Journey to the North
Chapter 14: Battle in the ice
Marron stabbed a leopard with his sword, killing him. He turned, seeing Borva had picked up an axe instead of his shield, hacking it at an ox. A wolf approached, raising his spear, but was shot down by Garon. Marron drew out his sword from the wolf's body, blocking a sword, then kicked the other wolf in the guts. Borva threw his axe, the weapon stucked in an ox's face, then he picked up a spear and launched it at an archer, killing him instantly.
" TO THE SOUTHWEST GATE!" He yelled. The army had fought for two hours, and now heading for the southwest gate. Some had reached over the wall, fighting the enemy on it. A friendly wolf slashed, killing two, but was impaled by a rhino. An ox picked up a massive boulder, then threw it, sending five slamming down the hard ground underneath the wall.
Sun Mei kicked, sending one to the wall, then leaped to drive her swords through two's body. She kicked one advancing wolf, then drew out her blades and cut his throat. Mantis jumped, knocking three out with his legs, then punched an ox so hard he crashed against ten more. Crane slooped down, grabbing a hold of six blades, then launched himself up, spinning, killing several wolves and rhinos.
" Are we there yet?" Asked Mantis, kicking one's jaws out.
" Just a bit more!" Yelled Sun Mei, stabbing an ox. Then flicked up a sword on the ground and kicked it straight through a leopard's face.
" I can see the gate now! Fight harder!" Crane yelled from above,blocking arrows.
" Right!" Sun Mei groaned, knocking one out with her sword handle, then swept five and rushed to the Northwest gate with the other two.
The Roudens landed on the North-West gate, the guards jumped in surprise, but weren't able to react: their throats wide open by lashing swords. The wolf brothers immediately went to open the gates. They could hear from afar, the army was getting closer, fighting their ways through waves and waves of enemy.
" Get in wide open boys! He's coming!" The eldest roared, hands gripping tightly to the gate's handle. The gate black steel gate creaked open. And behind it, emerged Kann.
" Nicely done, boys. Now, go and help the others. I'll take care of the rest from here." The white wolf ordered.
" But where's your elites?" Asked The eldest.
" They should do more good when they were staying with the army. I have to make some minor changes. Now, off you go!" Kann ordered, the Roudens quickly complied, rushing pass him towards the battle. Kann watched them leave with his stern eyes. The blizzard was getting worse, blocking his vision, the Roudens quickly dissappeared behind the thick snow.
" Let's finish this."
" Where are they?" Asked Mantis, standing under the inner's gate, beside Sun Mei and Crane. They had just barely finished a small squadron of enemy, not very far away, more were coming. The bug was glancing around worriedly.
" Why do you never trust my sense of timing?" Suddenly came the panda's voice, from above.
" Good to see you all in one piece, well, kind of..." Monkey greeted, preferring to the battered trio.
" Good to see you too. Now, help me with these bastards!" Sun Mei panted, pointing to the advancing troops. Tigress nodded, then gently leaped, landing behide Sun Mei. The panda and primate quickly followed. They all stepped up, forming a line, getting into their stances.
" Hope I could survive." Spilled Crane. Yet the others remained unshakened. The bird swallowed, calming himself before the clash.
As the troops were inches away from the group, Kann landed in the middle of the small army, slamming his fists against the ground. Immediately, hundreds of ice spikes came thrusting out from where he crouched, impaling, and killing in the process, many of the enemy. All was dumbstruck, the soldiers stood in utter fear, and a smirk crossed Kann's face.
" It's time I jumped in."
Reawakened from their strances, the soldiers charged towards him. The wolf caught a sword with his ice-covered hand, then punched the attacker, knocking him out cold. Then he picked up a sword, punching a leopard, then thrusting the sword through his guts. The wolf blocked an axe, then kneed the spearman, then stabbed him with his ice sword. Quickly, the heroes charged too, bringing the battle to the enemy. Sun Mei blocked a spear, then turned and kicked the spearman in the guts. Monkey whirled his spear, knocking out three, then swept and knocked out yet another three. Tigress deflected a sword, then countered with a strong palm to the swordsman's face, then elbowed a charging panther, then sent him flying with a powerful kick. Po deflected a sword, charging forward and elbowed the swordsman. Then he stepped back, dodging a sword. Quickly stepping on it, he kicked the swordsman, sending his teeth flying. Crane balanced himself on top of an ox, then used his legs to grab hold of the ox's head, dragging his body down to the ground, then he jumped up and swept three more to the ground. Mantis whizzed through the enemy's lines, his speed unmatched, constantly swinging his claws. After a while, the small army was nothing left but groaning and broken whelps lying all over the ground.
" Now, that was fun." Po commented, panting, leaning on Tigress.
" Hah! Typical you are, Po." Kann laughed, " Now, let's continue our way." He invited, gesturing to the towering black form of the castle in the middle of the citadel. The group rushed towards the castle, Kann leading. Two guards charged,, only to be killed by Kann's ice shards. The white wolf kicked open the heavy black steel door, the dim light of the moon instantly invaded the darkness within. Kann walked in, cautious, summoning his fire sword as well.
" BLACKTHORN! Come and face your judgement!" The wolf's voice echoed through the void, slamming against the cold walls. He turned to his friends, " You guys go find Viper and Za Shen. I'll deal with this tyrant."
The others just simply nodded, then quickly dissappeared behind a corridor.
" Hm, I was expecting you to come sooner." A twisted voice mocked, Kann instantly turned his eyes towards the source. In the shadowy night, he saw a large wolf, skin tainted with black twisted tattoos, sitting on an icy throne. His nails long, setting comfortably on the throne, his fur was mostly gone, giving view for a dark grey skin underneath.
" How dare you mock me! You rose to hold power only to corrupt it! And I didn't even mention you bringing my love here, just to pull me out!" Kann snapped. He didn't even understand why the tyrant had to have him in his grasp.
" Oh, I only need your blood. The moment Fang brought your blood stains back to me, well, you was pretty much useless by then. But now, such a young hero fits just right for my entertainment." Blackthorn calmly exclaimed, giving out a devious half smile.
" What?! Am I just mere plaything to you?" The white wolf growled,bared fangs. His back humped, his arms tensed.
" Oh, no no no no. You get me wrong. Hahah!" The tyrant laughed madly, " You can ask Marron whose body I inhabit." Just then, Marron, Borva and Garon entered the scene, the sound of weapons clashing echoed in the background.
" MY GODS!" Marron gasped, nearly dropping his sword.
" WHAT IS IT MARRON?" Kann asked loudly, snapping his head to look at the old wolf's expression.
" He's your father!" The old wolf spoke barely audible. Kann's eyes snapped wide. Then his head snapped back to the unmoved shape on the throne.
" Urh, yes yes, this is the body of your father, but, he was dead when I took over. HAH! Don't worry. It's not like you gonna have some, emotional time fighting me." Blackthorn smirked, " And introducing, I am Death, one of the Seven gods of life. Well, once was. HAH!"
"Where's the snakes?" Sun Mei asked, running through the corridor with the others.
" I don't know, just look in every room, alright?" Crane replied.
" Just then a door plung open behind them, the group stopped immediately, turning around. The two snakes slithered out, followed by a clouded leopard.
" Song." Po spoke lightly, not believing the image in front of him.
Author's note: ok, I'm done here. happy Valentine's day, people! Sorry for the long update, and sorry for not writing anything romantic in this particular day.