Forgotten Realms:
Angels and Demons
Part LVIII
The coming morning brought an unease to the camp of soldiers. Throughout the night scouts had kept up their duties, with no sign of the demons' return showing. It had not gotten to the point where they questioned their leader's intelligence yet, but they were on edge. Like any being, the waiting for some big event seemed to be more torturous than the actual event. Still, to keep them focused, their leaders ran them through drills.
Raven found Kirann looking over the field where his guide had disappeared a decade ago. He looked sad, but also confident. Was he concerned that his guiding Angel would not survive, or those he brought to fight the demon army? Probably the latter, as even though they were powerful, these were demons that they were fighting. Beings of pure chaos and evil, they were deadly even to the most experience adventurer, despite any magical armor and weapons. She still would put all her money on him though.
She walked up behind him, putting a hand on the small of his back. She marveled the heat coming from his robes, still amazed after all these years, that his battle attire was basically cloth. She wore her armor, and felt strong in it. Next to hers though, his seemed so little protection for him. Yet, it looked like the armor of a powerful monk, and she knew his protection came from his abilities.
"Everything okay?" she asked gently.
He turned to her and smiled, "Yeah, it is about to begin. Many may fall here."
"While it may sound hollow, they are doing it to make the world better," Raven reminded him. "They also go into battle with knowing this, they are proud to fight beside you."
Kirann began to look sad, "I know. Things will change after this. No matter what, things change after this."
"For better or worse?" Raven looked for the answer in his eyes and found it.
He touched his head to hers, "Better, if I have any say about it."
They turned to face the field, and didn't have long to wait. The air shimmered, causing tiny particles of light to shift into reality. Wind picked up, sending the grass dancing about in a savage, energetic form. Thunderous like rumbles rolled across to wash over the waiting army, acting as a massive punch, knocking many down. Three more times did these rumbles hit, each time the lights growing more spectacular and the wind more ferocious. Coming from all this chaos were a multitude of forms materializing into reality with great violence. As if the world was fighting back, the demons faded I and out before reforming into Faerun.
Alexael screamed as he fell back, landing onto the ground hard. His armor was destroyed, once gleaming and full, now broken and dirty. His form emaciated, after expending so much of himself to hold the demon horde back. His wondrous spear, ripping demon ichor, clattered out of his hand. Angelic blood flowed from his many injuries and he felt his control of his form fading. Above him was a monstrous demon that looked like an ogre and a toad copulated, it was aiming a harpoon straight for his heart.
He hoped Kirann was far away, even as he knew the demons would be a hazard for the locals. If Kirann could muster the higher powers, then the gods of the realm might send more to aid the mortals. He could only count on the monk's abilities growing in the time he had given him, and using that to be ready. At least then the sacrifice he was making would be worthwhile. So as the demon set its harpoon to destroy him, he smiled.
Then a flash of pure sunlight and fire incinerated the demon. It screamed a hellish scream, one so loud that the other demons took notice. Ash hung in the air as Alexael weakly tried to turn his body. He heard the screams of warriors, but they didn't sound like celestial ones. Nor was the flying figure that whizzed by him on golden wings.
Somebody picked up Al, and he watched in horror as a holy paladin slammed into a demon, two handed great sword slicing through the brutish thing. Others were peppered with arrows, while another howled in pain as two blades cutting into its heels. The angel was drug by strong hands, then handed off to a priest, and that was when Al realized for sure, these were all mortals. They were all doomed!
With Alexael safely back at the line, Kirann called for everyone to fall back. As they did, the demons rushed forward. He and Lord Walton had counted on them doing just this. As they demons did, arches and wizards cast their arrows and spells. Demons jerked and fell as multiple arrows impacted their bodies, and the magical spells tore through them. More came to replace them, Malena opening a portal to bring more in.
The forces arrayed against the demons were using the pass leading to the field to their advantage. Impromptu wooden defenses funneled the smaller demons where the waiting army wanted them to. Two of the wizards and three sorcerers turned their attention from those, to the devil spawning the demons into the field. They unleashed lightning and fireballs, yet each time, the demons surrounded the devil and took the blasts.
That was about the time Malena sent to flying demons to harass the magic wielders. What the devil didn't see, were the Sun Soul monks backing up the arcane casters. One winged demon flew face first into a blast of sun energy. The other took a blast to its wing, and crashed behind the lines. The two monks were quickly on it, sending ki infused strikes to end it where it lay.
Malena scowled before sending a Hell Bolt at her attackers. This time, wizards, sorcerers and monks were thrown up into the air. She smiled as one didn't move, and the other three had to drag that figure off. Seeing the defenses, she thought it was time to call in the big guns. She called forth several, very large, and almost giant-sized demons. What she didn't expect was another to come strolling out, but he wasn't a demon or a giant-sized.
Tyrannus's voice boomed, "Malena, my dear. You continue bringing our forces to bear. I believe there is a monk I have business with."
"They will prove no match for us," Malena evilly grinned. "They have put a resistance, but it is as pitiful as they are."
"Do not underestimate the Aasimar, he is tricky," Tyrannus said. "His skin will decorate my wall, when this is all done."
"As long as I can have some of his bones," Malena seemed hungry for this request. "Corrupting the bones of an Aasimar will produce a powerful weapon."
Tyrannus nodded, "Agreed."
With the large demons lumbering forward, they crushed the wooden defenses that had been set up. However, that is how one of them fell. A cunning sorceress sent a lightning bolt straight to its throat, while a druid cast an entangling vine. As both hit, the large demon tripped and dropped the wooden stake defense. Falling forward, one of the wooden stakes pierced its neck, while the remainder of the defense snapped under the weight.
The other large demon chucked the defense it had picked up, right at the tightly packed line of defenders. Luckily an explosion of light and force destroyed the projectile, but did throw many to the ground stunned. Before the demons could take advantage, another sun bolt tore through the head of the large demon. It crashed to the ground with a resounding thud, and hit three other demons coming up behind it.
The lines quickly reformed, as replacements pulled the stunned soldiers to the back, and took their place. They didn't have long before more demons came at them, and the bodies of those before piled up. Wounded began to be sent to the rear of the line, where healers worked their magics. Losses were light for the first few hours, the demons were much higher. These though were expendable, with the stronger demons starting to make their way forward. Soon, they would face weary defenders, something the demons didn't have to worry about.
Just as the demons began to taunt the defenders, and thought their time to be easy, they were proven wrong. A wondrous melody, a song of harmony and quick strumming, poured into the air. The music carried a power all its own, reinvigorating those on the line and off. Weary soldiers felt their strength return, and their will soar. They taunted the demons back, feeling invincible. Caught off the guard, the stronger demons were surprised by the strength of the mortals' resistance. The addition of a monk with deadly hands, and a bard armed with a sword made it worse.
One of the demons saw its fellow fall, with a caved in skull. Another lost a hand, before being disemboweled by another slice. More demons came, and soon were stopped as a paladin and rogue came from the sides. Forcing them to fight on the flanks, they didn't see the Drow sorceress and Elf druid send out their spells. That didn't stop those spells from tearing the demons apart.
Behind the Challengers cheers erupted, but the day was not won yet. They had to find some way to stop the amount of demons pouring into the area. If they didn't close off the portal, the surrounding area would start to align with the Hells. This would make it easier to open portals to there, or even change the surrounding areas for the worse. The only problem was their outnumbered forces, being as there were far more demons still, even with their losses.
Al staggered to his feet, seeing his charge reintegrate in with the line. His companions joining up with him by the table where Lord Walton looked over the maps. Weakly the angel managed his way over, despite the protests of the priests and priestess around him. The druids looked on, not sure what to do with this Celestial.
"We had some try to hit that devil keeping the portal open," Lord Walton said. "However, that ended badly. One wizard is on death's door and the others are still out of the fight. The healers tell me they'll be ready in a few hours. In the meantime, we are holding the demons off."
"We've taken out their larger demons," Kirann said. "They have two devils now, one of them is Tyrannus."
"The one that attacked Altamar?!" Bruce Robertson asked. "It is a good thing we came, it would be nice to get a little payback for the damage he caused."
Kirann thought for a moment, "This may work for us. Bruce can you get open a portal to the devil?"
"You can't be serious!" Al called out, nearly falling over. "You're going to attack two devils head on?"
"He's right, my love," Raven agreed. "You're good, but two powerful devils against you is suicide."
"Not two, Just Tyrannus," he corrected. "Bruce, I would need you to help the others with the other devil."
"I can not agree to this," Lord Walton said. "You would be behind enemy lines, even if you are successful, you'd surely die."
Kirann placed his hand up, "We'll draw Tyrannus up here." He pointed to a point just beyond the lines. "The portal will before sending magic, not people. You'll have to close it quickly, Bruce."
"We'd need to keep the other devil's attention on us," the wizard said. "I do think we can do that."
"Send a few volunteers up to cast their most powerful spells," Lord Wallace thought it over. "Who knows we might get lucky and do some damage."
"Kid, you can't fight him alone, I'll go with you," Al said, even as he stumbled.
Raven corrected the angel, "He won't be. I took a vow, in sickness and in health, through all your trials, I would be by your side. A devil is small potatoes." She saw him about to argue when she put her hand up, "No, together we will fight. Not for glory, but because it is the right thing to do."
"I don't want to lose you," he said solemnly.
She kissed him on the lips gently, "Then destroy that devil."
Al tried to stop them, but fell forward. Kirann caught him, and the angel looked guiltily at his charge. However, Kirann gently laid him back down to rest. The angel saw his charge, as both the powerful warrior he was, and that young boy he had protected for years. Now he was a hero among men, and about to take on a devil. Pride filled the angel's heart, but also a grand sense of dread.
Preparations were made, and about an hour later, everything was in place. The line had lost more warriors, as more were injured. Some were very serious, with the healers unsure if they would survive. Still, the line held and was key for the plan to go ahead. If they had failed, then what came next would have ended even worse. That day, those who came to fight, showed what mortals were capable when fighting for what was right.
Kirann and the Challengers met one final time. They each had their assignments. He and Raven would take on Tyrannus. Lorinda and Leilani would aid the wizard, Bruce in attacking the second devil. Which left Val and Walton to aid those on the line. It was a heavy goodbye, because there was a finality to the whole thing.
Val held back tears, but they knew how she felt. Walton looked tired, more tired than he had been in a while. Lorinda looked angry, but she quickly embraced both Kirann and Raven, her tears falling to the ground below. Leilani called for any god who was listening, to watch over her friends.
Moments later Kirann stood in place and bellowed to the devils below, "Tyrannus, I am here! Do you fear me to hide behind these things?! I thought you were made of sterner stuff."
The devil's answer was to send several demons at Kirann, and was surprised when they all fell quickly. A huge explosion of light and sound obliterated the demons, and those that weren't immediately destroyed, were taken out by the line. More cheers roared from the line, causing great pain to the devils below.
"Fine, I'll destroy you myself!" Tyrannus leapt up and landed in front of the monk. "You embarrassed me before, but now I will stomp you out like the bug you are."
"We shall see," Shot the monk back as he leapt upon the devil.
Behind him Raven started to play, and she cast her spells, which slammed into Tyrannus. The devil was impressed, she had hidden herself from his sight. That was not an easy thing to do, but he figured the monk had meant the attention to be on him. No matter, the devil had grown in strength since their last battle. The Aasimar thought he was going to win, but no, Tyrannus knew that short of being a god, the man was going to die today.
While Kirann and Raven engaged with the devil, Tyrannus, others proceeded with the plan. Several wizards broke off from the defenders and hurled deadly accurate spells at Malena. As before demons swarmed around her and were blown apart. Flinging her hand, she sent more hellish spells back at her attackers. Most managed to get away, but some fell.
However, then others began hurling spells at her from another direction. She turned to face them, throwing up a shield as the last demon near her disintegrated. One massive fireball nearly took her down, she felt her shield start to buckle. She growled, knowing the hit would have hurt a lot, but wouldn't have killed her. If many of their wizards had that power though, then she would be in danger. She started to throw spells with abandon then, her main focus on destroying those damnable magic users.
She missed the shimmering portal open up behind her. Bruce studied the devil, Malena, and cast the strongest spells he could. Beside him Lorinda and Leilani sent their own through the portal. Then came the rested wizards, and those with the most powerful killing spells. Just as one expended their spells, another took their place. Many were sent back to the line, with what spells remained. For even if they were successful, the wizard, sorcerers, druids and other spell slingers would still be needed.
Kirann slammed his elbow into the devil's face, hearing a massive crunch. The demon howled, and then threw him. He landed softly, as Raven came up and sent one of her bard spells right into the devil's knee. Tyrannus swatted at her, only to be met with Kirann's sunbolt to his face. The attack burned, and nearly hit his eye. The devil sent out a spell, and it send the monk rolling as he tried to dodge. Then he slammed his own weapon where the Tiefling bard was, and she barely managed to get out of its way.
Behind Tyrannus, Malena screeched in pain. Spell after spell hit her, and due to the assault by from the lines, her shield had fell quickly. Arcane energies ripped at her body, pieces of her flesh began to fall to the ground. Though resistant to fire, she found herself being burned away by the fireballs being sent at her. Quick as a flash, she sent spells out, but only the third hit the defender's portal.
Bruce started to close the portal, hoping that they had disrupted the devil enough, when a small stout figure jumped through it. It was too late for him to stop the closure, and he watched helpless as the Dwarf leaped through the air, axe raised high. Those around him were just as shocked, not sure who had just committed suicide.
Tryannus paid no heed to the cries coming from Malena. His hated enemy lay before him, ready to be squashed. Next to him was the meddling Tiefling, who thought they both would be a challenge to him. In his peripheral, he saw a blazing being of light fly forward. Maybe the Aasimar's guardian had regained some strength, better for him to see his charge die horribly. He lifted his weapon and brought the mace down with a booming crash, that shook the ground all around the mountain.
The devil pulled up his weapon, ready to pick up the broken remains and taunt the Angel with it. Except there was nothing there. His shock lasted just a moment as Kirann flew up on golden wing. He unleashed sunburst after sunburst, followed by sunbolts. Tyrannus howled, and swatted at the flying monk.
As he did so, he jerked back his hand as holy energy burned it. Instead he swung his mace, to knock the monk back. Kirann landed on the mace, leapt off and proceeded to slam a ki infused fist into the devil's face. Tryannus rocked back, but jerked his head forward, sending Kirann rocketing to the ground.
Malena was not expecting a Dwarf to come flying at her. Thanks to all the damage she had sustained, she wasn't ready for any form of defense. All she could do was gasp as Boris, former Challenger, sunk his axe into her skull. She howled in pain as her head split open and she finally lost her concentration. The portal spewing demons closed, and she found it very hard to concentrate on reopening it.
Shaking her head, she instinctively grabbed her attacker. In her hands, she crushed the Dwarf, enjoying the sound of his bones snapping throughout his body. Then angry, she threw the now broken Dwarf back to the line. She wanted them to see what happened to those that were foolish enough to take her on. Still, she felt faint as ichor poured down her face. She needed to rest, the Dwarf had done more damage than she realized.
Kirann rolled with the impact, he still felt the wind be knocked from him, but he was up again. Raven was back up and she was casting more spells, her singing pushing away their exhaustion. She and the devil traded blows, just enough for Kirann to get back into the fight. He saw the golden figure, and knew it was time. He rushed forward as the shining figure flew towards him.
Tyrannus batted the bard away, turning just a moment to check on the monk. To his horror, he saw the golden figure of light and the monk meet. Then something he hadn't seen before made the devil pause. The surrounding area was bathed in the light of a second sun, causing damage to Tyrannus as well as the demons near the lines. Stunned momentarily, the devil is dumbfounded.
Kirann and the figure merge, and his voice took on a booming, echo to it, "It is time to end this!"
Rushing forward the monk shrunk Tyrannus down to the size of a man. Then hit him with a strength the monk should have been incapable of doing. Fear spread through the demon as a man hit him with the power beyond him. No mere mortal should have been able to harm him, a group of Angels should have had trouble. Yet this one monk was not pounding him into oblivion.
Raven looked on with wonder as Kirann exuded holy energy. She kept up her song, wanting to give him as much of an edge as she could. Light surrounded her and she felt energy return to her, and felt her injuries heal. Even her armor began to mend by itself. Despite the fact he didn't have this power, she knew it had come from Kirann.
Grabbing the devil by the throat, he turned to her, "I'll be back."
Before she could ask what he meant, the Aasimar monk flung himself into the sky on golden light wings of a dragon. Far into atmosphere she watched in as a sudden explosion obliterated the devil. Her elation turned sour as she didn't see any sign of Kirann. Then she heard the cheers coming from the line, turn deadly quiet.
Behind her, a portal opened and Lorinda came through. Raven looked up, not sure what had just happened. However, the druid's eyes told her what Lorinda believed. The druid drug her back through, and the portal closed. Behind the demons congregated on the area they had just left.
One good thing with for the defenders on the line, the attack stopped. The demons mulled about, but without Malena guiding them, they stopped. Whatever control she had on them, was keeping them at bay while she rested. That gave the defenders time to regroup, heal and rest their own. It also gave them the time to assess their losses.
A dozen had fallen so far, most succumbing to their wounds when Kirann had taken out Tyrannus. Another one was very personal to the Challengers, the dying, broken remains of Boris. He was clinging to life, and was brought to them. His breathing came in ragged gasps, but he still held his axe in his hand.
"Did I do good?" he asked in a raspy voice.
Lorinda smiled, sending some healing energy to ease his pain, "Aye, you did. You gave us a pause, and the portals are closed."
Boris smiled, "I'm…I'm sorry." He coughed up blood, and it pooled on the ground under him. "Win this…my family…in the town. I…" He started to drift off, "My axe, take it…my child..dear child. I…family…tell them…" With that he began hacking up his ruined lungs.
Raven, still coming to terms with everything, eased his pain, "The tale of Boris the Dwarf will end with his heroic stand against a devil, and saving the innocent."
He turned to her, and for the first time in forever, looked on with fondness at her true form, "Thank…thank you."
He held on for two more hours, before he succumbed to his injuries. The healers and Lord Wallace gave him the honors of a fallen hero. Those warriors not on the line came out to pay their respects. The Challengers, took their place at the lead. They took his body back to the town, where his family met them.
It was a painful experience. His wife broke down over his battered body, while the other townspeople took it to be prepared for burial. Val handed Boris' axe to his widow, telling her his last wish. That night, the funeral was held, and the town mourned. Those not of the town had to return to their encampment, but they could hear the chants for the fallen Dwarf.
Kirann was on a mountain. The same mountain from his visions. Full of green trees and snowy peaks. Below there is a lush forest with a river running through it. It was pristine, with the crisp mountain air filling his lungs. The cool air reinvigorated him, and he knew he had found the area he had been looking for, ever since seeing it long ago.
Behind him came an unfamiliar voice, "Welcome to the Heavens, Kirann Lichtus. We have much to discuss."
There behind him was another angel, one that looked familiar, but he knew that they had never met before. That was when the memories came flooding back. He closed his eyes, and let them come. After a few minutes, he knew that there was a lot to do, and not very much time.
He headed straight for the angel, "Let's get started then."
