Chapter Thirteen
Chris now reckoned that he had never sprinted so fast in his life.
Sure, he had run pretty fast to escape being caught stealing food with Bao, but this time, his chasing enemy was a horde of many, many violent and blood-thirsty Orcs, their shrill shrieks and calls sending shivers down his spine. He also reckoned that he, Bao, Shingo and Kensou were also doing pretty well in keeping up with the rest of the group despite their smaller size and shorter legs.
Stealing a quick glance around him, Chris realized that there were a few hundred Orcs chasing after them as the Fellowship followed Chizuru towards the bridge, and that they were also coming at the group of assorted travellers from every direction. The others had realized it too, but they were still hanging on a hope of reaching the small doorway ahead before they could be cut off by the irate Orcs.
However, it seemed that luck was not on their side as they were gradually surrounded by the snarling, foul-smelling creatures, who were now circling them with hungry looks in their slit-like eyes.
Surrounded, each member of the Fellowship drew their weapons, ready to fight to the last, forming a tight circle with their backs to each other, providing no easy access to any of themselves.
There was a moment where both parties just stared at each other, the Orcs preparing to go in for the kill, and the members of the Fellowship preparing not to go down without a good fight. Then, there came a sort of deep growl which effectively silenced each and every Orc, making them look around in what appeared to be fear. Another deep growl, louder this time, caused the Orcs to flee in a panic, scampering away like mice away from a hungry cat.
The group of fighters watched the creatures retreat, a look of confusion also upon each of their faces.
"Well.." Kensou breathed a little sigh of relief at the departure of the Orcs. "That was certainly interesting.."
"Though what could have made them all run like that?" mused K', before Andy tapped his shoulder and pointed in the direction that Chizuru was looking in. Iori was already making notions for the group to get moving again and Kyo had an arrow aimed in the direction of whatever was approaching. Iori smiled in amusement when he realised that whatever had scared the Orcs was also starting to get at the Elf, who was visibly shaking. The Dwarf representative couldn't resist the temptation of sneaking up behind him. "Boo!"
"Ah!" Kyo let out a squeal, jumping and almost dropping his bow and arrow. He spun to face a snickering Iori and was about to hit him with a flaming punch when K' grabbed his arm. "Now is not the time for such games."
To the side of them, Andy approached Chizuru, his eyes never leaving the glowing amber light that was beginning to illuminate the great, darkened hall from the far side. "Chizuru.. What is it?"
Chizuru took her time to think. She was vaguely aware of what it was but closed her eyes and stretched out with her senses a little to try and get a better picture of what was approaching. After a few seconds, her eyes snapped open and she turned to the rest of the group. "It's a Balrog." She announced.
"Balrog?" repeated Iori, smirking a little. "That guy's not so tough to beat."
"Not Balrog from the Street Fighters, you idiot!" this time Kyo took the opportunity to backhand Iori in the face. "A Balrog! They're different!" he paused before adding "Though if you stick around here long enough, you'll get first-hand experience in the difference."
"Would the two of you just quit it?!" Chizuru snapped. "A demon of the ancient world is approaching. One beyond any of your skills," she turned, already hurredly heading for the doorway ahead. "We must flee."
The nine of them were running again, not looking back, half afraid to see what was after them now. From Chizuru's description, the Balrog did not sound like a pushover.
After what felt like running down endless flights of stairs which were suspended over what seemed like a firey, almost bottomless chasm, the nine members of the Fellowship were back on sturdy ground. To the left of them was the Bridge of Khazad-dûm, whilst to the right of them rose something which all of them had dreaded to see.
"Run!" K' shouted, taking the lead as Chizuru silently commanded him to, tearing off to the left and towards the bridge, leaving Chizuru to bring up the rear. She glanced behind her at the monstrosity which emerged from behind them before breaking into a run herself.
The Balrog was a huge creature, one which would have made the Cave Troll look like a Hobbit. It stood tall on two hoofed feet, great black wings emerging from its back as it reared its horned head and let out a bellow, fire errupting all over it's body. It appeared to frown at the sight of the fleeing Fellowship and did not hesitate to give chase, every step it took causing the ground to tremble.
The bridge of Khazad-dûm didn't really live up to it's name, Andy thought as he ran across it. To him, it was basically a narrow strip of rock that stretched the distance over a seemingly bottomless black abyss, although he could always put it down to the fact that he was in such a hurry to get across the bridge and away from their flaming enemy, that he simply did not have enough time to appreciate it. He stopped on the other side, standing next to K' as he watched Shingo, Kensou, Chris and Bao make it across. Behind them were Iori, Kyo and Chizuru.
Three quarters of the way across the bridge, Iori suddenly stopped and turned around, making Kyo halt in his tracks. "A thought's just ocured to me upon seeing this new beast, Kyo," Iori smiled. "I think maybe you could reason with it."
"Me?!" Kyo exclaimed. "What are you nuts?!"
"It bears an uncanny resemblence to you when you power up for your Orochinagi." Iori continued to smirk.
"Oh shut up and keep moving!" Kyo let out a growl of frustration and hit Iori over the head, noting in the back of his mind that he should have payed more attention to his older step-brothers on the art of insults and swearing in his Elvish tongue as he cursed at the red-head. "Ishkhaqwi ai durugnul!"
The two rivals reached safety and turned around just in time to see Chizuru stop on the bridge in front of the blazing Balrog.
"You cannot pass!" she shouted at it, her gaze piercing.
The monster seemed to stop in its tracks, gazing down at her cautiously albeit threateningly whilst the others looked on.
"Kagura-sama!" Shingo called, his eyes widening. What was she doing? The Balrog would surely kill her!
Chizuru kept her gaze on the creature towering before her, not even acknowledging Shingo's surprised and shocked call. In front of her, the Balrog gave another roar, standing straight and flexing its powerful body as more fire errupted from it, spreading its demon-like wings as though it would take to the air at any moment. Still, she did not flinch. Instead, she drew her sword and assumed a fighting stance.
"Do you think, foul beast, that you can intimidate me?" her eyes seemed to darken at her opponent as it took out a flaming, white-hot sword "A Sorceress like me is not to be underestimated. I will not allow you to pass by here."
The Balrog brought it's great sword down just as Chizuru blocked it, a bright flash of light sparking as the two blades connected, and to the rest of the Fellowship, it seemed like Chizuru would lose.
However, as the light faded, they were all shocked to see that she was still standing strong, as if no blow had even been made.
This time, the Balrog took one step forwards and onto the bridge, still challenging Chizuru.
"I warn you, demon, to retreat to the shadows," she said, the blade of her sword glowing before she suddenly brought the blade down and onto the stone bridge she stood on. "You shall not pass!!"
Sparks flew upon the connection and a loud crack echoed through the void, making the Balrog back up slightly and causing the rest of the fighters to jump in fright at the sudden noise.
Chizuru still stood there, her gaze and stance unyielding.
With an angry snort, the Balrog took another step forwards and onto the bridge. It's weight was all it took to finish off the job Chizuru had started with her sword. With a mighty crack, the bridge gave way mere inches in fronto of where Chizuru stood, sending the firey beast plummeting into the black chasm.
There was awe and respect on each of the other fighters' faces as Chizuru turned around from her handywork to make her way back to them.
Their happiness, however, was brief as Chizuru was knocked off her feet and pulled off the bridge by one firey hand.
"Kagura-sama!" Shingo cried, running to help her, only to be pulled back by Andy.
"Shingo, no!" Andy shouted, pulling the Hobbit back. "It's too dangerous!"
Chizuru had managed to grab onto the edge of the broken bridge, and for a moment, her gaze locked with that of the others.
"Get out of here!" she shouted at them.
And then she was gone. Without another sound, she had fallen into the same dark void which had claimed the Balrog.
There was a sudden silence that seemed an eternity long before it was shattered by Shingo's piercing scream.
"Kagura-Sama~!!"
Hopefully more to come soon, people! Keep reviewing! (^_^)
Thanks!
Chris now reckoned that he had never sprinted so fast in his life.
Sure, he had run pretty fast to escape being caught stealing food with Bao, but this time, his chasing enemy was a horde of many, many violent and blood-thirsty Orcs, their shrill shrieks and calls sending shivers down his spine. He also reckoned that he, Bao, Shingo and Kensou were also doing pretty well in keeping up with the rest of the group despite their smaller size and shorter legs.
Stealing a quick glance around him, Chris realized that there were a few hundred Orcs chasing after them as the Fellowship followed Chizuru towards the bridge, and that they were also coming at the group of assorted travellers from every direction. The others had realized it too, but they were still hanging on a hope of reaching the small doorway ahead before they could be cut off by the irate Orcs.
However, it seemed that luck was not on their side as they were gradually surrounded by the snarling, foul-smelling creatures, who were now circling them with hungry looks in their slit-like eyes.
Surrounded, each member of the Fellowship drew their weapons, ready to fight to the last, forming a tight circle with their backs to each other, providing no easy access to any of themselves.
There was a moment where both parties just stared at each other, the Orcs preparing to go in for the kill, and the members of the Fellowship preparing not to go down without a good fight. Then, there came a sort of deep growl which effectively silenced each and every Orc, making them look around in what appeared to be fear. Another deep growl, louder this time, caused the Orcs to flee in a panic, scampering away like mice away from a hungry cat.
The group of fighters watched the creatures retreat, a look of confusion also upon each of their faces.
"Well.." Kensou breathed a little sigh of relief at the departure of the Orcs. "That was certainly interesting.."
"Though what could have made them all run like that?" mused K', before Andy tapped his shoulder and pointed in the direction that Chizuru was looking in. Iori was already making notions for the group to get moving again and Kyo had an arrow aimed in the direction of whatever was approaching. Iori smiled in amusement when he realised that whatever had scared the Orcs was also starting to get at the Elf, who was visibly shaking. The Dwarf representative couldn't resist the temptation of sneaking up behind him. "Boo!"
"Ah!" Kyo let out a squeal, jumping and almost dropping his bow and arrow. He spun to face a snickering Iori and was about to hit him with a flaming punch when K' grabbed his arm. "Now is not the time for such games."
To the side of them, Andy approached Chizuru, his eyes never leaving the glowing amber light that was beginning to illuminate the great, darkened hall from the far side. "Chizuru.. What is it?"
Chizuru took her time to think. She was vaguely aware of what it was but closed her eyes and stretched out with her senses a little to try and get a better picture of what was approaching. After a few seconds, her eyes snapped open and she turned to the rest of the group. "It's a Balrog." She announced.
"Balrog?" repeated Iori, smirking a little. "That guy's not so tough to beat."
"Not Balrog from the Street Fighters, you idiot!" this time Kyo took the opportunity to backhand Iori in the face. "A Balrog! They're different!" he paused before adding "Though if you stick around here long enough, you'll get first-hand experience in the difference."
"Would the two of you just quit it?!" Chizuru snapped. "A demon of the ancient world is approaching. One beyond any of your skills," she turned, already hurredly heading for the doorway ahead. "We must flee."
The nine of them were running again, not looking back, half afraid to see what was after them now. From Chizuru's description, the Balrog did not sound like a pushover.
After what felt like running down endless flights of stairs which were suspended over what seemed like a firey, almost bottomless chasm, the nine members of the Fellowship were back on sturdy ground. To the left of them was the Bridge of Khazad-dûm, whilst to the right of them rose something which all of them had dreaded to see.
"Run!" K' shouted, taking the lead as Chizuru silently commanded him to, tearing off to the left and towards the bridge, leaving Chizuru to bring up the rear. She glanced behind her at the monstrosity which emerged from behind them before breaking into a run herself.
The Balrog was a huge creature, one which would have made the Cave Troll look like a Hobbit. It stood tall on two hoofed feet, great black wings emerging from its back as it reared its horned head and let out a bellow, fire errupting all over it's body. It appeared to frown at the sight of the fleeing Fellowship and did not hesitate to give chase, every step it took causing the ground to tremble.
The bridge of Khazad-dûm didn't really live up to it's name, Andy thought as he ran across it. To him, it was basically a narrow strip of rock that stretched the distance over a seemingly bottomless black abyss, although he could always put it down to the fact that he was in such a hurry to get across the bridge and away from their flaming enemy, that he simply did not have enough time to appreciate it. He stopped on the other side, standing next to K' as he watched Shingo, Kensou, Chris and Bao make it across. Behind them were Iori, Kyo and Chizuru.
Three quarters of the way across the bridge, Iori suddenly stopped and turned around, making Kyo halt in his tracks. "A thought's just ocured to me upon seeing this new beast, Kyo," Iori smiled. "I think maybe you could reason with it."
"Me?!" Kyo exclaimed. "What are you nuts?!"
"It bears an uncanny resemblence to you when you power up for your Orochinagi." Iori continued to smirk.
"Oh shut up and keep moving!" Kyo let out a growl of frustration and hit Iori over the head, noting in the back of his mind that he should have payed more attention to his older step-brothers on the art of insults and swearing in his Elvish tongue as he cursed at the red-head. "Ishkhaqwi ai durugnul!"
The two rivals reached safety and turned around just in time to see Chizuru stop on the bridge in front of the blazing Balrog.
"You cannot pass!" she shouted at it, her gaze piercing.
The monster seemed to stop in its tracks, gazing down at her cautiously albeit threateningly whilst the others looked on.
"Kagura-sama!" Shingo called, his eyes widening. What was she doing? The Balrog would surely kill her!
Chizuru kept her gaze on the creature towering before her, not even acknowledging Shingo's surprised and shocked call. In front of her, the Balrog gave another roar, standing straight and flexing its powerful body as more fire errupted from it, spreading its demon-like wings as though it would take to the air at any moment. Still, she did not flinch. Instead, she drew her sword and assumed a fighting stance.
"Do you think, foul beast, that you can intimidate me?" her eyes seemed to darken at her opponent as it took out a flaming, white-hot sword "A Sorceress like me is not to be underestimated. I will not allow you to pass by here."
The Balrog brought it's great sword down just as Chizuru blocked it, a bright flash of light sparking as the two blades connected, and to the rest of the Fellowship, it seemed like Chizuru would lose.
However, as the light faded, they were all shocked to see that she was still standing strong, as if no blow had even been made.
This time, the Balrog took one step forwards and onto the bridge, still challenging Chizuru.
"I warn you, demon, to retreat to the shadows," she said, the blade of her sword glowing before she suddenly brought the blade down and onto the stone bridge she stood on. "You shall not pass!!"
Sparks flew upon the connection and a loud crack echoed through the void, making the Balrog back up slightly and causing the rest of the fighters to jump in fright at the sudden noise.
Chizuru still stood there, her gaze and stance unyielding.
With an angry snort, the Balrog took another step forwards and onto the bridge. It's weight was all it took to finish off the job Chizuru had started with her sword. With a mighty crack, the bridge gave way mere inches in fronto of where Chizuru stood, sending the firey beast plummeting into the black chasm.
There was awe and respect on each of the other fighters' faces as Chizuru turned around from her handywork to make her way back to them.
Their happiness, however, was brief as Chizuru was knocked off her feet and pulled off the bridge by one firey hand.
"Kagura-sama!" Shingo cried, running to help her, only to be pulled back by Andy.
"Shingo, no!" Andy shouted, pulling the Hobbit back. "It's too dangerous!"
Chizuru had managed to grab onto the edge of the broken bridge, and for a moment, her gaze locked with that of the others.
"Get out of here!" she shouted at them.
And then she was gone. Without another sound, she had fallen into the same dark void which had claimed the Balrog.
There was a sudden silence that seemed an eternity long before it was shattered by Shingo's piercing scream.
"Kagura-Sama~!!"
Hopefully more to come soon, people! Keep reviewing! (^_^)
Thanks!