"Blah" – Talking "Blah" – Thinking "Blah" – Distortion
~I do not own Guild Wars or Guild Wars 2, both are the property of NCsoft and Arenanet~
Chapter 9: Battle of Claw Island
As she stumbled out of the nearest waypoint with Trahearne hot on her heels Jai felt her heart clench as she heard the distant sounds of fighting. Beside her she heard Trahearne gasp, "That sounds like battle! The Vigil needs us."
"Zhaitan's showing more intelligence. Striking at the heart of your order? It's almost unfathomable." He continued in a worried tone, running after Jai as she took off towards the Vigil fortress. "Well you better fathom it." Jai shot back, "Because it's happening."
As they got closer an asura with a shock of auburn hair waved them over, "Warmaster! Trahearne! Thank the alchemical processes that inspired your presence. We're under siege!"
"No really? Didn't notice." Jai mentally deadpanned as she saluted, "We tried charging the Orrian trebuchets, but this barrier appeared when we tried." Efut growled out.
"Bone walls! Those require powerful magic. We face no mere foot soldiers—there's an Orrian Vizier involved!" Jai and Efut turned to the scholar who began glowing more strongly and with a reddish tinge around his face as they stared. Jai gave him a reassuring nod, "Good, now we know what we're up against."
Efut nodded slowly, "Vigil Keep has defensive weaponry on the far ramparts, but they were damaged in the first assault. We didn't have the manpower to repair them. If we could clear the walls of undead and safeguard her path to the catapults, Blacksmith Vanhe can fix anything."
Jai's eyes assessed the chaos happening on the keep's ramparts, "It's the best plan we've got. If we fight our way up we should be able to clear enough space for your blacksmith to work."
The asura gave her a bloodthirsty grin, "I salute your bravery, my friend." Jai felt her eye twitch, "Strike hard and fast, and we'll guard your back. Form up, Vigil! Time to smash some rotting heads!"
Snorting at Efut's enthusiasm Jai unsheathed her blades and dove into the fray, following just behind her since the asura outranked her. Activating her usual disenchantment hex as the Vigil forces crashed against the wall of risen Jai gritted her teeth as she mercilessly cut them down. Foe after foe she fought, aiming directly for killing blows and the head while she covered Efut. The asura was a particularly vicious little whirlwind as she fought, and the assassin couldn't help finding it slightly humorous how any risen that went near the other Warmaster were swiftly cut down to size and then killed. As they made their way up the ramp Jai, Efut and Trahearne all focused on the risen that were attacking Vigil troops, freeing them to join up with the retaliation force. The assassin made use of her shadow stepping abilities, appearing to the furthest out or most dire situations to provide immediate support to the flagging fighters. Each time she did Jai was met with grateful grins and cheers that threw her off.
"It's the Warmaster! We're saved!" One human had cheered to his companion as she threw her blade at a thrall he'd been occupied with. "Praise Wolf that you're here, Warmaster!" That had been a norn she dug out from under a swarm. "Warmaster! By the alchemy's twisting cogs!" And an asura she'd saved from being snuck up on.
Each happy grin sent at her made the fight seem surreal, and had the situation not been so frantic Jai was sure she'd stop and simply stare at them, maybe even check for concussions. What had she done to be so…known?
Meeting back up with Trahearne and Efut the sylvari caught her unnerved expression- misinterpreted it as about the risen- and matched it with a grimace, "We kill them, wave after wave, and still they keep coming."
Warmaster Efut hefted her greatsword with a sharp-toothed snarl before suddenly snapping into a salute, "Movement in the keep...Oh! It's the General. Stand at attention!"
Turning to see General Almorra approaching Jai followed suit with a quick salute of her own. "Hostiles eradicated in the inner keep." The General growled, "They were tunneling under the walls, the rotten scum." Then her tawny eyes turned to the assassin and scholar, "Warmaster! Trahearne! Good timing. We need every able-bodied soldier we can deploy. Efut, what's our status?"
"I must report defeat, ma'am. There's an Orrian wizard down there. We weren't able to get through the magical barriers." Efut replied dejectedly as her large ears drooped.
The General growled, "Disappointing, but understandable. Secondary recommendations, anyone?"
The longer the silence stretched on between them the more dismayed General Soulkeeper appeared- though to her credit it only showed as a her ears pressing themselves against her neck- finally Jai stepped forward, silently hoping she wasn't stepping out of place by speaking up, "Warmaster Efut says there's a blacksmith who can repair our catapults. We-" she gestured to Trahearne and herself- "can clear the ramparts and defend the blacksmith as she works."
Efut nodded along and Trahearne sent her a wide grin when Jai included him in the plan, "Once the Orrian siege weapons are destroyed, they'll have to lower the magical walls if they intend to continue the attack on Vigil Keep." He added.
"And without those walls, I'm confident we'd have been successful, General. This time, there'll be no stopping us. And I'm coming with you." Efut finished, pounding an armored fist into her palm with a bloodthirsty grin full of sharp teeth.
General Soulkeeper nodded, fangs bared in a grin, "Excellent. While you do that, the Crusaders and I will defend the keep, last I knew Vanhe was near the smithy. Move out!"
Giving the General one last salute Jai, Trahearne and Efut took off across the ramparts. It was odd to admit but Jai was glad she took Trahearne as back-up, his necromantic minions were a great boon as they held back the risen hordes. It was almost like she was fighting alongside Jurah once more as the assassin flitted in and out of the shadows to cut down the minions of Zhaitan while they were preoccupied with Trahearne's minions. Even more his strange sword glowed brightly, forcing her to avoid looking at it but proving itself effective against the undead who would shy away from the light and bolts of magic. However Jai could tell instantly that he wasn't used to the blade, wielding it like a top-heavy staff rather than the greatsword it was. Trahearne was still capable with it; the blade's magic more than effective enough against the undead, but Jai didn't trust his capabilities with the weapon to be enough should a stronger minion confront him. After this she'd either find someone to train him to wield the greatsword or she'd help him practice herself, if the scholar was stubborn enough to stick with her then Jai would be damned before she let him walk into the dangers surrounding her unprepared.
Approaching the broken down trebuchets Jai quickly spotted a barricaded tower, risen brutes and thralls densely packed on the stairs while an abomination slowly turned its lumbering hulk to face them as the three came closer. "Trahearne and I have the abomination Warmaster!" Efut ordered, "Go get Vanhe out of that tower!"
Nodding with a "Yes, sir!" To convey that she'd heard the asura Jai shadow stepped directly between the risen and the barrier made of a wooden table pressed against the opening with a single leg raised. Then she kicked.
All the risen crammed onto the staircase tumbled over each other, groaning and screeching as they reached out towards her with rotted hands only to grasp at nothing but air. When they hit the ground in a heap the assassin threw her blades at every head and summoned them back again. Repeating the process again and again as several thralls crawled out from under the pile of their re-dead brethren until all had stopped moving. Turning around Jai knocked politely on the wooden table and called out in a slightly unsure tone, "Blacksmith Vanhe?"
Behind her Jai could hear Efut letting out a victory cry after a massive thud- most likely signified the abomination's fall- boomed out. In front of her the wooden table was wrenched away from the door by a large norn woman, her messy black hair frazzled and only barely kept out of her face by a large bandanna and a massive blacksmithing hammer brandished in one hand, "Bring it on, you Risen dungbeetles! You won't break this steel!"
Jai blinked up at the woman, "Umm…..We request that you repair the trebuchets? ...please?"
Vanhe lowered her hammer as she looked about, "Well damn, missed out on the fun." Shaking her head she strode past Jai who ducked out of the way, "Wish I'd had time to fix these before the battle. You never know how to prioritize till you get attacked by screaming undead..."
A small crooked grin twitched onto Jai's face as she conceded to the blacksmith's point.
It wasn't too long before they had a trebuchet up and running, the three having helped Vanhe with the repairs and fending off the occasional risen that trickled over. "There you go, Warmasters." She said with a wipe of her brow, "Good as new! Let 'em have it!"
Jai swallowed thickly as Vanhe gestured for her to take the trebuchet, Trahearne coming to her side and placing a hand on her shoulder with a sympathetic smile. Taking a deep shuddering breath the assassin broke his grip and walked over to Efut, shoving her memories of Forgal and Claw Island to the back of her mind. "Warmaster, you should take the trebuchet. I can't operate one."
The asura nodded briskly, catching on to Jai's mood which only made it more sour since she was so easily read, "Nothing to be ashamed of, no one can know how to do everything."
"No, but I swear I'm going to learn first chance I get." Jai swore. She wasn't ever going to let Claw Island repeat itself.
However it seemed having Efut handle the trebuchet was a good idea, the Grand Tactician deftly and expertly hitting each Orrian siege weapon and destroying them one by one. When the last one exploded in fire and bone shards the walls of rib-bones sunk back into the earth and a resounding cheer came up from the ground forces as they charged the beach. The three up on the ramparts also cheered, and Jai sent them all a small grin.
Then Trahearne pointed over at the hills, "The Vizier! It's coming from behind them!"
Efut gasped, pulling herself up to see over the edges, "The General and others are at the bottom of the beach, they won't see the incoming wave until it's too late and we won't get down there in time! It'll be an ambush."
Vanhe let out a foul oath as she tore her bandanna from her head and threw it on the ground. Jai meanwhile peered over the edge of the ramparts, "There's water, and it looks deep enough but too many rocks on this end…" Her eyes followed the river to where it went directly under the keep's bridge. "…That'll do." Without a word she sheathed her blades and sprinted to the bridge, clambering up on the crates pushed up against the rampart's edge and readied herself.
"Jai? Wait- no!" "Warmaster what are you thinking?!"
And then she jumped.
The wind roared in her ears as Jai squinted, her eyes stinging and already watering from the cold wind whipping her face. Quickly summoning her war-scythe she held it close to her body and with the blade in front of her to break the water's surface. In just a few heartbeats she hit the river, diving down with barely a ripple as her scythe cut through the surface and she followed not long after. Letting out a gasp from the sudden shock of cold Jai dismissed her weapon and began climbing back up through the water, making it to the surface and quickly swimming to the beach where she clambered out on all fours. As hands reached out to help her Jai reactively shrunk back from them, shaking her head and coughing out water, "Ambush- Vizier- Behind!"
"Iron and slag!" Blinking repeatedly until her vision cleared Jai looked up to see General Soulkeeper herself standing nearby, "The Orrians dare to try and sneak up on us? Well, they shall see how a cornered lion fights!" she snarled.
Standing tall the charr raised a fist to the air, "Fight to your last breath! To your last bit of courage! We stand between Tyria and death, and we cannot fail!" Turning back to Jai who staggered back to her feet and drew her blades the General nodded approvingly, "Well done Warmaster, you took great risk to warn us."
"It was a calculated risk General," Jai told her with a crooked grin, recalling the last time she'd been reprimanded for taking risks by General Soulkeeper. "One that I knew I'd survive." The charr snorted and rolled her eyes.
There wasn't much time for any further conversation as the second wave of risen forces appeared over the crest of the hill. But they were met with ready Vigil crusaders rather than catching them unaware. As the fighting began anew for Jai she eventually met back up with Trahearne, who gave her a disappointed expression so severe she nearly laughed. "What the azaleas were you thinking?" he nearly hissed at her, simultaneously launching a bolt of lightning from his sword at an approaching risen brute.
"We had to warn General Soulkeeper and jumping was the fastest way." She defended, throwing a blade into the head of a thrall that crumpled as the disenchantment hex dissolved the magic animating it. "In my defense I made sure that I jumped where there were no rocks and where the river was at its deepest."
The scholar's whole faced twitched as he muttered under his breath, "Oh yes Forgal, 'Go get 'em' attitude indeed. Nearly scared the Dream out of me."
Jai had to bite her lip not to laugh. But then a sudden shout from General Soulkeeper caught her attention, "Spell reflection? Reflect THIS, Orrian!"
Looking over Jai just barely caught the General bringing her blade down on a robed undead. The charr's greatsword passed through the risen's crystalline mesmeric protection and tore through the rotted cloth and flesh, cleanly cutting the Orrian vizier in half before the blade came back up only to impale the head. Snorting derisively the General let out a roar that was met with the cheers of all the soldiers around her, "The battle is ours!"
As the Vigil all cheered and congratulated each other Jai shrunk back to the fringes, looking over the broken shards of the Orrian construction and contemplating the events. Soft footprints on sand alerted her to someone behind her and as Jai turned she was surprised to see Trahearne- though she probably shouldn't have been. "It is fortunate that we arrived when we did. Those undead were about to overrun the keep. If it had fallen, we'd never be able to defend Lion's Arch."
Jai tilted her head and gave him a curious look, he had a point but she could tell there was more he wanted to add so she kept quiet. Her silence however resulted in him appearing slightly flustered, "D-do you remember what she said? 'With unity, many impossible things can be achieved.' I mean no offence to your order but the Vigil can't fight Zhaitan alone. The dragon is too powerful."
Immediately Jai's mind went back to the Luxons and Kurzicks, and how she and Togo had gotten them to work together to stop Shiro. Turning around to stare at the cheering soldiers Jai also recalled how well her plans had worked as the Queen's Advocate with all three orders. Slowly a plan came together, "You're on to something Trahearne…" Jai said slowly.
The scholar blinked and stared at her, his glow around his face tinting orange. "I am? Well, whatever you're planning, know that I will stand with you."
"Warmaster!" General Soulkeeper called from afar, waving for Jai and Trahearne to join her as she gave them a toothy grin, "Your timing was fortuitous. You and Trahearne have saved our order."
Jai immediately blushed and ducked deeper into her hood, Trahearne was a bit more graceful in accepting Soulkeeper's praise as he gave a brisk bow, "It was our honor. If you don't mind, we need to brief you on recent events. Much has occurred in a very short time."
Taking a deep breath Jai stepped forward, "General, we can't stand and win against Zhaitan alone. We need help. More specifically, help from the Durmand Priory and the Order of Whispers."
The General's eyes narrowed, "Huh. If it were anyone other than you, Warmaster, I might think you were a coward. But after what you did on the field today, continue."
"The other orders of Tyria are as concerned about the dragons as we are. The Vigil should speak with them and launch a unified effort." Trahearne added, catching on to her plan.
"Speak with them?" Warmaster Efut chimed in with a deep scowl, "But...but...the Order of Whispers are underhanded backstabbers, and the Priory are simpering scholars!"
"Underhanded backstabbers huh?" Jai thought disappointedly as she raised a brow in Efut's direction, "I knew many brave agents who sacrificed themselves to stem the demonic hordes, they willingly charged into open war against the margonites at Dzagonur Bastion. And even more were lost to the Realm alongside me, though they were remembered. The Order took so many losses… it's most likely the reason why they are such a shadow of what they once were."
Trahearne shook his head, "You're wrong, Efut. They simply have their own ways of fighting Zhaitan. Both would be staunch allies in the war."
General Soulkeeper crossed her arms, "I don't like it, and I don't trust them. But I do trust you, Warmaster." Jai looked up at her in slight surprise, "Well, that was easier than expected." "And I trust Trahearne. If he says we're up against overwhelming odds, I believe him. Go to the other orders. Set up a meeting. Tell them the Vigil offers an alliance."
"I'll send word to my contacts in the orders immediately." Trahearne stated with a grin, Jai on the other hand inclined her head towards Soulkeeper, "Thank you, General. I'll do everything I can."
ooo
The next day found Jai following Trahearne to the pier just outside Fort Marriner. "All three orders showed up, a good sign."
"They showed up, but have they agreed?" She replied cynically.
Trahearne shook his head, but Jai frowned as she heard raised voices.
"So, I see Gixx stumbled out of his library, and the Preceptor crawled out of her hole!"
Turning the corner Jai saw General Soulkeeper glaring haughtily at the others gathered with her arms crossed defensively. "I see you're not letting rationality get in the way of your ignorance, Almorra. How predictable." An older asura with grey hair and a little goatee sneered with big green eyes narrowed spitefully.
"Who are you calling ignorant, you twitchy little bookworm?" Jai just stared, she could literally see the General's hackles raising.
"Wonderful. I see we're off to a running start." Another charr with grey fur and a clouded eye drawled, "The Order of Whispers needs allies, not infants."
"Infants?! I'll have you know-!"
Jai held Trahearne back as she assessed the bickering. These were the leaders of the organizations that formed the primary defense against the elder dragons? Jai suddenly felt her age, which was a very strange feeling indeed. It was also very tiring. But more than that she felt her own irritation rising, how could they be so blind? How could they sit there and throw snide snips and jabs at one another with a Torment damned army of undead breathing down their necks? Jai had kept her own council when it came to Logan's friends, but she refused to keep silent now.
Stepping forward with fists clenched Jai raised her voice, "ENOUGH!"
All bickering parties fell silent and stared, her voice had easily overrode theirs. "Do you not hear yourselves?" She continued in a furious hiss, glaring at everyone gathered except for Trahearne beside her, "Zhaitan's forces are at our doorstep, they have already killed over half of the Lionguard stationed at Claw Island and are posing an imminent and direct threat yet you stand here arguing over petty slights? Well?!"
Trahearne gave a small cough, "My friend is right. Our real enemy lurks across the waves, we must band together, or we will all be destroyed."
"Interesting." The charr from the Order of Whispers stated, "Almorra, do you allow all your soldiers to speak in such a disrespectful manner?"
"Okay that's it." Jai cut in decisively, "I wouldn't need to speak like so if you all started working together like the mature adults you claim to be rather than bratty little children who need to pull their heads out of their asses and realize what's going on!"
General Soulkeeper opened her mouth but Jai continued, "You all have nothing to lose and everything to gain from an alliance. The Vigil has the trained fighters, the Order has the means to gather intel and sabotage, and the Priory has the knowledge to increase the effectiveness of the other two. So stop whining and start working together or Zhaitan will be the one to end your bickering when he kills us all!"
There was absolute silence for a few moments before the elderly asura in Priory robes started chuckling, "By the whorls of the Eternal Alchemy, you're bold! But… you're correct. Knowledge is useless if it is not used. We shall aid you."
"The Order of Whispers has worked for generations to bring nations together." Jai held back a huff at the Agent's words, "We can do no less now. Our blades are yours."
Soulkeeper pinned Jai down with calculating eyes, "The Vigil fears nothing!" She snarled, "Not even ill-tempered, undisciplined louts like these two. We'll join, but I insist there's a decent hierarchy. Who will lead this compact?"
"Logic dictates that it cannot be a member of any of our orders, lest one be seen as above the other two. Quite a conundrum!" The asura mused as he twirled his goatee with a clawed finger.
Jai stepped back with a nod, though her face remained neutral. In truth she could have hugged the asura for giving her a valid excuse to not lead.
"Trahearne, you've never joined an order, yet I think we can all agree on the fact that you are a respected individual. You're the foremost expert on Orr, and I can think of no one better considering where Zhaitan is located. Will you lead?" The asura continued, looking at the sylvari scholar expectantly.
"I… I never wanted to be a soldier. I'm only a seeker of truth." Jai sucked in a sharp breath, instantly suspicious. Trahearne's word choice hitting too close to home for mere coincidence, "If that isn't a sign from Kormir then I'll eat my boot." She thought. "But… yes. I will lead this pact to the gates of Arah, and together, we will see Zhaitan destroyed."
Trahearne took a deep breath and Jai couldn't help sending him a sympathetic glance, "First, to Claw Island. Let us send our defiant message straight into the heart of Orr: Tyria stands as one!"
As the gathered forces all cheered Jai shook her head at the scholar, "Poor lost soul, whelp…better him than me though."
Warmaster Efut then approached, "The General said I'll be Warmaster for the Orrian theater Trahearne. That means I'll be your right hand and Vigil liaison, if you'll have me."
"So, someone finally charmed our esteemed leaders all into meeting? I've been trying to do that for years. Good job." Jai turned to see one of the Order's Agents approaching to introduce himself, he wore gold and red armor along with messy black hair and well-trimmed beard, "Doern Velazquez, I'll be representing the Order of Whispers. We'll be accompanied by Agent Zott, he's our resident optics specialist, a real genius with magical effects."
Finally a tall norn woman wearing grey and blue plate mail and pale white hair done in two loose braids joined them, "I don't know how you arm wrestled them to be here, but you've got the tenacity of a mastiff Trahearne! Wynnet Fairhaired of the Priory, I'll stand in as ambassador and our scholars offered up a few new alchemical compounds for the coming battle. We've also developed a siege shot that takes advantage of the rotting forms of the Risen."
Hanging back and away from the crowd Jai snickered into her hand at how lost and dazed Trahearne looked. He was completely in over his head with the sudden shift of command and half-made plans being shoved at him. She knew she'd dodged an arrow by not being appointed as leader, however as he sent her a pleading look Jai couldn't help the empathy welling up in her for his situation. Of course the look he gave her came with drooping ears and wide eyes, making Trahearne seem almost like a lost kitten.
Rolling her eyes Jai stepped in, "Alright! We need to organize for the coming battle, decide now who will man the siege weapons and who will defend them. We're facing a massive undead dragon capable of flight and can spew corruption; it'll strike hard and strike fast so we need to have a plan and a back-up plan ready before we even get on a boat. If our ship is sunk we'll be stranded in enemy controlled territory." Her words were crisp and direct, drawing surprise form Efut, Trahearne and even Soulkeeper.
"Warmaster, a word in private if you will." The General ordered.
"Fuck, she'll probably reprimand me for yelling at everyone." Jai thought with a grimace as she joined the charr at a distance far away enough not to be eavesdropped.
"I shall be blunt, are you sure you want to participate in this battle?" she asked flatly.
Jai sucked in a sharp breath, anger immediately rising at the thought of not being able to at the very least strike back at the dragon that had killed Forgal. Glaring from under her hood the assassin crisply said, "Yes."
Soulkeeper sighed, "That's why I'm asking, I don't want to lose one of my best because she cared more about avenging a dead soldier than staying alive."
"I do plan on avenging him." Jai admitted while looking away, "But I intend to finish out his goal of ending the threat the dragons pose." She continued, now looking the General in the eye, "I can't do that if I'm dead."
"Good enough I suppose." Soulkeeper grunted. "Well, I'm going to go get what's left of my drink stash. Maybe Forgal left me something."
"Jai! We're ready to go."
Looking back at Trahearne the assassin just nodded, "Okay." She said in a flat tone, ignoring his look of concern. "Let's go."
ooo
It was time.
Walking up to the deck of the ship as it came to a halt Jai joined Trahearne as he and the order advisors came together, "Marshal Trahearne, sir! The Lionguard are clearing some road, but the inner courtyard gate is blocked." Efut reported.
"My Priory explorers brought a biomantic siege capacitor, Marshal. Our top mystics have been working on it for some time. It could be useful." The norn woman from the Priory- Wynnet- added.
Velazquez nodded along, "I've heard of that device—Whispers agents stole a copy of the blueprints, but we couldn't figure out your bizarre telemetry. There's a working prototype?" He looked impressed.
Wynnet rolled her eyes, "Of course. Nothing's beyond the Priory's intelligence. Unfortunately, it's a portable model, so it lacks the power to blast through a fortified gate."
"Shouldn't we have figured this out before we arrived at the island?" Jai broke in, a skeptical look on her face, "Regardless isn't there any way to augment what we have available?"
"Clever." Velazquez praised only for his smirk to falter when it was met with Jai' flat expression, giving a faint cough he continued, "The signal towers use magical panels to increase brightness. If we reversed the panel's direction and adjusted the enchantment, we could amplify the beam."
"It's improvised, off-the-cuff, and madcap… but you know, it just might work. Still, there are far too many undead between here and the signal tower." Wynnet frowned, eyeing the docks.
Efut pounded her fist on her breastplate with a toothy grin, "Leave that part to me. The Vigil may not understand your boo-boo-matic wheeze calculator, but we know plenty about killing undead."
Jai shared a matching grin with the asura, agreeing with her sentiments entirely.
"Salt spray! Sunlight through acid-filled clouds! It's a glorious day for an epic victory!" A familiar voice boomed cheerfully. Looking back Jai saw Fibharr grinning at her like a mad-man, "My crew and I will defend your little specialist while you Vigil types clear the entryway."
It was then that Trahearne nodded, "Then we have a plan. Commander Efut, move out. Your crusaders can guide the way."
Stepping off the boat Jai and Trahearne followed the forces that quickly organized themselves. On the other side of the dock she could hear the Whispers Preceptor Vel-something calling out. "Agent Zott, get that Priory device up to the signal tower and get it working. We need that barricade down."
"Is this what I think it is? How did they compress all those angles? Gah—don't stare at it. Just plug it in! I'm on my way, Preceptor!"
Jai gave a snort at the response before Trahearne sought her out, "Jai, I want you to go with Agent Zott. You're very skilled and would be capable of hiding him from risen attention."
She gave him a quick salute, "Yes, Marshall."
The sylvari's glow flickered in the gloom of the overcast skies, "…Thank you my friend."
"Did I say something upsetting?" Nodding awkwardly because she didn't know what to say to that Jai turned her gaze back towards the awaiting hordes. The central road into the fort was filled with bodies, and the thick wooden doors had been replaced with a massive bone wall. She opened her mouth to try and say something, wish him luck or something similar but no sound came out. Instead Jai just closed her jaw with an audible snap then pivoted on one foot to march off and join the asuran agent.
"This will be a fight for the skaalds!" Fibharr told her enthusiastically, to which Jai rolled her eyes.
"This is a serious fight, not a tournament. Aim to kill and don't hold back." She told him and his fighters seriously.
But the large norn waved her off, "Yeah, yeah."
Then they were off.
Now working together the group easily cleared through the risen infesting the path up to the signal tower. The massive warrior easily knocking rotting corpses aside with his greatsword- even sending a few flying into the ocean- while his daughter set them aflame and his wife crippling them and making them easy targets. The ranger and thief worked seamlessly in picking off stragglers or outsiders while Jai worked alongside Fibharr himself. "Duck!"
Jai didn't even question it as she ducked, lightning arching off Fibharr's hammer as it swung over her head and knocked a wave of the risen back. "So! We get to see you fight for real now or are you going to use another broom?" The large norn asked with an exhilarated laugh.
Giving him an exasperated look Jai decided to prove a point. Summoning her magic to her hands the assassin initiated a chain of shadow steps as she took advantage of the darkness that came with Zhaitan's influence. Appearing as incorporeal as the shadows she commanded Jai wove in and out of the risen mobs on the wooden scaffolding, using her teleportation to move up and down the wooden frame work while simultaneously cutting down the minions before they could react to her presence. Once the ramp was cleared Jai reappeared in a swirl of black smoke in front of Fibharr with a flat glare and blades so soaked in risen blood they were stained black while still absorbing it.
Fibharr stared, finally- blessedly- speechless.
Smirking fiendishly Jai returned to the fight, following the asura with the glowing device as he made his way while simultaneously casting a spell to shroud him as he worked on connecting it to the tower. The agent shivered as her magic washed over him, "Oh that's strange. But here's the panel. I have to reverse it, resource the amplification, and attach the capacitor. Just keep them off me!"
As soon as he said it a few risen grubs slithered up the scaffolding, gaping maws made from bone shards dripping with green acid. Looking back at the agent Jai couldn't help but think, "Thanks for jinxing it."
Then the grubs started spitting acid.
"Whoever created this tower's astral circuitry was a total moron!" The asura exclaimed in frustration as he ducked under a glob of acid that had gone wide, Jai meanwhile turned to deal with the latest infestation as she heard a bit of mumbling before- "Oh, it was the Priory? …Er, sorry about that."
Spearing a grub the size of a large dog on a blade and throwing it over the edge of the cliff Jai called out, "Progress?"
"Only a few more seconds… Anyone have some gum? Never mind…" "Gum? What the Torment-?" "Here we go!" There was a crackling of lightning, "Oh wait, that didn't do it. Let me try one last thing... Aha! Hold onto your helms! One reconstulated configurer, coming up!"
Jai made to turn around and see what he had done when a massive beam of light flared up. Letting out a pained hiss and throwing an arm over her eyes Jai gritted her teeth as her eyes burned. Suddenly a large hand clamped down on her back making her reactively duck away only for Fibharr's loud laughter to boom out "The gate is open! Today, we become legends!"
Blinking away spots Jai took her arm away from her eyes Jai to stare back at where the gate once stood only to see the forces left at the docks rushing in. "What are we waiting for? This battle will be victoriffic!"
With that the group rushed down to join the others, Jai lagging behind slightly to make sure that the agent wasn't left completely behind as he struggled to keep up with the enthusiastic and longer legged norn. "No need soldier, you can go on without me."
Looking down at the asura Jai's eyes flickered to some movement behind him and threw her blade out to impale a thrall. The agent let out a startled sound as he turned to stare, ears pricked up. "I'm not leaving anyone else behind on this gods damned island." Jai told him flatly.
The agent's head turned back to stare at her with wide eyes before he smacked his forehead, "Wait you're-? Zott you are a moron."
The assassin kept quiet, continuing to accompany him. It wasn't long before they made it to the front gate, the agent- Zott- muttering a thanks before rushing off to rejoin the Whispers forces. Doren welcoming him back with a wide grin, "Our agents can do amazing things with no more than baling wire and chewing gum. Well done, Zott!"
But Jai was surprised to see Trahearne wave for her to join him on the bridge going over the main gate. Appearing next to him in a swirl of shadowy smoke the sylvari took a step back, "That was quick, but moving on…" Trahearne gestured to what was left of the outer walls. "We managed to secure the docks and things are progressing well at the moment."
Warmaster Efut chimed in, her arms crossed as she glared at the clouds, "What about the courtyard, Marshal? That big dragon-thing will be on us the minute we charge in there."
"We need to retake the ramparts and deploy siege weapons." Trahearne ordered, "Then we can cover the sky while we clear the courtyard."
"I can help there." The scarred norn added, "Priory alchemists have crafted special ammunition to weaken champions like that one. We can force that monster to the ground."
Efut gave a shark-like grin, "Once you get it down, we'll get it dead. Put your trust in Vigil steel."
"Good, I'll coordinate and command from here." Trahearne agreed with a nod of his head, "Wynnet, take Doren and retake the siege points. Jai and Efut will clear the courtyard. The Plaguebringer must be brought down!"
Jai looked back up at the sky in time to see a draconic silhouette appear behind a flash of lightning. Narrowing her eyes at the beast that killed Forgal Jai then met Efut's gaze and nodded, "I have your back Warmaster." The asura nodded.
With their plans made Jai followed Efut, "The rush of battle, the knowledge that Lion's Arch is depending on us...I hope you're enjoying yourself, Warmaster! This is living!"
Taking a deep breath Jai answered, "I'm quite familiar with this feeling… Although I will savor exacting my revenge from the beast." Her statement trailed off into a dark growl which Efut nodded to before calling out to rally the Vigil soldiers and the fighters from the other orders who decided to join them.
"Here, we draw a line! Here, and no further, Zhaitan! Your servants will never claim Lion's Arch!" Cheers rose up as they all charged into the courtyard.
Chaos descended instantly.
The veritable horde of risen corpses- some Orrian and some former Lionguard- surged against them, the charging Vigil soldiers and other fighters wearing heavy plate-mail were the first to collide with them with sickening crunches as rotting bones were snapped and the forces met. At first they had the advantage of the undead, and managed to easily cut down the first wave but as the two armies began mingling the stronger minions made their presence known. A massive abomination charged through, trampling anyone unlucky enough to be caught in its frenzied stamped. Efut however was undaunted as she ran up to it and with a pivoting swing chopped off its leg. The mass of flesh and bone groaned as it teetered to one side as Jai joined in, leaping on and severing tendons in the arm wielding its club while her weight helped bring it to the ground for Efut to finish it off with a downwards slash. Turning back to the rest of the horde Jai staggered as she reactively brought her blades up just in time to deflect a barnacle encrusted blade from embedding itself in her skull.
Snarling into the empty eye sockets the assassin quickly regained her footing and pushed the undead away with a kick to the knee to unbalance it. It didn't show any pain, but the loss of a working joint forced it to crumple enough for Jai to sever its head. Returning to Efut's side the assassin kept a watchful eye on the other forces regardless of order while still watching the vicious little Warmaster behind her. As she let her usual corrosive hex coat her blade in an ominous red glow Efut grabbed Jai's attention, "Can you do that with my weapon too?"
Giving it a moment's thought Jai agreed, throwing her offhand blade at a nearby risen and impaling it through the eye she then grabbed the hilt of Efut's greatsword and flooded it with her magic. The asura shivered as Jai's icy cold magic poured into the blade, making its edges faintly glow sinisterly. "It won't last long." The assassin warned.
Efut however looked positively giddy, "A moment is all I will need. Go do your teleporting thing Warmaster." She sent Jai a feral grin under her blood streaked face, "I can take things from here."
A battle wasn't the place to ask questions so Jai instantly vanished to begin picking off the stronger targets. Using her blade as a tether the assassin immediately appeared over the fallen risen she had impaled at a distance. From there she went from risen to risen, appearing behind them and killing with streaks of red. Then as she was kicking another body off her blade Jai heard several voices cry out, "Dragon!" "It's coming!" "Back up!"
And then she saw the dragon swoop down, a deep rumbling roar bellowing out while the concussive beats of its wings was felt reverberating through her bones. As it hid back in the clouds Jai glared after it, her hands tightening on the handles so much they shook and her jaw clenched. "Pull back!" Efut yelled, "We've cleared the courtyard, back up! We don't want to get in the way of the trebuchets!"
Heeding the orders Jai shadow-stepped back to Trahearne's side, but kept her eyes on the sky. To his credit the newly appointed Marshall didn't startle as much when she reappeared at his side again. "I'm glad to see you are well my friend." He told her, prompting Jai to tear her eyes from the clouds and give him a nod. Trahearne just sighed and began issuing more orders, "Prepare yourselves, troops! Wait for the dragon to come around, then make a coordinated strike. On my order…wait for it…"
Thud. Thud.
Trahearne raised his hand. Gold eyes carefully following the dragon's shadow.
Thud… THUD.
An earthshattering roar echoed across the island as the massive beast dived from the clouds and landed heavily enough for Jai to feel the ground shake. Flaring its wings and darting its head about and snapping at the air like a snake. "FIRE!"
With mighty wooden creaks the three trebuchets all launched missiles that shattered in explosions of fire as they collided against the dragon, one of them landing on a wing and burning away at the tattered membrane. The dragon's fierce roar quieted as it began backing up, defensively summoning bone walls while its bony tail thrashed back and forth. A soft chuckle behind her drew Jai's attention, "I was inspired by your 'fight' with Fibharr." Trahearne told her, "Zhaitan's champions always go for intimidation first. But be careful my friend."
Jai raised her eyebrows, "Don't worry, I won't take a broom to the dragon." She told him, her lips quirked in a small grin. Then she left, joining the charge against the dragon. As her feet pounded against the soil Jai bared her teeth, now she would avenge Forgal. "A broom would not pain the beast nearly as much as I intend to do." Jai thought darkly.
As she ran Jai pulled ahead to the front of the charge, running alongside the appointed leaders of the separate order forces. Up ahead the dragon raised a clawed foot- the shaped with eerie similarity to a human hand- before bringing it down upon the ground, claws digging into the earth. Eyes widening as a wave of bony tendrils shot out and towards the approaching forces the assassin yelled out, "Incoming!"
A whistling of wind as one tendril whipped past her head, coming so close it tore through her hood and even cut a few strands of her hair. Beside her Efut rolled along the ground while Doren backed up and Wynnet held up her shield for the bone to break itself upon. As the tendrils continued sprouting up from the ground behind them Jai heard pained screams as some of the fighters were impaled or cut down by the bone tendrils. Sending the dragon another furious glare Jai was surprised when she heard Trahearne's voice call out from Efut as she pulled out a small device of some sort. "Stay out of its reach! It's calling for the dead to rise!"
Eyes widening Jai turned back and called out, "Put the fallen back down! Make sure you strike the head!"
Her words came just in time, the recent dead started to rise again only for those listening to her to cut them back down. On many faces Jai could see tears, but also a furious resolve. A loud rumbling came from the dragon's chest, "…it's….laughing?"
Jai gritted her teeth as it started to rain, and the thunder rumbled through the clouds. Beside her she saw turrets being set up, fire and smoke blasting out of them as they launched explosives at the dragon that merely shook its head in irritation. She bitterly looked down at her blades that suddenly seemed so small. "What the Torment can I do to that thing? It has no eyes, no weak spot. Or at the very least none that I can see…" Jai thought bitterly.
"Watch out for the Plaguebringer's poisonous breath!"
As soon as Trahearne's words came from over Efut's communication device Jai saw the dragon's massive chest expand. A virulent green glow lighting up behind the ribs and drops of acid leaking from gaps in the decaying flesh. Turning back to the forces behind her Jai shouted, "Get under cover! Get under cover! Now!"
"Shields up Magisters!"
Looking back to Wynnet as she gave an order Jai watched in awe as a massive wall of ice interwoven with a familiar blue nebula of guardian shielding was erected in front of them. It appeared just in time as the blue of the shield was suddenly turned green from the acidic breath unleashed by the dragon. It beat down upon the shield, pounding on it in waves as the beast took steps forward, bringing it closer to the shield that began to crack under the pressure. Then it stopped, the green faded.
Only for the shield to be shattered to pieces as a massive tail of bony vertebrae was smashed into it.
Efut was undaunted. Pointing her greatsword at the dragon she yelled, "Charge!"
And the fighters charged. Jai joining them at Efut's side.
Coming in close to the dragon's foot Jai threw one blade at the leg and gripped the remaining one with both hands to increase the strength she could muster for each blow. Again and again she slashed at the foot, her blade and its corrosive hex eating away at the flesh but it never seemed to even hinder the dragon in the slightest of ways. It was already dead, and the blows did not pain it nor did it seem to even realize they were inflicted upon it. Quickly stepping back to avoid being stomped on- and dragging an agent back with her- Jai glanced around. It seemed she wasn't alone in her plight as none of the other attacks seemed to be working either. The explosives launched at the head only left streaks of soot on the hardened skin shielding its skull and shoulders, and the wounds on its legs did nothing to stop it. Even as she watched their forces were slowly being overwhelmed by the grubs dropping from the dragon's wings.
They were going to lose. It was simply too big.
Then Jai noticed the dragon pause, its head tilting like a curious cat as it curved down to inspect something close to its feet. And her breath caught as she saw Efut directly under the dragon's nose. As the head reared back like a snake about to strike the assassin ran forward, magic flooding her fingers as she dropped her remaining blade.
The head dove down, sharp snaggled teeth snapping down.
And Jai screamed as they cut into her legs.
As the dragon jerked its head back up to throw her into the air and more easily devour her Jai heard Efut call out her name from where the assassin had tossed her out of harm's way only to take the blow herself. The good news was that since the dragon had been targeting an asura the jaws had closed down on Jai's legs rather than her chest. Even better- if it could be called as such- the overcrowded maw full of teeth made it difficult for them to cut into her legs, resulting in large gashes rather than being cut off.
Suddenly Jai felt weightless as she hung suspended in midair high above the island as the dragon tossed her up above it. Turning just enough to see it rather than the clouds as the beast reared its head back to engulf her whole Jai was struck with inspiration. The outside of the head was shielded…but the inside….
Dark magic and fuchsia sparks danced across her fingers as Jai prepared her spell, "I have to time this right…" And then, just as the dragon's jaw fully opened and started moving forward she slammed her hands together. Instantly shadow-stepping past the teeth that closed with a loud snap behind her and simultaneously summoning her blades back to her hands and digging both of them into the roof of the dragon's mouth.
As soon as her blades dug into the soft unprotected flesh Jai gasped as a rush of magic flooded her body, instantly going to heal her legs as she held on tight. The smell alone made her eyes water and gave the air she breathed a near liquid-like thickness and was so nauseating Jai almost felt like throwing up. But she gritted her teeth and held on, flooding her blades with a corrosive hex and injecting it deep into the dragon's head. Now she just needed to keep this up until her hex reached whatever this thing had for a brain.
It wasn't long before a loud high-pitched roar shattered her ears, the loud sound reaching such an intensity that her ears rang even after it ended. But Jai stubbornly clung on, a feral grin of victory stuck on her face.
She had made it cry out in pain.
Jai ignored the acidic saliva that burned at her skin, she ignored how the energy pouring in from her blades only made everything hurt more as it was healed and then burned again. She ignored the horrific smell, the jerking motions as the dragon thrashed back and forth to try and dislodge her. Jai even ignored how the dragon's mouth began lurching, its throat constricting and nearly crushing her if she'd been just a few meters deeper down its throat. Below her she could see the mouth open to show the ground, forces from all three orders scattering as a wave of acid sloshed out of its mouth. Some of the green bubbling liquid splashed on her, causing Jai to let out a pained hiss before her blades healed the wounds. "At least I'll have a Torment damned excuse to still be alive after this."
Tightening her grip on the hilts of her blades Jai pushed as much of her magic as she could into them, flooding the dragon with her hex in pulsing waves of a deep ominous blood red. She didn't know how long she stayed in the dragon's mouth, or even what was up or down as the head continued thrashing. All Jai knew was that eventually the deafening roars quieted to whimpers and with one last massive thud that jarred her bones everything went still. Yet she continued to push her magic into her blades until she felt her healing stop, and the influx of energy trickled into nothing.
Opening her eyes that had been squeezed shut at some point after the dragon tried to vomit her up Jai realized she was trapped in utter darkness. Letting go of her blades she crawled around, following the slope of the roof of the mouth until she felt teeth. Bracing her feet on what felt like down and pushing up Jai tried to open the mouth so she could get out- there was no way in Torment or all five Domains of Anguish she was going the other way- but despite all her efforts the mouth only opened a little. "Damnit!"
Summoning her scythe Jai tried prying the mouth open, still no luck.
"Fucking Torment!" She cursed, exhaustion settling in as her hands started shaking. Alone and in the mouth of a dead beast Jai cursed her luck. Finally giving voice to the inner rants as she angrily kicked a tooth. "By Blasphemy's glowing purple ass! Open up already! I am not going to cut my way out of this Torment damned corpse!"
Suddenly the back of the throat was pushed in, again and again as Jai watched in open eyed shock. Finally a gleam of metal in the lightening gloom as the neck was cut thin. And then light came pouring in. "Warmaster! Jai!"
"Efut!" Jai exclaimed, forgoing manners from sheer relief as the asura poked her head in to look for her and immediately scrunching her face up and gagging, "Cogs and wheel's this smell is horrific. Jai?! Are you alive?"
Walking up to the Warmaster with hands raised to show she was indeed still alive and not a risen Jai sent her a grateful grin, "You have no idea how glad I am to see you."
The asura lit up, "By the Eternal Alchemy you are one lucky bookah!" And she held out a hand for Jai to grab, and pulling her out of the cut when she did. "We were stunned when we heard muffled cursing from inside Blightgasht's mouth! Damn you can curse!"
Jai blushed at having been caught, and the fact that it was her cursing that had helped her. As she was fully pulled out of the dragon's throat Jai saw that she looked as gross as she felt. Grimacing at the smell of rot, vomit and other unmentionable things that clung to her and her armor in a thick coating of slime and things she could only describe as "Ewww." Jai tried flicking it off. "Ugh, mind if I go jump in the ocean?"
A few patches of exposed skin were covered in burns from the acid left over in the dragon's mouth after she had killed it, and her armor had been sliced open or eaten away in several locations. But all Jai wanted was to clean up, and sleep. "Jai!"
Turning to look at the voice that called her name Jai staggered as Trahearne gave her a running hug. Blinking in shock the assassin immediately moved to pry him off, "What the Torment? Off! Don't grab me like Zu Hanuku!"
She quickly managed to squirm out of the sylvari's impromptu hug, and stared at him like he was out of his mind. "We thought- we all saw you- Efut-" He stammered, golden eyes wide open.
"What our esteemed Marshall means to say is that we thought you were a goner." Efut summarized with a grin, "You scared me when I saw you get snapped up." Her shark-like grin faded into a frown, "It scared me more that you took my place."
Jai blinked and opened her mouth only for the asura to cut her off, "And don't you dare say it was a 'calculated risk you knew you'd survive' or I swear to the Alchemy I will hit you." Her mouth closed with an audible snap.
"I am curious how you are still alive though," Wynnet said as she walked up to the group, eyes giving Jai an assessing look, "And how you managed to kill the dragon since it started reacting strangely right after it ate you."
"Umm." Jai stammered, unused to all the attention she was being given by everyone in attendance, "My blades are old family heirlooms. From before the dragons rose, they're also cursed in a way. Only my bloodline can wield them though I've lost the family name, they're bound to me and sap the blood from whatever I cut and use it to heal me." She nervously grabbed her elbow behind her back and swallowed thickly, "I stabbed into the roof of the dragon's mouth- right under the skull- and healed myself as I got injured while sending a corrosive hex right into whatever it had for a brain."
Wynnet, Trahearne, Efut and even Doren all looked at her in surprise, "That must have been painful." The sylvari said with a grimace, but Jai just shrugged.
"I did what I had to."
Efut snorted, "Almorra's going to kick your ass."
Jai's faced drained to chalky white, "Please don't."
The Warmaster's frown melted into a small smile, "If you'd asked me yesterday, I'd have said that defeating the Plaguabringer was impossible! You showed us that it could be done. Forgal would be proud of you."
"I-…Thank you." She stammered.
"I'm glad you are well my friend." Trahearne said after regaining himself, even though Jai saw that his hands were still shaking lightly, "I do not know what lies ahead of us, my friend, but for the first time I have hope. Hope that this alliance can save Tyria from the dragons. Hope for the future. Hope...for Orr. And it's thanks to you."
"Please stop." Jai muttered, making a motion to pull her hood lower over her face only to realize that it had fallen down during the fighting. Her rising bashfulness had her wishing it would be acceptable to just turn invisible and sneak away.
The others all grinned, "The Order of Whispers never thought to see the day that one of the greatest champions of Zhaitan would fall. You did this, Jai." Doren said, gesturing to the massive corpse behind her.
"Indeed." Wynnet added slyly, "Without your spirit to guide us—and Trahearne's strategy—we would have surely failed. I look forward to more splendid victories. And discoveries!"
Trahearne nodded along, "-Traitor!-" Jai thought jokingly as he joined the others."We wouldn't have won this battle without you. Thank you. Never before has Tyria been so united. Let Orr hear the echo of this battle! We can defeat the dragons. We will!" The grin he gave her was near blinding, even if one ignored the stronger pulse of his purple glow.
Jai was seriously contemplating just turning herself invisible anyway. "There is a ruined fortress at the edge of Orr, south of the Shattercleft Hills. From that high cliff you can see the spires of Orr rising beyond the Straits of Devastation." Trahearne went on, eagerly babbling now, "We will take this fort and make it our own. The Pact will rebuild it. We will place our banners, and from there we will strike at the dragon's heart. That'll be our next goal."
The others all nodded, as Trahearne continued, "Everyone here agreed to stay as the leader of their individual orders. For the Order of Whispers, Doern Velaquez. For the Durmand Priory, Wynnet Fairhaired. And Warmaster Efut will organize the Vigil troops. But-" here he looked slightly uncomfortable, "They all report to me."
Nodding along Jai then looked to Efut, "Then I report to you now Warmaster?"
Trahearne coughed while Efut's shark-like grin returned. Jai felt rising dread, "…Something bad is going to happen, isn't it?"
"No actually." The Sylvari said nervously, "I've asked the others that if you were alive- after we heard you cursing- if they would agree and they did but…well, I've appointed you as my second-in-command. The Commander of this Pact."
"OH FUCKING TORMENT AND ALL ANGUISH NO!" Jai wailed in her mind. Outside she stammered, "No! no no no no no! You have to be joking. Me?! But- but!"
The others only laughed as she stared at them with wide horrified eyes, "Seriously! I'm a terrible leader! If I'm in charge everything goes to Torment!" She denied, being completely honest.
They just ignored her, except for Trahearne who grinned, "I'm sure you'll be an excellent Commander, you've more than proven yourself my friend."
Oct, 1, 2016
Words: 10,053
Pages: 20
AN:
-Sorry this took so long!
- P.S. Please please please review, it makes my heart and soul sing with joy. Seriously, review, I'd love to hear what you think will happen, what you think of my OC, and how I'm doing. Have any head-cannons with Jai? Share them!
