Brilliance: A Legend of Mana Story

Four ~In A State of Undeath~

Riven reached the hilltop, leaning heavily on Vincent. With Kiijin held tightly in one hand, he drove its point into the ground and sat down. Vincent stalked right to the edge of the ledge, growling at the mass of soldiers.

There was a flash as Sierra suddenly appeared next to him, follow quickly by Larc. She dropped to one knee beside Riven. "How does it look?"

"Bad. Real bad," he said.

"What is that?" Larc asked, gesturing at Vincent.

The Skeleton Knight turned, regarding him coldly, before returning its gaze to the army.

"Remember the egg we picked up when we went to kill the Bone Dragon?" Riven asked. "That's what came out."

"Is it strong?" Larc asked.

"It is my secret weapon. Little guy fights constantly. He's always training. Sometimes I think he could be stronger then me."

"Hmph. We'll see."

Sierra's ears suddenly perked up, and she got to her feet. "We've been spotted."

Hundreds of soldiers suddenly charged over the hill, silent except for the clashing of their armor as they ran. Riven watched them as they charged, scratching his chin thoughtfully. "You want them, or should I?" he asked.

Larc shrugged indifferently. Vincent made another growling noise, louder this time. Frowning, Riven got to his feet and looked in the direction the little guy was facing. "Damn!" he snarled.

*************

Deathbringer raised his hand, and suddenly his knights began ripping themselves from the ground. Skeletal figures, most barely held together by disintegrating muscle if they had any at all. The pulled themselves from the earth, a silent undead army.

The Bone Dragon hissed in approval, as the Nanten's army recoiled in fear. Deathbringer himself laughed triumphantly, as his undead soldiers now matched the size of the Nanten's.

There was a few moments, when it looked like the tide of battle would change. The the first soldier attacked. His thrown spear burst through the Bone Dragon's side, and it's approving rumbles quickly turned to a hiss of pain. Deathbringer laughed, and pointed at the Bone Dragon. Everyone on both sides watched in fear and astonishment as the undead horde fell on the Bone Dragon. Some threw chains, pinning its skeletal wings, dragging it down to the ground. Others threw spears, or fired arrows, and still others attacked with axes and swords, crawling up its side to strike at its head.

The Bone Dragon reared back, scattering the soldiers with every sweep of its claws. But the kept returning, throwing their broken bodies at it, continuing to attack no matter the cost. All the while the Deathbringer laughed, watching his former master being brought down.

Even Lucemia was silent as the battle raged, its song forgotten for the moment.

*************

"What . . . what's happening?" Elleira mumbled as she came to. She rolled over, trying to regain her senses. Just in time, she saw the soldier charging her, spear in hand. She spun on her back, sweeping her legs and kicking it to the side. Her hands were tied behind her, so there wasn't much she could do, but she was determined not to let a punk soldier kill her.

The man growled, raising his spear again, and was about to drive it down when a sword blossomed from the front of his chest. She stared in astonishment as the man went down, and Escad pulled his sword from the twitching body, wiping it on the soldier's cloak.

"Escad!" she exclaimed. "Goddess, I never thought I'd be glad to see you!" she said. He said nothing, slashing her ropes, and tossing her sword on the ground in front of her. With a grin, she pulled Kiishin close to her, hugging it. Escad's next swipe cut the air immediately next to her head, slicing the tip off one of her decorative sticks. With a gasp, she fell backwards, pulling Kiishin from its scabbard hastily. "What in the name of Olbohn are you thinking?!" she snarled, glaring at him. When her eyes reached his face, however, she paled.

Escad's eyes were gone. He leveled his sword at her, and made a "Come on" gesture with its tip.

Scowling, she got to her feet, clenching Kiishin tightly. "So, I don't even get to fight you. I get to fight some dead version of you. Hmph. No way a soulless creature like you can kill me!" she snarled, leaping forward.

Her sword met his in a clash of sparks, blow after blow being deflected. She knew his sword was too fast for her to break through, and if it were the real Escad, she would have known she had a chance. He had always been too impatient with defending, and so took an offensive approach. But this new, undead Escad . . .

"I'll put you to rest Escad, don't worry!" she swore, and then his blade it into her arm, and she jumped back. The gash was deep. Really deep. She looked from it to the pseudo-Escad, paling. (He's too good,) she thought, for the first time, feeling some real fear. (I'm going to die.)

Escad removed his cloak, dropping it to the ground, and raised his blade again. Elleira almost backed away, but her pride held fast. "Okay Escad, you want to see why I'm the Mana Hero?" she asked. "I will kill you, or bring you down with me!"