I'm baaaaack! Sorry for the wait, school has kept me reeaaallly busy! But enough of my poor excuses, on to the story!
"I told you we should've run." Lilith growled, "More than once. Several times, in fact." The demoness tightened her grip on her sword. "Such confidence will serve you well when... or if... you become a Demon of Sin."
"Don't worry," Radae whispered, "we'll get out of this."
"Easy enough for you to say. You could quite easily just wake up and be safe."
"Just do as I say." The mage ordered, "Do as I say, when I say it, don't ask questions. Hesitation will lead to death." Lilith barely had enough time to nod her head in confirmation before the hoarde attatcked. "Lay down!"
Lilith dropped to the ground a split second before Radae, having created a magic blade running all the way up his staff, swung in a wide circle. He used magic to form a gust of wind that sped up his spinning, his form becoming little more than a blur in the speed of his spin.
The downside to his whirlwind spin was that he couldn't see a thing. Just glowing blurs that would disappear as his blade met them. To Lilith, however, any spirit that came whithin five feet of her master were sliced in two. They dispersed into a fine, golden mist upon death, leaving neither body nor blood. Of course, this trick only worked for so long. After the first ten or so spirits fell, the rest backed off and waited for Radae to stop spinning.
"Lilith." Radae said, his voice almost vibrating as he spun, "I need you to cover me when I stop spinning." Rather than voice her affirmative, Lilith shifted into a crouching position under her Master.
Radae's form began to become more clear as he slowed, until eventually coming to a complete stop. Lilith sprang up as her master crouched down, creating a wavering shield around his body as he recuperated from his trick.
Though stronger demons posess magic and abilities, Lilith, having cut her power to recieve Radae's favor, had very little. Add to that the fact that she was completely outnumbered. She was doing her best just to keep the spirits from getting at Radae, and their sheer numbers were beginning to get the best of her.
"Master! Hurry!" She urged, lifting her shield to block a spirits spear.
"I feel sick." He mumbled. He dispelled the shield protecting him and stood up, lifting his staff to chest level and parellel to the ground. "Hug me!" Radae called. Lilith disengaged from the spirit she'd been fighting and dashed the few feet toward her Master. She slipped underneath his staff and wrapped her arms around his chest. Once she was in place, Radae channeled mana into his staff and shaped it into a whirlwind.
"How many blades can you summon?" He called over the roaring winds.
"Depends on the size." Lilith replied.
"Make small ones, about four inches!"
"I can make about seven. Ten if I unsummon your staff." Radae shook his head, needing his staff to continue shaping magic to such a large degree. Lilith summoned the seven small blades, which were instantly snatched away by the wind. As planned, the blades were pitched from the whirlwind and into the crowd of spirits, killing whatever they managed to hit.
"I'm running out of mana." Radae informed. He'd need to cut off the whirlwind if he was to retain enough mana to channel blades on his staff. "When I cut the whirlwind, I'll need you to clear a path to the leader."
"I may be able to clear a path with magic, but it'll drain me for the rest of the battle." Lilith warned, "You'll need to end this without my help."
"It'll have to work." He replied. "I'm going to cut it... NOW!" At the word, the wind surrounding the duo ceased, the sudden lack of air flow causing a minor sense of vertigo to those too close to where the whirlwind once stood. Lilith slipped out from under Radae's arms and threw her arms forward. A ripple flew through the air in front of her body, across a crowd of Spirits, and stopping just short of the leader.
"Go!" She yelled. The next few moments astounded Radae, to say the least. The spirits unlucky enough to be caught whithin the ripple disintegrated into golden dust less than an instant after Lilith called out. The spirits whithin a few feet of the ripple where thrown over their comerades, opening up a space large enough for the mage to run through.
Praying his feet would carry him fast enough, the elf ran through the gap in the horde of spirits towards the leader.
"FOR ONE SUCH AS YOU TO APPROACH ME IS UNACCEPTABLE." The spirit boomed, lifting it's sheild and mace into a battle stance. Radae channeled his mana into a broadblade shape, leaping into the air and beginning the duel with a powerful downwards strike. The spirit lifted it's sheild and deflected the attack, light blue sparks flying from where mana met ethreal steel. The spirit lifted it's mace and swung it at the mage's head. Radae dropped to the ground, the space between his head and the mace so small that it caught a lock of his hair as it passed.
"You are rather skilled." The spirit complimented, lifting it's sheild to deflect another blow from Radae's blade. "But any warrior of my calibur would be able to tell you've never had any formal training in the way of the blade."
"That's true." Radae admitted, leaping backwards to avoid a blow from the spirit's mace. "Really, all my moves come from watching the warriors of my clan battle. My skill lies in my magic."
"Well then, you're in quite a bit of trouble." The spirit laughed, swining it's sheild at Radae in an attempt to throw him off balance. "From what I can tell, in order to turn that staff of yours into a weapon, you need to use mana. And we both know that you have very little of that, along with the knowledge that you have no chance of besting me in a duel."
"You're pretty observant." Radae said, leaping away from the spirits blows, "Have you noticed my eyes yet?"
"In passing."
"Well, check this out." The blue dots in the Mage's eyes lit up, illuminating his face in an eerie blue glow. "They're connected to the Fade, allowing my spirit easy passage past the Veil. As you may know, the Fade is the source of all Magic. Because my body is connected physically as well as spiritually to the Fade, me running out of mana isn't that much of an issue." To prove his point, Radae dropped his staff and held his hand towards his opponent. A bolt of lightning leapt from his fingers, striking the spirit mid-chest and throwing him backwards.
The spirit flew several yards before landing with a loud Thud! "There's more." Radae laughed, electricity dancing along his arms. "Ask yourself. Do you really want to face a Mage with unlimited mana?"
The spirit struggled to it's feet, a scorch mark decorating it's glowing chestpiece. While it's face was hidden from view, it was easy to see the hesitation in it's body language. "...You have emerged victorious, Impure one. Know, however, that we will not stop until you are vanquished." The warrior turned and began walking away. He didn't move any more than ten feet before there was a flash of light and he disappeared. The remnants of the army followed suit, disappearing in one large collective flash.
"Master!" Lilith called, running to his side. "That was amazing! You made him think you were out of mana so he'd let you get close!" She flashed a toothy grin, wrapping her arms around the mage and burying her head in his chest.
"Heh... Actually," He laughed, "I really was out of mana. I thought I could beat him in a duel, but when I realized how good he was I just kinda," He paused to find the right word, "bluffed..."
"...Wait, what?" Lilith took a step back to look Radae in the eye.
"I really am tapped out. I used the last of my mana on those electric spells. It's a good thing he didn't call my bluff, or we'd be dead..." It was Radae's turn to flash a grin, obviously pleased with himself.
Lilith stared blankly at him for a few moments, before leaning her head against his chest once more. "Just so long as you don't do it again. Maybe you should listen to me next time."
"Come on! We didn't even get injured!" Radae laughed.
"Master, you have several large wounds on your back." Lilith replied, "You didn't notice them, but a few spirits threw weapons at you when you dashed at the leader."
"...Oh..."
"And don't expect this tactic to work again. I'm sure next time they'll send someone with the ability to read mana levels."
Radae's smile disappeared as Lilith moved around to heal his back. "Maybe next time I'll just listen to you."
Radae decided he'd need to get back to his body shortly after the battle. Lilith would question the Demon they'd caught and attempt to find out as much as possible about their foe. Confident that the Purity spirit wouldn't send any more of it's underlings for a while, the mage returned to his body.
Radae's eyes opened slowly, the trees around him gradually clearing into an image. He leapt to his feet and grabbed his staff from the tree he'd leaned it against, noting that it felt more natural than the one in the Fade, and turned toward the direction of camp. He could tell by the smell of smoke and sweat that it was fairly close, no more than a few minutes walk.
"I wonder how Alynna is." He wondered aloud.
"If he does not get here soon, I will break his legs." The rogue growled, gripping the daggers at her sides.
"I'm sure there's a reason he hasn't come." Alistair said, patting Alynna's shoulder. They'd left the mess hall a few minutes ago and were now waiting in Radae's tent. "Maybe he's been slaying darkspawn, getting an early start on the whole Grey Warden thing."
"I do not care if he is slaying the archdemon, he should have told me where he was going." Alynna sighed, "He knows that I worry about him." There were footsteps outside the tent, and the flap pulled aside to reveal a certain elven mage. Moving quicker than Alistair or Radae could register, Alynna grabbed her brother by the collar and pinned him to the floor of the tent.
"Vash'ishtala!" She yelled, "Bal'atama were you that malash'ta!" Knowing what was coming next, Radae lifted his arms in front of his face. Alynna's fist rained down on his forearms, her words switching between Fereldian and Dalish. Alistair pulled her off Radae, holding her arms behind her back until she calmed down.
"I was with Asha'bellanar and her daughter!" Radae explained, sitting up and rubbing his steadily bruising forearms. Alynna's eyes widened and her struggles were revived.
"Why would you go back there?" She growled, once more subdued by Alistair.
"The Witch... She helped me with a few spells I've been studying." Radae answered. It was true, to a point.
"You shouldn't take advice from her." Alistair warned, "She's... I dunno, not good." He sighed in frustration, at a loss for the correct words. "She just doesn't feel right, y'know?" Radae nodded, understanding how someone could be put off by her strange behavior.
"I won't return to her." He promised, "And I'm sorry that I didn't tell you I was leaving." Alistair released Alynna, who quickly hugged her brother.
"I was worried." She whispered, quiet enough for only Radae to hear. The mage nodded as she released him, not planning on leaving without her again.
"You've both had a long day, perhaps you should relax for a while." Alistair suggested, moving towards the tent's exit. Just before he could grab the flap, it was flung aside. Duncan was standing in the entrance, looking over the two newest Wardens.
"Good, you're up." He said, "I trust you feel well." Brother and sister nodded in unison, "Excellent. The darkspawn are attacking, get your things and meet me in the strategy tent." He turned and left, his quick pace carrying him through the crowd of Wardens dashing around camp, leaving three dumbfounded Wardens sitting in a tent.
"Well..." Alistair sighed, "I'll take you there once you're ready."
"So... We won't actually be in the battle?" Alistair asked, shoulders sagging in disappointment.
"Your role will be very important in this battle." Duncan answered, "You three go up to the top of the Tower and light the signal fire, which will tell the Teyrn and his army," He gestured to the tall man in steel armor across the table, "to attack from the horde's flank."
"It seems like a good idea." Radae said, "My mana is low, so I doubt I'd be much more than a hinderance." Alynna seemed a little offput by the prospect of not fighting with the army, but she didn't voice it.
"Please, Duncan." Alistair begged, "I want to fight with the rest of the Wardens."
"Alistair, I can't trust anyone else with this job." Duncan replied, walking to the tent's entrance, "Please, humor an old man." Alistair sighed, nodding in defeat. "Thank you for your understanding." Duncan said, leaving the tent.
"Don't worry." King Calin, dressed in golden armor and standing next to the Teyrn, said. "We'll probably obliterate the darkspawn in a matter of minutes, so it won't be much of a battle anyways!" Alistair bowed to the king and left, not bothering to reply to Calins optimism. The elven twins quickly followed the templar, both visibly uncomfortable in the presence of such high-ranking human officials.
"The Tower of Ishal is this way."
Radae dove out of the way of the ogre as it charged. They'd arrived at the tower to find it overrun with darkspawn, forcing them to fight their way up. Radae, of course, had the most trouble. He'd used up most of his mana in the Fade, and hadn't had a chance to drink a lyrium potion, which left him nearly useless. With what little mana he could recharge, he found that his spells weren't nearly as powerful in the Fade. Such feats like the whirlwind he'd summoned were nearly impossible at his current level, unfortunately.
The trio managed to fight their way up to the top of the tower, where the signal fire was to be lit. That's when they found the ogre. A large, dark-skinned creature with horns nearly four feet long. It stood easily over ten feet tall, limbs bulging with muscle and easily capable of killing a man. Needless to say, they were scared out of their minds.
Which brings us back to the beginning. The ogre immediately targeted what it thought would be the easiest to kill, the unarmored elf. It was surprisingly fast for something of it's size, but the adrenaline pulsing through Radae's veins helped him dodge the charge. Alynna, the fastest on her feet of the three, immediately dashed at the monstrous darkspawn.
The ogre, having finished it's charge, turned around just in time to see Alynna dash between it's legs. Pulling her daggers from their sheaths on her hips, she cut the muscles behind each of the ogre's knees. It's dark blood flew from the wounds, coating Alynna's arms in dark crimson liquid. Knowing the ogre would fall, the elven rogue dashed back to her brother, narrowly escaping being flattened by the toppled monster.
"That was bloody brilliant!" Alistair cheered, patting her on the shoulder.
"Our foe is not yet slain." Alynna growled, eyes following the ogre as it stood back up.
Radae stepped forward, "I doubt he'll be able to move as fast as before, but he's still a threat should he get close to us." The mage unstrapped his staff from his back and pointed it at the monster before them. "Try to distract it while I build my mana back up. If I can freeze it's feet in place you should have an opening to go for the throat." Alynna and Alistair nodded, moving cautiously toward the injured ogre.
Pounding it's hands on the ground, the ogre roared. The sound shook the torches in their holsters on the walls, and resonated whithin Radae's chest. Ignoring it, however, the mage closed his eyes. He'd need to trust Alynna and Alistair to hold the beast off while he meditated. Once he began focusing on it, he could feel his mana begin to return, filling his limbs with strength.
"Brother!" Came a shout. Radae opened his eyes in time to see the ogre's fist swinging at him.
"Freeze!" He called, unleashing what little mana he'd accumulated in a desparate spell around the ogre's feet. He felt the ogre's fist smash into his upper body, and then everything went black.
Alynna screamed. A piercing wail, filled with a mix of sorrow, fear and, most of all, rage. She watched as Radae's limp body flew like a ragdoll across the room and slam into the wall, leaving an alarming amount of blood as he slid to the ground. His spell had worked, the ogre's feet now frozen to the ground. The spell hadn't been complete, however, so the ice was quickly cracking beneath the ogre's struggles. Alynna tried to get up, tried to run at the ogre and slice it's neck open. However, all her electrified, numbed limbs could do was sit there, unaware of when they'd given up and fallen to the ground, while Alistair ran at the ogre.
The templar threw his sheild at the ogre, catching it off guard long enough for him to dash in and leap. He hit the beast in the chest dead on, his weight causing it to topple to the ground. Not waisting any time, Alistair pointed the tip of his blade at the bottom of the monster's chin and pushed. The steel made a rasping sound as it slid through the jaw and the roof of the mouth straight into the brain. The ogre spasmed, throwing Alistair off it, and then was still.
"Alynna!" Alistair called, "Check on Radae, I'll light the fire." The rogue sat completely still, not registering what he'd said. "NOW!" The extra volume snapped Alynna out of her stupor enough to run towards her brother, who sat unnervingly still against the wall.
"!" She cried, holding her blood-coated hands against Radae's blood-coated neck to check for a pulse...
...
...Bump-bump.
Tears exploded from her eyes as Alynna began checking Radae's injuries. Most of his ribs were broken, as was his nose and collarbone. The back of his head had a rather large cut on the back from when he'd hit the wall, as did his neck, back and arms. His skull was probably fractured. Then there was the internal bleeding.
Still.
He was alive.
"Damn!" Alistair cursed, watching the battlefield from the window. "Damn it all to hell!" He turned and looked at Alynna, "The Teyrn has betrayed us."