Beginning: Victoria

Chapter 19

The ground is shaking and lightning is striking all around them as Valencia tries to keep up with the rest of the group. Up ahead she sees that the bowman named Tsuka is firing arrows from on top of small building. She follows the direction of the arrows and sees a large hairy beast wearing brown armor. She remembers it from Ellinia. Arrows are flying at it, magic is being cast on it and warriors try to get close enough to damage it. Valencia goes to fire holy arrow but lightning strikes the ground not far in front of her and she falls back. Dust streams to her lungs making her cough. She strains her eyes to see through the debris. She gets up frightened when she can't see the rest of the group. She starts running forward, but the many fighters running around and the lightning strikes prevent her from doing so quickly. She stops when she hears her name. She turns around and sees the mage Akeelika coming towards her.

"Where are the others?" she asks.

"We got separated by the blast," says Akeelika. "WATCH OUT."

Sira runs her fingers down her friends face and closes his eyes for him. She turns her head away and steps away from the body of the warrior still hung in mid air by her own spear. They had been friends since childhood, teammates for the passed few years. Surrounded by the sounds of explosions, the screams of warriors, the howls of the beasts and with the ground trembling beneath her feet Sira staggers down a road painted red with the blood of the slain. Each step she doesn't realize she is taking, she walks as though in a daze; in disbelief. She brings her hand to her face and wipes away the few tears that had fallen when trying to free her friend. She looks at her hand when she is done and sees that it is red with Seraphs blood. So much blood spilled, so many lives sacrificed, why? What was this man's purpose? Why had everything been destroyed? She watches a man run in towards her. He stops and starts speaking to her, trying to catch his breath. What is he saying? She doesn't know and she doesn't care. She hears Valencia's screams and cries over and over in her head from the battle in Ellinia. She sees the faces of the men and women grieving in Sleepywood. She looks at the rogues face in front of her, he's telling her about the situation. Why is he telling her? She looks around her... bodies lay lifeless. She is the only one left on the street. She watches the man's mouth move, but only hears mumbling. As the words "There is nothing left of Kerning," pour from the man's mouth, her eyes widen and the sounds all around her come flooding back to her ears. "Henesys, kerning," says the man. "Completely destroyed ... no survivors. The subway caved in and survivors are yet to be found. The large beast carrying the man is heading this way. Tell the people to run."

"I..." goes to say Sira.

A flash of light strikes in front of her and she falls back. Her eyes gaze upon the fallen mans now burnt flesh in horror and brings her hand to cover her mouth and nose. The lightning... more beasts. Without thinking she leaps to her feet and runs. She runs down the now deserted streets of Perion. She disregards the destroyed buildings and slaughtered fighters and keeps heading down the mountain and sloping streets. She can hear the sounds of the battling ensuing in the distance. The man is right... they must run. Flashes of Ellinia cross her mind.

Up ahead she sees someone kneeling next to a body and recognizes the cleric from the group; Mowsey. He looks up and runs to meet her.

"You're alive," he shouts. "Where are the rest?"

"I..." she says thinking of Seraph. "I don't know...We have to get out of here... everyone needs to flee. They're all going to die."

"Not many remain alive in the city," says Mowsey frightened. "My healing is useless. I don't have time to heal, they're just too strong."

"The battle, where is the rest of the people?" shouts Sira.

"Down in a ravine below," says Mowsey, leading the way.

Sira and Mowsey stop at the end of a ledge and look down onto the battlefield. They're not far away and can here the orders being called out. A few feet away she sees a captain prepping a large group of troupes. She doesn't move for a few minutes. All she can do is stare down at the people running bravely towards the beasts giving their last breath to bring down these enemies. Why are they fighting? They must run...

On that thought she leaps forward and runs towards the one giving out orders.

"Captain," she yells recognizing Chum Ji.

The man turns around and looks at the spear girl.

"Tell them to fall back," she yells.

"Excuse me?" he asks.

"It's futile," she says breathless. "They can't stop the man that is coming."

"We are protecting Perion," says Chum Ji. "I suggest you do the same."

"Captain!" she yells.

"I have a battle to lead," says Chum Ji sternly. "Join us or leave."

Sira staggers stepping back. She watches as Mowsey steps past her to join Chum Ji.

"No...," she says.

"What else can we do?" asks Mowsey. "Even if it is futile, we have to try. We are the only ones left."

Her eyes shift to the battle and then back at Mowsey. She doesn't have time to say another word, 3 beasts break through the line of fighters in the distance and come charging towards them. She instinctively goes for her spear, but she doesn't have it. They are too fast, no time to think. They jump the group, who resist violently giving all they got. She dodges some attacks. Why can't she bring herself to face them? She is scared... she is angry that she is so scared. Her father would be disappointed in her. As the fighters before her eyes fall to the ground her eyes well up with tears... useless... weak... She curses herself for the tears and shakes it out of her mind. She turns around and runs. She has to find something to fight with. She runs to an open area on the next street up searching. She can hear the screams of men and women in the distance, her heart aches. She is almost out of breath when she stumbles upon a large number of bodies. She rummages through them trying to find a decent weapon she can wield. Where are the spears? She is clumsy with a sword... she has to find a spear or at least a pole arm.

At the far end of the area her eyes land on something shiny. She runs towards it. Sira stops and stares at the wall of the building; A warrior is pinned to it. She recognizes the man from her training days, kade was his name. The long red spear holding the man a few feet above the ground on the building glimmers in the flashes of lightning coming from the battle behind her. She stares at it for a moment and then slowly slides both her hands around the base of the spear. She grips it tightly and closes her eyes as she releases it from the man's body. She hears the thud as the body hits the ground and reopens her eyes. Kade had been strong and was said to be capable of great things... she feels a sadness overwhelm her. Such a waste of life, she thinks. She feels the tip of the spear and wipes off the blood. She had always dreamed of holding the Serpents Tongue spear, but she had never imagined it would become hers in such a manner. She feels its heavy weight and wonders if she has the strength enough to wield it properly.

Before she can speak, Valencia raises her hands and touches the face of the person in front of her and smiles. It is the first time she has smiled since Ellinia. The man in front of her chuckles and grins.

"So you missed me," says Jaimus.

"We didn't know if you were..." she goes to continue.

"I don't bruise that easily," says Jaimus tipping his hat.

"I'm glad...," says Valencia.

"So where is our buff warrior lady?" asks Jaimus. "Our partner here seems very set on finding her."

Valencia looks over and is happy to see the assassin, Zenith.

"Found this chap when I was arriving in Perion," explains Jaimus.

"We were separated," says Valencia. " Sira and I ... "

"Let's go then," says Zenith impatiently leading the way.

The three teammates jog through the debris of Perion, across the ruined battle fields and towards the edge of town. Valencia looks at the faces of the people on the ground for Sira and is relieved that no one has yet resembled the Spear girl. Valencia is also relieved that they do not cross the path of any of the beasts, but is worrisome that the battle is over and they have once again fought in vain. As the battle sounds around them become silent and the gruesome sight of the fallen catch her eyes she fears for the worst.