The War Against Withers: Chapter 10: Spaceman's Sorrow
Character: Xephos
Location: Skyhold
Skyhold was under attack by Withers. Will Xephos and the Skylords be able to defend it after Lomadia could not fight anymore?
Lomadia lay on a bed in the dormitory. Her face was as pale as a sheet of paper. Xephos and the Skylords – Lysander, Jasper, Vitellus, Juliet and Khambaita managed to secure Skyhold temporarily from the army of Withers and now they are next to Lomadia, observing her situation.
"She doesn't seem to be doing too well," exclaimed Juliet.
"I hope she doesn't die," said Vitellus. Lysander immediately grabbed him by the collar and shouted, "Don't say that!"
"Sorry, Lysander."
"There's not much we can do now. If too many Withers come, we might not be able to manage it without Lomadia," said Jasper.
An arrow suddenly flew through an open window towards them. Khambaita saw it and, as fast as lightning, wipped out her sword, blocked it, and sent it flying into the wall. They heard war cries of the Wither Skeletons and rushed outside to fight again.
Everyone rushed out except Xephos.
He just stood next to Lomadia, praying that she would be okay. After a while, Lomadia slowly opened her eyes. Xephos shrieked with excitement.
"Are you okay? You'll be fine. Don't worry," he comforted her.
She ignored it, "Look, Xephos, I won't be able to live for much longer."
She paused and coughed loudly, a fresh clot of blood exploded out of her throat, stunning Xephos and causing him to take hold of her hand and comfort her again.
"…Now, protect Skyhold at all costs, even if everyone dies. Skyhold cannot fall. I probably know Skyhold the most…it…has a central computer system that aids its propulsion. If that is…destroyed, then all hope to defend Skyhold is…lost. If that happens…use the airships to escape."
Her voice became weaker and weaker, "Promise me you will defend it at all costs. If everyone…dies and Skyhold is taken, then my death will…be…in…vain."
"I promise I'll try my best."
Lomadia nodded and slowly closed her eyelids and her hand dropped from Xephos' grasp. Xephos could not help tears to pour out of his eyes.
"Goodbye, Lomadia."
Lysander suddenly burst open the door. "Commander, the Dwarves are here!"
Lysander did not notice that Lomadia was dead, for he was too excited. Xephos picked up his sword and stepped outside. He saw a colossal clan of Dwarves, crashing through the enemy lines with ease. At the front of the clan stood a rather young Dwarf with broad shoulders that held a massive metal hammer. Xephos knew him.
"Rory Stonehammer!" exclaimed Juliet, rushing forward.
"My name is Rory Rockhammer," responded Rory, annoyed. "By Honeydew's name!" he roared to the others.
"By Honeydew's name!" they roared back.
"We have come to aid Skyhold," explained Rory. "Moira has started her invasion too on the other side of Skyhold."
"You've come too late," sighed Xephos. "Lomadia is dead!"
Everyone gaped and gasped at what Xephos just said.
"She what?!" yelled Rory.
"She's dead," repeated Xephos.
"But…but that's impossible! Lomadia is just about the one that I least expect to die at Skyhold!"
"Even look!"
Xephos led them inside to Lomadia. Xephos sobbed on a chair while Rory and the others studied the dead one.
After a while, Rory went over to Xephos and patted him on the back. "This is war. People will die; you'll have to get over it. We can bury her now, if that'll lighten your mood."
They carried Lomadia outside and dug a grave. It was a simple grave, for they did not have much time. After it was complete and with Lomadia buried, they threw some dandelions and roses on it and gave some prayers and speeches before moving away.
"The Withers…will pay for this," shouted Xephos. He was clenching his hands to hard that his knuckles turned white and his muscles were bulging. The Spaceman sprinted away and charged towards a group of Wither Skeletons, who came forward to attack him.
The first one swung his sword towards his neck, but he ducked down and stabbed it in its abdomen so hard that the Wither Skeleton virtually exploded.
The second one was a better swordsman, having dodged Xephos' blow and counterattacked with a blow that would have severed his arm if it hit. Xephos parried it and, with a clever flick of his wrist, brought his sword onto his enemy's neck and beheaded it.
The third one was only an amateur. After knocking its sword off the Wither Skeleton's grasp, Xephos yelled, "Do you give in?"
"Never!" cried the Wither in a raspy voice, which was hard to understand.
Xephos sighed and slashed it to death. "If you gave in, I wouldn't have done that."
Everyone went on different paths to overthrow the crowds of the Wither Skeletons and soon secured the area.
"We need to secure the other areas!" screamed Vitellus.
"I really hate heights. You know Dwarves don't like them. But I'll try my best," remarked Rory, running after Xephos.
"How's Honeydew?" questioned Xephos.
"He's fine," responded Rory. "Halfway here we heard that he's going to Barbeque Bay to support Isabel Peculiar, Shiplord Hubert and the other Pirates."
"Is Barbeque Bay also under attack?"
"Yes. To be honest, I'm not sure if we can really make this alive. Half the damn land is raging with war!"
"Don't worry. We have a lot of strong people alive. You must have faith in yourself."
"You're right. Lets do this!" shouted Rory as he charged towards another group of Wither Skeletons.
"Lomadia…I won't disappoint you. We can save Skyhold," thought Xephos as the sun set in the west, closing in on night.