Demon Haunt – Part 2
This chapter reads rough, disjointed, and chaotic. It was written that way to (hopefully) reflect how the characters experience a battle. Thanks to those of you who have stayed with the story. Hope this chapter about fighting the Big Bad was worth your wait!
Chapter 20 – To Claim A Crown
The demon hung its head low, its three eyes half-closed against the glare from the Paladin's Daylight spell. The pain was… bearable, but it could not see very well. It needed darkness to protect its master's prize. The nightshade turned from the advancing Paladin and launched itself across the chamber at Thalweg, at the same time conjuring a thirty-foot wide globe of darkness around the Baron and the crown.
Thalweg was bracing for the bounding demon's attack when everything went dark. Quickly retreating, the Baron moved out of the blackness. A few breaths later and he could hear something large moving about inside the sphere.
'Trissa skidded to a halt just before the black globe.
"Dispel Evil", she intoned. In an instant a shimmering energy field enveloped her.
Soranyll, several yards behind the Paladin, also halted his charge. Using his staff as a focus, he cast "Dispel" at the globe of darkness.
The globe blinked out, revealing the Reaver standing in the shadow cast by a tall stalagmite, its tail protectively curled around a small chest. It kept shifting its attention from Thalweg, who was to its right, to the Paladin, who was in front of it and slightly to its left.
'Trissa stepped forward, raising her mace.
"'Trissa! Watch out!" Warned Thalweg.
The Paladin was still a dozen feet from the demon.
"Have no worries, Baron. My Goddess protects…." 'Trissa got no further in offering her assurance to Thalweg. The demon spun quickly to face Thalweg, but its movement was a ruse. Its whip-like tail lashed out, catching the woman at her knees. She crashed to the ground.
The demon whirled about and leapt at the fallen Paladin.
A shouted "No!" echoed across the chamber.
Thalweg dropped his sword and jumped forward, landing on and grabbing hold of the demon's tail before it could attack the Paladin. Surprised, the nightshade stumbled, then reared up on its hind legs.
A silver tipped, twice blessed, quarrel buried itself in the Reaver's chest.
Ignoring the burning bolt stuck in its torso, the Reaver dug its hind claws into the ground, anchoring itself, and flicked its tail, bucking Thalweg off.
The Baron tumbled for several yards, landing roughly against the base of one of the cavern's stone columns. He rolled onto his back and brought his shield up just as the demon jumped the intervening space, landing atop him. It struck at Thalweg with razor claws, leaving three parallel gashes across his shield's face and nearly tearing it from the Baron's grasp.
A second swipe by the demon caught the shield's rim. Thalweg hung on, pulling back against the demon. The beast's greater strength prevailed. The Baron, clinging to his shield, was hauled off the cave floor and into the air. Quickly drawing his poniard, the Baron stabbed the demon's forearm, forcing the beast to relinquish its hold on the shield, dropping the Baron to the ground.
Thalweg quickly cut the now nearly useless guard from his arm. Left-handed, he flung the shield into the demon's face, catching the beast in its center eye. More surprised than hurt, the demon drew back. Instead of retreating, Thalweg scrambled forward, reaching for his sword which lay a few yards away.
Passing through the fissure and entering the brightly lit cavern's main chamber, Leanorall and Torlin saw a large black sphere some two dozen yards to their right. Leanorall recognized Thalweg standing to one side of the sphere; a slender silver-armoured and white caped figure stood on the other side. Standing several yards back from the opaque, sinister object stood a blue cloaked figure, which she recognized.
"Soranyll", she whispered to herself, hardly able to believe that her uncle was here.
The thief started moving toward the sphere, keeping to what shadows and cover were available to him. The elven ranger followed.
With a muted popping the dark orb vanished, revealing was hidden. Torlin stopped and stared at the horror that had inhabited his nightmares for so many years.
Thalweg was shouting something. 'Trissa answered. The beast moved. Torlin saw the nightshade's tail knock the Paladin onto her back. The demon was preparing to leap on her!
"No!" He shouted, raising his crossbow and firing.
Startled by Torlin's outcry, Leanorall turned to the thief. She could sense his fear, saw his concern for his companions. They had lost friends here before. It was a special kind of torture to watch it happen again.
The beast turned back to Thalweg and started slashing at the Baron with its talons. Solid, steel-rending, talons, noted the thief. They had not yet become the spectral claws that ripped out pieces of one's soul. The still had time to get the hell out of here if they left now!
Torlin was about to tell Leanorall to run when she turned to him, an imploring look on her face.
"We must help them!"
"Fifteen years has changed nothing! We will all die", the thief stated flatly.
The elf nodded, tears gathering in her eyes. "I know."
Leanorall moved towards the battle.
Torlin swore. He looked towards the cave entrance. Help or run away! Get a horse and get out of here! He lifted a foot. Just take one step. The fear was rising in him. He knew that in an instant it would wash over him, and he'd be running for the exit. The terror could not be denied.
"TORLIN!"
Someone shouted his name, just as she had in his nightmares. He turned to look back. The demon was surrounded by his companions, but it fought relentlessly. Kicking with clawed feet, slashing with its talons. It was holding off its attackers. The sharp clap of its whip tail split the air and hurt his ears. It was no longer wailing or crying out in pain.
Thalweg was fending off slashes and bites. His sword, crackling with ebon fire, was being used for both offense and defense. Narrowly dodging a bite, he countered by bringing his sword up hard against the Reaver's jaw. The creature shook off that blow and renewed its attack with claws, driving the Baron back.
'Trissa was hammering at the demon's left side with her mace, dodging the deadly tail and occasional kick from an even deadlier claw-footed rear leg. He could hear her calling upon her Goddess for strength to smite the damned creature.
Soranyll stood a little apart, flinging odd little smoke-laden orbs at the beast from the tip of his staff. They seemed to bounce off the demon and sail back to the mage, who had to dodge them or swat them away.
Leanorall was closing with the creature, her elven blade now glowing with an azure light. Sword in hand, the ranger was intent on avenging years of imprisonment and horror.
Movement to his right. Turning his head, Torlin saw Dorcen and Toto emerge from the western passageway. Whether by chance or distance from the beast, they seemed to have been unaffected by the Reaver's wails. The hesitated only a moment before raising their weapons and charging towards the fight. Fools!
His oldest friend, two steadfast companions (and lovers), an uppity old elf whom he had come to admire and respect, and two mercenaries - both decent men. All were going to die. And for what? A crown? A stupid piece of ancient gold. A treasure that hadn't seen the light of day in centuries but still held sway over men's imaginations. To think that…
Torlin stopped his beration of his companions. 'Light of day'? The demon was too strong for them here in its home. A better strategy was to get it to move to ground more advantageous to them!
Fitting another quarrel into his crossbow, Torlin headed towards the Reaver, taking a circuitous route, staying behind cover and in shadow as much as possible. He hoped his companions could hold off the demon a little longer.
Thalweg fought defensively, giving himself time for a quick survey of their situation. He could hear Dorcen shouting behind him. Soranyll had stopped lobbing ineffectual spells at the demon and was charging forward with his sword. About time! 'Trissa was holding her own. Not as cocky as she had started out. He'd noticed the quarrel in the demon's body. His thief was nearby. And somehow, a half-naked Leanorall was there, slashing at the beast with an elven blade! Where had she come from? Questions filled his head. Thalweg could no longer see the small box, but it had to hold the crown! By Tempus! Could they win this fight?
Too much musing and not enough focus cost the Baron. A feint by the demon caught Thalweg off balance. A talon sliced through his chain mail at hip level, opening a nasty gash on his left side. He stumbled.
The demon leapt at the Baron, talons extended, prepared to rip the thieving mortal in two, only to be brought up short by two glowing swords.
Dorcen and Toto each caught a claw on their newly gifted blades. Both men heaved, pushing the demon back, trying to give Thalweg time to recover. Without pause to catch his breath the Baron charged forward, slashing at the nightshade with black fire, leaving a smoking line incised on the creature's hide.
The demon staggered back, hind legs and tail sliding across the cave floor. Its thrashing was more effective than any planned attack – its panicked and random movements caused confusion in the mage and Paladin, who retreated to avoid the flailing limbs.
Torlin ducked as the demon's tail whipped over his head, striking and shattering the stalagmite beside him into dozens of pieces. The thief hunkered down behind his now foreshortened refuge. The small, dust-covered chest he had spied was now buried under a pile of rocky rubble. He crawled forward to retrieve it.
Whether by accident or design Thalweg was pushing the demon to one side. Soranyll's and Leanorall's elven blades seemed to have little effect on the nightshade's oily hide, irritating it but causing little damage. 'Trissa was doing well, landing solid blows when she was not diving, dodging, or jumping to avoid the beast's fearsome tail and hind claws. Another foot further and… he had it!
Scurrying behind the stump of rock, the thief considered his prize. Wiping the dirt and grime from the small chest he saw it was of sturdy wooden construction. King Tristan's royal seal had been carved on the slightly rounded lid. A small gold-plated brass mortise-style lock secured the strongbox. A rusted iron loop handle was secured on one side. The chest's hinges were fitted inside the box. That meant no stripping hinge pins and cracking the chest open from the back.
Poking his head around a corner, he spared the battle a quick look. The demon was busy fending off a concerted attack by Thalweg and the two mercenaries.
Pick the lock or smash the chest open, Torlin pondered? Karistides had set traps on the King's sarcophagus. Would he have set another trap on the crown besides conjuring a demon guardian? Safest tactic was to pick the lock. Pulling out his tools, he set about his work.
Leanorall plunked herself down beside him, panting.
"What is in the chest? Is that the crown you mentioned? Why are you wasting time? Let us take it and run for it!"
"And if the crown is not inside", asked the thief? "For my plan to work I need to know that the crown is in here."
"Plan?" She queried breathlessly.
Thalweg's battle cries and the Paladin's curses and prayers, as well as a deep-throated hellish rumbling from the demon's throat, combined with the swearing of men and an elf, made it difficult for Torlin and Leanorall to hear one another.
"Confirm the crown is in here. Grab the chest and run - because a hell-being is determined on taking it back. Get outside", stated Torlin. "The demon is cursed to protect the crown. It follows us out. Sunlight can kill the thing! We still have a few hours of light left in this day."
"A SOUND STRATEGY, THIEF."
"Thank you."
"Hmm? For what?" Asked the ranger. "I didn't say any… Look out!"
Leanorall threw herself against Torlin, driving him to the ground, narrowly saving him from decapitation as the demon's tail whistled over them. She jumped up, sword at guard position.
"Uncle is being hard pressed. Luthor and another man are down. Hurry it up!"
The elven ranger charged forward to stand beside the silver armoured warrior who had also come to Soranyll's aid.
The lock clicked and the chest popped open.
A powerful forehand blow from the demon sent Thalweg and Toto tumbling back. Soranyll drew the beast's attention by shouting a few choice insults in the demon dialect he had learned a century ago, and slashing at its left side, which gave the duo time to regain their feet. Toto held his left arm close to his body, his face sweating.
Broken arm, guessed Thalweg, limping forward. Time to attack its flank!
Reinforced by an exhausted looking Dorcen, the three men, not so much 'charged' as shambled towards the demon.
Snapping and cursing at the mage, the demon pressed forward, claws extended to rend elven flesh. Twin blows against its skull from mace and sword rocked the beast's head. The demon pulled back, turning its attention to ward off a joint attack by the Holy One and … the Protected One!
It was free? The thing that had blocked its retreat home through the Portal was released. And no longer 'Protected'. It will be a great joy when her soul is reaved!
Torlin admired the crown's simple lines. Nothing ornate, no arches or monde. No studded jewels. A gold band with a simple, incised geometric pattern on it, and three spikes or spires at the front. Practical and solid looking, as befitted a battle crown meant to be worn over a helmet. It was a warrior's crown. The regalia of a fighting king.
He needed to run… to get the chest outside. But the shifting battle had moved the demon between the him and the cave entrance. The creature was a dozen yards away. He pulled the crown out of the chest and stepped out from behind the rocks.
The demon froze. Its sudden stillness after many minutes of frenetic attack and counterattack, startling the combatants. The demon's round head swiveled about, eyeing each of its foes. Its gaze settled on the thief.
Crap! Torlin cursed. This had better work! Turning from the monster's eerie stare, the thief knelt, fumbling with the crown and the chest. Quickly sealing the container back up, Torlin rose, turned, and hurled the box to Soranyll, who was several yards closer to the entrance than he.
"Catch it and run", screamed the thief!
His throw was wide.
The mage dropped sword and staff as he lunged to his right, trying to retrieve the thrown object. He stretched out… and grabbed it, tripped over a rock, rolled, and came up to a standing position, astonished that he had been able to catch the object. He looked down at the small container in his hands. He quickly looked up to see the demon staring intently at him. Shite! Curse that little thief! Grasping the chest by its handle he swung it about, launching it in Thalweg's direction. The Baron wanted a crown! Let him have it!
Soranyll and his niece had had no time to do more than exchange quick smiles, but that was enough to assure the elf mage that she was well. As far as he was concerned, the crown could stay here, and they should all run for the exit and escape into the blessed light of day. … Oh! … Clever thief!
The demon's head snapped around, following the chest as it spun in the air towards the trio of warriors.
Dorcen deftly caught it, turning around to Thalweg with a big smile on his face, only to see the demon looming over them, glaring directly at him. He swallowed.
Charging the trio, the demon hissed, louder than a hundred angry cats. Claws struck at the three men, but instead of cutting into steel or leather, flesh and bone, the talons, now shimmering with an unholy radiance, passed through them.
Toto and Dorcen screamed as pieces of their souls were torn from them.
Thin strings of blue-white ectoplasm now hung from the demon's claws as they pulled away from the men. A hideously long, warty, black tongue flicked out of the demon's mouth, lapping up the spiritual energy.
The two mercenaries fell to the ground, whimpering in terror, experiencing an anguish unlike any they had known. Thalweg stood still, swaying slightly, eyes looking down.
The Baron had felt that before - fifteen years ago. The shock had been, and still was, indescribable. He'd never known terror until then. Fear, yes. But not the icy cold grip of true terror as everything he was, thought, believed, was torn away. He'd been emptied. But over time new bits of life replaced what had been taken. A wife, children, the responsibility of ruling a barony. So much had happened. His soul had healed. Eventually, the terror had been left behind. It was only the memory of terror that remained.
And like the scars on his body, the scars on his soul were now tougher than what lay underneath.
Thalweg raised his head, his eyes meeting the dread gaze of the demon. His sword, which had dimmed when he was struck, now flared darkly, black flames dancing along its edge. The Baron smiled ominously.
"One of us is going to Hell, today", he promised, moving forward, placing himself in front of the chest and his two cowering mercenaries.
The screams of soul-shriven men echoed out of the cave, startling Flint and the druid. Flint looked at the old man. The demon's wails, faint sounds of oaths and battle cries, and now these screams, terrified the boy.
"Is there nothing we can do", Flint desperately begged of the druid?
"No", answered Ansen. "To enter that cavern is to die. I have no power in there. And little enough out here in this bleakness. Even if they escape the cavern with the crown, daylight will soon be gone. …"
The old man pointed to the sun, now low in the western sky.
"… and after sunset, the demon would stalk the moorland, hunting them down. If the day were longer…"
Ansen stopped his musings. He looked up at the hill above the caves. Nah! That was a fool's gambit. He'd as like kill them all as harm the demon. But that might be kinder than what the nightshade was doing to them. But he didn't have the power! To cast that spell would cost him too much!
Another wail by the demon resounded from the cave opening. Were those elvish curses he also heard? He bowed his head.
"Forest Father", he fervently prayed. "Grant me the strength to do what I must do!"
Ansen flung his feathered cloak wide, transforming into a large owl. Launching into the air, he circled above Flint and the horses, gaining height. Alighting on the top of the hill, high above the cave entrance, he rapidly changed back into human form. Drawing a twig from his cap, he quickly conjured his staff.
Mustering all his strength, the druid drove the stave into the hilltop splitting apart rock and soil. Using the last of his God-granted magical energy, Ansen released one last spell.
Thalweg fell back, trying to regain his breath. His sword was hurting the demon, but it was not enough! Soranyll was fighting in a typically elegant elvish style but doing little damage. He seemed to be annoying the creature more than harming it. Dorcen and Toto had fled to cover. He could not see the Paladin or Leanorall - they were behind the demon. Two more of Torlin's quarrels had struck the hell-spawn. One in its neck. The beast was slowing, but it was still faster and more vital than they were.
Torlin had tried sneaking out of the cavern, but each time he moved towards the exit, the battle shifted, blocking his route. After his third attempt at retreating - that sounded better than 'running away' – he had pulled out his bow and joined in the fight. But it was not going well. He needed to hit something critical. And to do that he needed to get closer and catch the beast's full attention. Sighing, he pulled out his last silver tipped crossbow bolt.
Stepping out from behind a thick stalagmite, the thief took careful aim at the demon. Its attention was split between Soranyll and Thalweg, who both looked exhausted. He needed it turned towards him.
"Oye! Slimy! I'm leavin' here with the crown! Then I'm goin' to go piss on your master's grave!"
Whether or not the demon understood him mattered not. He had the beast's attention. The Baron and the mage stepped back, disengaging from battle, each assuming Torlin knew what he was doing. The thief hoped that he did.
The demon gave voice to a short, sharp bark and charged the thief. Torlin noticed that the nightshade's claws were still translucent and glowing. Great. He'd soon be like Toto and Dorcen. Or worse. The demon reared up in front of him.
Torlin squeezed the crossbow's release lever.
Nothing happened. The bolt failed to launch.
The demon's large right claw swung at the flatfooted thief; soul shredding talons ready to harvest what it craved most.
The deadly claw was brought up short by 'Trissa's shining shield. The force of the blow drove the Paladin to her knees.
"Goddess, that hurt! Don't just stand there, my thief!" Shouted 'Trissa.
"Torlin! Out of my way", yelled Leanorall as she swung her elven blade hard against the spectral claw.
Unlike the rest of the demon's body, its claws were not covered by the hide's oily secretions. Those areas so covered had taken little damage from the elvish swords. Only Thalweg's demon-enhanced blade or Torlin's quarrels seemed able to injure it. But the claws were not so protected. Leanorall's keen edge struck at a large knuckle joint, severing one of the spectral talons from its two brothers.
Roaring in pain, the demon lurched backwards, tuning its dreadful gaze onto the now near naked elf maid, who stood before it, and next to the loathsome Holy One.
Torlin aimed again and squeezed the release, harder this time, hoping to overcome whatever it was that jammed the trigger or spring. He heard the sharp 'thwap' of the bowstring; felt a vibration along the stock.
The quarrel flew straight, burying itself in the demon's right eye. The creature screamed, falling back onto its side, writhing in pain.
"Great cut!" Enthused 'Trissa, pointing to the bleeding extremity lying in the dirt beside her. "You've found a weak spot!"
"Thank you, Lady", replied the elf, breathlessly. "Nice block with the shield!"
Leanorall turned to Torlin, smiling broadly. "We may survive this yet, lover."
The elf ranger charged the demon, intent on causing it more damage.
Raising an eyebrow, 'Trissa coolly eyed Torlin before turning away and following the elven maid's attack.
Shaking his head, the thief ran towards where he had last seen Dorcen. He had to get that blasted chest out of here!
The loss of any eye and one talon out of six were substantial injuries – the worst the demon had experienced in this incarnation. Substantial, but not fatal. The beast twisted away from the Paladin and ranger to face Thalweg, who had been trying to sneak up on the demon's rear. Slicing talons, shifting between ghostly appendages and mundane demon bone, put the Baron back on his heels. A movement to the demon's right caught its attention.
Toto, mad with fear, scuttled out from his hiding place, trying to flee the battle. A quick slash and the ex-convict-turned-mercenary lost the remainder of his soul, and his life.
Dropping Toto's gutted body, the demon gulped down the remains of its victim's soul. Not enough sustenance to heal itself, but sufficient to give it renewed energy to carry on the fight. The elf mage would be next.
As Toto's eviscerated body dropped from the demon's jaws to the cavern floor, the companions paused their attacks. Thalweg was cursing himself. It was happening again!
Leanorall and 'Trissa stopped their charge. The expression on the ranger's face was one of horror. The Paladin offered up a prayer. What happened to a soul eaten by this thing? Was anything left to return to one's Deity?
Stepping back, Soranyll's hand moved slowly to his belt and the wand secured there. The demon's spell reflecting ability had to have expired by now! Leanorall was so close to the thing. He had not come all this way to lose her!
Torlin paused his stealthy advance. He had liked Toto. Damn it! Jimkar, Dill, and Beatrix were gone. Thalweg, wounded. Dorcen was out of the fight. And it looked like they had no magic to assist them. It was past time to put his plan to work. He'd been a swift runner in his youth. But the decades, the drink, and extra pounds had dulled that skill. And the demon was fast! He recalled part of an old poem, something about 'fear lending wings' to one's feet. That was now his prayer.
Leaving the shadows, the thief set off at a run towards Dorcen who, he hoped, still clung to the chest.
With talons extended, the demon leapt at Soranyll. Catching sight of the running dark-clad one, who also smelled familiar and had taken its eye, the nightshade flipped around in mid-leap, its tail smashing into the mage, and one spectral claw grazing the runner's shoulder.
Torlin faltered. Stumbling, he continued moving toward Dorcen and Thalweg. Desperately trying to keep on his feet, he barely had time to acknowledge the cold fear that was spreading through him. It was so familiar. He could almost ignore it. He slid to a stop in front of Dorcen who cowered behind a small pile of rocks. Sweating and shaking, the thief reached for the chest. Thalweg was limping towards them, shouting a warning.
Torlin had not been fast enough. A powerful backhand blow by the demon struck all three men. Torlin was sent skidding across the rocky cavern floor, coming to rest bruised and battered, twenty feet away. Dorcen and Thalweg were swatted a dozen feet back, their movement cruelly stopped by a wide stone column. The chest went spinning farther away, into shadow.
"Goddess" swore the Paladin. "Why won't this creature stay still long enough for us to kill it?"
Beside her, Leanorall looked on helplessly, uncertain if she should go to help her uncle who was having trouble standing, or Torlin. She started to sway, again. No, it was the room this time!
A deep groaning sound filled the cavern. The ranger and the Paladin were knocked off their feet as the ground violently heaved. Stalactites cracked and fell; stalagmites toppled.
"Earthquake!" Yelled Soranyll.
Pieces of the cave's ceiling were breaking away, falling and shattering against the rock floor. Thalweg and Dorcen huddled against the same large stone column against which they had crashed. Soranyll evoked a Phasing spell a mere breath before several tons of rock landed on him. Together, 'Trissa and Leanorall, arms straining, held the Paladin's shield over their heads. Chunks of ceiling rained down on them, jarring their arms and shoulders with each strike.
Dodging boulders, Torlin ran, seeking safety under the biggest thing in the cavern.
A deafening crack of shattering stone was followed by even greater shaking as the chamber roof and the western side of the hill were split open by the druid's Earthquake spell. The fading light of the day's end poured into the cavern.
Except for the odd crash of a loose cobble or boulder losing to gravity, the cavern was still. A third of the ceiling had fallen in, half-burying some of the combatants and filling the chamber with dust.
In ethereal form Soranyll levitated through and up a large pile of rock. Alighting on the top he returned to solid form. He could feel a faint, warm breeze. The mage conjured up a gentle wind, directing it to clear the dust that now filled the cavern below him. He quickly had their corner of the chamber mostly clear. His eyes anxiously sought out his niece.
By use of the Paladin's shield and the spells Shield of Faith and Steadfast, 'Trissa and Leanorall had suffered only bruising and battering. Thalweg had been less fortunate. His helmet had been dented, and blood flowed from a gash across his forehead. Dorcen had been saved from his fear by being mercifully knocked unconscious. There was no sign of Torlin.
The demon lay stretched out on the cavern floor, half covered in rubble, one leg twitching. Bright light shone into the cave, illuminating what remained of their battleground. A large swath of sunlight ran across the cave floor just in front of the demon's head.
Leanorall called out, "Is it dead?"
"Not sure", answered her uncle. "Why don't you go take a look?"
"Ha, ha. I have been too close to that thing for years. No, thank you!"
Soranyll smiled. From his vantage point he surveyed their foe. It did not seem to be breathing. Its eyes were closed. The elf looked over to Thalweg.
"Well, Luthor, it would seem that…"
The elf got no further in his observation to the Baron. A shudder ran through the body of the beast causing the rocks covering it to slide off. Slowly, the hell-beast rose, shielding its eyes from the blinding sunlight. As it struggled to rise, one of its front claws passed through the sunbeam. With a sharp hiss the demon drew back its claw, which was now smoking.
Wearily, the elf brought his sword and staff to front guard positions.
Thalweg grunted an oath and rose unsteadily to his feet.
"The sunlight acts as a barrier. The demon cannot cross. Someone, grab the crown and let's get out of here!"
"Luthor", 'Trissa called out. "I can see a small chest. It's beside the demon on the other side of your 'barrier'."
Thalweg swore. "Ilmater's wounds! Okay. We attack. Drive it back. Grab the chest and get back to this side of the sunlit area, then outside."
It was a rash plan, but no one offered another option. The Paladin and ranger approached Soranyll and the Baron. Leanorall slowed her pace. Looking around, she did not see the thief.
"Where's Torlin?" Queried 'Trissa.
"Most likely skulking about", responded the Baron.
The nightshade crouched lower, shielding its eyes, silently waiting.
"Leanorall", Thalweg regarded the ranger. "Of all of us, you're the least encumbered. Hate to ask it lass, but if you could get that chest? Oh, and good to see you back. Thought you were dead."
"Good to be back, Luthor. Wait a breath! I was just standing in sunlight… What?"
The strip of sunlight that had so brightly cut across the demon's chamber was fading - shrinking and dimming. Parts of the cave, once briefly sunlit, were now fast fading into a twilight. Leanorall was no longer standing in natural sunlight, but in shadow.
The demon launched itself at the ranger. This one was the least protected by armour and was the only one not standing in abominable sunlight. Kill it fast, then there would only be three left.
Leanorall was caught by surprise. She had no time to seek cover. Alone, near naked and with only a slender elven blade in her hand, she braced herself for the monster's attack.
"NO!" Screamed Soranyll, dropping his staff and grabbing his wand. Without thinking he released a cascading sheet of fire at the creature. Instantly regretting his lack of control, he steeled himself for the inevitable rebound of the arcane flames back onto himself.
But the spell reflecting powers of the nightshade had diminished. The Soul Reaver, a hell-born nightshade, was immune to damage from mundane or hellish fire. Magical fire, however, could hurt - a lot. The curtain of fire wrapped itself around the demon.
Roaring in frustration and pain, it batted at the flames. The demon's wailing forced the companions to again cover their ears or wince in pain. Soranyll staggered under the force of the banshee-like scream. Unfortunately for the elf, his footing atop the rock pile was less than secure. Stumbling over a loose rock, he tripped. The bone-jarring tumble down the rocky slope stymied any attempt at concentrating and levitating. He rolled to a stop in the dimming patch of sunlight, sword-less and wand-free.
The demon regained its feet. Large patches of its hide were blistered. It turned its mind off to the agony that movement caused. It would not allow that to happen again. The daylight was fading; the elf mage was almost in shadow. Two elves to devour. It would save the loathsome Holy One for last. Talons glimmered, once more becoming ghostlike. Now!
'Trissa watched the patch of shrinking daylight in dismay. Soranyll's fire had hurt the creature, but it was wailing again, standing again. Its claws were now shifting to their phantom form! She could see the mage standing in the dimming light; Leanorall was half-hidden by shadow. 'Trissa straightened, turned and looked up at the cavern's split open roof. She saw a patch of blue sky and some pinkish-orange cloud. Low in the sky was the sun, almost obscured by the edges of the cleft hill, inside which they fought.
- The sun was setting. She turned her head, her eyes hurting from staring into the orb. 'Trissa looked back at the elves – they had hardly moved. The demon was stretching, reaching towards Leanorall. Turning her head again, she saw Luthor, mouth open, shouting some order? He was trying to move forward, to engage the demon.
- She should heal his leg.
- Why was everyone moving so slowly?
- If only they could get the demon into the sunlight!
- The sun's reflection off the rim of her shield stung her eye.
'Trissa stepped back and swung her shield up to eye level, turning it so the shield's polished face caught the sun. Focused natural light reflected off the shield and onto the demon!
The Soul Reaver's last moment was an agonizing hell as first its skin was burned away. Sunlight then penetrated through its body, warping, scorching and destroying organs and muscle, boiling its blood, and turning bone to sinter. It slowly collapsed in a smoking, stinking, heap.
Bathed in glorious sunlight, the demon died.
Slowly, cautiously, the companions edged forward to view the pile of charred bone, ash, and seared body parts. Thalweg poked it with his sword. What had been one of the demon's rear legs fell over, releasing a cloud of grey ash. A figure pushed its way up through the remains of the nightshade.
Delicately picking its way through the demon's mostly incinerated remains, the cloaked, man-sized figure stepped away from the corpse. Tossing his ruined cloak away, Torlin swore, kicked some bones aside, and made his way over to Dorcen who, though unconscious, still clutched the small chest.
Puzzled, Soranyll asked the obvious question. "Um, where did you come from?"
Torlin grinned. "When the ceiling fell in, I dove for cover under our late fiend. The floor of the cavern is pitted with potholes and ruts. Slid into one of those just before the Reaver was flattened. Thought I was going to suffocate. Then things got hot, and then it got quiet. Came out for a peek."
Something in the air above them caught 'Trissa's eye. Looking up she saw an object floating down from the sky into the cavern. It landed beside Leanorall. It was a large feather. Leanorall stooped and picked it up.
"Owl feather", she asserted.
"I think we have a druid to thank", said Thalweg.
'Trissa made her rounds, offering minor healing to any who needed it. While speaking with Leanorall she took off her cloak and offered it to the now naked elf ranger.
"Although I have borrowed this cloak, I am sure its owner, the Marshall Tor, would not mind my loaning it to you, Lady Elf", explained the Paladin.
"Thank you, fair Paladin", responded the ranger, formally. "How does it stay so clean and white?"
"It does have some interesting properties." 'Trissa's explanation of the minor wonders of Resplendent Tor's sleeved cloak was interrupted by the approach of Soranyll.
The two elves looked at one another for a moment, tears in both their eyes. As they embraced, 'Trissa, feeling out of place during their reunion, stepped aside and walked over to Torlin and Dorcen.
"I can only offer a small Calming spell. Most of my prayers today were for strength to smite the demon." She laid her hands on the trembling mercenary.
"Any bit of healing or comfort will help him", said Torlin.
'Trissa nodded towards the two elves. "You could have told me of Soranyll's plans, you know."
"I would have, 'Trissa", explained the thief. "Except I only learned of them mere minutes before we entered the cave.:
"Hmmm… She's pretty."
"That was fifteen years ago", countered Torlin.
"Not for her."
Thalweg limped over and addressed the Paladin and thief.
"Well, that went better than I expected."
Two unsmiling faces regarded him.
"Just a little levity… you know, lighten the mood? Never mind. It was in poor taste. Paladin? You may want to inspect your shield."
'Trissa turned her shield over. It was now complete. The faint image that had been present at the start of day was now clearly defined. Beautifully worked in polished steel with a silver inlay was the horsehead symbol, the equine chessboard piece, of the Red Knight.
"Congratulations, Paladin." Thalweg smiled at 'Trissa. Looking around him, the Baron shook his head. "Torlin, see to the crown. I leave it in your care. Don't lose it, hmm? And as you two seem to be the least uninjured, help out Dorcen."
Soranyll was trying to console his niece. "It must have been terrible, my dear."
"You have no idea, Uncle. It was inside me, inside my head, entwined around my... soul. It was hideous!" Leanorall fought down the rising hysteria. "Thank you for coming to get me."
The mage smiled. "Come. Help me find my weapons, then we can get out of here. You are free. It is over!"
Soranyll set off back to the rock pile from which he had fallen. 'Trissa was assisting Torlin with supporting Dorcen, who was still fearful and reluctant to move. Thalweg was already several paces ahead of them, leading the way through the jagged remains of the fallen ceiling towards the cave entrance.
Last to leave the scene of battle, Leanorall looked back at what remained of the demon, her deep green eyes turning a solid, oily black.
"I am free. But it is not over!" She whispered fiercely in demon speech.
Shaking her head, then shivering, the elf ranger, her eyes now returned to their normal deep green, quickly ran after her companions, eager to be outside and away from her purgatory.
END CHAPTER