Chapter 39: Stir the Pride
No matter where Ajani, the lion-headed and lionhearted member of the Gatewatch, traveled in the Multiverse, death seemed to follow. Whether it was his brother on his home plane of Alara, his dear friend on Theros, or the countless victims of despotic violence across the planes that he was too slow to save, Ajani constantly felt the shadow of death looming just overhead. He never knew if his own life was cursed from the start, if it was a result of the heroic, if foolhardy, friends he kept, or if it was simply the random fluctuations of the grand wheel of the worlds. No matter the reason, he had long accepted his fate, readily deciding that it was through saving those he could that he would achieve inner peace. So, though he never knew what shape the grim specter would take, he was ready to fight for those in need.
This time, at least, he had known exactly what was coming.
"Stay behind me!" Ajani roared as he swung his oversized axe, attempting to bring it down onto the head of an Eternalized minotaur. The Eternal, however, brought its two swords up in an X, catching Ajani's blade with a deafening clash of sparks. The leonine warrior bore his fangs at the unthinking enemy as he tried to overpower it. "We will not allow you to fall, do you understand?"
From behind him, Ajani's catlike ears could hear only the faintest muttering of understanding from the frightened Ravnican family. The mother and father held their two children tight, shrinking as tightly behind Ajani's massive frame as they could.
Sensing their positions, Ajani flexed his sizable muscles and redoubled his efforts to push through the Eternal's stance. He felt the Eternal buckle slightly at the sudden increase of force, but its considerable strength refused to fully yield to his. He briefly reconsidered pulling away and attempting a secondary strike. It posed a risk, should the Eternal suddenly drop its weapons and seize Ajani's spark faster than he could move, but he knew he could not stay locked in combat while these civilians were still in the presence of the Dreadhorde. Luckily, much as this minotaur stood among his undead brethren, Ajani did not come alone.
A streak of red light passed between Ajani and the Eternal. It would be barely visible to anyone with even two working eyes, but Ajani's one was enough to recognize the blurred afterimage of Samut's blades as she sliced through the Eternals' arms. The minotaur did not seem to notice her attack, even as its wrists began to slide from its forearms. The only flicker of realization came as Ajani pushed his axe head into the creature's skull, splitting it in two and readily draining the macabre puppetry from its eyes.
As the limp body clattered to the ground, Ajani heard Samut's whisper as she darted away: "You are free, Anep."
Since they left Svogthos, Ajani had heard this mantra from his companion at seemingly every step. Whenever an Eternal fell, whether by her own hand or the hand of others, Samut repeated this same short prayer with the exact same unwavering tone. When it appeared once or twice from her lips, Ajani had been curious, but as they continued pressing forward through wave after wave of attacking Eternals, he felt he understood enough that he need not bother inquiring.
I know not of the death rituals of Amonkhet, but, he reasoned, I cannot fathom a culture with any ounce of benevolence that would want to see their dead propped up like tin soldiers for the twisted will of a self-proclaimed god. I am sure her ferocity in this fight is as much a product of her hatred of Bolas as her love of her people.
From the corner of his eye, Ajani followed Samut's hazy afterimage as she wound her blade around the neck of swooping Eternalized aven, splitting the lazotep just enough so a swift kick to the beak could pry its head from its body. Despite the brutal, remorseless display, he could still see Samut's lips mime the same phrase once more, with yet another name at its end.
No, not just her people, Ajani thought with a heavy internal sigh, her friends. Her beloved. Despite all that we have slain thus far, she has yet to forget a single name.
He could feel a familiar sympathy welling in his chest, but Ajani knew that now was no time to dwell on such feelings. With a single flex of his arm, he reclaimed his axe from the slain Eternal and, taking a step forward, buried its blade deep in the temple of an Eternal that had decided to rush him with both spear and hand outstretched. Neither reached Ajani, however, and the zombie crumpled instantly.
Unfortunately, while Ajani's strength was more than enough to deal with any Eternal that stepped before him, the same could not be said for those behind. This was something that often needed to go overlooked, but as he heard the family at his back let out a collective scream of terror, Ajani's flank suddenly became his highest priority.
"Behind me!" he roared as he turned his head, straining his one eye to see what had caused the outburst. His peripheries immediately keyed onto the source of the family's fear, as an Eternalized cat had slunk its way through the throng and appeared at their feet. The parents pulled their children away, burying them as tight against Ajani's back as they could, while they kicked helplessly to keep the creature at bay. The cat seemed unperturbed, bent low into a hunting posture as it readied to lash out and strike.
"Stay back, foul beast! This will not be your prey today!"
Ajani reached a hefty paw behind him, attempting to swap the family's position with his own so he could put himself in the cat's path. Before he acted, however, a voice to his right entreated otherwise.
"Don't worry, Ajani, we're keeping your back clear." Despite the speaker being obscured from his view, Ajani instantly recognized his ally Jiang Yanggu. "The smaller ones are always tough to keep from slipping past, but Mowu and I can deal with it. You keep your attention at pushing ahead!"
Though he was reticent to leave the family unshielded against the poised creature, Ajani put his trust in his young ally. He removed his guarding paw from them, resetting his dual grip just in time to swing his axe into a charging crocodilian Eternal, though he kept a fraction of focus behind him, monitoring the family's safety.
The catlike Eternal pounced, claws prepared to sink into their unguarded flesh on its way to the true feast of Ajani's succulent spark. Before it could reach them, however, it was swatted out of midair by the massive, muscular paw of Mowu, Jiang's loyal hound. The dog continued to cast a long shadow over the horde as it patrolled Ajani's flank, trampling over any Eternal that dared approach with a fierce vigilance. While Mowu stomped over the zombies that now appeared to the dog no bigger than mere rodents, Jiang stayed out of sight beneath Mowu, empowering him with his growth magics and keeping his vulnerable stomach safe.
The feline Eternal stood no chance against the full might of Jiang's gigantification magic, and it flew out of sight with a horrific shriek before crashing into a nearby building. Once this immediate threat was dispatched, Jiang bade Mowu to turn back around. His companion complied, swinging around just in time for his three tails to successively batter a divebombing Eternal out of the air.
As Ajani felt the four pairs of hands clutching against his armor, he let out a brief sigh of relief. It was not borne from lack of trust in Jiang and Mowu, but from how large a mental burden he knew the young planeswalker carried. They had only met earlier today, but it was enough for Ajani to know how difficult it must be for Jiang to continue fighting with such precision.
To be so young and to see one of your dearest friends torn away from you before your very eyes. I wish that I could have saved Miss Yangling, that any of us could have gotten her out of harm's way before that damned Elderspell activated. If we'd known, if we'd been careful, she might still be with us. Though he will not say it, I know Jiang feels the same. That he can keep up such appearances in the face of both us and the Dreadhorde is truly a testament to his strength of mind.
Were the circumstances less dire, Ajani would have gladly dwelt on the tragic state of his newfound friend. When this was over, he hoped that he could offer whatever condolences and consolations Jiang would accept. War, however, left little time for such granted pleasantries as concern for your fellow warriors. They had a mission to accomplish, and Ajani could do nothing more helpful to all in his care than to push forward and cut down any enemies in his path.
It took several strikes before the lazotep-coated crocodile finally relented, its rotted organs spilling into the gutters while the necromantic light spilled from its sockets. Though the pair of children were still too frightened to say anything, Ajani could hear them gag at the horrible smell, their tears now a mixture of fear and nausea.
"Hold your noses, but keep your eyes open," Ajani advised, trying to soften his growl as much as he could, given the situation. "Do your best to step only on the clean cobbles. Stick close to me and follow your parents' instructions, and I assure you that you will all be safe."
Out of his periphery, Ajani saw two small heads nod with frightened speed. Such a display would ordinarily bring a smile to Ajani's muzzle, but now it simply deepened the creases of conviction around his dead-set features.
"Their ranks seem to be thinning," he called out to his allies. "Do not relent in your attacks. Until we can get these people to safety, our mission to the Gruul encampment will not proceed!"
From over his blind shoulder, a confirmatory voice called out between the intermittent clashing of steel and bone.
"Understood," said Tolsimir Wolfblood, his voice ringing in a clear clarion above the battlefield from his vantage atop his lupine partner Voja. While the elven envoy brought low the Eternals with his blessed blade, his white wolf tore through them with both surprising ferocity for the peaceful Selesnya and effectiveness against the Dreadhorde's defenses. "Though I am loathe to hurry towards the stomping grounds of those degenerate Gruul, I made no plans on relenting against the forces that have sown so much destruction against my guild. By the will of Mat'Selesnya, we will not yield!"
As if to punctuate his point, Tolsimir, in a single fluid motion, sheathed his sword, pulled out his yew-hewn longbow, nocked a pair of arrows, and succinctly buried them in the skull of an Eternal who had just turned to try their luck against Ajani. The wrought tips popped through the zombie's sockets, and it fell to the ground before it could take another step.
As Tolsimir moved to redraw his blade, a confirmatory whoop sounded from just behind him. "Now that's a sentiment I can get behind!" Standing on the back edge of Voja's immaculate saddle, the woman who had introduced herself to Ajani as Arlinn Kord flung her arms wide in feral revelry. Though her appearance remained human, wisps of sage-tinted magic billowing from her fingertips made them look like a set of fearsome claws. This was not merely for show, as her spell wove its way into the crowd, finding the twelvefold pack of wolves she had summoned and bolstering their abilities to combat the Eternals. "C'mon, Tolsy, let's show these fuckers what apex predators look like!"
Arlinn threw her head to the sunless sky and let out an immense howl, as if completely oblivious to the danger that surrounded her. Her solitary call soon filled the streets as it was picked up by her pack. Even Voja, normally stoic in her sacred duties, joined in the chorus, feeding off Arlinn's primordial magics before shredding the Eternals that continued to swarm them. Tolsimir let out a harmonious battle cry, adding his own natural concordance to the mix. Together, the pair's synchronicity seemed to infect the scattered wolves, and soon standing Eternals seemed to disappear from their ranks, beset by superior coordination and torn apart by enhanced rabidity.
The show of animalistic force sent a brief shiver up Ajani's spine, filling him with an odd sense of reminiscence that he had not expected to feel. Though we had no beasts like these on Naya, the fundamental call to hunt is no different.
Before they had left Svogthos, Ajani had been hesitant about Arlinn's inclusion in their mission. Though she seemed a capable and fearsome warrior, she reported how far outmatched her wolves had been against the Eternals, and that was before they were bulwarked with the Elderspell. Gideon had been of the mind that her abilities would be best served with Aurelia, helping guide the zoetic troops of the Simic, Selesnya, and hopefully Gruul, and Ajani agreed. Arlinn, however, was not content to simply accept her wolves' defeat against the Eternals, and she adamantly challenged Ajani to let her join, despite the obvious dangers this mission posed to a planeswalker like herself who lacked in personal protections. Never one to crush a rallying spirit, Ajani acquiesced.
Even now, perhaps especially moreso now, Ajani doubted that Arlinn's insistence on joining their mission actually had anything to do with her desire to prove the might of her wolves and was not centrally focused on her desire to stay alongside Tolsimir and Voja. Her fascination with the massive white wolf seemed obliquely obvious from the outset, as was her odd, primal flirtations with the envoy. While Voja appeared to readily accept Arlinn's affection, Tolsimir remained stoic, neither rebuking nor encouraging her advances, choosing to focus all his attention on his dedicated mission as the group's guild liaison for their eventual meeting with the Gruul.
The entire situation had left Ajani in too awkward a position to intervene, and he had resolves to keep a steady eye on them. Luckily, thus far, the pair's natural abilities worked in perfect harmony, leaving Ajani with little reason to worry.
It may be an odd group under my banner, Ajani reflected, but they have shown me nothing but fierce resolve for our cause. A planeswalker's nature is naturally detached, but it is good to see so many willing to risk themselves to save so many others. They joined my pride and have given me all they can, and I will not hesitate to do the same.
Ajani swelled with crowning conviction as he listened to the tide of battle, sensing the combined, undaunting effort of Samut, Jiang, Mowu, Tolsimir, Voja, and Arlinn as they fought against Bolas' relentless dead to keep this family safe. He let out a bellowing roar, and his palms, still clenched tight around the handle of his axe, glowed with an intense whiteness.
In a flash, the light manifested before Ajani as a pair of leonin warriors, replicas of his pridemates from long ago. A faint halo of light surrounded them, outlining their golden manes and traditional Alaran garb. Then, as their feet solidified onto the ground, the two conjurations joined Ajani's war cry. It resounded across the causeway and towards the heavens, and as it passed over Ajani's allies, the glowing aura appeared over them all. Though they did not react in kind, their strength was now united behind their leader's unwavering conviction.
"As we fight as one, Bolas shall know our might! Push now, and stamp out these invaders!"
Immediately, the two leonin pounced, each grappling onto an Eternal that stood in Ajani's way. The stiff zombies fell to the wayside, unprepared for such a wild attack. The Eternals likely would have shaken the pridemates off eventually, were it not for the persistent threat of Arlinn's wolves hunting for easy prey. Their fate, however, did not bother Ajani much, as they had already served their function by providing an opening through which he could finally push.
Keeping his attention fully ahead, Ajani gestured with his tail to the family, who had taken a step away from him after his ferocious display.
"Keep close," he entreated. "Hold your children tight, grab onto my cloak if needed, and do not reach past my shadow. Do not worry, we will get you to safety. Of that, you have my word."
He heard no responses, but he felt several light tugs on the loose fabric that hung from his neck. The cloak was a remnant of a dear friend who had passed before Ajani's eyes, another who died despite everything he tried to do to keep her alive. He wore it as a reminder both of her life and of his promise to fight for those in need. As these helpless children anchored themselves to the last tangible memory of Elspeth Tirel, Ajani felt their trust in him bolster his own righteous power.
Pointing his axe straight in front of him, Ajani pressed forward to the rapidly closing gap in the enemies' ranks. He snarled as Eternals lunged from all sides, reaching out with hands that stank of eldritch magic. The leonin took little notice as his broad blade carved a wide swath before him, granting him passage over the broken bodies of these intended interlopers.
Some got closer than others, weaving around Ajani's limited attack range. A few even managing to set a palm upon his furred hide for long enough to send a shooting, otherworldly pain up Ajani's arm. It was unlike anything he had experienced, like a chill that threatened to draw every ounce of heat from his frame, right down to the spark at his center. Fortunately, none found purchase for more than a moment, as Ajani's allies rallied alongside his concerted push. Whether by Arlinn's wolves, Samut's blades, or Mowu's mighty paws, all who attempted to dampen Ajani's progress were quickly dispatched.
With a final push, accompanied by a fearsome growl, Ajani slashed cleanly through the last Eternal that stood between him and the empty street. As he stepped outside the perimeter of combat, he shifted his axe to one paw and used the other to reach behind to the family. Though fear had tickled at the base of his spine as he plunged through the treacherous barrier, Ajani was relieved to find that all four of the civilians were still safe and accounted for.
"Good," he sighed. Turning to address them, Ajani saw that, while the crop of Eternals had shrunk considerably from their initial encounter, he and his allies were still far outnumbered. Ajani's militaristic unease was only heightened when he looked slightly past the melee and saw, from out behind one of the many abandoned structures that lined their way, another detachment of Eternals was approaching, likely drawn by the sounds of battle.
Stepping forward, Ajani pushed the family behind him, further from the carnage. Cupping a hand around his muzzle, Ajani let out a commanding shout: "Everyone, we need to move forward! Reinforcements are coming from the rear. Quickly, we must push past before we are overwhelmed!"
"Speak for yourself!" Arlinn yelled back. "My pack and I finally got all warmed u- HEY!"
The wild woman's response was cut short as Voja, at Tolsimir's pragmatic behest, turned away from the thick of battle with breakneck speed. This nearly caused Arlinn to topple over from her precarious position atop the saddle, but Tolsimir readily intervened, catching and righting her before she fell to the Eternals.
Ajani's other allies offered no additional comments. In an instant, Samut wove her way through the crush of bodies and skidded to a stop at Ajani's side, accidentally digging up a twinned trail of cobblestones in her wake.
"Where shall we go now?" she rigidly asked, craning her neck to stare intently into Ajani's eye. She gestured with a curved blade to the family cowering behind his back. "If we are to keep them safe, we cannot continue to run aimlessly to the outskirts."
With their proximity, it would be impossible for Samut's haggardness to escape Ajani's notice. Though her speed had not slowed, her breaths were notably short. The electrical aura that surrounded her sparked with hapless guidance. Her face and limbs were covered in bleeding cuts, some even rimmed with the minute festering of Elderspell exposure. Still, despite the obvious signs, neither Samut's eyes nor posture dared betray any hint of exhaustion to her current leader. No matter what order Ajani gave, he knew that considering her condition would only be seen as an affront to her warrior sensibilities.
With a slight huff of acknowledgement, Ajani nodded. "You're right, we haven't time to continue without a plan. If those Eternals down the street are being drawn to our clamor, they may not be the only ones on their way. We must get them to safety as soon as possible."
"But where are they to go? I would neither call this area secured nor hospitable."
Ajani took a brief scan of their surroundings. Samut was correct, the district they had found themselves in was a far cry from those closer to the city's center. They had needed to move towards the outskirts, where the nomadic Gruul based their encampments. As such, Ajani had watched the visible decline of livable infrastructure. Where they stood now, the surrounding buildings showed their age with broken windows, creeping moss, slumping facades, and the ambient stillness that only comes from the most liminal spaces. Were it not for the Dreadhorde, Ajani might have found it a peaceful retreat from the urban bustle of Ravnica's inner sanctums. For the current situation, however, all he could see were shelters far too openly ramshackle for him to entrust the family's safety.
Ajani turned back to the expectant Samut. "Unfortunately, I agree with your assessment. We can't leave them up here. Even if the Eternals are not entering any buildings, even the slightest nudge might be enough to unseat them. Karn's bastion is on the opposite side of the outskirts as well."
"What about the other shelter they've set up?"
"I cannot see any entrances around here, but this is far from an advantageous position." Ajani looked past Samut and shouted: "Jiang?"
Currently extricating himself and Mowu from amidst the Eternal mob, Jiang responded promptly from his companion's haunches. "Yes, Ajani, what is it? Mowu and I are on our way out, if these darned Eternals would stop pricking at his paws! He'll certainly need a poultice after this if there's time."
"We shall see. For now, we need to find a shelter for these citizens. Can you see anything from where you are?"
"Hold on, I'll take a look!"
Ajani watched as Jiang emerged from under Mowu, batting the encircling Eternals back with his crooked staff. While the titanic hound continued to stomp and bite at the undead nuisances, Jiang leapt from the ground, grabbed a fistful of Mowu's fur, and clambered up the dog's flank with the grace and speed of a nacatl. He quickly reached Mowu's jangling collar, affixing his staff as an anchor. Olivine magic surrounded Jiang's eyes, projecting an oversized image of them over his face, and once he tipped his conical hat over his brow, he proceeded to survey the area.
While Jiang looked, Voja finally broke free from the crowd, delivering Tolsimir and Arlinn to Ajani's side. He was relieved to see that all three, while covered in tears and cuts, did not present themselves as any worse for wear.
Now that Voja had stopped her erratic escape movements, Arlinn stood up on the saddle, leaning a familiar hand on Tolsimir's shoulder as she looked to Ajani.
"Alright, big guy, I figure I can leave my wolves here to clean up this mess, or at least make it a bit harder for these assholes to follow us."
Ajani nodded. "A sound strategy. I shall send a few of my pridemates as well to buy us distance."
"Then we should proceed as swiftly as possible," said Tolsimir with his usual unflappability. "Which direction is it now?"
Luckily, before Ajani needed to explain the current predicament, Jiang's voice, booming with his magical enhancements, cut into their conversation. "Ajani, everyone, I see one! Three buildings down, just at the lip of the turn! Look!"
With the assistance of his powers, Jiang pointed a massive green finger far past the group. They all followed his line of sight, and though it took Ajani some maneuvering to overcome his lacking depth perception, he soon saw what Jiang had spotted. Stuck in the pavement sat a rusted manhole cover, the exact portal they required to get the family into the safe hands of the Golgari.
"Good work, Jiang," Ajani roared back, swinging his axe in a show of acceptance. "Come, we shall make for that portal at once!"
"I'll go ahead and scout the area," stated Samut, ensuring that Ajani knew this was not a request.
With little reason to defer, Ajani nodded. "We shall be behind you shortly. If there is any danger coming, run back to us so we may regroup."
Samut gave a curt nod, her braids barely moving from their position framing the sides of her face. Red lightning began to arc through the air around her, and with a burst of pressurized wind, she sped off down the road, leaving the others in her dust.
As the cloud of torn cobblestones settled to the ground, Ajani turned back to the family, where four sets of frightened, pleading eyes stared up at him. Setting aside his strong sympathies, Ajani gestured towards the path Samut had now carved.
"We will follow down there. Here, if we are to keep proper pace, you all should ride with Tolsimir and Voja. They will protect you with all the might of the Selesnya." Without looking to the family for a response, he called over to where the wolf and its rider were preparing to follow Samut's hasty retreat. "Arlinn!"
"What!?" she yelled back.
"You're running with us. Tolsimir will carry them."
Arlinn opened her mouth to protest, but she soon closed it when she recalled the hierarchy of their current group. With a curled lip, Arlinn dismounted from the saddle, though not before she gave Tolsimir's forearm a playful squeeze.
Once she was grounded, she gestured to the family to indicate her assistance in getting them seated. The family, however, looked at Ajani nervously.
The mother, meeting his eye, finally stammered out: "W-we appreciate the help, really we do, from all of you, but we are simply poor guildless. A noble Selesnyan warrior such as him would not help those like us. Please, won't you continue to keep us safe?"
Ajani knitted his brow, attempting to display the fierce sincerity he felt. "You needn't worry about Tolsimir. We are all working together to save this city. For today, there are no guilds or guildless, there are simply those in need and those who can help. Ride with him. Your safety is his top priority, as it is for us all. Now go, we mustn't dawdle."
With this final declaration, the family nodded at Ajani, though he did not get the impression that they truly believed in the equalization of war. Regardless, they quickly shuffled to Voja's side, and with Arlinn's reluctant assistant, situated themselves on the massive wolf's saddle.
As they secured themselves, Mowu and Jiang finally found their way out from the Eternals' midst, with the planeswalker now perched on the hound's back. Looking over his shoulder, Ajani saw that the Eternals, while somewhat distracted by the continued circulation of Arlinn's wolves, were slowly realizing that their prey had slipped from their grasps. The closer group began to turn towards them, while the approaching crop continued its steady shamble in their direction.
"We have not the time to lose," Ajani shouted over the din of shuffling feet. "Quickly, let us move to Samut!"
His allies nodded in agreement, and he, alongside the others, kicked off the ground and started in a dead sprint following Samut's trail. The tromp of paws on pavement filled the air as Mowu's enormous frame cratered the concourse, while Voja's graceful movements seemed to offer the children great exhilaration at the cost of their parents' belief in their security. Despite the steeds' obvious power, Ajani led the pack, running with arms and jaw wide open, prepared in case any counterattack was needed. Arlinn stuck close to his side, running with head bent low and hands nearly meeting the street in a near-quadrupedal display.
Though his eye rebounded across the district, searching for any signs of incoming attackers, Ajani kept his focus on Samut's afterimage as it sped further away. She had just turned the bend towards the manhole cover when, apropos to nothing, she stopped dead in her tracks. Ajani squinted, trying his best to make out what was happening, just in time to see Samut unsheathe her khopeshes and adopt a face of righteous anger.
Perplexed, Ajani turned to Arlinn. "Samut has stopped. Can you see why?"
"You got it." Arlinn lifted her head from the street and narrowed her eyes, which now glinted with a summoned burst of lupine magic. She turned intently to follow Samut's trail, occasionally sniffing the air to confirm what she saw. "Well shit. Looks like another pack of Eternals is converging on that spot, and it doesn't look like Samut's gonna wait for backup."
As Arlinn said this, Ajani saw Samut bolt from her position, mouth open and blades poised in what could only be interpreted as an Amonkhetian battle display. Following her trajectory, Ajani confirmed for himself what Arlinn had said. From behind the rundown buildings, and a thick cloud of black smoke, marched a towering minotaur Eternal. Fire billowed from every conceivable crack in its lazotep shell, sheathing its eyes, shoulders, and even its chest cavity with roiling flames. Its spear, whose point mimicked the twin horns of its draconic god, was likewise engulfed in fire.
It did not pause as Samut's charge drew its notice. The minotaur simply leveled its spear at her, as if wordlessly stating a challenge against the planeswalker, while it continued to advance. It soon became clear, however, that its gesture was not a challenge, but a command, as another full crop of Eternals emerged from the smog behind it, weapons drawn and feet falling in perfect lockstep with the minotaur at their head.
It took only a moment of observation for Ajani to notice two things that filled him with dread. The first was that this detachment, following the flaming Eternal's lead, moved and acted with more rhythm, more coordination and precision, than any other Eternals he had seen thus far. The second was that, at the speed of both Samut and the Eternals, their inevitable collision would put them directly on top of the sewer portal.
"Holy shit," Arlinn whistled low, "haven't seen an Eternal like that yet."
"Neither have I." Ajani kept his eyes on Samut, watching with staunched breath as she charged headlong at the incoming crop, seemingly oblivious to whatever danger a singular assault carried. "She cannot handle such a fight alone. We must hurry to assist." He rose his voice to the others. "Everyone, Eternals are approaching our destination. Samut has moved to intercept, but we must act quickly if we are to push them back."
Peering over his shoulders, Ajani saw Jiang give a vigorous affirmative nod, while Tolsimir, though still accepting of the order, did so without nearly as much enthusiasm. As his gaze turned back to Arlinn, however, he saw a hint of doubt past the primordial magics that swirled in her vision.
"You sure about that plan?" she inquired, loud enough for all to hear. "I know you're acting alpha on this operation, but I don't know if even all of us can handle that many. You want to get that family safe, but we need to get at least one of us to the Gruul alive. Samut's taking an unnecessary risk, one that I heard you specifically order against. Now, it's not that I don't have any sympathy for the cause, but it might make more sense to cut our losses and find another way around."
Ajani peered out of his periphery, watching Arlinn intently. Her eyes were sharp, and he could discern no ill will acting behind them. Though what she said was cruel, Ajani knew it was steeped in truth. Still, he knew what his response would be long before he analyzed her words.
"I understand your point, Arlinn. It may be callous, but that does not mean it is incorrect. However, I refuse to leave an ally behind." He raised his voice another octave, making sure Jiang and Tolsimir could hear. "Not you, not any of you, and not Samut. We will go and help her."
Arlinn's lip curled, revealing a few swordlike fangs. "I wouldn't do the same for you."
"I am aware. Call me a fool if you must, but I will not hesitate to put down my life for those in need. If any of you wish to continue for the Gruul camp without Samut or I, go on. But I will not leave someone behind without doing everything I can to save them."
Without waiting for a response, Ajani bared his teeth at Arlinn, dug in his claws, and pushed past his allies. Now fully in front, he shifted into a headlong charge for Samut, who was only a few feet away from the domineering minotaur. While he intently scoped the situation, his mind bounced alternatingly between battle stratagems and concern over his decision. As such, it took him several moments to recognize the sounds of rhythmic pawprints rushing to match his stride.
Looking over his shoulder, he saw Jiang and Mowu approach from one side, both their faces still as fiercely determined as before. Ajani nodded to Jiang in appreciation, and he responded by using his staff to give a quick tip of his hat. On his other side, Voja raced forward, with Tolsimir brandishing his sword towards their destination in a show of dogmatic strength. The family squeezed tightly around his back, and as their eyes met Ajani's for a moment, he could see their faith in his decision reflected in the murky surface.
Then, Ajani felt a rush of air push at his back, which his feline senses found instantly familiar. Without a word, Arlinn rejoined their pack and took up her previous position.
With all his allies gathered, Ajani let out a bold decree. "As I said, this decision was mine alone to make. The cause of stopping Bolas is larger than our lives, and you all needn't risk yours this way if you do not wish, and certainly not for my benefit."
"We fight as one, we die as one," Tolsimir shouted back. "The Selesnya Conclave work as a single entity, from the smallest saproling to the largest greatwurm. A victory that we do not strive for everyone to see is no victory!"
"I'm not about to let somebody else die that I could have helped," Jiang somberly stated, followed by an echoing howl of solidarity from Mowu.
Arlinn simply shrugged. "Pack's gotta stick up for each other, 'specially if another pack's trying to muscle in on their turf."
Hearing these declarations of unity, Ajani's chest swelled with virtuous warmth. Unable and unwilling to contain it, he let out a huge roar, loud enough to shake the dust from the decrepit buildings. It likely announced their presence to the upcoming Eternals, but he no longer cared. The Dreadhorde would know they were arriving soon enough anyway.
"Then let us make sure Bolas and his army know that we will not fall against him! Not today, not ever!"
Ajani raised his axe over his head with a resounding flourish, his fist bursting with brilliant energy. Tolsimir did the same with his sword, as did Jiang with his staff and Arlinn with her faux claw. As the group reached the intended street, all four weapons of the planeswalkers began to glow with pale light, sending a surge of power into them all. By the time they rounded the corner and prepared to meet Samut, they were ready to fight.
As they finally came within range of the Eternals, it was clear to Ajani that Samut was in way over her head. The numbers alone would cause most planeswalkers to reconsider a retreat, and this was only heightened by their frightening coordination, even more obvious up close. For Samut, however, there seemed to be no deterrent strong enough to keep her from her sacred duty. Her afterimage blurred further than before as she wove through the bodies at increased speed, undoubtedly spurred by her need to bring her former friends to their Blessed Sleep. She was too fast for the Eternals that crossed her winding path, and her shining blades continued to slice through their ranks, but it was apparent to the outside observers that, at her current rate, the odds against her were currently unscalable.
We will change that, no matter what it takes!
Without breaking his clarion roar to take a breath, Ajani plunged himself and his rallied compatriots into the thick of battle. The Eternals had already started to turn their attention towards them before they arrived, but as soon as Ajani's gleaming axe struck into the neck of an Eternal and sent the fading skull careening into the distance, they had the horde's full focus.
From the midst of the crop, the flaming minotaur that seemed to act as their leader leveled his spear at them, and at once, the Eternals raised their weapons to meet their new opponents. They readily struck out at the planeswalkers, with attacks coming from all directions. But, as Ajani waded fully into combat, prepared to guard himself and the others no matter the cost, he quickly realized that the attacks were by no means random. Each swing of a blade or thrust of a spear seemed perfectly timed to guide their opposition into a disadvantageous position, ready to have they spark snatched by a wall of awaiting hands. Fortunately, Ajani continued to prove himself too formidable to fall for such vile tactics, buoying the storm of blows, gashes, and blasts with as much healing magic as he felt he could spare on himself.
He had managed to cut his way through the first layer of the Eternals' onion-like formation when Samut suddenly appeared before him. Though she momentarily stopped moving at her supernatural speed, her body continued to vibrate with pent-up energy. Ajani noted that her and her blades were absolutely soaked with rotten blood, which was undoubtedly seeping into the various wounds she had sustained, but she showed no signs that it bothered her. The only readable expression on her face was sheer fury.
"You ran in without us," Ajani growled in between slashes. "That wasn't what we discussed."
"I know." Samut's voice was surprisingly even despite her vicious actions. As she continued to cut down enemies, her words did not waver. "The Eternal at the head of this crop, the minotaur with the flaming spear, was once Neheb, one of the greatest warriors of Amonkhet. They called him 'The Chosen.' He was a friend, and one that I already had to kill once before. To see him roused from his earned rest yet again, it is a crime yet worse than those Bolas has already committed, and I am compelled to end it. So, I will not apologize for going against your orders."
Ajani shook his head, almost amused at Samut's stubbornness. "And I have no desire to make you. But now, we must fight as one. You will have your chance to right this wrong, but we must ensure the civilians' safety first."
Samut glared at him for a moment, but her eyes soon softened. "Very well. I have already made several attempts to attack Neheb, but both his crop's unity and his own strength have kept me from landing the decisive blow. What are your orders?"
"We must find that sewer entrance and clear the Eternals from it, then we can deliver the family into the Golgari's protection. Find the manhole, and signal to us when you have a definite location."
"Understood," Samut said with a nod. She pointed a khopesh past Ajani's sight, gesturing to the thick of the horde. "If I recall its position properly, begin carving your way in that direction. I will start clearing the area for your arrival."
Ajani returned the nod, and Samut sped off from their location. He quickly lost sight of her crimson wake as she blitzed through the tumultuous Eternals, though his leonine hearing could still follow the sounds of keening steel chopping through moldering flesh. There was no time to linger on it, however, as Ajani set his full attention once more on the Eternals in his own way, who continued to strike out with truly endless fervor.
He could feel the rain of nicks and cuts appear across his exposed limbs, sanguinely shading his snowy undercoat. Biting through the sting, Ajani swung his axe in a wide arc, dismantling every Eternal in his radius in a single move. Unfortunately, he could only progress a few steps before the gaps filled with yet more of the unending undead. Thus, Ajani fell readily into that comfortable beat of war as he brought low those who dared approach him, only to be met with more soldiers who could learn no lessons from their fallen comrades.
Time began to lose meaning to Ajani within the folds of battle, as did the count of how many of the seemingly infinite Eternals he had stopped. His periphery remained open, allowing him to keep tabs on the others. As expected, Jiang had retaken his position beneath Mowu, who stomped, swiped, and gouged the enemies with little regard for their puny weapons. Arlinn had rejoined Tolsimir and Voja, allowing the civilian family to be guarded on either side from the errant thrusts of spears or burst of magic. He had lost complete track of Samut, whose absence after her acceptance of his order worried him greatly. Luckily, after an unknown amount of time, the Amonkhetian woman made her presence known.
"Elelelelelele!"
The high-pitched battle cry pierced through the cacophony of battle, instantly drawing Ajani's attention to its exact spot of origin. Though he had no way of recognizing the traditional ululation of the Worthy of Amonkhet, the sound left little doubt for its source.
"Everyone!" roared Ajani in between axe swings. "Follow that sound. Samut has secured the portal. We must get there at once and deliver the civilians to safety!"
From across the field, Tolsimir's voice called out. "Ajani, more Eternals are approaching! The horde we deserted have made their way, and there is another detachment coming from behind as well."
"I don't know if we can fight our way through all of them," added Arlinn.
Ajani clicked his tongue in annoyance, but he made sure his voice remained no-nonsense. "Then we must hurry. Once the family is safe, we can evaluate whether to stay and fight. Quickly, to Samut's position!"
With a final growl, Ajani redoubled his efforts to push through the sea of bodies. Feeling the pressure of Bolas' forces at the nape of his neck, his attacks narrowed in scope, focusing solely on those that stood between himself and Samut. This left his back exposed, and a torrent of attacks suddenly filled the space. He snarled in pain against the barrage of blades, but he weathered it with all the resolve and healing magic he could muster, making sure that he moved swiftly enough that no Eternal's grasp could linger for long enough to take hold of his spark.
Fueled by the enervating spirit of Samut's call, Ajani's managed to trudge through the oppressive throng at a relentless pace. With his senses aimed fully at his forward progress, he soon lost track of his allies' positions. A small pit of worry opened in his stomach, but Ajani quickly plugged it with his trust in their abilities.
They will not let something like this stop them. Samut, Jiang, Tolsimir, and Arlinn are all true warriors, and they would not allow themselves to fall against such evil. And neither will I!
Dredging up a reserve of strength, Ajani transferred it all into a mighty swing of his axe. Letting the massive blade's momentum carry him, Ajani shifted to his heels and began to spin around in a cyclone of sheening metal. His rotations gradually picked up speed, and he could feel the vibrations through his weapon's hilt as he carved through every Eternal in his vicinity. Liquified viscera flew into his face, but he was too engulfed in his conviction to notice. The only thing he perceived outside the wind he had stirred up and the encompassing sounds of metal slicing through lazotep was Samut's guiding call. It grew and grew in his ears until finally, amidst the tornado of gore, it crystallized in its clarity, as if it were coming from just before him.
It took considerable effort for Ajani to break from his cyclic movements. Once he did, he saw that he had cleaved his way into a small clearing in the middle of the battlefield. Though it was only big enough for about three people to stand, its existence alone was impressive. Samut, still shrieking her people's war cry at the top of her lungs, ran unceasingly around the small perimeter, cutting down the Eternals before they could advance any further. The cracks in the street were soaked with fetid blood, all of which attempted to funnel into the rusted manhole cover that sat squarely at its center.
As soon as Samut saw Ajani enter the area, she cut her ululation short. "Where are the others?"
"They should be along shortly. We'll need to widen this radius if we're to escort the family safely into here. Try and push them back as far as you can, I'll get the manhole cover off!"
Samut nodded and sped off to continue her work, leaving behind a cloak of electric strings. Ajani could feel the energy flying from her as she struck back even harder against the Dreadhorde. This time, without her cry of battle, he could once again hear her muttered prayers with each Eternal she snuffed out.
Knowing that there was no time to waste, Ajani stopped at the manhole and swiftly thrust his axe's bottom head into the space between the lid and the rim. He felt some initial resistance, instantly keying him into the fact that the entrances to the Golgari domain were not meant to be easily accessed by the Ravnican citizens that dwelt on the surface. He, however, was no mere citizen, and the great blade quickly broke through the miniscule gap. Once he had slipped it in enough, Ajani braced his weapon's hilt against his knee and, with a fortitudinous growl, leveraged the axe up.
Had he not withstood a tempest of attacks from the Eternals, Ajani likely could have popped the manhole off with a single concerted shove. As it was, it took some time before the lid lifted fully from its spot. The rusted metal let out a screeching scrape, which was followed by a wafting miasma of decay that dared to overtake the already unbearable stench of the rotted bodies that littered the grounds. Ajani refused to let it hinder his progress, however, and as soon as the cover was within his reach, he grabbed ahold and pulled his axe free.
It was heavier than he expected, and Ajani could feel his forearms bulging at the strain, yet he would not let it drop. As he slowly walked himself closer to the freshly opened and ominously dark hole, he heard the familiar sounds of canine footfalls drawing near.
"Jiang, Tolsimir, to me, quickly! I've secured the entrance, but we need to create a safe perimeter for the transfer."
"Understood," Tolsimir called back, "where should we go?"
"Bring Voja to my front, it'll be easier for them to make a clean run for it. Jiang, plant Mowu at my left to block the Eternals pushing from there. Arlinn and Samut, you both will handle the right, make sure nothing breaks through. It will be tight, but a triangular position is our best chance with the resources available."
"A sound stratagem," replied Tolsimir.
"Well, you heard the man, Voja," Arlinn mischievously interjected, "let's get moving!" The wolf seemed to respond to her words, letting off a piercing howl before leaping through the crowd at an incredible speed.
"Come on, Mowu," came Jiang's muffled voice from beneath his companion, "follow Ajani's voice. That family needs us!" Mowu barked in understanding, loud enough that Ajani could not help but wince, before tromping past the miniscule soldiers in his way.
Though Ajani had been straining to keep the dense metal disc aloft, the appearance of his allies into their small perimeter reinvigorated his tired muscles. Voja bounded over the wall of Eternals, landing with such grace that one would think the white wolf were completely oblivious to the bloodthirsty zombies that struck out from all sides. Mowu's entrance carried no such elegance, but the enhanced power of the hound crashing through the coordinated assault was just as effective in establishing their perimeter. While Samut continued to race back and forth to keep the Eternals at bay, Arlinn dropped to her haunches and sprung from Voja's saddle. The two women quickly fell into sync, covering each other's limited reach and successfully widening the area of free movement.
Within seconds of their arrival, Ajani felt the space open significantly, as all his allies viciously pushed back against the encroaching undead. Still, he knew that a defense from a surrounding force would not hold for long. He looked up to Voja, who continued to lash out at the Eternals with honed claws and teeth, and saw the civilian family clinging tightly to each other atop her back, all too afraid to open their eyes to the horrors around them.
Gritting his teeth in determination, Ajani pushed the manhole as far as it would go while making sure it would still close properly, lest they leave their securest stronghold open to Bolas' forces. "Tolsimir! Get the civilians moving!"
Tolsimir could not turn to acknowledge Ajani's order, as he was too entrenched in staving off the Eternals with the broad strokes of his sword. Ajani saw him address the family from over his shoulder, but his words appeared to have no effect. They were simply too paralyzed with fear to move to safety.
Though he understood how terrified they must be, and how split Tolsimir's attention was between the preservation of so many lives, Ajani could feel his frustration mount. "Tolsimir, quickly! We must get them moving, now!"
His emotions must have been clear in his growling voice, as his directed imperative was answered by an unintended recipient.
"Here, I've got it!" called Jiang. Ajani turned in time to see the boy give Mowu's stomach an affectionate pat before rushing out from his protective position. As he emerged, plumes of olive magic began to billow from his palms, eventually swallowing his hands. With a quick tug, he uncorked the gourd-shaped jug that hung from his hip. A cloud of leaves, coaxed by his magic-effused hand and carrying the same jade glow, flew from the jug's mouth. They circled him for a moment, swirling on an intangible breeze, but then, with a flick of his wrist, Jiang sent the leaves ahead of his own determined footsteps.
Ajani watched as the exotic foliage darted through the air, closing the gap between Jiang and the family in the blink of an eye. During the speedy travel, some leaves began to grow, eventually reaching the size of full rugs. These larger leaves started to settle on the ground near where Voja had taken up her staunch defense, but they gradually spread and elevated into a set of floral steps leading directly from the saddle to the manhole.
Despite this clear invitation, the family was still too scared to notice. Jiang must have realized this as well and came prepared for physical intervention. Deftly maneuvering towards them with his dancing strides, the young planeswalker swept the myriad remaining leaves around the other side of the huddled family and began throwing them into their backs with a hearty force.
For the first few moments, the family refused to acknowledge the leafy barrage, their fear putting them at its mercy as it pushed them towards the saddle's edge. Seeing this, Ajani let out another commanding roar to them, one he assured would be audible over the storm of greenery.
"Hurry! Follow the sound of my voice. We will lead you to safety, for you and your children, but you must move now!"
This final, desperate entreaty seemed to do the trick. The mother hazarded a crack of her eyelid and realized the leaves were not an attack, but an act of guidance. With a flurry of activity, she alerted the others, who quickly opened their eyes and disengaged from their tight hold. Each parent grabbed onto a child's hand and, with the leaves still urging them forward, made their way out of the saddle and down Jiang's summoned stairway.
Ajani, still poised at the portal, reached out his other hand in preparation. He watched them scurry towards him at a frenetic pace, trying to keep his eye locked on the children like a lighthouse's beacon.
"That's it," he encouraged, "keep moving! You're almost there. There's no need to worry, Jiang and I have you!"
"That's right!" Jiang called out as he continued to make his way towards them, now strategically sending the leaves to keep the civilians from falling over in their panic. "None of us are gonna let anything happen to you. With my plants and his guidance, you just need to keep on m-"
Suddenly, Jiang's sentence stopped short. His last word cut off with an unexpected gasp of breath. Ajani had only been listening, his vision fully focused on the family, but once he heard this sound, all his attention shifted to Jiang. It was a sound he had tried to forget, one he did not want to remember, but one that his subconscious immediately recognized. Ajani whipped his head around to see just what had interrupted his ally, hoping that his body's instantaneous reaction was amiss. When he beheld it, however, it only confirmed his worst fears.
After Jiang had left the safety of Mowu's underbelly, the hound had needed to adjust its battle plan to keep itself and the others safe. This left Mowu's attention more split between those directly in front and those at its edge. While the beast continued to crush the Eternals that approached, it was slower to react to those at its furthest reach. This lapse, however minor it would seem to anyone else, did not escape the relentless coordination of the crop. This gave them a chance, and Neheb, the strongest and swiftest among them, was the one to seize it.
All of this came to Ajani in a split-second inference as soon as he saw Jiang skewered through the chest by the minotaur's immolated spear. No blood spilled to the ground, as the intense heat instantly cauterized the wound. This meant that, as if by design, the blow had not been fatal. Ajani saw Jiang's eyes fall to the weapon's tip and stare at it in grave disbelief. He made no noise, too shocked to react to the pain of such a grievous wound.
Ajani let out a ferocious yell. "Jiang, no! Don't worry, I'll help y-" He made to run, only to be swiftly reminded of his other duties. In the sudden onset of rage, the manhole cover's considerable weight had started to slip from his grasp. He quickly readjusted his grip, then peered out his periphery towards the civilian family he still needed to protect.
Neheb's attack had been enough to disrupt Jiang's spellcasting. The verdant backwind ceased, and the leafy steps shrunk back to their original size. This sent the family tumbling to the ground, unable to maintain their footing. They collapsed in a heap on the littered ground, more surprised than harmed. The parents quickly tried to get everyone back on their feet, but while they did so, they stared at Jiang with stricken terror.
Slowly, the young planeswalker was lifted off the ground, leveraged by the spear that Neheb effortlessly wielding with a single hand. Jiang attempted to grab the spear, but the heat was too severe. He kicked out with his legs, looking as if to pry himself from the weapon.
Yes, that could work. It's an awful wound, but if Jiang can make it here, or I there, my magic could potentially heal him!
Unfortunately, such hope was instantly dashed. Before Jiang could gather the momentum needed for this extraction, the spear tipped to the sky, and he found himself unwillingly sliding down its bronzed shaft. Unable to make a sound, he fell into Neheb's grasp, which closed around the back of his neck. Then, with a flash of unearthly magic in Neheb's infernal sockets, the Elderspell began its dark work.
A rageful roar ripped from Ajani's throat. The sight was almost too much to bear, and he could feel his desperate, consistent savior instincts pulling him towards Jiang. Just as he prepared to fling the manhole cover away and charge with all his might to extricate his ally, Ajani caught another glimpse of the family. While the mother was attempting to pull her children to their feet, the father had grabbed an abandoned sword from one of the dispatched Eternals at their feet. He stared at Neheb, at the demon that was stealing the soul of the young man who had sworn to keep his family safe, and Ajani recognized the look of someone who was ready to lay down their life to save another, no matter how outmatched they may be.
Ajani could not let this happen. As the father made to run at the towering Eternal, Ajani called out to him, manifesting all his anger into the volume of his words.
"Do not abandon your family! You must escape with them, now, while we still have a chance! Your effort there will only get you killed! Quickly, if you wish to live, to me!"
The father froze, head snapping to meet Ajani's eye as he spoke. The leonin's conviction must have been enough, for the father turned back to his family and, seeing them still struggling to stand, dropped the weapon so he could help. Once reunited, the four civilians rose to their feet and ran to Ajani, who once again held out his paw to help them.
In rapid succession, Ajani felt a hand enter his, which he then pulled swiftly through the portal and into its inky depths. First the mother, who held her breath as she sunk low enough so that she could catch her children as they came. Next the children, who cried out in both fear and disgust at the sewers, but between Ajani and their mother, they were coaxed down to safety. Finally the father, who met Ajani's gaze as he grabbed onto the rusted ladder that protruded from the tunnel wall.
"Thank you," he said with all the sincerity that a voice could muster. "We will never forget you."
Ajani nodded, his face still hardened. "Do not stop running until you reach the Golgari safehouse at Svogthos. They will shelter you. If you see others, follow them. If you are lost, follow the sewer flow. Now go!"
Hearing the urgency in Ajani's voice, the father returned the nod and quickly ducked into the darkness of the underground. Distant chattering confirmed to Ajani that he and his family were still united, and the subsequent footsteps let him know that they were hurrying towards their destination. With their safety secured, Ajani quickly let go of the manhole cover, allowing it to fall back into place with an ear-shattering slam.
Shifting his axe back into the proper two-handed grip, Ajani fervently turned to Jiang and Neheb, prepared to save his friend and deal out as heavy a dose of justice as his anger would allow. He saw that Jiang's body, still impaled on Neheb's spear, was in a far sorrier state than it had been but a moment before. His eyes were sunken, no longer aglow with vivacious energy. His skin was pale and withering, and his limbs hung mutely at his sides. From behind, Neheb continued to extract the last drops of his spark, his arm and chest now glowing with a familiar sylvan light.
The sight sent his blood boiling, but before he could leave his position, a harsh gust of wind rushed past him as Samut charged headlong at Neheb. She ran faster than Ajani's eye could track, but he could tell she was fueled by the same rage he felt. Neheb, distracted by his grim duty with the Elderspell, no longer had the time to react nor the extra Eternals to act as his shield. Quicker than lightning, Samut sliced her first blade cleanly through Neheb's arm, severing his connection to Jiang. Then, before the Dreadhorde's champion could even notice, her second blade flew into his neck, cracking mostly through his thick shell and hide.
While Jiang's body dropped, Neheb's remained standing. As Samut withdrew her blade from the minotaur's throat and prepared to strike it again, the deep cut suddenly filled with olive light. In an illuminative burst, Neheb's head popped clean from his shoulders. A ball of pulsating energy flew from his neck into the sky, and the minotaur's headless body fell to the ground.
As she stared at the lifeless Eternal, Ajani saw her whisper, "You are free, Neheb."
Ajani's eyes fell to Jiang's body, which now lay splayed above the fallen Eternals, propped up by the spear's point that had caught between the pavement cracks. The stillness of the boy was all the confirmation Ajani needed. His healing magic could do a lot, but it could not save someone for this.
Bitterness began to swell in his chest, his thoughts turning inward with deadly sharpness. You saved that family, but at what cost? Another ally has died in your care. Why fight when you know it will only bring ruin to those you hold dear. How many times must I live, simply to reckon with this cost?
Ajani's frustration moved to encompass his full attention, but before he was consumed in the blackness of his own mind, the events on the battlefield once again stole his focus. With Jiang's spark now on its way to Bolas, the last remnants of his own spells evaporated. While this had been only a minor inconvenience with the leaves, its effect on Mowu was turning truly disastrous. Though the hound continued to fight, seemingly unaware of the fate of its master, it now began to shrink back to its original size. Ajani watched their defenses crumbled in an instant as the Dreadhorde finally broke through, collapsing in on them and threatening to trample Mowu in the process.
The urgency of their dire situation served perfectly to push the mournful self-flagellation from Ajani's mind, replacing it with a rush of raw battle instinct. Raising his axe over his head, he let out the loudest roar of the day.
"Everyone, our defenses have collapsed. We must retreat now. Fall back to Voja, she will carry us out. Make haste, before we are swallowed whole!"
His moved closer to Tolsimir's position, eyes scanning to ensure the others had heard. Arlinn, now working alone to combat the waves of Eternals, gratefully fled from the spot, sprinting basically on all fours to meet with Voja. She rushed past Ajani as he waved her on, readily leaping into the saddle directly behind Tolsimir and draping her arms over his shoulders.
Samut had been staring mutely at Jiang's suspended corpse when Ajani made his call, but she met his gaze soon after. She nodded grimly, sheathed her weapons, and then, in a burst of electricity, ran off in the opposite direction. Ajani was shocked until he saw her speed along the perimeter of incoming Eternals and scoop up Mowu into her hands. Once the dog was secured, she immediately changed course towards Voja, reaching her before the Eternals had taken another step.
Their defenses now in shambles, the tide of the Eternals could no longer be stemmed. The small area instantly started to shrink, as spears and swords and eldritch hands readied to strike. Ajani had no time to react to the horrific sight of this mad rush of the dead. His body, as if moving on its own, vaulted off the ground and landed soundly on Voja's back with enough force to elicit a small yelp from the steadfast wolf.
"Everyone is secured," Ajani yelled. "Tolsimir, quickly!"
"They're coming from all side," said Samut. "Those reinforcements are basically here. If we don't move now, we'll be surrounded!"
"I understand," countered Tolsimir, his voice carrying a noticeable edge, "but you need not worry. These Eternals cannot stop us. Voja, onward!"
At companion's signal, the white wolf bounded from the area. Her strength was nearly enough to extricate them from the crop, but it was also sufficient to dispatch the Eternals that were in her landing trajectory. As soon as Voja's paws hit the ground, she leapt once again, carrying them as far from the Dreadhorde as she could.
Before they fully retreated, Ajani cast his single eye back to where they had made their stand. He had hoped for a last glimpse of Jiang, but their small island amidst the sea of Eternals had already been swallowed up, never to be seen again.
With a hefty sigh, Ajani turned back to his remaining allies. "No more detours. Now, we move for the Gruul!"
