THE FOOTSTEPS OF EVIL
CHAPTER 12 AndarielDescending the final staircase, Arc breathed in deeply. Though the air was stuffy and stale, he had long ago learnt to savor the feeling of this basic tenant of life before battle, as soon it may be taken from him forever. Arc could almost imagine the taste of vileness, of evil tainting the air.
Reaching the end of the stairs, they entered the first of the three chambers that made up this final level that was the personal sanctum of Andariel. Though this chamber was deserted, they knew that the next chamber would be peopled by the retainers of the leaders of different factions within the garrison, as their leaders were in the next chamber advising Andariel on the situation of the good Rogue's attack upon the Catacombs.
"Remember," Arc repeated himself for perhaps the twentieth time, "We must clear this room quickly. We cannot risk a confrontation with Andariel prematurely. Keep to your groups, guard each other's backs. Telindhra, you and your crew give cover." All nodded their understanding.
Coming to the first of the large portals in this level, Arc paused before throwing it open. Closing his eyes briefly he once again reached deep within into the recesses of his very being to harness the pure life energy residing there. Weaving it within itself into a certain pattern, he created an Aura that suffused his being and resonated it's power throughout the life energy that surrounded him, namely that of his companions. He called forth one of his most powerful Auras, one that increased the power and precision of his and his allies' attacks. "Ready?" he queried his fellows. At the sound of their combined assent, he through open the doors and charged.
The room erupted in pandemonium as sixteen veteran Rogues burst into the room, bows singing a deadly song of death. The room held four times their number in Fallen, Corrupted Rogues and bulky demons called Tainted Ones. However, these were the most powerful and talented Rogues available, hardened by years of experience and incensed by months of conflict with the forces of evil that had slowly eaten away their beloved order. Powerful enchantments lay heavy on the shafts that flew through the room. A dozen or more demons and foul minions died, some hit by burning shafts, others thrown by arrows that exploded on impact, still others overwhelmed by freezing cold that froze their corpses where they stood. The Rogues spread out as they shot, forming a rough line at the wall of the chamber
And through the centre of this charged three puissant warriors, each supreme in their chosen craft. Falling on a barely prepared group of Corrupt Rogues, Arc lead the way sword slashing three times in blindingly rapid succession, cutting down two before they could even lift shields. To his left the gigantically powerful barbarian Jorg let loose a frenzy of attacks with both weapons, smashing in the chest of one Rogue and quickly overwhelming the hasty defence raised by the second, finishing with a diagonal blow that buried his axe deep into her chest. To his left the cool, unflappable amazon Maiyan, using her weapon as a spear, jabbed her weapon in rapid succession to take the first Rogue in the throat, then knocked away a parry from the second and completely impaled the Rogue with her glaive. Calmly placing her boot on the face of the now dead kneeling Rogue, she kicked hard and jerked her weapon free.
The Rogues continued their deadly enchanted barrage, keeping the flanks of the three heroes clear or enemies. Fallen ones, Tainted demons hurled themselves upon themselves into the fray with these warriors. Again and again Arc's shield flashed out after blocking an attack to bash his adversary before his sword dealt death. Again and again Jorg killed, swapping between blindingly quick and precise co-ordinated parries and attack with both weapons, to hugely powerful blows that left enemies reeling, even if they had blocked the blow. Again and again Maiyan spear jabbed out at a terrifying speed, using the great range of the weapon to good effect, blocking blows before snaking out to take a throat, and eye, or spearing the heart, the belly or the groin.
Yet when the heroes began to get pushed back, it was the Corrupted Rogues that started to turn the tide. For these were the greatest of those who had turned, sometimes the most powerful, but mostly the most fanatical in their loyalty to Andariel. Most of those that served this close to the Demon Queen were those vile sisters that were not forced under duress to turn against their brethren, were not terribly tortured and tormented into embracing evil. These were those that willingly serve Andariel, those that forsook their vows for the evil's seductive promise. These were the ones who willingly leapt into the fray, froth bubbling from their mouths as they screamed for their Demon Queen. These were those that welcomed death, indeed longed to die for their mistress, killing and killing and killing until they themselves were killed. They were the most deadly not because of their skill, but because of their lust to kill and die for their mistress.
Slowly the three were forced back. Though each step back was bought with the lives of more and more of the evil minions, the three knew that they could not keep up their position.
More and more of the monsters around the flanks were getting closer and closer to the three heroes before they were cut down by the shafts of the Rogues. Long experienced in ways of battle, each one the archer women knew that the time had come. Soon once group of three dropped their bows, drew their blades and charged into the fray. Another group followed suit, and another, until all four groups had broken away and joined in battle. Only Telindhra and three other companions manned their bows, lending support to their allies with deadly shafts.
Again pandemonium broke out among the enemy. Focused on attacking the three heroes, they were taken unprepared by the sudden rush of the twelve rogues. Immediately the incredible strain of numbers eased off Arc and his two friends and again they began moving forward and devoting their energies to attacking. As five independent groups of warriors broke away and engaged the enemies, the battle ceased to be a linear battle, with two lines or forces engaging, but a pitched battle with isolated islands of Rogue warriors ranging through the room, attacking enemies at will.
Now the fiends only slightly outnumbered the Rogues, but now also the fiends had recovered from the surprises Arc's team had sprung and were squaring off on equal footing. Most of the Rogues had now ceased their moving and were caught up in duels and battles with other groups of monsters, each standing toe to toe and hardly moving in their contest of arms. Only Arc's group was different. Striding through the room like gods of battle, the three scythed through their enemies with speed, precision and grace. None could stand up to them for long. They hardly paused as they dispatched four fallen ones. They fell on a group of Tainted Demons from behind that they saw threatened Telindhra and her position of archers. Where other Rogues battled monsters, they lent aid and the battles ended within seconds. Even the last band of Corrupted Rogues, five strong and mad with passion to die with the blood of enemies on their blades, could not stand up to the graceful dance that the three wove. Attacking furiously, aiding each other and defending each other, the instinctive teamwork that supplemented their skills created a weapon that no denizen of Andariel could crack. Alone, each was a deadly warrior formidable and to be feared, by together the three warriors were invincible.
Arc's crimson stained blade flashed a final time and the final twisted Rogue collapsed in a bloody heap. Silence filled the room, the floor scattered with the bloody remains of Andariel's honor guard. Arc looked around and took stock. Almost half the Rogues had fallen or were too seriously wounded to go one. Eight of them were collecting fallen bows, exhausted but still able. Arc, Maiyan and Jorg sported various cuts and bruises, none of which were particularly serious, but all added together wearied the three. Only Telindhra seemed to had escaped the encounter relatively unscathed, though the blood remaining from the previous battle the Rogues had fought still left her a frightful image.
Arc knew that this time there would be no spared moment allowed to summon his healing Aura, no time to lead tired muscles rest. This time they must press their advantage. "All right. Quanintas. You take those four." He motioned at four of the remaining Rogues. "When we get in there, you take them and take care of those lieutenants with Andariel. The rest of you, with Telindhra. You back us up, you know what to do." The Rogues nodded their acquiescence. He looked at Jorg and Maiyan. To them and Arc would fall upon the hardest assignment. The two met his gaze and nodded their readiness.
The last of the huge portals burst open as Arc lead his team into the personal throne room of the Demon Queen, Andariel.
The alien, demonic features of Andariel were both alike and horribly different from that of a human. The Demon Queen was a huge affair, her powerful, muscled body was covered in a tawny fur, and a long crown of fiery hair topped her head. Most horribly of all, a multitude of spider-leg like appendages protruded from her back, ending in bone like claws. She leaped up from her throne in shock, towering to her full thirteen odd feet of height. Apparently at the sound of the battle ending, she had expected one of her minions to enter reporting victory. After a moment's hesitation, she purposely began to stride forward.
The strike team wasted no time. Splitting up, the five Rogues lead by Quanintas surged forward, intercepting the two Corrupt Rogues and the Banished vampire that stood council with Andariel. The four led by Telindhra ranged out, firing arrows at the huge spectre of the Demon Queen that had been the bane of their order for so long. Arc led his two companions in a charge straight for the Demon queen herself. Unlike before, this time the three spread out as they charged, for it was their superior numbers that was their main asset in this battle.
Still striding forward, the Demon queen made a broad gesture and a huge bank of insidiously green fog billowed out towards the attackers. Thinking quickly, Arc yelled, "Close your eyes! Don't breathe." With that he followed his advice, never slowing, as the noxious poison engulfed him and his companions. Even without breathing in, or opening his eyes, he could feel the poison seeping in through his very skin, attacking him. It was debilitating, stealing his strength and attacking his system. He shuddered to think what breathing it would do.
And then he was free of it, out the other side. He could sense the difference in the air around him. He opened his eyes to see a huge Andariel virtually in front of him. Surprised, he raised his shield, catching a mighty side kick from the demon that would have snapped his neck. Even so the sheer weight of the blow threw him clean off his feet and the sailed ten feet through the air to land on his back and slide away with a grunt.
Arrows sailed over the heads of Maiyan and Jorg, every one holding true to the target. Only a few managed to hit the target, through, hardly penetrating Andariel's thick hide, proving more of a nuisance than anything. The rest were deflected away, warded off by some powerful unseen magic at the command of the Demon Queen.
Andariel stood still, amused, as Maiyan and Jorg took their positions, one on each side of the Demoness. She could not attack one without exposing her back to another. Leaping up, Arc hurried and took his own position, straight in front of Andariel. Arc, Maiyan and Jorg together formed a rough triangle, with Andariel, their prey, in the centre. The four Rogues, lead by Telindhra, formed a much wider circle around them, lending support from all angles.
Now all stood stock still, Demoness in the centre, surrounded by seven warriors, tense and waiting for the slightest break. Long seconds passed, and none moved.
Then, with frightening speed, Andariel leapt to the attack. One moment she was stock still, standing straight, a small smile on her demonic face, the next she was charging, hunched forward and arms outstretched, towards Arc. Like a single sound, for bowstrings twanged and four arrows shot into the magical defence that Andariel had erected around her. Arc deflected a powerful backhand with his shield, his sword already moving to ward away the expected follow up slash.
The slash didn't come, or at least, not at Arc. Spinning abruptly, Andariel launched an attack at the charging Maiyan, knocking away the spearlike thrust of her glaive and snatching the weapon from her hands. The leaping Jorg Andariel ignored, as the chopping dual weapons of the barbarian were knocked away by another invisible magical barrier. More and more arrows rained into the huge Demoness, most deflected, some slipping past the guard and causing minor wounds.
Andariel raised Maiyan's captured glaive like a javelin and hurled it at the furiously firing Telindhra. The young Rogue was not caught unawares though, and smoothly rolled to the side, avoiding the hurled weapon. Coming up in a kneeling position she again began to fire, hardly missing a beat.
Maiyan stoically took the loss of her primary weapons with hardly a pausing, drawing a throwing spear in her right hand, and a three pronged parrying dagger in her left. Andariel had again turned to the attacking Paladin, outraged by the damage the now flaming enchanted sword was doing, and delivered a huge punch that send the warrior reeling. Maiyan used this opportunity to sink he spear into the flank of the Demoness' huge leg, a wound placed to cripple. Andariel howled, dropping the magical guard for a split second. This second was enough for Jorg to slip past the magical barrier and sink both axe and mage into the other leg of the huge demoness in a massive double overhand chop. Simultaneously arrows launched by the vengeful Rogues slammed into Andariel, many exploding or burning with a frozen touch.
But as their huge adversary stumbled back a few steps the magical barriers again went up. A backhand that could not be stopped by parrying weapons slammed straight into Jorg, hurling him away. Andariel straightened, and despite the wounds to her legs, she displayed none of the signs that should of accompanied crippling blows.
Arc charged the Demon Queen again. This time, as he got within range, he dropped into a forward roll, slipping under the heavy swipe. Coming to his knees, he scored a hit with a quick swipe, leaping to his left, he avoided a kick and again his sword snaked out cutting flesh. Maiyan followed on his heels, moving to the right to offset Arc's attacks on the left. Drawing another of her throwing spears, as the first was still lodged in Andariel's leg, she slashed out hitting the demoness just above the hip. As she lashed out to sink her dagger into the demoness' already wounded leg, the magical barrier that was used for blocking attacks slammed unexpectedly into Maiyan's face, stunning her as she stumbled back.
Now Andariel changed styles. Dropping into a low fighting stance, the towering demon queen bent her frame down as though in a low wrestling form. However, her intention was not to grab or throw like a wrestler, but to bring new weapons into play. The long spider-like arms protruded from her back stretched out to an impressive span. Arc was briefly reminded of a prize peacock spreading it's plumage when searching for a mate. Then the arms curled forward over the demoness' shoulders. Like a cat unsheathing it's claws, the spiked bones tipping the end of each appendage slipped out, until they were the length of large swords.
Then the Demon Queen surged forward and the arms speared forward. Arc employed every skill he had to avoid the spearilike lunges of each of the four arms. Every ounce of strength he possessed was thrown into deflecting with both shield and sword. He leapt and rolled away as arms fell into the spaced he previously occupied, embedding themselves into the floor with ground shuddering force, like falling stalactites. Huge potholes dotted the ground as Arc retreated. Finally a well placed stab slammed into almost the center of Arc's shield, throwing the paladin off his feet and snapping his shield in two, despite the magical enchantment that strengthened it.
But even as she thought she had earned a temporary respite, Jorg once again leapt back into the fray, using all his might to slam the hastily erected magical barrier that held him at bay. Andariel was purely amazed at the strength this mere human commanded as she felt the barrier shudder, almost at cracking point from the huge barbarian's blows. And, as always, to small but numerous arrows hammered into her guard, never allowing her to rest her magical strength, always forcing her power into defense.
A kick sent Jorg sprawling as Arc and Maiyan rejoined the fray. A huge punch slammed Maiyan away as Arc pressed the attack, now swinging his long sword in two hands. Even before Arc could again be knocked away, Jorg and Maiyan were again on their feet and pressing the attack.
A worm of doubt began to enter Andariel. Against all possible reason the humans continually pressed the attack, seemingly without letting up. She would have wagered her soul against Diablo himself that no humans could have stood against her for this long, yet through skill and endurance alone these humans were wearing her down. And those archers that were constantly supporting them were a thorn in her side, never letting up their incessant barrage. In the corner of her eye, Andariel saw the powerful captains of her army battling for their lives against even more of the cursed Rogues. She saw one was already critically wounded and the others were weakening, and she knew that soon her attacker's numbers would almost double.
Letting out a piecing, deafening shriek of pure fury, Andariel let loose her defensive posture. The magical barriers that had been deflecting so many of the attacks of the strike team vanished. Instantly arrows began to sink home, or burn with powerful enchantments into her flesh. Though pained, Andariel ignored the strikes, and for the first time, channeled all her formidable magical strength into attack.
A powerful Nova spell burst out, hurling the three attacking warriors away. Andariel ignored them, focusing instead on the archers harrying her at every angle. Picking one at random, she pointed and a small bolt of purely concentrated poison magic, her signature sphere of magic, slammed into a Rogue.
The highly concentrated poison contained in the fist sized bolt was more powerful than the huge bank of poison fog the Demon Queen had unleashed earlier. The poor Rogue collapsed with an agonised wail, as the concentrated poison, enough to kill half the strike team, entered her body through the pores of her flesh, and coursed through her veins. She didn't suffer long though, as her tortured heart exploded from the strain.
Spinning with lightning speed, Andariel attacked. With a giant leap that sailed clear over Jorg's head as he forced himself to his feet, Andariel landed at the feet of another startled Rogue. Though shocked at this sudden turn of events, the Rogues in Arc's squad were handpicked for experience and level-headedness. Coolly dropping her bow and drawing her duelling weapons, sword and dagger, she attacked.
Both weapons drew blood before the huge demon picked the hapless woman up like a rag doll and wrung her neck. A sickening crack sounded as the body went limp, and Andariel dropped the corpse, whose head now faced in the wrong direction.
Again Arc charged, cursing himself for being unprepared for the magical assault that had cost the lives of two of his team. Again Andariel released the same spell, but this time Arc steeled himself to the potent magic, pushing straight through the pain and convulsions the lightning spell brought on.
Andariel's hand flashed out, timed to catch the charging warrior full on as he entered striking distance. But Arc had anticipated this move and had stopped his charge abruptly, spinning on his heel and delivering a huge backhand swipe at Andariel's swinging hand. The two blows connected solidly, the force numbing Arc's arm, but slashing through bone and tendon in the demoness' hand. Half the hand, along with three fingers fell away, blood spurting from the diagonal wound.
Jorg leapt high into the air, clear over Arc's head, to connect with Andariel's lower torso, burying his awe deep into her belly. Andariel, in a fury with pain, grabbed the barbarian and threw him into the Paladin. As the rolled to their feet, she again gestured broadly and the dreaded bank of venomous fog billowed out at them point blank.
At this close range, the poison was far more concentrated than before, and caught off guard, both inhaled the noxious substance. All strength fled from their bodies and both collapsed, moaning. Only Maiyan, having paused to retrieve her glaive and thus was steps behind and ready for the magical attack, came through the bank relatively unharmed.
Suddenly without immediate allies, despair flooded the amazon. Yet this despair was brutally stamped out, and the amazon never hesitated as she launched her attack, regardless of the knowledge of certain death in facing the Demon Queen alone. Her weapon lashed out in a swift slash before jabbing out again and again faster than ever before, despite her weariness. Yet the bold attack availed her little as the powerful hell fiend shrugged off the attack. A giant hand lashed out and grabbed the Amazon by her outstretched arms, picking her up like a child. The glaive dropped from her hands as Maiyan was lifted into the air by her captured wrists. Never giving up, she curled her body and kicked out at the huge arm holding her captive. Andariel laughed at the futile gesture, enjoying her moment of triumph. Her other hand reached out and grasped the struggling Amazon around the waist, ending her futile kicks.
Bringing the Amazon forward in front of her face, Andariel smirked at the Amazon. For the first time, she spoke "I wonder what will break first? Your arms, or your back?" she asked as she slowly bending the Amazon's upwards, oustretched arms backwards like a lever. Despite the building pain, the amazon refused to scream, even as the muscles in her arms were slowly being stretched almost to ripping point, and her back bent almost to snapping.
MotSMotSMotSMotSMotSMotSMotSMotS
Throughout the battle, Telindhra had felt almost useless. Again and again she launched her arrows at the terrifying demon, only to have them deflected by some powerful magic agent. Even those that did go through, to sink into flesh were ignored by the demon queen, as though the wounds they inflicted were to paltry to notice. She watched as her companions endlessly strove against the vile demoness that was a bane to her order. Again and again she watched them knocked away by huge blows, only to see them leap to their feet, shrug away the pain and charge back into battle. Silently she saluted her courageous companions knowing that if any could win victory for this land, it would be them.
She longed to somehow stand by their side as they fought their titanic battle. But she knew that her place was with her bow, being the only real way for her to make a difference. Still, she cursed every time another arrow missed its mark.
Then, suddenly Andariel's tactics changed. In the blink of an eye one of her companions was struck down by powerful magic, in the next Andariel was standing where another should have been, and her other companion was struggling in her arms. When that sickening wet snap echoed through the chamber Telindhra jumped. Andariel released her grip and what was once a Rogue, one of the most experienced and powerful of their order, one that Telindhra had always looked up to, even as a child, wanting to be like her, fell to the ground, limp like a sack of blood and bone.
At that point, Telindhra almost shamed herself by fleeing. Despite her formidable skill and cool outer façade, Telindhra was young and virtually untried. Up to a few days ago, she had never seen combat before. The closest she had come was to shooting at a few monsters from the wooden wall of the Rogue's fortified camp. Before she had wriggled out from under the wooden palisade so few nights ago, she had dreamed about proving herself in battle, slaying foe after foe with her bow like an Amazon Queen of the ancient legends.
Her experience in the monster's den with Arc had awakened her to the mind numbing terror of battle. When she and the paladin made their way to the old graveyard to destroy the Blood Raven, every step she had wanted to flee in terror. At times only the presence of the paladin and her own pride stopped her from breaking down, abandoning what she was convinced was a suicide mission. And this sneaking mission through the enemy-held Monastery had tested the limits of her courage. Surrounded in all directions, their lives at risk every second, dependant upon their being undetected, Telindhra had felt the strain of the unknown constantly, wondering at every turn if this was the one that would have them in front of just a single enemy that raised the alarm that would end their lives. It had almost been a relief to reach the final level of the Catacombs, knowing that battle was imminent, no more sneaking or fear of discovery.
But this moment was the most terrifying of her life. This impossibly huge demon monster was the most petrifying image, and the horrifying ease in which she picked up her comrade and wrung the life from her made Telindhra's legs turn to jelly and her stomach churn. She longed to run, to flee and hide away and never return. For a long moment she could not move, not fire her bow or scarcely even breathe. All she thought was, gods above I'm next. And slowly Andariel turned and started to look in her direction, and Telindhra knew she was about to die.
Then a figure came hurtling into view, steel flashing and voice raised in an enraged warcry. Andariel turned, Telindhra forgotten, and attacked. A blade arced and blood spurted; Andariel reared up in pain. Somehow Telindhra managed to begin thinking again. Arc. Once again he had saved her life, and he didn't even know it. Since she had known him, all throughout the battles and adventures they had been through together she had carefully warn a mask around him, first of derision then of camaraderie. Because she did not want him, or anyone, to see the real emotions that she had felt on her new found assignments. Fear. She was a coward, terror stricken and not worthy of the title of Rogue.
Now she watched as Jorg hurled himself into the fray, burying weapons into Andariel's flesh. Suddenly, she was sure they would be victorious. Despite the dreaded image of the hugely powerful Demon Queen, she knew how formidable the three warriors were together. Seeing the three again and again leap up after taking huge blows from the dreaded Demon Queen, again throwing themselves into combat seemingly without fear or fatigue, her heart suddenly told them that these warriors were invincible, could cast down defiance to hell itself.
But then with a single gesture her hopes were dashed. As the bank of poison engulfed the two men, and then a second later the amazon too, her breath caught. Then, with the sight of the paladin and the barbarian on their knees, desperately fighting the insidious poison working into their systems, unable to rise to their feet to oppose the laughing Andariel, Telindhra's heart shattered and her shoulder's sagged. Hope surged for an instant at the sight of Maiyan on her feet, not pausing in her attack regardless of personal peril. But this hope was crushed as Andariel contemptuously caught the amazon's arms and lifted the warrior from her feet. Screaming in denial, Telindhra again raised her weapon and began loosing shaft after shaft. She saw Andariel begin to slowly bend the amazon's arms back, torturing her before death. Once again Andariel had ignored her attacks, like the biting of a bug.
Her mind and soul screamed out at her to flee. All is lost, it said. The warriors have fallen, she will kill you all next. To stay was to die uselessly. She could not be defeated. RUN!
She picked out one last arrow. Summoning all the inner energy she had left, she fashioned her most powerful enchantment, pouring all her strength into it. If she could just distract the Demon Queen for a second, loose her grip on Maiyan for an instant . . . The arrow flew as every other shaft she had loosed. With perfect precision she arrow flew into its hellish target, exploding and burning in powerful magic. The Demon Queen jerked as if stabbed. Maiyan's screams halted as Andariel stopped her little game for a moment. Surprised at the fury of the bolt and the damage it had caused, Andariel turned towards Telindhra and nodded, as if to say, You are next. Then she turned away and began pulling the Amazon's arms back, returning to her game of torture before killing the Amazon, and once again the screams began.
Telindhra sagged, dropping her bow. Despair swept over her. She had done all she could, she told her self. She had tried and tried. There was nothing left for her. She had no power left to enchant her arrows and she had seen the effect normal arrows had on the Demon Queen. And the gods knew her inexperience with other weapons. She had almost died at the hands of a Corrupt Rogue earlier attempting to defend herself with close combat weapons. No, to attack Andariel with the dagger and short sword at her belt would be useless. Worse than useless. Suicide.
Yet she found herself charging towards the preoccupied demoness. With the grace of a forest bred huntress, she ran as fast as her legs could carry her, not away from the battle, but towards the very nexus of it, dagger in left hand, held in a backwards, stabbing grip, and short sword raised.
MotSMotSMotSMotSMotSMotSMotSMotS
The pain was starting to become unbearable for Maiyan. Further and further her arms outstretched above her head were stretched back by the cruel Demon Queen. She could feel her muscles stretch and knew with just a little bit more pressure they would snap out of their shoulder sockets and snap back unnaturally behind her back. She dimly remembered the heavily enchanted arrow that arced in to win her a moment's respite, but that seemed ages ago, and remembering anything through the pain was a chore.
Suddenly a figure flashed into her peripheral vision. Andariel screamed and released her hold and the pain mercifully receded. Maiyan fell heavily to the floor, cradling her sore arms.
Looking up, she remembered what she had seen into depths of her pain, moments before. Telindhra had come hurdling in, seemingly out of no where. With a feat of impossible acrobatics, the lithe Rogue had leapt up. Pushing herself off with one leg off Andariel's thigh, she had stabbed down heard with her left hand, burying the three pronged dagger deep into Andariel's arm. Then, using that as a lever, she pushed herself up as though climbing a mountain and swung her right leg upwards up to the base of the spider like arms. Thus, half lying horizontal on Andariel's back, on leg dangling below, she plunged her short sword deep, right up to the hilt, into the hollow of the Demon Queen's left shoulder, right next to the neck.
Andariel reared back in pain, more pain than she had ever felt in this mortal realm, though it was less pain than she had on occasion endured her home dimension of Hell. Straightening legs that suddenly seemed loath to hold her up, her spider appendages curled back, trying to impale the Rogue. But the Rogue's position gave it safety from those arms, the spider arms no more able to reach the Rogue than a human hand was to reach its own forearm. Telindhra held on, one hand on the sword, and one arm gripping a handful of fur on Andariel's back, desperately holding on as Andariel stumbled and swayed from side to side. Finally Andariel reached back with her human like arms and picked the girl up and hurled her away from her. She would have desperately loved to take the girls arms and tear them from her body, or to bite the girls head off, punish her for the pain that she had caused, but Andariel was too busy trying to regain control of her rebelling body.
Her legs gave way and the huge Demon Queen fell to her hands and knees. Blood leaked out of her mouth, dripping down her chin and to the floor. A Rogue, one of the two that had survived the battles with Andariel's lieutenants surged forward, sensing victory near. A spider arm lashed out, the bone claw taking the Rogue through the chest, impaling her. With another flick, the dying Rogue flew away slamming into a wall with bone crunching force.
Reaching up and tearing Telindhra's sword away, Andariel snarled, "Fools . . . You think . . . You have . . . defeated . . . me?" Blood frothed at her mouth, and each word was a labor. "Even now . . . I . . . heal . . . within . . . days . . . I will be . . . back to . . . full . . . strength!"
Another Rogue rushed in, hearing Andariel's words and desperate to end the threat. She parried a bone thrust with her sword. But she simply lacked the strength to fully parry the demon's attacks with her parrying dagger, and a turned thrust grazed her shoulder, dislocating her arm and sending her sprawling.
Telindhra raised her head from the ground. She struggled to her knees, tears leaking out. Slamming her fist into the ground, she wept in frustration. They had come so close, but now only two Rogues were on her feet, another dazed and on the ground, her shoulder dislocated.
Collapsing on the floor, Telindhra slipped into dark oblivion, never expecting to wake.
For what seemed like eternity, he had suffered. His entire body on fire, he continually struggled to grasp consciousness. Somehow, he had the knowledge that to stay awake was to live, to slip away, into sleep, away from the pain, was death. So he strove and strove, fought through the agony, reaching for thought, for live.
At last it came. Levering himself up, thought came back. Yes, the poison, that was what was wracking his body with waves of pain. The Demon Queen had poisoned him. He must get up, fight. Raising his head wearily, he took stock. Somehow, Andariel had taken a wound, near the neck, blood poured out and her breath was labored, clearly a major wound, if not a fatal one. Bodies were sprawled all over this chamber. Only two Rogues were left on their feet. One charged at the wounded Demon Queen, yelling for the gods to give her strength. Dodging spider appendages, she came within a few steps of Andariel, her sword raised, when one of the claw tipped arms connected, shearing upwards, ripping the Rogue open from groin to neck, showering blood.
So close, he thought. From his studies, he knew of demon powers, and that only death would defeat a demon of this power. Anything less would heal within days. Raging to himself, he willed his arms to lift, his legs to support. We willed himself to stand. Long moments he battled with his own poisoned body, before slumping down in exhaustion.
Thus it ends. We die. Andariel wins. He had not the strength to rise. He was only human, and humans had limits. As much as it angered and pained him, he had reached his. Stress, battle fatigue, wounds and finally powerful poison had weakened him until now he could not stand. He cleared his mind, and accepted the death he could not change.
His eyes wandered. He took stock of those lying sprawled around the chamber. Next to him lay the huge barbarian, also badly poisoned. A bit beyond him lay the skilled Amazon. So these two would die with him. He mentally saluted them their toughness and skill. Never had he met such brilliant warriors. He counted the Rogues of his team. All were accounted for, none had fled. He saluted their courage and dedication to their vows and their organization. They were an honor to the Rogues.
Then finally, his eyes fell on the last of the Rogues. Young Telindhra, not even twenty years old. She lay across from him, unconscious as though sleeping. He dimly recalled, though it had not registered in his poison induced stupor, and image of her heroic leap onto Andariel's back, her plunging her sword home. He recalled other images. Her wriggling out from under the camp walls, unsatisfied by her superior's decision of inaction, deciding to attack a lair of monsters on her own. Her by his side, using her bow with deadly precision as they fought the Blood Raven's hordes. Her dropping her bow and drawing sword and dagger to engage a corrupted sister Rogue. Almost from the instant he saw her handling her weapons he recognized her inaptitude with close combat weapons. Only her quick wit and cunning had saved her in that encounter as she squared off with one who was her superior in skill. Already a master of her chosen weapon, the young Rogue was quick, intelligent and cunning. Still yet to be fully trained, she had the potential to be the greatest warrior he had ever seen, including himself. Of all who he lead, he judged her the most courageous, never hesitation even when facing her own limitations.
For her to die here, now, after all she had done, was to great a tragedy to contemplate. No, he thought to himself, he could not let that happen. Slowly but determined, Arc deQuester rose to his feet. Bending to pick up his longsword, he wavered, weakened, but then thrust that weakness aside. He could not, would not be weak now.
Walking forward with purpose, he stalked in. Andariel turned her head, seeing him approach. Still waking with that same maddening slowness, he entered the reach of her spider arms. The two on his side flashed out at him. He dodged to one side, avoiding both. One swung in from the side; he parried it upwards and away. Another stabbed in, aimed for his heart; with a titanic swing, he slammed the claw away. Another dived in, sidestepping he chopped down, severing it at the joint. Reaching Andariel's side, she leapt forward at the last instant, burying his longsword up to the hilt into her side.
Screaming in pain, he three remaining spider appendages curled up, constricting in agony. Forcefully ripping his blade free, he again shoved his blade deep into the Demon Queen's body. Then, others were beside him, still others on the opposite side of Andariel. Jorg was there, wearily but determinedly slamming his mace two handed into Andariel's side, for his axe was still embedded in the muscles of her belly.
Maiyan, with barely the strength the lift her glaive with her tortured arms still managed to jab at the Demon Queen a few times, though the attacks barely had the strength the pierce the skin, On the opposite side, one Rogue stabbed the demoness in the side again and again, and the wounded Rogue that had the dislocated arm gave Andariel a deep stabbing wound in the shoulder that mirrored the one inflicted by Telindhra.
With that last thrust, Andariel succumbed. With a low cry, the huge Demon Queen slumped to the ground, falling into death.