CHAPTER ONE - RETREAT
"Hold!" Captain Jays Darkmire belted.
The spearman braced. Steel tower shields and spears locked together forming a formidable phalanx. Almost as soon as the order was given the frontline collapsed under a wave hellish creatures pouring over the bridge. Shrieking imps danced over the shields splashing bright fel fire while the ravenous dog-like felhunters gnashed at the armored soldier's weak spots. The second line held their ground dutifully spearing the demons and pushing back with their own shields. For the moment they were holding.
"Sir we're not going to last long they'll overwhelm us out here in the open." Lieutenant Tomas Chane said.
Captain Darkmire turned to his fellow officer and long time friend.
"No we won't. We have to get to the goblin town of Bogpaddle. It's our only hope. I would say go to my people at the Harborage but it is too far" the gruff strained voice came from the broken Draenei Holaaru, his glowing sapphire eyes narrowing, before the Captain could respond.
Captain Darkmire looked over his shoulder where the rest of the Marshtide Watch refugees, soldiers and civilians alike, rested.
"Lieutenant. Hoolaru. Lead the rest of the survivors to Bogpaddle."
Screams could be heard from the rearguard phalanx as the demons tore through another line.
"I'm not going without you Drake." Lieutenant Chane said sternly.
"We're out of time. We'll hold them here at the bridge chokepoint for as long as we can. Go. Now. Their lives are in your hands"
Tomas Chane said nothing before turning.
"Listen up! Holaaru and Lieutenant Chane will lead you to refuge. Follow them now!" Captain Darkmire shouted.
Their tired ghastly faces looked up at him confused. They quickly began moving once the Lieutenant started barking angrily at them.
"Men to me!" Jays Darkmire shouted as loudly as he could.
The few men of the rearguard not engaged quickly ran back to their commander and formed up spears and shields at the ready.
The bloody melee that was the rearguard collapsed under a wave of demons. Captain Darkmire readied his two steel swords for combat. His men aimed their spears forward flanking him. First a felhunter came shrieking at him. He deflected its bite with his left sword while deftly stabbing it through the head with his right. His blade was coated in glowing green blood. As its corpse slid from his blade a brutish blue-skinned felguard two feet taller than him and muscle-bound brought its crimson fel axe down upon him. This time he deflected the blow off to the side with his right blade while side stepping. He quickly brought the left blade up and drove it through the creature's neck. The demon looked shocked as its green blood oozed down his blade before it slumped to the ground.
A blood curdling howl stunned the captain as another blue-skinned demon charged wielding a great crimson broadsword. Before Jays could react the demon drove the blade forward through his abdomen. It cut through his chainmail with ease. His blades fell to the ground with a clang. He looked down in shock. He wasn't in pain. The demon laughed. A deep sinister laugh.
Jays looked around. The entire rearguard was slain. Felhunters chewed on corpses while the flame spewing imps dance on them. His men's blood covered the ground. The demons advanced.
The crimson fel blade was pulled from his body. He fell on his back. As he looked behind himself from the ground he could still see the retreating soldiers and civilians. Jays realized they wouldn't make it. He had failed. His vision dimmed and then went black.
Please feel free to give any feedback. All constructive criticism helps. I would like to write professionally so any feedback be it spelling, grammar, sentence/paragraph construction, plot, or otherwise is not only welcome but valued!