"She's not gonna make it," the gladiator said, flying not far from me.
Just a little bit more, dammit! It's so close. The aetheric shield of the Primum Landing shimmered in the darkness before us.
"Then fucking help me, Taranis!" I snapped. The aetheric winds brushed against the broken body in my arms. I would not allow them to claim her. Not yet. "There is a chance! If she dies close enough…"
"You'll not gonna make it," continued Taranis. "She's an Archon. She'll understand."
I shot him an angry look, then fixed my eyes upon my destination. With a snarl, I lunged forth as if his words just spurred me. They did.
I smashed upon the landing platform of the Primum Landing, still clutching a bloodstained remains of a leather cuirass. The surviving rest of my company landed a few moments later. In silence. Mostly injured. The rest – gone. Disintegrated. Just like her. Another failure onto the today's pile.
The healers rushed to us and started with dressing the wounds. A cleric girl came to me, her palm glowing with aether.
"I'm unharmed," I waved her off. Not angrily. Just wearily. She looked at my blood-soaked sleeve with a doubt.
"'Tis not mine," I released my grip, letting the bloodstained armourpiece fall to the floor. Needless effort.
The hall was drowned in shadows. Empty but for us and the two officers.
"Do you have any explanation?" growled Hisui, general of Red Hasia legion.
My general. I corrected myself. At least until I finish my periodic Abyss rotation.
So what should I say? I pondered. That we went for a recon mission but they did not? Those light-blighted Elyos came out of the core and took us by surprise while we were busy. Just because our cleric wanted some research samples from those filthykalgolems.
The general gave us a stern look. "We're supposed to be the eyes and ears of Asmodae in this desolate place."
It wasn't the defeat nor the failure that gnawed at my mind – it was rather manner of it.
"You've lost men just because you were careless and allowed yourself to get distracted!" she thundered.
I should have felt angry. Curiously, there was only bitterness. And with that, I stepped forth and looked her in the eye. "I take all the damned responsibility ma'am. Let me go back and take care of them."
"Do you think our casualties were too low?" she raised an eyebrow. "You expect them to be as dim-witted as you?" But then she exchanged a look with Jebal, the general of the Thunder Shout legion and uttered: „Well, the truth is, we have a flock of doves at our doorstep. When the core activity drops, you return there and show them what does the phrase 'Blood for blood' mean. Do I make myself clear? Thunder Shout goes with you. In case you'd screw up… now get out."
I believed it might work. We may be Asmodae's eyes and ears but Thunder Shout is its iron fist. As I was heading through the main hall towards the exit, I noticed a familiar face on the gallery.
She's alive! It wasn't all for nothing after all!
The girl was dressed in one of those plain gowns that were prepared for the resurrected at the obelisk. She noticed my look and smiled mysteriously. A gesture to follow her as she turned around and walked away. I ran up the stairs and took after her as she headed towards the living block. The girl stopped before one of the rooms, glanced back and making sure I was still after her, she quietly slipped inside.
Well, I thought as I set towards the room.
I stopped on her doorstep with a question in my eyes.
"You're not going in?" She cocked her head to one side, toying with the shoulder strap of her dress.
I swallowed.
„Just close the damned door behind you," she ordered with a laugh.
I did as she said. The question in my eyes had not disappeared.
"Thanks for saving my life," she said softly, letting her gown fall to the ground.
"Oh this…" I bit my lip, trying to conceal a smile.
She rose to her tiptoes, kissed me and pushed onto the bed. She got after me and began slowly unbuttoning my reinforced leather jerkin. I did not resist. When she was finished, I pulled her closer and began eagerly running my hands over her body. I wasn't lone wolf for that moment for only Aion knows how many lives do we have before we join the flowing aether. It could've been tonight or a hundreds years.
Immortal and yet so fragile… so vulnerable…
Dusk had fallen upon the Abyss, and the dimmed rays of nearby core bathed the armors of my companions blood red, as if they foretold the upcoming bloodbath.
She didn't go with us, which I thought sensible, rather than risking her life in some spare gear that didn't fit her perfectly. Hisui did not insist on her presence otherwise. This was no revenge, no restoration of lost honor, and she would have her chance to prove her usefulness many more times in the future.
Last equipment check, nothing should have been dangling. A pouch with odella and bandages, both in a leather case affixed to the belt, potions tucked, a quiver with arrows buckled close to my body, I left nothing to chance, because there would be no time on the way. Satisfied, I nodded to myself.
"Are you afraid to die or so?" asked one of the templars, watching my pre-flight check with an open curiosity.
"Don't know," I shrugged. "I just do what I am best at, as instinct and experience tells me, and so far it does."
An order to take off. A squad of warriors from the Thunder Shout Legion formed the bulk of our strike force and their commander lead the attack. Leaving the orangish glow of the aether field, we entered the vast space of the Abyss. My mind was sharp and clear, there was a pungent smell of the raw aether flowing all around us and the beats of the mighty wings of our strike force. I love moments like these. Make me feel alive. Invigorated.
We passed a stone tower on the Eastern Shard of Latesran, shattered by the Cataclysm and weathered by time, and headed on towards the Wings of Siel Archipelago. I caught up with our commander and tapped on his shoulder. "Sir, if you please, I'd like to scout the area so that we know how's the enemy doing."
"Do as you please," commander replied casually, and gave an order to move just below the edge of the island so that they wouldn't reveal themselves.
Our five-member scout team on the other hand, swung over the edge at wide intervals and glided on a low altitude to find the enemy. Elyos could've been much better warriors if they weren't so overconfident and didn't underestimate us all the time. So they were probably not expecting us so soon after they wiped out our squad. But I had to be sure. We won't make the same mistake.
I ascended to get a better view, covered by a gigantic crystal, and headed towards its top. But only a fool would watch things from there and make a silhouette for the enemy. I landed just a bit under its summit and looked from its jagged side upon the gray plain below me. The rest of the scouts lied scattered in the same line with me, hidden between stones and rubble. Siel's Eastern Fortress was still in the hands of the Balaur. Just like it was during that fateful reconnaissance mission. However, the Elyos had not disappointed me. They remained and even successfully occupied the forward line of the fortress. That was good. No reinforcements for them, then. I even wanted to whistle as I saw their arrogance. In such a deadly place, they were keeping just a negligible guard. From my position, I gave my companions a signal to fall back. I let go of my grip, turned around mid-air and dived from the crystal in a wide arc so that the wings would not rustle.
We met with the rest of the assault force and outlined the situation. We'll capture what we can, kill the rest, then fall back. There were not enough of us to conquer, let alone hold the fortress and it is was not our priority either. We will strike like the shadows with a moment of surprise, for this is exactly how Daeva fights when his permanent death hangs above his head. Rushing through the darkness like a northwind, driven by fury, and as a storm we will descend unto unsuspecting foes.
An Elyos archer floated peacefully above the wall. I nocked an arrow to the bowstring. Elyos fell breathlessly to the ground. The attack had begun. Chaos broke out among the Elyos. They hastily started to grab their weapons and scrambled for cover. Some were trying to form a battle line. It was too late. We were already upon them and the real slaughter had begun. I was choosing mainly their battle support.
We were cutting them down one by one, without mercy. I saw some of them writhing in agony with missing body parts. I didn't care. A gladiator turned around in confusion. I carefully took my aim between his helmet and cuirass, and released the bowstring. He clutched his throat, blood gushing around the arrow-shaft, and after a moment, the quiet gurgle from under his helmet ceased.
Our Templar commander knocked the Elyos one to the ground with a wild roar and grabbed his enemy by the hair and severed his head in a single swipe to the sound of cheering Asmodians. It was done. Just as I had predicted. My companions roamed among the chopped up bodies, scavenging valuables and mercy-killing groaning Elyos, for even the best cleric could not save most of them. It was a clean work. Cleaner than letting them die in a slow agony. We have been overwhelmed by bloodthirst, which was unfortunate, as there will be no captives for exchange. Then I noticed something was moving at the base of the wall. I moved closer, with a sword in my hand.
An Elyos sorceress! Fear was written all over her face. Excellent! So there will be some captives after all. She was still in a need of a treatment, but it was the only preserved body among the mincemeat. I stopped by her side, quickly stepped on her forearm and pulled her bracelet with the magical crystal off her hand. I opened my cube and dropped it inside. Better safe then sorry. Although she had not seemed to be able to do so, I still had no desire to be fried by some panicking wench during her treatment.
I took a closer look at her condition. An arrow between ribs. I dropped to my knees beside her and drew my dagger out. She shrunk with a flinch. I showed her an open palm as a sign of peace. Still didn't seem to trust me. Not my problem. I slowly cut the top of her dress to get to the wound better, then I put the odella powder and a bandage on my knees. I grabbed the arrow shaft and pulled it out with a cruel smile. The girl hissed in pain. The arrow was mine, judging by the feathers. Irritating, when I shoot with the intent to kill. Blood immediately gushed out of her wound but I had to be sure that none of the fabric remained in her body. It seemed clean so I poured a little of odella powder on the bandage, pressed it against the wound and wrapped the rest around her chest. I pulled out a vial of healing potion, uncorked it, and tilted her head so that it couldn't spill out. When I was finished, I put all things back to their place, then got up and finally took a satisfactory look at my work.
"We're leaving!" Shouted the commander who was obviously watching me all along.
"Let's go," I nodded and took the Elyos girl in my arms.
We will not make the same mistake as them. One day we will be squirming on the ground with our entrails spilled, but today is not the day.
As we left the island of Siel's Wings behind, the commander looked over his shoulder and then grunted: "We're all and everyone got some spoils. Right, Wolf?"
"This is Asmodae spoils, sir," I replied, maybe a bit offended.
"I know," he waved apologetically. "If you take your duty so seriously, I will make sure the general gives you the task of taking care of the prisoner after we land," he grinned knowingly. The Elyos girl fortunately didn't understand a word from our conversation.
"Acknowledged, sir," I nodded.
The commander laughed heartily.
"Hey, Loner," Taranis prodded me as he caught up, "You bring a girl out of every sortie, don't you? Hehe."
After our return to Primum, we walked with our captives straight into the governor's throne hall, where both generals were eagerly awaiting our return. I pushed the Elyos girl to the fore and pressed her to the floor. She didn't put up much resistance.
"Let's see!" General Jebal measured her with a narrowed eyes. "Maybe you're not completely hopeless."
Governor Votan was a man of few words, usually observing what was happening around him, appearing almost unconcerned, only occasionally making a brief remark, mostly to one of his direct subordinates. Now the general turned to him to ask if they should give the Elyos a signal of a prisoner exchange. The governor just nodded slightly in agreement.
"Then take the prisoner to the cell!" The general ordered.
"Sir, with your permission," our commander interjected, "I would suggest that Lonewolf, to whom we owe this prisoner, takes care of this matter."
"So be it!" decided general after a moment's thought.
That was the end of our audience. Hisui of the Red Hasia had us dismissed and then approached me with a nod. "By the way… good job… Wolf."
"Thanks ma'am."
"Let's go," I grabbed Elyos girl's arm and lifted her to the feet.
The commander stopped me with a hand on my shoulder. "Don't damage the goods, okay?"
"Trust me, sir," I replied, pushing the girl onward.
Maybe she started to see what was going on because she was shivering and gave me timid looks every once in a while.
I led her to my room, shoved her onto the bed, and turned the key in the lock. Then I stopped in the middle of the room and regarded her with narrowed eyes.
"Is there anything you need?" I gave her a cold smile. "Or do you have any complaints about the treatment?"
I was always curious what those Elyos girls actually looked like. I have never been given an opportunity to investigate in more detail and I never felt twisted enough to undress the dead ones.
"Nothing? Glad to hear that," I nodded, satisfied. With that, I walked over to her and began to undress her. She froze with fear. First the torn dress went to the floor and then the rest until she was completely naked in front of me. Although she covered her breasts with her hands and tried to curl up in a ball, a bit of force was enough to let go again.
"Soo," I bit my lip with an ominous smile. She hid her face in her hands and sobbed.
"Oh. What is it, then?" I said with a played care. "You don't like something? All you have to do is to ask," I chuckled.
I put my palm against her chest and felt that her body tensed again with a hint of defiance but then she yielded again and let herself to be put on the back. I got up, unbuttoned my jerkin and belt, and threw them on the table. The girl shuddered and sobbed even harder, otherwise nothing. I had felt my anger rising. I approached her and tentatively straightened her up and then turned her around onto her front., this time without resistance.
"By the Five!" I roared, my eyes flashing red. Feels the same as killing unarmed!
"Who do they send here?" I shouted, raising my hand to slap her. She instinctively shrunk so I changed my mind and the flame in my eyes slowly faded.
"You're damn lucky to be alive! You don't even know what death means, let alone be prepared for it!" I grabbed her again and sat her upright. She dropped her hands from her face and sniveled. Then she calmed down a little but I on the other side paced the room in agitation, while the corners of my mouth twitched.
"You know up there in Asmodae, everything is trying to kill you. Tear you apart. And gulp down your warm blood just to survive. We do the same."
She kept watching me with fear and sometimes sniveled. I walked over to the cupboard, fumbled in the drawer and tossed her a clean handkerchief. Then added to myself: "We're done here. I hope the little angels arrive soon. It's so absurd."
"Such a soft vermin!" I shook my head. "And yet you think that Aion has chosen you as rulers over that, what is left of this world. Maybe we're really just cursed creatures as you claim us to be. Even if, so be it! I'm pretty sure you wouldn't survive a single night in Asmodae. You know what? We'll trade it. In a few hundred years you will be quite the same. Then maybe you'll get what I'm talking about… but you won't anyway, because you don't understand a shit," I sighed and sat beside her on the bed.
"And one couldn't be even surprised by it when you take parade armors into battle," I chuckled.
The knock on the door broke the train of my thoughts. "They're here! Get dressed!" And I threw her underwear at her. She understood.
When I unlocked, my fellow gladiator Taranis stood in the doorway, a folded dress in his hands.
"And since when you've became the delivery boy?" I greeted him mockingly as he peaked over my shoulder.
"You have to prepare her for the exchange," he said, ignoring my question and shoving the dress into my hands.
"Whatever," I threw up my hands in resignation and stepped aside. "You can take a proper look at what they're sending us here."
"Well," Taranis measured her with a judging look. "Not that bad," he finally said with a smirk.
"Yeah. But otherwise nothing more. And now get out!" I chuckled.
The Elyos girl put on the dress and hesitated for a moment as she was about to walk past me. Our eyes met for a moment. Then she turned to me, kissed me on my cheek timidly and uttered in a bad Asmodian: "I th… thank… you."
"Gah, you're welcome," I replied, somehow gloomy. "Now go," I pushed her lightly towards the incoming guards who came here to escort her back. And so I was left alone in my room.
"Well, what a night!" I shook my head as an ironic smile crossed my lips.
I was standing on the Primum landing platform, waiting impatiently for the flight order. Last check of the equipment before we could take off… everything seemed well fixed and where it should have been. Finally the order came in. We exchanged smiles with the familiar Asmodian girl and set off. Another mission between Darkness and light. Until the death catches up with us.