Here it is, sorry for the delay, was really stuck on the latest United chapter that it became so big that it had to be split into two chapters. Together both should be split down into three in my opinion but that would include more writing so no.
But I will tell you that I am working on the next Are We Alone chapter and the Lords of Warcraft chapter alongside one another. They deserve to be updated and I intend to do that right now. But for now enjoy these chapters.
Also to let you know I will be updating the Transcendence Wiki, as it has begun to degrade after some time of no use. So I will be updating it and making the changes as necessary for it. It may cause some delays but I promise to get it up and running in order for those who wish to learn more about the OC character and the story in general to come along and check it out when I have finished.
But still this is not paramount to this story, another chapter here for you all to enjoy. Hope you like it, review responses are at the bottom so enjoy.
Transcendence
Chapter 33: The Push
Shandris overlooked the city from her perch; she could see much of the lower wards of the ruins from this location. Stretching for several miles in the north were thousands of buildings, many streets and alleys between the building blocks. It was a sea of marble and stone, even with the vegetation and odd dereliction this place still appeared to be habitable.
The city itself was interestingly designed, broken into two major sections, the lower ward and the upper ward. The lower wards seemed to be the major housing area for all the citizens of the city, a mix of housing blocks, plazas and bazaars. It spanned most of the city, being the largest and most haphazard location for them to fight with so many winding streets and narrow alleyways.
The upper wards however she could see, it was built onto the shelf along the mountain's slope. Raised above the lower ward, which arced around in a crescent shape around the city, with the lower wards nestled in its arms. The only access to these raised levels seemed to be a few major staircases that ran along the outside, spaced apart by a kilometer or so, and from what she could see they were occupied by demons.
"Get the Sentinels to advance, I want this entire region to be scouted out, teams of ten are to move through the area and locate any enemy strong points," Shandris ordered. "See about searching for alternative paths to the upper wards, if the demons are defending it than their main force is there. Go."
Iyeana nodded her head and moved off, leaving Shandris to continue to overlook the lower section of the city from her perch. It had taken then an hour to enter the city and find a suitable location to set up a base camp. The demons were roaming this place in packs, likely hunting for any Gordunni stragglers, not enough to be a threat, but most certainly a nuisance.
Her forces had set themselves up on one of the larger structures, near the Broken Commons and main entry plaza of the city. Here she had set up a base within and upon one of the larger buildings and began sending her forces outwards. The rooftops were theirs to use and control, and they would exploit it for all their worth.
Shandris turned and calmly walked towards the stairs, she would need to take charge of the situation before moving ahead with an assault. Her first priority was to solidify her position and learn of their enemy's strength, and where they were getting their reinforcements.
After that it would be a straight shot towards the upper wards were they could take the fight to the enemy. The lower wards were unimportant, completely abandoned and without use to the demons, it was the upper wards that held importance, with most of the enemy force there. So if she could scout out that upper ward than she could easily plan a strategy against the demons up there.
"General, we have a runner from the Warsong here," a Sentinel said, approaching Shandris as she exited the tower stairwell and into her command post.
She found an Orc warrior standing beside her Sentinel, while two more flanked his side. He held no weapon and looked calm despite being surrounded by his enemy, she wondered what he had been sent here for.
"Speak," Shandris said.
"Morgosh has ordered the advance into the city, he is requesting cover fire from the rooftops and buildings. He will push ahead and keep the demons distracted while you flank them," the runner said, calm and collected, and wasn't making demands from his Warlord, that was new.
"If he wants reinforcements he will have to wait, I am carrying out my own assault and do not have time to send him anything," Shandris said, brushing off the request. "Send him my reply."
The Orc nodded and left without another word, she has expected some shouting or insults. But it would seem that the Orc either expected this or his Warlord expected it, either case did not matter to her. She had to find the source of the demons portals and from that she could begin her first assault.
But first she needed to see that her camp was secured, and was pleased to see that it had been set up quickly and in an orderly manner. They were held up within a large barren room at the top of a building, hollow and with only two entrances that were guarded on the outside. She also had sentries upon the top of the pillars that lines the walls of the room, keeping an eye over her base and sentries on the roof and windows making sure nothing came their way.
An occasional twang of the arrow was heard and then a dull thud in the distance, signaling that her archers were doing their job at keeping anything at a distance.
Tents and hastily set up medical stations were made, and with incense burners to prevent the smell of blood from drawing the attention of anything nearby. But in the far corner, where much of the wall had collapsed and allowed for a good vantage point into the lower common area of the city, was a table with a map of the city. It was continually being updated and fixed with information brought back from her scouts.
"What is the situation?" Shandris said, moving towards the table and looking over it, around were several Enchanted Paper Weights, they were placed down and then quickly taken back to continue their scouting.
"We have a good layout of the East and North, the scouts are coming in with refined details but we have enough information on the demons strongpoints," Pained said, pointing to seven blackened areas on the map. "These are their main bases, mostly camps set up to prevent access to the upper wards."
Looking over the map she could see most if not all of the lower commons had been searched and mapped, all but the western sections seemed complete. On the maps were icons showing the exact locations of these strong points, most of them situated in plazas near the stairs up to the wards. Sadly there had been nothing to show any scouts had been able to infiltrate up to those wards.
"Any idea of where the demons are getting their reinforcements?" Shandris asked.
"From what we can extract it seems that there is a major highway that runs across the entire upper wards," Pained said, pointing to a completely blank piece of space on the map. "It moves up from the east to the north and then to the west of the city, the demons likely are using it to advance across the city without having to navigate the streets."
"How can you be sure the demons are advancing from there?" Iyeana inquired.
"Because of their numbers, and also because Tervosh has informed us of the abundant amount of energy that is coming from that direction, likely it is that tower," Pained said, glancing out through the massive opening in the building.
Her eyes landed on a single tower in the distance, standing above the other buildings on the upper wards, it was several kilometers away but they could still see it despite the difference in height. If that was a marker for anything, it was likely to be the demons main beachhead.
"Then we have a target," Shandris said. "If we can remove it than the demons will have lost their main source of reinforcements."
"Yes, but the demons have moved far, the north is in their control and it seems they are massing in the west for an attack, it is likely they are trying to cut off all access up to the upper wards," Pained said. "If they have forces in the east and west, a direct attack will be suicide."
Shandris did know this, but that would have to wait for the moment, if the demons lost their main source for reinforcements they could deal with what remained. But without a clear idea of how many that is it would be impossible to formulate a plan.
"But we do know that the demons are holding the upper wards for the Highway, without it they cannot advance quickly," Shandris said. "Even if we cut them off we will still be unable to hold off such a large force."
"Yet the Warsong seem keen on reaching the Highway, if they are aware of it," Tervosh said, motioning to the location where the Warsong was fighting, they were making a beeline for the northernmost stairs that led up to the upper ward. "If they reach the stairs and ascend it to the upper ward they would be fighting a battle on two fronts from the east, and west if the demons fall back."
That would be a problem, as much as she loathed working with them they were both invested in this assault, and since that fool had to go and attack so recklessly she was forced to save him. But first she would need to work on destroying the demons main means of reinforcing themselves. After that she could possibly work on securing the west so to relieve the Warsong on one side.
"Alright, I need to know what that tower is, anything," Shandris said. "I plan to assault it with whatever I can but I need to know exactly what it is we may be dealing with up there."
"The tower is a temple,"
Shandris turned and looked towards the speaker, finding it to be Codexia who had made the statement. She strolled over and looked down at the map, she looked down upon it and pointed to the location of the tower, or roughly where it was.
"This is the temple where the demons are likely summoning their reinforcements, drawing power from the powers within it to bring forth their armies," Codexia said.
"What do we know of this temple?" Shandris asked, if it was the source than it had to be destroyed and those portals shut down permanently.
"It is an ancient temple built around a tree known as the Fruit of Fertility," Codexia replied.
"What is this Fruit of Fertility?" Shandris asked.
"It is a tree, an ancient tree that houses within the power over nature and life. It is what allowed the Highborne the ability to give trees life and form, and what they used to control them until they abandoned the city." Codexia replied. "I believe you would call them Ancients and Treants."
That was a little surprising, but not important.
"How does this tree exactly give the demons the means to open portals?" Tervosh asked.
"The Fruit is able to sap all the natural energies of the forest into itself, sapping all life from them in order to power them. If the demons are able to harness the energy they are quite literally using Feralas to power their portals, and not just one, but many. If we free the tree we can end this."
"You mean destroy it, we cannot allow them to maintain control over this Fruit of Fertility and let its corruption remain, especially if the demons are able to retake it," Shandris replied.
"I would disagree, I may be able to remove the corruption," Codexia replied as she smiled confidently. "My abilities allow me to manipulate dark forces, and Fel energy is no different, all I need is time and I can free the Fruits of Fertility from the demons control."
"How does this help us?" Shandris asked.
"It will allow us to free the Ancients and Treants within the city, the entire city, we would have the support of them in this battle. Dozens of Ancients, hundreds of treants, we could clear out the eastern section of the city in one fell swoop," Codexia replied.
Shandris was intrigued, if what she said was true that would mean that they could possibly be able to stop the demons from gaining reinforcements and then gain some of their own. With that they could clear the city's eastern section and focus on the west. They would be able to flank the demons on two fronts rather than the other way around.
Morgosh would still prove a valuable distraction while her forces carry out the mission, and when he took the brunt of the demons force while attacking the highway she would attack from the west. While in the east the remains of the demons reinforcements could be cleared out by the ancients and what forces she sends along. It would be the perfect plan, with that support they could easily take care of the opposition, and better yet she would likely not need to send a massive force to take that temple.
But that was if this plan works, and if this tree does exist and it does what Codexia says it does.
"How do you know of this tree? And how do you know this can work?" Shandris asked, she needed fact about this, she was committing a lot of people to this and she needed to know this gamble would pay off.
"I have studied Elven architecture before and learned of the tree from Highborne ruins, I assure you that this is our best chance at stopping the demons, trust me," Codexia said, placing an arm on Shandris' shoulder and trying to express her certainty to her.
Shandris looked on for a moment, a few thoughts passing through her mind before she decided to accept. If what she says was true they could easily bolster their forces and deal a massive blow against the demons, it was too good a chance to pass up.
"I approve, Iyeana get your platoon together, they will be going with Codexia to the temple," Shandris ordered.
"I may also be able to provide a route to the temple as well, I have learned of a few tunnels and mazes that exist below the city we could use, I even know of one that can get up to the upper ward without being noticed or using the stairs," Codexia chimed in.
"Good, go with Iyeana and plan out the infiltration," Shandris said, turning back to the map, while Iyeana and Codexia moved off.
But the priestess halted for a moment and had a thought, turning she spoke to Shandris.
"Could you possibly send Ichigo as well, I am sure he would be most useful in this mission," Codexia quickly added, although there was a slight tremble in her words, they appeared to be a little hasty.
Shandris looked at her quizzically for a moment before she gave a nod, she was going to send him anyway, so there was no issue. His powers would be very useful for an assault on that location as his skills and raw power alone should get her people to the temple alive.
"I will get him, get down to the lower levels and wait there, the rest of our forces will gather there before you depart," Shandris said, her eyes landing back onto the map as she scanned its contents and three more Paper Weights came down onto the parchment and began to add further details to the city.
Codexia nodded her head and departed as the general requested, she had hoped that the General would not ask questions. It was good that she didn't and was not going to stop her, because she wanted to learn more about Ichigo in the short time she will be with him.
Shandris turned and glanced at the girl as she walked out one of the doors, her eyes narrowing as she disappeared. That girl knew a lot about this city, and also it seems she is keenly aware of something about Ichigo. The fact she hastily asked him to come along surprised her a little, and considering that what Ichigo is and that he appears to be a very young man that would have warranted some hesitation. But not her, she eagerly wanted Ichigo to come along, not mentioning Adelina or even Quintis, both of whom are experts in nature magic.
But it was also the fact that she also agreed to this plan, there were many variables that she had to consider for this but she accepted them. Something felt wrong about that. The plan was still a good one if it was as she had said, but as of now Codexia was making her suspicious.
"She knows something," Shandris mused, and also there was another thing. "How did she know about the Fruit of Fertility, and what it does?"
This city has not been seen or explored in millennia, not with the demons, Highborne and Ogres populating it. But how she came across the knowledge of this city and also what was inside, and that the demons were using it. She would need to keep a close eye on that girl, she most certainly knew more than she was letting on.
"Filleath," Shandris said, getting the attention of her scout. "Go with the assault party under Lieutenant Iyeana, and keep a close eye on that woman, I want to know everything she does."
The Sentinel gave a nod and departed, leaving Shandris to oversee the situation within the city. She pushed the thoughts of Ichigo to back of her mind and Codexia along with it, for now she would leave it in the hands of her Sentinels and deal with these demons. And when the time comes, she will personally strike at the Highborne and see what they have been up to for the last ten thousand years.
"So they aren't coming are they?" Morgosh said, looking over the battlefield ahead of him, his forces were taking the city block by block and street by street.
Sadly the narrow corridors made it difficult for his men to advance quickly, meaning he had to fight against the demons on near equal numbers. That was something he couldn't allow, even his best wouldn't be able to simply fight one on one for long, he would suffer too many casualties.
"No Warlord, the General refused to send anyone," the runner said.
"Damn that woman, deciding to help but giving no aid," Morgosh said, before brushing it off and deciding he will need to go with his other plan.
He had hoped to avoid using this as it would take away from his secondary objective. But he will need to use this if he was going to keep his men alive long enough to find the leader among these demons.
"Get me Turok and Raizzariza," Morgosh ordered.
The runner gave a crisp salute, slamming his fist into his chest, and quickly went off to find the two mentioned individuals. Leaving Morgosh to move from his command hut and towards the front lines, he had set himself on a large overcrop on the outskirts of the Broken Commons in the center of the city's entrance. He could see the main street below filled with his warriors.
They had set up a barricade and also a treatment center for the wounded, along with a few sentries, nothing too permanent. He would be advancing his force every few blocks in order to keep reinforcements and treatment close. Yet advancing would leave his forces open to attack, luckily the demons however did not use the many narrow alleyways between the buildings to their advantage. Something he could exploit and use.
"Warlord, I have them," the runner said, standing ahead of two easily distinguishable warriors.
Morgosh turned from the ledge and looked towards the two people he had called for, Turok Thunderhorn of the Thunderhorn Tauren Tribe and Raizzariza of the Bilgewater Cartel Mercenary Company.
Turok stood at nine feet in height and was covered in thin blackened metal with red accents, and beneath was a layer of dark chain mail. It contrasted perfectly with his almost snow colored fur. In his hand was a large rifle, something that seemed more an oddity for him to have rather than the thick plated armor over his body. Usually the Thunderhorns frown upon firearms, using bows of a sort for their hunting and with light armor or none at all.
But Turok was a different sort and a skilled marksman, the perfect person he needed for what the Elves refused to do.
"Turok, I want you to get your hunters and my rifleman to take to the roofs and buildings, offer fire support from above. I want these demons riddled with holes and bleeding on the ground when my main force gets to them," Morgosh ordered and received a nod from the hulking Tauren.
"What about me boss?" Raizzariza asked, the assassin asked, hand on his sheathed swordbreaker.
Raizzariza was an odd character, despite liking to be called Rai due to hating his own name; he was a rogue that often liked killing people from the front rather than the back. It might have to do with being a skilled swordsman, and his arrogant way of doing things.
Thin maroon and brown leather pants and tunic were all he wore, aside for the short cloak on his back with which he could hide two pistols. The assassin came on high demand, and it was only because of Gazlowe's recommendation that he even considered bringing along these assassins. But he did not doubt that they were bringing in some results, with the intel they were gathering this assault was going easier. And since the alley ways and buildings were mostly clear, these rogues have a lot of ease moving through the city undetected.
"I want to know what you found, or your men," Morgosh said, looking at the Troll who only shrugged.
"We got no men on the upper levels, too dangerous, but we did find a way to slip in near the east upper district," Rai said, before he shook his head. "Dangerous though, a lot of demons coming that way, likely where they be getting their men from. Smells like a demon hovel as well, that got to be where their main base be."
"If that is the case I want you to find it and level it to the ground, if the demons are bringing in reinforcements I want that to stop," Morgosh ordered. "I want you to lead Captain Mahl'Raz to this entrance and get them up there, find out how they are bringing in the demons and do what you have to."
"Understood boss," Rai said, turning and walking off casually and no other words said.
Morgosh looked over the map, hastily drawn and detailing the topographical layout of his surrounding area, mostly from the entrance to the city up to the northern stairs. He noted several red cross marks on the paper in several place, mainly demon fortifications set up near those stairs. He knew that a direct assault on the north would be fruitless; he would need to wait for the scouts to report back on alternative routes. But for now he would push ahead to a bazaar that was about a kilometer from his position, set up a base there and then branch out.
Once that was done he could easily prepare for an assault on the upper districts, but for now he would need to cover his approach and make sure nothing gets behind him.
"Get the sappers ready, and prepare to bring down some buildings, I want these roads and passageways shut," Morgosh ordered, before looking over the map and pointing to several places. "Make sure you have these points guarded, I don't want even one demon attacking our rear."
If he sealed those streets and set up small choke points he should be able to seal off the demons movements to anywhere but the main road to the stairs. After he has set up the base and then found an easy route into the upper district he would begin his push against the demons.
'Knowing the Elves they will do the same, likely using us as the muscle,' Morgosh mused.
He knew they would likely go after the portals first and then likely resort to some hit and run tactics on the demons in the east that will dwindle their forces down to none. After that they would hit the highway and move up towards the northern end of the city and create a choke point to hold out and thin out the demon's numbers.
They had used a similar tactic in Ashenvale four and a half years ago, and if this was the case he knew that woman would send a sizable force to assault those portals. It was unlikely to take any attention away from his men, but it would prevent the demons from getting demonic reinforcements for a time. He could use that to his advantage.
Eastern Broken Commons
A group of five Felguard strolled down the street, bulging red muscles ripples as they skulked ahead without care. Chests bare, but their legs and their main weapon arm were covered in thick armor, jagged and roughly shaped. A few demonic words echoed under their breath as the moved forward, heading north.
A quiet whistle went up in the air; none would have thought much of it. But for those who did not realize, there were no birds in this part of the city.
From the alleyway someone shot out, his blade arcing around as he charged and slicing through the demon's stomach, nearly cutting him in half. Ichigo let the demon fall to a knee before he swung Zangetsu up and down, decapitating the Felguard. It took the four remaining demons a moment to realize the attack before they moved to kill the substitute.
With a heavy swing Ichigo batted aside the demon's large jagged spiked cleaver and countered with a quick slash over its chest. As it staggered back Ichigo turned and blocked another attack, halting a massive axe from splitting his head and torso like a melon. He then shifted to the side when the demon attempted to kick him. Getting creative Ichigo stepped to the side and kicked in the Felguard's other leg and brought it down to a knee, and then drew back Zangetsu and lopped off the demons bowed head.
Before the demons could advance on the substitute they were struck by a hail of arrows, over a dozen rained down onto their backs and chests. Perforating them and bringing the three low, leaving Ichigo to finish them off with a few quick strokes of his Zanpakuto.
"Ichigo, get over here, Lieutenant Iyeana needs us," a sentinel called, Ichigo did not wait as he charged past her and toward where Iyeana had gone when they separated to take out the patrols.
Ichigo zoomed past several alleyways as he moved towards where he could hear fighting, behind him were six other Sentinels that had been placed with him. Ichigo looked ahead and saw a Felguard stomp out of a passageway and attack, Ichigo easily countered by slicing through its gut as it raised its weapon. While a Sentinel finished it off with an arrow, and another doing the same to a second and third demon that tried to ambush them.
They were running and gunning as Ichigo called it, he would soften up whatever appeared ahead and those behind would finish it off. It was a good system, and for the next three minutes they used it to take down about a dozen demons that decided attacking them was smart.
Ichigo led the Sentinels out into a large plaza area where the Elves were busy fighting off a horde of Felguard and their pets called Felhounds. All of them were huddled in a small raised stand in the center of the plaza, which was surrounded by columns and flower beds, perfect place to bunker down and fight off attackers. Yet they were surrounded and wouldn't be able to last long inside.
The trapped Sentinels released arrow after arrow to keep the demons at a distance, unwilling to risk fighting outside the enclosed area against such powerful and numerous foes. Ichigo had no such qualms as he planned his charge.
"Follow me in, shoot anything that is ahead of you, get to the main group," Ichigo said, planning on reaching them and then working with them to escape.
They nodded their heads, vaulting off the stairs that led down into the plaza, cutting their way through the demons and towards their comrades. It was a quick run and rewarded them with at least a dozen dead demons, their path marked with their bodies and the crimson of their blood. Ichigo slashed through the back of an unsuspecting Felguard and let the Sentinel in front kill the beast, and then move on to face another.
"Glad you could join us," Iyeana said, turning and releasing her arrow, and nailing a demon through the eye, an impressive shot considering the guy was wearing a helmet with a narrow eyeslot.
"Sorry, had to deal with those patrols," Ichigo replied, looking around to see that they were getting a lot of attention. "I was thinking maybe we retreat and get to somewhere that won't drown us in a sea of demons."
"I agree, a hill is better than a bowl when surrounded," Iyeana replied, releasing another arrow and nailing a Felhound in the flank where it collapsed to the ground dead. "We move north, it should provide us some cover in the high buildings and then we move along the wall south till we can find a way to the upper quarter."
Ichigo nodded and quickly got to the front of the forces and saw that the demons were still pouring in at all sides. He could guess that north was towards the mountains, that is all he needed to know and decided that it was the way to go. Beside him two other Sentinels stepped forward and gave a nod, affirming they knew what to do.
Ichigo charged out of the defensive position and into the demons, slashing and hacking his way through them as he charged for the stairs. At his sides the two Sentinels followed his example as they nimbly disabled any demon that they passed.
"Follow them! Fight to the exit!" Iyeana commanded, leading her forces into a narrow path cut open by the substitute and her best swordswomen.
The escape to the stairs was quick, Ichigo and his two fellow warriors cut a path right to their exit and quickly held off anything that tried to flank their allies as they rushed up the stone steps. Ichigo swung Zangetsu around and cut down another Felguard, this had to have been his hundredth. He couldn't confirm the kills but he had to have taken down a hundred demons by now. As the last of the Sentinels rushed up the stairs and started laying down some cover fire for them Ichigo retreated.
He halted when he heard a pained scream, turning he saw that one of his fellow Sentinels had been caught by the ankle by one of the Felhounds and was being dragged off. Ichigo bound down the stairs and rushed to the fallen Sentinel, cutting past a Felguard and making a beeline for her. As she was being pulled back a Felguard moved forward and loomed above her with is massive club ready to flatten its unfortunate victim.
Ichigo swung Zangetsu up fast just as the mace descended, shooting it back up above the demons head and the substitute swung again and cut through his waist. Leaving him to collapse to the ground and have some of his organs fall out. Another appeared and he was dispatched in short order with an equally brutal finisher. Then stabbing Zangetsu into the demon dog's head he pried its teeth from the Sentinel's ankle before he grabbed her and dragged her towards the stairs.
He looked around, Zangetsu in one hand with the Sentinel being pulled in the other. He swung around as best he could, making sure nothing got near them while the archers along the upper boulevard offered what cover they could. As he reached the steps he sheathed Zangetsu and put the Elven warrior over his shoulder and helped her up the stairs.
"We need to move!" Iyeana said, ordering the Sentinels back as the demons began to swarm towards their position.
Iyeana took off with what warriors she could, charging down the street and cutting past anything in their way, behind them the Sentinels followed. Ichigo seeing as he had no choice quickly scooped the Sentinel into his hands and ran after them. Ichigo quickly found himself near the middle of the group, not allowing his passenger to slow him down in the slightest. Near him he found Caren and Adelina both to his left.
"Adelina, her leg is hurt, can you do anything?" Ichigo asked, gesturing with his chin towards the torn up ankle that had been painfully torn by the demons narrow and sharp fangs.
"I can't, we need to get out of here so I can treat it properly!" Adelina replied, looking back to see that they were being followed by a swath of demons.
"We can't lose them!" A Sentinel called ahead, giving warning to their plight.
"Yes we can!" Caren yelled, raising her palm and summoning up a ball of pale blue light, from it crackled energy before she tossed it into the air.
It flew up and then down, before crashing into the ground, it shattered like glass and from it spirted out a sheet of frost and ice. That spread along the ground and up the sides of the buildings, coating it in a thin sheet of pale blue sleet. The demons that tried to rush over it found their feet being restricted by the ice, as it crawled up their feet and fought to keep them rooted to the ground.
"Keep moving, we are not out of danger yet!" Iyeana called, swinging her sword around and lopping the arm off a Felguard that soon fell as a sword pierced its throat and drove it to the ground.
They may have lost those that were behind them, but they were still being attacked from all sides by demons that were ready to sink their teeth into them. No matter how many they hacked down they were still being found, and leaving a nice trail for them to follow as well. They needed to get out of dodge and somewhere safe, sadly that was hard when they were being attacked on all sides.
"They're everywhere," Adelina said aloud, looking to see that the demons were starting to get more numerous the further they ran.
"We must be close to the walls of the upper ward!" Iyeana said, if that was the case then the bulk of the demons forces were close by and therefor if they continued fleeing they would run right into their main force and be overwhelmed. "Turn back!"
Immediately they all came to a halt and turned, archers turned down the road and released a hail of arrows. Thirty arrows sailed at once and struck the approaching demons, it wasn't a simple random hail but well trained and highly accurate barrage. Not a single mark was wounding or missed; they hit a vital mark and scored a kill, leaving close to twenty demons to collapse to the ground with more following in their wake as they remained motionless for a few seconds.
"Where the hell do we go now?" Ichigo asked, shifting his passenger as he looked around.
"Allow me to handle that," Codexia chimed in, and around her hand pulsed with black energy, that seemed to absorb the light around them.
Soon the very shadows of the buildings and even those present morphed and expanded, shooting up from the ground and enclosing around them all. The demons tried to barge through the dark mist and towards their victims, but instead they mistook one another and killed their own before realizing just as the mist dispersed that the Elves were gone.
A stream of demonic words flew from the demon's maws, curses and likely insults were spewed, as they had lost the invaders who had murdered many of their kin. Commands and orders were given out, and the demons dispersed, planning on looking for the Elves who had escaped their wrath.
Only a block away on the top level of an abandoned structure was the party of forty, all of them quiet and waiting anxiously to know if they had been followed or the demons knew of their location. With baited breaths they stayed there for nearly a minute, and finally when the minute had passed did they release a pent up breath.
Standing near a window a Sentinel looked down at the streets to see the demons running around below without a clue to their location. She turned towards Lieutenant Iyeana and gave a nod, confirming that they have lost their pursuers for the moment.
"There, I do not know how long we will remain hidden, but we should see to it we rest only for a moment," Codexia said, smiling as she quickly sat down and took a deep breath to steady her beating heart.
"That was a nice trick, never knew priests could do something like that," Caren said, looking at Codexia who only shrugged.
"Learn something new every day, besides I am a little different from most," Codexia replied, before simply leaning back and resting for as long as she could.
Caren was wondering what kind of power that was, after all, to summon up the shadows and move them from one point to another is quite powerful. She had never heard of anything like that, was it a portal of some sort or just a simple translocation spell. But either case it had to wait, if the demons had Felhounds with them, then they would be able to track them down rather quickly.
"We should move soon as she suggested, those Felhounds will either smell our scent or the magic here," Caren said, taking in deep breaths as she steadied her heartbeat.
"Get any wounds patched up and check your quivers, we need to conserve what we have," Iyeana ordered, taking stock of her troops and seeing that they would likely be desperately low on arrows.
Within the next few minutes they prepared themselves to return to the hard march, their objective had not been as simple as they had hoped. Their infiltration had failed; the demons were much more numerous around the eastern part of the city than anticipated. They had hoped to infiltrate through the streets and alleyways and bypass the stairs and use several tunnels that Codexia was aware of. But it did not work out so well for them as they tried to reach their mark.
Either the demons knew they were coming or they had started increasing the rate they bring in their soldiers and decided to simply swarm the entirety of the city. But it did not matter, they had a mission and they needed to complete it otherwise they would be risking not only the lives of their fellow warriors, but their entire world as well.
"Are you able to stand?" Adelina asked, looking at the Sentinel's wounded ankle, it had been healed but there was likely to be some soreness and trauma still there.
"Yes…" She said, standing up and testing the limb, wincing only slightly but remained confident that she could continue.
"How far are we from the tunnel?" Ichigo asked, looking towards Codexia who walked over to the nearest window and peered outside.
She looked off into the distance and found that the walls holding up the upper wars was near, if that was the case she could easily move along it and find the tunnels.
"I know that the tunnels are located in an abandoned bath house between the two largest stairs in the east, meaning it should be just south-east of this position," Codexia said, looking over the map she had and was content that the bathhouse was only a kilometer or two from their position.
From there she could lead them through the sewer tunnels and to another exist close to the temple, and then they could continue from there. Maybe even finding another tunnel that lead into the temple as well.
"Getting there is going to be the hard part," Ichigo said, knowing that these streets were crawling with demons.
A growl alerted Codexia and Ichigo to something, both glancing down through the window to see a pack of Felhounds in the streets below. Both of them accompanied by at least two dozen Felguard, and all them glaring up towards the top floor of the building.
"We have to move, now!" Iyeana ordered, before she looked around and found that in the next room the ceiling had collapsed and gave them access to the roof. "Up to the rooftops!"
Without another word they all moved, rushing to the exit and onto the roofs where they continued to rush along the top of the ruined buildings. It was unlikely the demons would be able to pursue them from up on the buildings, but it wouldn't be smart to think they were safe.
They moved along the maze of roofs towards the entrance to the sewer system, they had their target and as long as nothing got in their way they could move without issue. They could see however that the demons were below them in the streets, running around and likely trying to search for them by looking at the rooftops. Sadly for them, they were not as versatile as the Elves when it came to fighting in any environment.
"We reach the bathhouse and disappear, after we find somewhere in the upper district to hide within we plan out our next move," Iyeana said aloud, making sure all had heard it so she would not have to repeat it.
"That would work, but we have a lot of heat on our tails," Ichigo said, glancing down in the street to see that the demons were still moving pretty quickly and some seem to be trying to get into houses and likely reach the roofs.
"We can lose them, we just need to get somewhere that they cannot track us," Caren said, trying to remember something her teacher taught her about demons. "If the temple is surrounded by potent enough arcane energies, even demonic, we can hide there, they shouldn't be able to sniff us out easily."
"Good," Iyeana said, before she quickly glanced to the right, she had heard something. "What is that?"
"Gunfire," A Sentinel said, and soon everyone could hear shots being fired. "The Horde must have sent their forces here as well."
"Shouldn't we go check?" Ichigo asked, and despite not seeing it he could feel the unwillingness of those around to carry out such a simple alteration to check on them.
He got it that they hated them, but at the moment some extra help couldn't that bad, especially if they could work together and fight off whatever is in that tower. As bad as the streets are now, the temple is going to be so much worse when they get inside. Besides Shandris did say that they would offer support to one another when they meet with each other, it would be poor taste to leave them to die.
"Divert and requisition, Lelarii you will lead," Iyeana ordered, and immediately six Sentinels broke off and moved toward another set of rooftops, while she turned and presented Ichigo with a map. "Ichigo, Caren, go there and see if you can get them, if not meet us at that location. Go!"
Without another word Ichigo took the map, before he and Caren turned and made their way after the six Sentinels, planning to aid them in getting those Horde soldiers on their side. Ichigo glanced back to see that the remaining thirty members of their party had disappeared over the lip of a building. Ichigo steeled himself and glanced at Caren, she was sweating and panting up a storm, it seems that she had not taken his suggestion to start exercising.
'I should really get her to do some laps around the tower,' Ichigo thought, glancing at her as she seemed to be heating up from the constant running.
"W-what?" Caren demanded, seeing Ichigo staring at her was annoying to say the least.
"You should really exercise more," Ichigo replied.
"Shut up!" Caren yelled, before dropping back into panting as much as she can.
Ichigo snorted before he and the Sentinels came to a stop near the end of the roof, they all were kneeling and looking over the edge at the situation below. They could see fifteen people below, an assortment of Orcs, Trolls and two Tauren. All of them were fighting for their lives against the many demons that continued to stream in down the street.
"How many arrows do we have left?" One Sentinel inquired, before each sounded off how many they had left. "One hundred and thirty two, that is not enough, start picking off the larger ones and reclaim the arrows after we are done."
They all nodded their head before they all began to move about, some scaling down the side of the building while two moved back and took a running leap to the other side of the street. Both of them landed through two separate windows before moving back out to the ledge and drawing their weapons.
"Ichigo, get down there and start helping them, identify yourself and if they prove hostile we will cover you," the Sentinel said, before she turned and started firing.
Ichigo leaned over the edge and saw a ledge he could use; he dropped down and landed on the shelf before he slowly scaled down towards the street. He could hear the arrows whiz past and down onto the demons, taking them by surprise at the unexpected aid the Warsong were getting.
Ichigo dropped the last few meters and rolled as he landed, before jumped up and kicking in the side of a Felguard's leg. As it bent at an odd angle Ichigo drew Zangetsu and lopped off the demon's head, as this happened he turned and faced another, spearing him through the gut with the entirety of his Zanpakuto. Kicking the body off Ichigo then turned to the Orcs; they were still fighting but had taken note of his presence.
"I am here to help, we have archers on the roofs covering you," Ichigo said, and watched as they gave no signs of acknowledging his call instead of just continuing to fight and survive.
Ichigo ducked under a sword and slid his own blade along the stomach of the attacker, letting his flesh and muscle get torn open by the razors edge of his Zanpakuto. Before he turned swinging at the falling demon and slicing open his back for good measure. As he turned he saw a Felhound lunge at him, Ichigo braced himself enough not to fall over, but damn did those things teeth hurt.
He felt its teeth latch into his exposed arm, he was wishing now that he had gone back to Bonkotsu and gotten his armor fixed. Worse yet these things didn't have paws; instead they had long singular talon shaped hoofs that cut into you just as good as the teeth. He could feel its sharp dagger feet dig into his armor.
Grabbing the back of the beast's mane, which appeared to be some sort of strange hissing vines, he pulled it back before impaling it on Zangetsu. As the beast fell to the ground Ichigo grasped Zangetsu with both hand and swung at the next Felguard, parrying its weapon. Swinging his blade around he lopped off its arm, before following up with impaling it through the back as it tried to stagger away.
Looking ahead he saw three Felguard moving for him, he had to wonder if these demons had anything else to bring to the fight or not. He had seen some larger things, but nothing else but the big lugs and their dogs, although knowing how best to fight the average foes is better than trying to figure out a variety.
Ichigo charged forward a short distance, rolling past the first demon as it tried to strike him, and as he stood back up the substitute swung Zangetsu up through the demon's chest. As it staggered back Ichigo turned and parried the first's second attempt, making it stagger aside. Before Ichigo could follow up he was forced to duck under an axe from the third demon, who Ichigo repaid with a slash across the stomach.
Ichigo turned again to see the second demon making an attempt to repay him for the wound to his chest, but Ichigo quickly drove Zangetsu through his stomach. With a quick backwards kick Ichigo knocked the third demon off his feet and to the ground. Ripping Zangetsu from the Felguard's chest he slammed it down right on top of the floored demon and leaving it to choke out its last breath.
Planting his foot on the beast he moved to pull his blade free, but found that it was being stubborn on leaving the demons chest cavity. Then he noticed someone beside him, the first demon had its sword raised and ready to use it on the substitute. As it blade reached its highest point it froze, the demon jerking suddenly before it toppled forward. Ichigo looked to see five arrows in its back, all around the spinal area.
He looked up to see that the Sentinels were there, they were at ease and no longer firing, he send them a wave thanking them. Ripping Zangetsu from the demon's chest he heaved it over his shoulder and walked towards the group of Warsong warriors.
"They sent the boy, I should feel insulted we needed a child to help us," an orc said, wearing deep maroon armor and some sort of looped ornamentation on his shoulder pads. "It looks like we owe you for your aid Human."
"Call me Ichigo," the substitute replied.
"Sergeant Uruk Bloodtooth," the Orc replied gruffly.
"Nice to meet you," Ichigo said. "Is this everyone?"
"Not so mon,"
Ichigo looked past the Orc to see a Troll cleaning off his rapier, using a small cloth he pulled off the corpse of a demon. He had marron armor and long white hair, and apart from that nothing distinguishable.
"We got another group nearby, lost track of them when the demons got between us," Rai said, sheathing his rapier. "We gotta find them."
"Do you know where they are?" Ichigo asked.
"We were heading for the stairs before we got cut off, they have the only sappers and if we lose them we lose out chance to destroy the temple," Uruk said, hefting up his axe onto his shoulder.
"Then we better find them," Ichigo said.
If they could get some help together they may be able to get reinforcements of their own to fight against the demons at the temple. He turned to the Sentinels on the roof, but noticed that they had all climbed down and were scavenging their arrows. He turned to the leader of their party, Lelarii her name was if he recalled what Iyeana had said was right.
"What is it?" Lelarii asked, walking towards Ichigo and standing beside him as he in turn spoke with the Orc.
"We have people still out there, if we find them we may be able to bring some reinforcements of our own to the Temple," Ichigo said, before he looked to the Orc. "How many people are out there still?"
"We had a party of sixty, we have lost twenty already, the others could still be alive," Uruk replied, before scowling. "I don't know your plan, but unless we destroy whatever is creating those portals we have no way of stopping those demons from bringing more of their filth here."
"We have a plan, what is yours?" Lelarii asked.
"Blow up whatever is powering the portals," Uruk replied.
"I should have known, luckily we have an alternative both in reaching the temple and stopping the demons from reinforcing themselves," Lelarii replied, strolling past the Orc and towards the building, she began to scale it. "We will stick to the roofs, and try to locate your allies."
Uruk gave a gruff reply before he turned and started barking orders to the warriors, getting them in order quickly and having any wounds treated quickly. Ichigo had to admit that had been a much calmer and civil conversation compared to the one Shandris and Morgosh had. He just hoped that they didn't get into some argument later; it would be bad for them in the long run.
Within a few minutes they were on the move again, running down the street and looking for the missing Warsong party. Sadly they were starting to meet with resistance again, the Sentinels kept their arrows in their quivers, acting as simple scouts rather than support. But Ichigo could understand that, with only a hundred arrows or so, firing off randomly wasn't going to do them any good.
Ichigo then sensed something, a sudden burst of energy in the distance; he came to a halt as he felt the fading energy. Immediately he could pick up spiritual energy in the air, someone was using spiritual energy. He looked around and felt it again, a sudden burst in the distance, there was someone out there that was using spiritual power.
"What's de matter wit' you?" Rai asked, looking at Ichigo who stood there motionless in the middle of the street.
"This way!" Ichigo called, running down an alleyway, leaving behind the surprised Warsong party and Sentinels who had no idea about this sudden action.
"Wait! Stop!" Lelarii yelled, leaning over the edge and watching the substitute shoot off.
"What is he doing?" Caren growled, blinking across to the roof on the other side of the street and following after Ichigo.
Uruk turned from the alley the boy disappeared down and back to the path towards the tower, he knew he couldn't stop here, he needed to do something. Also that boy knew something, did he hear something or feel something? Either way they needed to get him back before he got himself killed.
"Rai, get after that idiot and report back on what he is doing!" Uruk yelled, before he turned and saw that they had some company.
"You got it," Rai said, before motioning towards five other Orcs and moving off.
Ichigo could sense the spiritual energy not that far away, and he knew exactly what it was. He had sensed it before when he was in Shady Rest; it was used by that Tauren that could bend the elements. Meaning that there was a shaman here, and that could only mean that whoever it was is a member of the Warsong forces.
Ichigo rounded the corner and immediately saw what he needed to do; the demons were swarming a building at the end of a large plaza. He saw at the very end of the rectangular court a structure, situated smack dab in the middle of it, with stairs leading into the entrance of the building. Its windows and walls had been blown open and from it he could see Horde warriors were fighting to defend it, this is exactly where he needed to be.
Turning the substitute found that he had been followed, but not by everyone, just that troll guy and five others. That kind of made this difficult, without them it would be tricky to get to their trapped friends.
"Well I'll be, you led us right to dem," Rai said, before he drew both his rapier and swordbreaker. "Looks like it be a little congested, you go get Uruk an' tell him about dis."
"Zug-zug," the Orc said, before turning and rushing back the way they had come.
"We can't wait, that place is being swarmed," Ichigo said.
"Nothing we can do, too many demons for us to handle," Rai replied.
Ichigo growled, he knew that was the case, but he also knew he could even the odds with the right attack. He had been told not to expose himself in front of the Warsong; it could lead to complications, something about him making himself too well known. But considering what was at risk he decided to wing it.
With that in mind Ichigo drew Zangetsu and charged through the plaza, planning on cutting his way to the building and getting those people the support they needed. The Orcs and Rai yelling out obscene comments and demanding he get back. But Ichigo ignored them and rushed forward and hacked through the backs of any demon in his way.
When he neared the cluster he drew back Zangetsu, gathering his spiritual energy along the blade and watching as a wave of force expelled from his weapon. Drawing it back he swung around hard, creating a massive wave of force that encompassed all in his wake. The Getsuga Tensho broke against the front of the building, dispersing against it like a wave upon rocks.
Ichigo stood still for only a moment before he rushed forward again, slicing into any demon that stood back up. It may not have killed many, but it certainly gave them some burns to remember, as well as kept them down long enough for him to get closer to the building without having to hack through an army.
As the demons staggered to their feet Ichigo swung, not allowing them to gather their bearings and fight back. As he took down another Ichigo saw one by his side fall down, an axe in his chest, curtesy of one of the Orc's that had come with him.
"Don't know how ya do it, but I like de results!" Rai yelled, stabbing his rapier through the demon's breast and heart, letting it fall to its knees.
The Troll pulled the blade free and let the demon teeter to the side and then the ground, before he moved forward and killed another in a similar manner. Their small force continued fighting their way through the disorientated demons, quickly killing them as they advanced on the front of the building. The more they killed and quicker they got to everyone inside, the better.
"Raizzariza!" A voice called.
Ichigo looked ahead and saw the same female Tauren from before when they were negotiating outside the city, Sierra her name was. She was beckoning them from the main doorway, the two warriors with her dispatching the demons still dazed and on the ground.
"Hate it when people call me dat," Rai muttered, hacking through a demon's neck with his swordbreaker, before he turned and glanced at their rear. "We got demons comin' in from de back!"
True to his word another wave of demons appeared from the many streets leading into the plaza, all converging on them. While around the side streets of the plaza building they could see a horde of them were moving up and around to the front. Ichigo only gave it a momentary glance before he charged on again, doubling his pace towards the entrance, rescue wasn't an option now. They had to hold them off from here on out.
"Get to the building; we can hold out in there!" Ichigo called out.
"We be trapped just like de rest of dem!" Rai growled, as he slashed opened a demon's throat.
"We've got not choice; it is either die out here or try to hold them off in there!" Ichigo called back, swinging at the Felguard and cutting right through his chest while also lopping off his arm.
They hacked their way to the stairs, ignoring everything else in order to get to safety and then making their final stand. Many dead bodies littered the stairs, most were demons and a few were Warsong. But they fought on, stepping over the dead regardless of fallen ally or enemy, moving for the door that the demons had died in droves to breach.
Ichigo turned and slashed, taking out a demon hound that had tried to jump him from behind, and seeing more were on their way. Even the disorientated demons began to take stock and renew their attack, swarming towards the stairs. Ichigo slowly advanced up the stairs as the demons continued to pour forward. There had to be a hundred or more of them moving for them, they were really outnumbered right now.
"Quickly, inside!"
Ichigo turned to Sierra Skychaser, beckoning them back into the hall as she threw bolts of lightning and fire at the demons. Backpedaling up the steps he moved quickly for the door and leaped through, and then watched as they were forced shut. They shook and the bolts holding the massive wooden blocks in place began to break from the stone, it would not be long before they shattered.
"I would have called you foolish for charging in here, but never the less, it is good to see you all well," Sierra said, looking to Rai and his remaining warriors, only three could be seen, the other two must have been lost when they tried to enter.
"De demons be numerous, but how could I leave such a fine woman like you alone? I had no choice but to help and if worse comes to worse I could alleviate some of your worries," Rai replied, smirking and obviously flirting up to Sierra, who raised an eyebrow at his blunt method of seduction. "Besides, you have de explosives and Uruk wants dem."
Ichigo looked around; he could see that the Orcs were shoring up some barrier near the collapsed walls and entries into the chamber. But even so he could see a demon or two leap through them, quickly dispatched by the waiting Warsong forces, which numbered twenty strong. Considering the piles that had formed near the windows it would seem that the demons have not given up on using any means to get inside as fast as possible.
Turning from their defenses he could see that there were two stair cases that led up to a higher level of the building, with a balcony that extended around the whole room. He could see some other doors likely leading further into the building and that the roof was a lot higher than the balcony for the second floor, there had to be other levels.
"Is there access to the roof?" Ichigo asked.
"There is, but it is pointless," Seirra replied. "We cannot cross the gap and this building sits in the center of this square, there is nothing behind it. We are trapped here."
"And surrounded," Rai chimed, dropping his rapier from his shoulder and looking to the door. "Dat door isn't goin' to last long."
As if to give weight to his statement the upper bolts for the door shattered, the wooden frame teetering and nearly ready to collapse under the weight. The two Tauren and three Orcs trying to brace it quickly moved off, grabbing their weapons and waiting for the enemy to breach through. They did in a spectacular fashion, like a sea of red the flowed into the chamber and tried to wash over everyone.
In the first few seconds they did just that, they had already lost five to the overwhelming number of demons. They kept pouring through the broken doorway and towards anything that they could kill, and while the Warsong put up a good fight, they were simply outnumbered by a massive degree.
"Retreat to the stairs!" Sierra ordered, releasing a burst of wind that threw back three Felguard and leaving them to be trampled by their fellow demons.
Ichigo complied as he helped one warrior drag her comrade to the stairs, before taking a defensive position to protect the base while everyone else rushed up. But that defense couldn't be held, even as he swung at everything coming his way, be it axes, swords or demons, he was pushed back. The sheer number of them was impossible to handle, and he couldn't use a Getsuga Tensho, this entire building would come down right on top of them.
"How can there be so damn many!" Ichigo yelled, leaping up the stairs as the demons followed.
He could see the other staircase was being swarmed the few defenders on it either pushed back or dragged into the demonic pack to be torn apart. It was kind of horrifying if you think about it, this was a situation that was like out of some kind of movie, where you know you're going to die. Even him facing down hordes of Hollows had not been this bad, they could be considered similar in being monsters and ruthless but these demons just did it better. Relentless, monstrous and actually knew how to fight with more than just raw determination, but actually using numbers to win.
"Dammit!" Ichigo yelled, staggering back when he felt something collide with his shoulder, seeing a long gash against the pauldron.
Ichigo turned and defended himself as best as he could, raising Zangetsu as a shield as he was forced back by strike after strike. The two warriors beside him fell under the brutal and continuous assault, their bodies being crushed under the march of the demons as they moved on unhindered.
'Fuck it! We are not dying here!' Ichigo thought fiercely.
He quickly reached the top of the stairs and then leaped to the side, he drew back Zangetsu and channeled his spiritual energy through the blade and swung it up. The wave of spiritual force moved up quickly and collided with the ceiling, blowing it apart and causing the effect he wanted.
"Everyone run!" Ichigo yelled, turning and moving for the nearest doorway.
The first series of stone slammed into the balcony and forced it to collapse, those unfortunate to be caught in it fell with the stones. Ichigo only stopped near the doorway to wait for everyone, watching as they filed through and away from the demons that were being crushed under the weight of ancient stones. As they fled deeper into the building they heard everything behind them begin to fall apart.
They came to a halt as the shaking stopped, the hallway they had run through was clouded in dust and debris, but the demons had stopped. For the moment it would seem they were safe.
"Smart, but now what is different about fighting in 'ere?" Rai asked, knowing that there was no point in prolonging this fight; they were all in deep shit.
There were only fourteen of them left; those odds did not seem to stack well for them.
"We bust a wall down and get the hell out of here, if they were gathering at the front that means there is only one way in this place. So we make our own exit." Ichigo replied, turning and moving into another room, finding an abandoned chamber.
He looked over the balcony he stood on to see that there was a large bay window below, and if it was the bottom floor they should be able to escape through it. Ichigo turned and looked at them, if they could get outside they should be able to run back into the streets and then find a way to the rooftops.
"Now dat is something I can get behind," Rai said, sheathing his blade and following Ichigo to the balcony. "We place a barrel between dose two columns we can breach the wall without dis whole damn room falling on us."
"Get too it," Seirra said, she could already hear the demons scrambling back in the main atrium, trying to reach them.
Ichigo and Rai vaulted over the side of the balcony, landing on the ground and rolling to disperse the impact. As they looked up one Orc dropped a barrel down, Ichigo caught it and moved for the wall and place it down. Both he and Rai moved to some debris for cover, and as the Troll drew his pistol and took aim the rest of their party waited.
Cocking back the hammer on the flintlock he lined up his shot and fired. It was almost instantaneous as the powder ignited within the barrel and a wave of force shot right over them. Rai and Ichigo glanced up to see a nice wide opening for them to get through, and the rest of their party agreed as they began jumping down to them.
"Get through the hole and back into the streets, we can lose the demons there," Sierra ordered, swinging her axe towards the exit as she led them to freedom.
They moved through and Ichigo was the last to meet them outside, and immediately they could see the wide open area. A good forty feet separated them from the one side of the structure and the civilian building, and it had a few people running around it. Mainly demons.
"Cut them down and get to the streets!" Sierra yelled, charging forward and ripping a demon's face open with a swing of her axe.
They all charged to the nearest street, fighting through whatever got close and making sure they did not lose anyone else. Ichigo stayed close to the sides and swung at anything that had red skin, and luckily it only lasted a minute before they were back in the narrow lanes. But that didn't give them comfort, they needed to get out of sight and then to the roofs where the demons couldn't follow them.
"We need to get to the roof, it is our only chance of escaping these guys," Ichigo called.
"Unless you know which of dese buildings can actually get us up dere dan tell me!" Rai yelled, striking out with his rapier and piercing a demons heart.
But then a hail of arrows halted them, any demon within sight was instantly brought down, hitting the pavement with a heavy thud. Everyone looked up to see no one in sight, yet they knew that there was someone there.
"Ichigo, over here!"
The substitute turned and saw Caren there, near the doorway of a house and beckoning them over quickly. Without a word he moved, and the others following him, as they all were ushered inside they scaled the floors and reached the rooftops. Demons could be heard below, howling and growling at their escaped prey.
"That was close," Ichigo said, before he felt something collide with the back of his head.
He turned around and glared at Caren who had hit him with the pommel of her staff, it had really damn hurt.
"What was that for?" Ichigo growled out, glaring at the mage.
"For running off like an idiot!" Caren hissed back, readying to slam her staff into him again, but was stopped when Lelarii stepped forward and glared at him.
"Running off was bad enough, but attacking without support is something I cannot condone or say is wise," Lelarii said, frowning at Ichigo.
Ichigo let out a groan, he knew that he was going to get some crap for this, running off and saving a bunch of people. It was always the damn way for him, tried to do something right and this is what he gets.
"But none the less, you performed as expected, nicely done," Lelarii said, turning from the substitute and looking towards the south east, close to the walls of the upper ward.
Ichigo was surprised for a moment, he did not understand where that had come from, it sounded as if she was giving him some kind of double meaning here. All he could do was give an unintelligent 'huh' as she continued to gaze off in the distance.
"Shandris appointed you to this mission because of your skill and tenacity, she is well aware of your exploits and we know enough," Lelarii replied. "She chose you for this mission because with you here you will see it succeeded, of that she had no doubt."
Ichigo again was confused; he usually did not receive a scolding and then a compliment for doing a good job. Usually it was one or the other, never both, maybe one was sarcastic and then the person showed their disappointment and whacked him upside the head.
"Uh… thanks," Ichigo replied, not really knowing what else to say.
"Don't, while I do not condone you going off on your own and risking your own life for others, you charged into a very dangerous situation," Lelarii replied. "Had Caren not come to us quickly of your current situation in entering the building we may not have acted as hastily as we would have. You could still have been in those streets."
"You know you keep saying that I did a bad thing but complimenting me, I feel like I am getting mixed signals," Ichigo said.
"I do not discredit what you did, had it been anyone else they would have failed and none would have survived," Lelarii replied, before she glanced at him. "But that is why you are here, because you can do the impossible, and you proved that just now. Yet you also proved that you are impulsive and filled with youthful ignorance, and that I find quite annoying considering we had to charge across the roofs and try to come and assist you."
"We would have been fine," Ichigo replied.
"Maybe, most likely actually, but still remember that you are not alone here, sometimes going to save one group and can lead to leaving another to die," Lelarii replied. "Just remember that, and be careful next time, you have more lives riding on you than you may actually realize."
Ichigo was floored once more, a double meaning behind it starting to become clear, he remembered what Shandris had told him when he was assigned this mission. He was to be the one that would make sure this mission was complete and that all of her Sentinels came back safely. This was a suicide mission really, and only with him here did it mean that it would even stand a chance at being a success.
By charging off alone to find the others he left the rest of them standing around waiting for him to come back. He ran a hand through his hair, he had not thought of that, he had expected that they would have either gone on or followed but not stand around and waited.
"Sorry," Ichigo mumbled out. "I didn't realize."
"You are young, in time you will learn, and hopefully next time give us a little more warning before charging off," Lelarii replied, before she turned around and continued their trek across the rooftops.
Their forces now stood much larger than before, Ichigo recalled that there being thirteen others with him when they escaped the main atrium of the building. Along with Uruk's ten that would bring them up to twenty three strong. But still, he had a few people that he didn't get out of there.
Regardless he focused ahead, he couldn't let this take away his concentration now, not with a serious battle ahead of them. That tower was a danger that needed to be dealt with and he would be ready to face whatever was inside.
There you have it, hope you enjoyed the chapter and feel up for more. Another chapter next weekend I will see you all then.
Review:
Yiggdrasill: No, Captain Vimes is actually a character in Warcraft that is part of the Shady Rest storyline, for the Horde anyway. His backstory and why he was involved was never determined but he wanted to keep something hidden that is for certain.
Ichigo can be trained in the Quincy arts by the Old man as he is a reflection of his Quincy powers and also because he has generations of knowledge within him. All Quincy fragments of Yhwach have this knowledge and he is no different, just sentient.
These lingering effects and sudden attack are represented by his Hollow, the summoning of the mask was meant to show despair fueling his anger. Ichigo attacking like that is because of more than just finding Lynn and James, but because of his already fragile phyque, but it wasn't because of his mother's Death, it was because of remembering past failures that he broke down and attacked like that.
Yeah, killing when needed is the basis of any conflict, to kill is easy, sparing someone takes more courage.
Chaos-Guard: Yeah they hate one another.
Kragh50: You never know what may happen, but I can promise that it will be interesting.
Lolperson2: Yeah, sorry for the short chapter, tried to make it bigger but couldn't without making it seem needlessly stuffed with words. Also if you have any OC's send them my way, always open to them.
DanteNaru: No problem. Yeah, but most of the time Ichigo will be the one learning from them, after all he is the guest there and while he will have his epic and awesome moments he will still be there to help.
Dragonlord1337: Yeah, this time it will be much more awesome and action packed compared to the version I made last time. This is all out war compared to a few skirmishes. It will be interesting I agree, in fact Ichigo will visit that part of the city when he finished everything.
Clw123cat: Sadly not the way it works. Quincy are not so much Holy as they are Divine, meaning that their powers stem from a being that Transcends their understanding and is actually a God rather than a spirit. Also the Light and Void are not so much as entities but forces in the universe, they have beings affiliated with them but the Quincy and Hollows are not.
In fact of the three, Hollows/Quincy/Shinigami, the Quincy are those who are most close to the Soul King due to their connection with Yhwach. While the Shinigami are empowered souls using the Saketsu that was given to them by the Soul King as with all humans to empower themselves. While Hollows are just wayward spirits twisted by negative emotion, while that is dark they are not very close to the Void as they are more aligned to undead or Death. Void and Shadow are one in the same and much more different than Death.
Leapinglemur: Yeah, uneasy truces are not something to rely on and frowned upon mainly because they make the people 'uneasy' because when it comes down to it. You are still enemies but forced to work together, but when that need is gone, what is keeping you from fighting?
Black Cross0: Yeah, Ichigo will affiliate more with the Alliance because he develops and accord with them but he will often be a neutral party that goes about his own way and often works with whoever can help him.
The Final Getsuga Tenshou? Can't tell you, because that is something I cannot reveal due to what I have planned. As for the Emerald Dream, well, I have plans for that as well.
Krazyfanfiction1: Yeah, Ichigo often has to make the haters stop hating and play the damn game.
MSG1000: Keep guessing, you might hit the mark. Also Harems are something that never really work and the only one that I saw that remotely was pleasing to read was Into the Realm of Magic by IIIIIIII Don't know if I got all the I's but it goes like that. He did it pretty damn well.
Drow79: Thank you, but I have realized that I may have made a mistake, it is possible he was in contact with the Eldritch, powerful cosmic beings that have brought his consciousness to a higher level of awareness that we cannot begin to understand. How foolish of me to brush him off, foolish!
Blindluck92: Well given how things work on Azeroth Ego is everywhere, humility between races is impossible and you often get stereotypes running around. Ichigo is a perfect candidate for this as he is a neutral party that has no ulterior motives other than to help so he was a logical person to get these guys to stop fighting.
Dammit, I should have known! I must find him and learn the Eldritch Truth!
Chrome Cheetah: Codexia is a Shadow Priest, or is she?
Minaly22: Chromie would remain in that timezone indefinitely so she can easily move about and find Ichigo, because it takes time for her to find Ichigo through the timeline. But if she maintains her position in relative time she can easily find him and not have to sift through time.
Guest #1: Thank you, I do try my best with people who obviously are trying to flame.
Rizwan: Hmmmm. That is a toughie, really I have to go with Ichigo because we really do not know how powerful Medivh is, he might win with his magic but we just do not know how powerful that could be.
Examine Draco: Sorry for the short read, but sometimes you just can't get anything else more relevant it. Also I know about that quote 'If Fate is a Millstone, then we are the Grist. That means we can't do anything about it. So that is why I ask for strength. If I cannot protect them from the wheel, then give me a blade and enough strength, and I will shatter fate.' One of the best lines I have ever heard.
Cruailsama: Considering that they brought in a boy exposed to demonic energy and they are a very secretive race that has only just opened up to the world after ten thousand years of isolation. Also the fact he possessed a great deal of power than no normal human should possess they have every right to be worried.
Meech Macko: That is right, he got them on task for the moment and as they begin to remember that hatred those strings that hold them together as allies will snap.
Yeah, but remember he is in a human body, limited to what he can do with that power and what his body can handle. There are downsides to having this power, he can enhance his physical body to superhuman levels but even so there is such a thing as straining it too far.
Glad someone agrees with the relationship thing, also yeah romance is never on that kids mind. I will change it soon, in a massive and kind of twisted way.
Star: No, he needs to sleep with her, that way when he gets her off she comes back without him having to do something. It works out so much better that way.
Ithros Falasson: It would be fun to see that as well.
Hisoka's Luver: Glad to know that you reread it all and have some general knowledge not. Ichigo will eventually get his duel Zanpakuto but since he doesn't have access to the Soul Society or Nimaiya Oetsu to make the Zanpakuto there is little he can do. Also you will see soon enough what happens when he uses Bankai.
SomethingAncient: Yeah the Wiki is hella out of date, I need to fix it up bad like I did with the United one. Plan to get on it real soon actually when I get the free time this week, I need to fix it up and actually make it easier to handle. Transcendence is my baby and I cannot ignore it like this.
The reason he doesn't kill is a deep psychological reason, and if you get impatient read Chapter 28: Contemplation if you get frustrated and want to know all the answers. Also killing is not easy, you either can do it or you can't. Killing someone is never easy, especially if you have no real reason to do it. Did you know that in World War II only one in ten people killed anyone with the intent to kill them. Hell even SS soldiers that massacred Jews committed suicide because they couldn't stomach it. Not everyone is a killer, and Ichigo is not one either, and that sense of killing is something that comes from something else as well.
If you can give me a clear idea on this fight let me know, and exactly the wording I could help you understand. But you are not being very clear about it.
Well considering he has only had these powers for two months in the Manga and also he has had no formal training and skills regarding Shinigami I would guess that he knows about 'fuck all' to 'shit, I do not know'. Seriously, he may be quick on his growth rate but he doesn't know the fundamentals of his power and how best to control them. He goes at it with raw power, pushing all his strength and energy into something and often that is not enough.
Also about his powers not being his own that was reference to the Saketsu. Also he is a deductive, perceptive and analytical. He can determine the best course to defeat an enemy by fighting them but he is far from a genius.
No problem man, I can understand why you feel this way as I have suffered many complaints before but there is reason for this as is addressed in later chapters why he acted like this. Continue on if you want and hopefully you will see.
That's all folks.
