached one of the inner windows of the Gatehouse, hearing Otrygg speaking to the gate captain, she spoke into the window, announcing not just her presence, but the presence of the Sky Knights, "Sir Otrygg, the Sky Knights are here to help. We've mobilized about two-thirds of our force to aid." Her words were official, though not always necessary, it was the job of the Sky Knights to bounce between the gates as needed, but it was handy to tell the numbers, pulling away from the gatehouse, Colette rejoined her fellows, meeting their gazes with her own, most were nervous, having seen these battles play out so many times, and so many of their comrades die to protect this mountain. Taking a breath, Colette mumbled a small prayer to herself, something she remembered hearing from a Captain of hers, it was a ritual she took to keep her mind focused on the tasks at hand, "Τραγουδήστε στη δόξα με τις λεπίδες σας..." ("Sing to glory with your blades...") With those words, she watched the Gates slowly open...

At first, silence, as the army below advanced, supported by the Sky Knights above, the front of the army was a large shield wall advancing quickly, yet cautiously, it was a trap, and an obvious one at that. With the Rune Priests placing their stamps on the walls, Colette pulled a few of her fellow Sky Knights forward, acting as a scouting vanguard, and forming a flying wedge out of the mounted force, it gave little to no room for possible counterattacks in the skies, furthermore, it gave the Sky Knights their true edge, speed. Then, came the loud screeching sound, a sound Colette had heard time and time again, the battle was to begin. Watching the little imps come from seemingly nowhere, as the smaller monstrosities advanced quickly, so too did the infantry, followed with the Sky Knights.

However, what followed those imps, were large monstrosities, known to Colette as "Goliaths." Pulling back on her reins, Rinea put the two back into the sky, as Otrygg's orders reached their ears, attack the Goliaths. A fight to be easily won. Watching the large masses approach, Colette began out after them, followed by a group of seven or so, flying in a V formation, Colette at the front. Their job was to eliminate all the Goliaths now, "Kiro, Tau, Elle! Take the one on the right!" She barked, before three of her fellow Pegasus riders broke off towards the right, though her words continued, "Zara, Kilie, Karl! You take the one on the left!" Watching the other three break off towards the goliath on the left, leaving only Colette for the one ahead of her. Dashing forward, she circled the monstrosity, probing it's speed, before spinning around, first slashing at the arms of the beast, cutting deep and making locomotion of said arms drop significantly, then, sweeping to the back of one of the knees. How Colette did this was nearly surgical, as she had battled Goliaths many times over, as the giant began to topple over, one last plunge, the base of the skull, where the head meets the neck, as her spear dug deep within the giant, Rinea began to turn, to face the remaining goliaths. Letting a breath leave her lips, Colette looked at the numbers, counting aloud to herself, and eyeing her route through the monstrosities, using her free hand to pat the neck of Rinea, "Είστε έτοιμοι, Ρίνια?" ("Are you ready, Rinea?") Following her words, Colette adjusted herself forward, leaning into her Pegasus, whom began to dart towards the monsters, dodging around the giants, and using her speed as her armour.

 

[Ace Cream]

Kindle

Kindle had a hard time calculating combat strategy, even more when one of the goliath was bashing their head again and again. They just stood there trying to keep themself from falling. Fortunately someone took the opportunity to attack the demon, slashing their eyes and ankle. The demon flinched from the attack and Kindle took the opportunity to jab one of the demon's neck with their drill and activate it. An agonizing screech echoed as the demon's left neck twisted from the impact. The demon stumbled back and fell on the ground with a loud thud. Several imps who noticed the goliath weakened state swarmed the demon and start digging into their flesh, overwhelming it by sheer number and feasted. Kindle ignored the horrifying cannibalistic scene in front of them and nodded at the person who helped them.

"Kindle is thank you. You are badass." They expressed their gratitude by complimenting the person using a word taught to them by some youths. Surely he would like to be called a badass right??

mysteryxio

 

[mysteryxio]

Dorenas

As the demon fell back, Dorenas jumped to the side. He rolled on the ground for a second then stopped in a kneeling position. He watched on in horror as the demon was devoured by those the half elf thought were on his side. He swallowed hard, he'd seen plenty of carnage on the battlefield yet he never found himself used to such scenes. He turned away and pushed the scene out of his mind, instead focusing on the creature in front of him. Since the danger had passed, at least the larger one had, he was able to look more closely at the...well he still had no idea.

The mechanical creature was apparently named Kindle and the way that it moved and talked made Dorenas smile. Though the flattery was also apart of that. He was not used to being called such things when it came to battles. "You are most welcome, my metal friend." Dorenas bowed out of respect, "I am called Dorenas. Always happy to have a new ally in the fight, gods know we need more of them. Especially ones who can take hits like you." He held his hand out to Kindle in the hopes that he'd shake it. Careful his inner voice had said, unsure if golem foe. A golem? Is that what he was? How could this voice have known that? He would go back to that later. As the imps consumed the flesh of the fallen demon, they turned to face the pair, some with the same look in their eyes as when the demon fell, others had blood over their mouths and hands.

 

[Soviet Panda]

Cascading, multicolored sparks of power fell with each hammer blow as the runes forced the magic of the world to it's will. And with each blow, the rune was pressed deeper and deeper into the stone, strengthening it as it did so. As the Masons worked furiously, those tasked with defending them and holding the line were doing the butcher's work. Hooked polearms reached over the heads and shoulders of those in front to methodically cut down the onrushing imps as they battered themselves against the stalwart shield bearers. It was a system that worked, until a weak link was found. An all to human scream of panic was heard as a young man's shield was ripped away from him, his life narrowly sparred as spears and polearms rushed to fill the gap, and another shield was put in it's place. The scrabbling hands were beginning to find purchase, and across the formation shields were wrenched from hands before imps quickly tried to rush in. Each time they failed, but it was becoming closer each time, and their protective bubble smaller.

The Goliaths were hit hard by the charging Sky Knights. One knight in particular was distinguishing themselves in this battle, as their gryphon mount tore muscle and shattered bone just as easily as their mace wielding rider. The Goliaths were dropping one by one, their heaving mass making it all but impossible to strike the more nimble fighters. Though some proved to be unlucky, as a massive hand swat two from the sky, with imps swarming the bodies as they hit the ground. And in the back, a low, guttural, and primal roar drifted from the depths. Soon the source was revealed, a Destroyer. As hulking as a Goliath, it's eyes were alight with a demonic fire and it drooled a glowing liquid that hissed and caught alight as it fell to the ground. With ebon horns pointed towards the wall, it began to charge. Slowly gathering speed, it would reach the tightly packed shield formation and do as it's namesake implied, unless it were stopped.

The imps that were consuming their former superior were doing it with such gusto and anger in the noises they made, one could safely assume that this demon had been something of a bully to their kind. However, this small measure of revenge was but a small distraction. What good was revenge when they could prove themselves greater by slaying the ones that had killed the three headed beast? And so, with an instinctual coordination, they attacked the lone elf and golem, who seemed to be having a polite conversation in the middle of the battlefield, of all things.

 

[Vudukudu]

Edorai moves cat-like across the battlefield, reaping carnage as he goes. Violence is a matter of muscle memory, and he has hundreds of years worth. The ringing of the runic hammering, while a welcome din, feels like it is taking far too long. Carving another imp in twain, he turns back towards the shield wall to approach a Goliath from the rear. Ramming an off-hand dagger into its thigh from behind, he twists the blade and drags down, pulling it down to its knee. As the demon roars with rage and pain, he thrusts his sword through its abdomen, then again through its chest, and once more through the back of its head, blade erupting from its screaming mouth before he blinks ahead to put himself between the shield wall and the approaching Destroyer.

Hopefully it wasn’t going to be his problem to deal with. It looked.. big. And something with that sort of momentum would be hard to stop, even with a bristling wall of spears. He’d hoped for a hail of crossbow bolts, but it seemed like the Dwarves had either run out of ammunition or not mustered them in the rush to get this done. “Bring it down!” He bellows, hoping to draw the attention of one of their flying lancers. If they didn’t handle it, well, he’d have to come up with something.