Chapter 9: The Great Stand of Ellinia
"Let us show cast foul creatures back to the hell they came from." Hines said to the ten great men and women who stood before him. "The warriors and thieves will march upon the plains of Ellinia, and they will face the enemy head on in battle. The magicians will be behind them, and the archers shall line the trees, and hold off the creatures from the distance. Bull and Stan will be with the warriors, the Dark Lord with the thieves, and Helena with the archers. I will hold the defenses from my house. Each of you ten will go with your leader."
Helena gave a sharp whistle and her great silver hawk descended from the skies. It landed on her hand, and she held it to her ear. And then, she turned back to Hines, and her face was grave. "The creatures are closer then we expected. What we had heard earlier was the lightning from a taurospear, but there are more before it. Quietly, an army of diverse creatures had been marching before it. They will reach us within thirty minutes." The elders looked up at her in surprise. But Hines drew a smile across his face. "Then let them come. We will be ready."
Stan had come out of the house, and was clad in a sparkling chain mail. In one hand, he drew out his father's sword, and it shone a deadly red with the blood of the beast his father had slain. In his other hand, a large shield, with a large cross across it. It was plated with gold, and danced with fiery colours as it sparkled in the sun. Bull, Stan and the three other warrior heroes ran down the sides of the tree, and all the other warriors followed.
Drawing out a dagger in one hand, and a claw on the other, the Dark Lord showed no emotions on his face, and simply beckoned to Kiltan and Cassandra. His voiced spoke in their minds, and he called out to his fellow thieves, and he descended the tree like a swift shadow. Giving a quick kiss to Heera, Kiltan ran off with the Dark Lord. They followed the warriors. The Dark Lord caught up to Bull and Stan, and they walked silently together, with the three warrior heroes behind them, and Kiltan and Cassandra at the back with the thieves.
Looking up, Kiltan saw the archers gathering along the sides of the trees, standing along the outer platforms, their bows and crossbows held ready. Among them was Heera, and her great bow gleamed like a bright jewel. As the group of warriors and thieves reached the bottom of the tree, they were split up. The Dark Lord would be with Stan and two of the warrior heroes, and they would be facing the army that would approach from the northern entrance. Kiltan, Cassandra, Bull and Lazarus, the warrior hero who wielded a deadly red curved spear, would face the army from the southern road. The warriors and thieves were split up too, and they bid each other good luck before they walked their separate ways.
Behind the group, the magicians followed slowly, led by the three magicians whom Hines had chosen. Leiguin stood at the side, and he was in charge of the clerics, who would heal the men in battle. At the base of the tree, Bull organized them into two groups, and they would face the separate entrances. Leiguin would stand at the northern gate, along with another magician, Darlond, who wielded the powers of fire. And standing with Bull facing the southern road would be Amelia, a female wizard who commanded ice and lightning. Bull, Lazarus and Cassandra walked to the front, and organized the warriors and bandits into rows. Kiltan organized the assassins, and spread them out wide over the plains, allowing them to fling their deadly stars from all angles. The clerics stood around them all, behind the first rows of melee fighters. They would be shielded from melee attacks, and would heal the wounds of the warriors and thieves. At the back, Amelia stood with her wizards. They, too, would stand away from the onslaught of the front lines, and away from the dangers of armed combat, they would cast out their magical fury.
A great roar blasted through the forest, and it shook the trees. The men were taken aback, but in the presence of Bull they had little to fear, and they still stood strong. Bull walked slowly forward, out into the open plains. He stared intently at the southern roadway, but could see nothing, for the shady trees darkened the roadway and hid the oncoming beast in the murky shadows. But they could be heard clearly, the steady pounding of heavy feet on the grassy path that led to Ellinia. Bull drew a deep breath, and let out his mighty war cry, and it echoed through the forest. For a moment, it seemed that the approaching army stopped, and all to be heard was silence. But it was not long before they resumed, and the pounding of feet approached ever closer. Slowly, Bull returned to the small army of warriors, thieves and magicians. "You see? They are afraid! They fear the might of men, and let us keep it that way. Do not fear these beasts, for it is they who should fear you!" Bull cried out, and the men and women who stood before him yelled out in response with hope and joy in their hearts. They within in the shades of the trees of Ellinia, with the great outer plains stretched before them.
Kiltan looked over the small army of assassins, about two hundred of them there were. And then his eyes fell on Jacob, the young assassin that he had met from Lith Harbour, long before all this had begun. He was still wearing the claw he had given him. His knees were shaking, and he was staring blankly forward, looking on intensely at the southern road. Kiltan approached him, and rested his hand on his shoulder, and Jacob looked up at him. Kiltan smiled down, and said, "Do not fear. I will let no harm befall any of you." But it was the smile on Kiltan's face that brought cheer to the young assassin, for he saw strength in his eyes, and he knew he could trust this great man. Jacob smiled back, and put on a brave face.
Kiltan slowly walked around the large plains, and he spoke comforting words to all the men, bringing hope to them. And then, he walked over to Amelia, who stood silently at the front of the group of mages. "These people are young. They have come to this land in hope for new life and adventure, and yet, they have been thrown into the midst of war. How horrible this must feel for them, to face such horrors that even a mighty warrior would fear of, and fight for their survival when they are still young. Why do they deserve this?" Amelia muttered. And for awhile, they both were silent.
Around them, the army of warriors, thieves and magicians were also standing in silence, and they looked blankly at the southern road that carved its way through the Ellinia plains before them, a small dust trail that led towards the gaping hole in the forest. They could hear the footsteps of the approaching creatures. The trees began to shake, and the leaves rustled. Kiltan looked out onto the roadway. It was covered by the wide canopy of trees, and was hidden in shadows under the leaves. It now seemed like a deadly menace, a deep dark hole of which in it lurked untold horrors that would burst out at any given moment. He looked up, and saw that the archers had already drawn their arrows, and they held their bows high. Heera was standing among them, while Helena and the crossbowman had been sent to the northern side of the tree. Three great hawks soared high above, two of shining silver and one of gold, of which the other two had been called upon by the two new archers, granted to them magically from the ancient third book of lore. They floated above Ellinia, their shadows dancing across the plains below. And then, one gave a loud screech, for it saw the creatures approach.
Within the shadowy pathway before them, they saw the first of the creatures. But it came quickly, and before they could utter a word, the creatures had burst through, breaking down the trees and swarming into the Ellinia plains. At the front lines were the drakes. They stomped in with great speed, roaring loudly as they charged towards the group of humans before them. High above, in the treetops, a loud shout was given by Heera, and a thousand arrows whizzed through the air. The sharp edge of the arrows glittered in the sun, sparkling beautifully, yet deadly. With great force and accuracy, the arrows struck the drakes, piercing through its thick hide. The front lines of the attack were killed almost instantly, and they fell at the entrance of Ellinia. But more were coming, and in great numbers, they pushed forward. Between their feet came the cold eyes. They were numerous, and hopped over the Ellinia plains with great speed. Many arrows missed them, for they were small targets, and were shielded by the drakes. But then, high above the sky, a small sparkle shone like a glimmering star, and from it came a shower of arrows. Sharp shards of wood and metal, which burned with a yellow magic flame, fell upon the approaching army like rain. It could not be avoided, and smashed into the creatures, piercing their skins and tearing them with a magical fury.
Bull and Lazarus were standing at the head of the warriors, but they did not advance. They watched, as the beast slowly pushed forward, leaving behind a great many carcasses, struck down by the arrows. From the back, Amelia held forward her staff, and so did the all the mages, and they attacked with the mighty spells of the magicians. With a simple chant, they cast a deadly attack on the creatures before them. They attacked with a magical claw, tearing through the drakes with a swift fury from afar, ripping at their flesh with a bluish streak. But the skin of a drake is thick and strong, and single claw attacks did little more then inflict a small gash. But as two hundred magicians stood together, they cast forth a great many claws, at it ripped the creature apart.
All around them, the assassins drew out their stars. Kiltan held his Ilbi star high, and waited for the creatures to reach within range. Slowly, he watched them approach, and then, he let fly two deadly stars, and it sliced through the air, piercing the heart of a drake, killing it instantly. And so did the other assassins attack, throwing their stars at the army of beast. With arrows and stars piercing their skins, and magical claws tearing at their flesh, the drakes were quick to fall.
As the last few drakes entered, behind came other creatures. They resembled crocodiles, but were over two times larger. For their size, they moved with surprising speed. They were the crocos from the Kerning swamps, influenced by the Barlog to join its evil army. Their scaly feet slammed on the ground and pushed them forward, and they ran with the drakes towards Ellinia. Along their backs ran thick bumps, a tough layer of scales that was as strong as iron. As the arrows hit the crocos, they struck the backs of the creatures, but did not pierce its hide.
"Aim below the creatures, away from their thick backs." Kiltan called out to his assassins. They ran to the front of the lines, and began to fire off many stars at the approaching crocos. They threw their stars low, flying lightly over the grassy plains. The stars cut deep wounds along the legs and sides of the crocos. Bleeding profusely, the crocos began to fall under the constant fire of stars. No men had yet to be slain, but with the advancement of the crocos, they had pushed their way forward over the Ellinia plains, almost reaching halfway from the forest to Ellinia.
And then, a tremendous roar rippled through the air. It came from a cargo. They tore through the forest with great speed, tearing past the trees like simple twigs. They burst through the forest, and filled into the Ellinia plains. Heera shot another rain of arrows, and two fell. But the cargo was stronger, and it took more arrows before it fell. Bull held up his axe, and let out another great war cry. And then, with Cassandra and Lazarus at his side, he charged forward, with the warriors and thieves following behind. As they charged, Cassandra blessed them with haste, and they ran lightly over the ground with the speed of wind. Lazarus held forth his red spear, and ran straight towards the cargo. Dodging its gaping jaws, he dove down, and drove the spear it deep into its side. With a howl, it fell. Besides him, Bull was standing on the body of another cargo, his axe embedded into its skull.
Leaping high into the air, Cassandra easily dodged the attack of the cargo, and she landed on its back. With swift hands, she sliced at the cargo, tearing at it with multiple strikes. As it fell down in pain, she looked up, and saw the group of warriors and bandits running up, and crashed headlong into the oncoming cargos. Along the sides, Kiltan and the assassins were spread out, and they flung their stars through the battlefield. Arrows continued to fall to the far south, away from where the men and beast were fighting.
As Bull tore through the cargos with his mighty axe, the warriors and thieves pushed forward, slashing at the army of cargos, and they hewed the creatures with their swords, axes, spears and daggers. But the cargo was powerful, and it took almost ten men to bring one down. As they pounded forward, the warriors hastily dodged to the side, and struck it with their weapons. But they struggled, for the thick hides of the great beast were tough, and it took great force to cut through its skin.
Kiltan looked from the back, and saw them struggle. He saw a warrior trip as he dodged the first cargo. But another was charging up behind him, and its massive jaws opened to devour him. Kiltan threw another two stars, and it flew into the mouth of the beast, choking it, and it fell dead before the trembling young warrior. Lazarus ran up to him and pulled him up, before quickly jabbing at the next cargo that ran up towards them.
"Aim at their necks and underside!" Lazarus shouted. "That is where they are weakest!" And so they did, dodging and rolling downwards, avoiding the pounding feet of the beast, and jabbing the creature in its stomach. The men worked together, and they jumped onto a single cargo, and overwhelmed it as they attacked it repeatedly. Many cargos fell as the men pushed forward, but there were also some warriors and bandits who lay among the carcasses of the beast. A careless slip, a second too late, and they were caught in the mighty jaws of the cargo.
But the men were strong, and they charged forward, and with the strength of Bull, Lazarus and Cassandra leading them, they fought with bravery and might till the very end. Behind, the magicians moved forward, and continued to slice at the cargos with their magical claws. Then, Amelia raised high her staff, and it glowed with a blue. The air chilled, and a cold breeze blew across the plains. Then, from mid air, thick shard of ice began to form, and they dropped down from the sky. As they fell, they grew larger; its tips glittered like a bright crystal. Falling like hail, the ice shards struck the cargos, and it shattered upon contact. The icy chill consumed the creature, and froze it completely. Then, it slowly began to crumble under its weight, and shattered into many pieces. And thus, that last of the cargos crash through the forest, and was slaughter by the great army of men that awaited it.
But all was far from over, for many there were many beasts yet to show their faces. As Bull struck down at the last of the cargo with his axe, he looked up, expecting other creatures to pour in, but none did. Instead, there was a deep, unsettling silence that clouded the air. The group of warriors and thieves were now standing in the middle of the plains, with the bodies of the cargos, drakes and cold eyes littered around them. Nothing was to be heard, and no wind blew. Kiltan looked up, and saw the archers holding their bows high. Heera was shouting words that he could not hear, but he heard shakiness in her voice. He could tell that she was trembling, afraid. They stood high among the trees, and could see far out to the south. "What was it that they saw?" Kiltan wondered. Then, a deep pounding rumbled from the trees. It was footsteps, but much heavier then that of the cargo. They could hear it smashing against the ground, and trees falling as the monster passed.
Its form slowly appeared on the southern road, shadowed by the dense canopy. It walked slowly forward, and it was huge. A dark stone golem slowly pushed forward, and many more followed behind. They were made of stone, magical guardians of nature, but these had been corrupt by the dark influences of the Barlog, and it had been twisted to do its will. But they were not as powerful as the cargo, for they were slower. Kiltan and Heera had killed many of these monsters before, so why now was she so afraid, Kiltan thought to himself. The first of the golems pushed past the line of trees, and walked slowly out into the open. The group of warriors and thieves stood back, and waited for the archers to attack, but no arrows flew. Puzzled, Kiltan looked up, and saw the archers, with their arrows still drawn, but standing still and not moving. Looking closely, he saw that they did not look down on the battlefield, but instead, stared straight outwards over the canopy of trees.
"What is going on?" Kiltan muttered, as he walked over to Bull. He too was looking up, and did not know what was happening. In front of them, the slow, steady rhythm of footsteps continued as more golems advanced. "I do not know what is going on up there." Bull said. "But it seems that we have to face these monsters without them."
Then, they all heard a shrill screech that pierced through the air and rang in their ears. Some cowered down and covered their ears. Bull looked up, for it was high above the trees that the sound came from. Another unpleasant shriek rang out, and the men were taken aback. Cassandra, Lazarus and Kiltan came and stood besides Bull, and all looked up to the skies.
"What is it?" Cassandra asked. Bull bowed his head low, a deep, grim expression on his face. "The witches have returned," he replied. "She was a great wizard in the old days, but her practice in the dark magic consumed her. She left Ellinia, but never left the forest. Few have seen her, hiding in the deep shadowy darkness of the secluded parts of the forest, growing wicked with dark spells. The last I heard, she had found a way to clone herself. Her name was Malady. The dark thoughts of the Barlog have reached her, and now, she comes back for revenge on those who cast her out."
And at that moment, the sky seemed to darken. Thick clouds rolled over, blocking out the sun. Another shriek, and then, the dark shapes of the witches flew high above them, zooming over the tree tops. They moved with great speed, and headed straight for Ellinia. With a loud shout from Heera, a great many arrows flew to meet the Malady's, and struck a few down. The shriveled body of one dropped down in just front of Bull. Her broom was broken, but she was not dead. All those who looked on her turned away in horror, but Bull stood looking down over the old witch. She gave a raspy cough, and then looked up at Bull. Her face was shaded in shadows under her pointed hat, but he could see her all too well. Her face was like a crumpled paper, shriveled up with old age. She still held great magical powers, but she was mortally wounded from the fall, and could simply choke as she struggled to utter a curse. "You do not deserve to live, you horrible creature." Bull said, and he slammed his axe into her body. She gave a final screech, and then, her body dissolved into dust, and it blew away in the wind.
Drawing out his axe, he looked up overhead. More Malady's had been shot, and they dropped from the sky. Then, the deep pounding of stone came ever closer, as the golems approached. "Hines will know what to do with those witches. Come now, we will slaughter these golems. Aim for the jewel on their chest, for it is that which is giving them life." And with that, he ran forward again, jumped up high, and struck his axe against the first stone golem. He shattered the jewel, and from it blew a small wisp of red smoke, and then, the golem crumbled down into a harmless pile of stone and dust.
High above the battlefield, the Malady's seemed to fly in like a great swarm of bees. More arrows struck them, and many fell. But they flew about wildly, some dodging the arrows, and continued to fly straight towards the outer platforms of Ellinia, cackling with an evil gleam in their eyes. Relentlessly, Heera shoot four arrows at the one in front. She dodged the first arrow, but the other three pierced her through the heart, and she dropped from the sky. But there were many more, and they flew onward with great speed. Heera guessed there were at least a hundred. The arrows could not hold them all off, and the first of the Malady's crashed through the outer platforms, straight into the lines of archers.
They fell backwards, but one witch grabbed on to a young archer, her boney hands gripping on with unnatural strength. Cackling in a deep, raspy laugh, she turned around, and dragged the archer with her. Then, flying off the platform and soaring above high the Ellinia plains, she let her grip go. Desperately, the archer tried to grab hold of the witch, but she flew away, and watched the young archer fall to her death. As she looked on with glee at the smashed body of the dead archer on the plains below, a burning arrow pierced through her body. Looking around, she saw Heera, glaring at her with a pained stare. The Malady laughed with evil joy, an unpleasant cackle that was coughed out from her toothless mouth. And then she cast a final glance at Heera, just as another arrow was shot straight through her head.
The Malady's began to swarm around Ellinia, smashing into the archers, casting evil spells. Desperately, Heera shot at wherever she could, and swung her bow at one when it flew close. It almost seemed that Ellinia would be overrun, when suddenly, from the central tree, Hines appeared. Under the gloomy sky, his white gown seemed to glow brightly. Hines stretched out his hands, and a powerful gust blew about. Overhead, the clouds began to disperse, and sunlight filled in. Softly, Hines chanted, and his staff glowed white. Then, he slammed his staff down, and a great flash of holy light expanded outwards. The light burned the Malady's with holy powers, and they dissolved to a fine ash. As Hines lowered his arms, only a small cloud of dust lingered about Ellinia. Far below, they could hear the cheering of the warriors, thieves and magicians as they stood over the ruins of the golem army, their weapons held high in victory.
A massive crackle of lightning burst through the air. Since the dark stone golems had passed through the southern road, the trees had been smashed down, and sunlight now flooded over the roadway. All who stood on the Ellinia plains looked on in silence as the dark shape of a tauromacis charged forward. "Back now! Regroup under the shades of the trees of Ellinia!" Bull shouted. The men were scattered, and now they quickly backed off towards Ellinia, but never taking their eyes off the southern road.
As they stood back, with the great battlefield littered with carcasses stretched before them, the tauromacis burst through. It held a long spear, headed with a bright yellow crescent which glowed with magical lightning. It was covered in matted brown fur, with a face like a bull. It stood over four times the height of any man, a gargantuan beast that served as the guards of the Barlog. Immediately, Heera shot of another rain of arrows, but this time, not one of the beasts fell. As more arrows continued to fall, it struck at the beast, but did not pierce deeply, and did little damage. The tauromacis charged forward at the group of warriors and thieves.
From the back, Amelia cast forth another frozen blizzard, and it smashed against the beast with icy chills. The beast slowed down, but did not stop. With its fur now cracked with ice, it stomped forward. Behind, even more tauromacis continued to enter the plains, and still, not one had yet fallen. Kiltan held a fan of stars in his hand, and flung those outwards. Upon leaving his hand, they fused together with a magical spark. A giant star, with eight sharp edges, flew straight at the first of the beast. It cut through its side, and struck through the approaching army, slicing at the tauromacis behind. The first one began to crumple, as the huge star sliced deep into its side. A great fury of magical claws swiped at the beast, and it finally crumbled down.
The star Kiltan threw had damaged the beast behind, but only slightly. More continued to rush forward, and now were almost upon the men. Bull, Lazarus and Cassandra held ready their weapons as the tauromacis approached.
High above in the trees, Hines watched. Over a quarter of the initial army sent down was gone, slain in the brutal battle. The tauromacis were filling into the plains, and yet, more were to come. "Now, it is time to show these creatures the powers of the forest." Hines said softly. Behind him, five fairies approached, and they stood in a row behind him. With two hands on his staff, he held it forward, and around him, the leaves rustled. Together with the magical powers of the fairies, he closed his eyes, and chanted an ancient spell. Far below, he could hear the tauromacis attack and the shouts of the men as they clashed with the beast. He held a firm grip on his staff, his head bowed in deep concentration. Then, his eyes flashed open, and they glowed with a deep red. He raised his arms high, and his white cloak expanded out behind him. He stood as a great figure atop the highest peak of Ellinia, a great leader of magicians, and he unleashed forth his great powers.
"Fear, all you foul beast, for you have entered the domain of Hines!" He shouted out, and his voice resounded with great power. For a moment, the tauromacis below stopped, and they looked up. Hines shone with majestic brilliance, and looked down upon the beast. He was a single man, but he commanded immense power, and the beasts were struck with fear. But the men on the battlefields were renewed with hope, for they saw their great leader striking fear into their enemies.
And then, from deep within the forest, great blue balls of mystical glowing energy sparkled. They rose up from the mana pools, and their lights shone through the dense forest, casting long shadows through the trees. The tauromacis looked around, and they were in a crazed frenzy. Some began to run back through the southern road, and all those that stood near the group of thieves and warriors were quickly slain as the men swarmed over the stunned beast. Then, as the blue orbs rose towards the canopy of the trees, they stopped, and floated gently in the breeze. But within the orbs churned a deadly magical force, and as Hines gave a final shout, they exploded.
They expanded outwards in brilliant light novas. It passed right through the trees, barely rustling the leaves, bursting outwards like a huge bubble, its surface shimmering with gloss. It was a beautiful sight, but when it touched the beast, they howled in pain, for the mana waves burned their skin like acid. All the tauromacis that were along the southern road began to fall down, their thick fur dropping off, and their bare flesh bubbling. They clawed desperately at the ground, pulling themselves away, but it was not long before they stopped moving, and they lay dead.
Hines fell to his knees, and his breath was heavy. The fairies came up and supported him. He had used his full powers, and now lay down, exhausted. Far below, the men were cheering in victory over the misshapen bodies of the tauromacis. But once again, a deep silence set over them as they heard more footsteps approaching from the roadway. As Bull looked south into the forest, all he could see was the many dead beasts lying along the road, but there were more behind that escaped the mana waves.
"This is the final attack that the Barlog sends forth. The taurospears, stronger and more powerful then a tauromacis. Let us just hope that most were consumed by the mana waves, and that not many are left." Bull said softly, with his gaze fixed on the southern road.
Lazarus looked back at the remaining army of warriors, thieves and magicians. Most were panting heavily, with cuts and bruises covering their bodies. Walking around the groups of men, clerics were healing the wounded wherever possible. They could heal the physical scars, but not their mood. Now, the sun was directly overhead. It was noon, and the battle had taken its toll on the men. Some were weeping, for they had seen their friends killed, their bodies lost somewhere over the massive field of carnage. Now, only about half of the army that was sent down was left, of which most were struck down by the powerful lightning shock that the tauromacis attacked with. It would have been worse, if not for Hines. But now, an even greater threat, more powerful then a tauromacis, was approaching, Hines was weary, and so were the men on the battlefield.
Bull looked back, and saw the men and women standing together behind him. "This creature that approaches us is powerful. But they will fall under the hands of men. Be strong! For the victory of Ellinia, and all of Victoria, we fight!" And Bull raised his axe high, and so did all the men that were assembled behind him, as they faced the beast that approached them.