Martyr's Make.
Over an hour passes with no noticeable attempts by the Fallen to breach their safe haven. Much of the overt fear among the villagers has died down, but an atmosphere of general anxiety still hangs in the air. People have done what they can to make themselves comfortable in the strange bunker, understanding that it may be some time before they can emerge to their homes. Despite the amount of souls gathered in the space, noise is relatively low. Some children play games to pass the time, while older folks tell stories to keep their minds occupied. Most however, are quiet.
The village elder, Eyran, rests near the door and tries his best to maintain a reassuring appearance. He gives smiles and answers questions as best he can. Inside he is plagued by worry about what comes next.
A low rumble can be heard from above. It is muffled heavily by the dirt and thick ceiling, but its presence is undeniable. Some of the villagers notice and are instantly set on edge.
Eyran keeps the same stoic calm and gestures for his people to relax.
His gesture is interrupted by a loud impact above. The room rattles lightly and a number of villagers shriek in fear. Then they quiet down to hear what is happening. Regular thumps sound down from the earth above, like enormous, heavy footsteps. The thumps make their way over head in a trackable rhythm, revealing the movements of whatever horror is making the sounds. Then, as everyone does their best to keep silent, the undeniable bang of an explosion rings out from the surface. Panic takes hold of the people. Many express their fears about the safety of their village, their homes. Some even propose sending out a group to confront whatever monstrosity may be causing wanton destruction on everything they have built. Most question where their protectors are. The hunter and the Guardian.
Eyran shares this question. He looks around the room for the young woman and her Light-bearing friend.
Klutz enters the room first. He holds the bow in one hand and carries a quiver of the strange arrows on his hip. There is haste in his movements as he passes through the corridor and adorns his dark helmet.
Marin follows, not far behind. There is concern in her face, as well an unusual look of pride.
The thumps stop for a moment and another loud explosion can be heard.
"Guardian!" Eyran calls out as he meets them halfway. "What could be the cause of this noise?"
A glow flashes over the Guardian's shoulder as Spark joins them. "From the sound of it, something big landed above us," she says. "Probably some kind of mechanical assault platform, if I had to hazard a guess. I didn't register a ground impact, aside from when it landed, so I don't believe it is focused on attacking the village… At least not yet."
The Awoken closes his eyes for a moment and runs a hand across his forehead. "Are we safe to wait out this machine? Or must we intervene?" he asks.
Spark looks up as the thumps change position once again. "There is a chance it may leave the village alone… but I don't see that as a very strong chance. Based on Fallen behavior, I assume when it runs out of targets, it may turn its attention to searching for inhabitants in the buildings above… and I don't think it will search gently."
"I gotta sabotage it then," Klutz says with a faint hint of anxiety.
Marin interjects, "Doubt whatever's up there doesn't have back up. Fallen like to stay in groups, so sabotaging this thing won't go smoothly."
"Well, we must do something!" Eyran cries. "Guardian? Are you willing to face what's out there?"
Klutz answers without hesitation. "Yes."
Spark widens her shell. "It will be very dangerous to go out there alone…"
"I can take the risk." Klutz takes the badge from his pocket and hands it to the Awoken. "This should give you access to anything you need in here."
Eyran takes the card and understands why the Guardian is handling it off.
"Hey, you can't go out there on your own!" Marin objects. "Me and a few other hunters could cause a distraction, give you an opening!" There is fear in her words, but not for herself.
"Out of the question!" Eyran barks. "You are still in no shape to put yourself in any danger… Although." He turns to the Guardian. "If anyone else volunteers to assist you, Guardian… they have my blessing."
"No," the Guardian answers sternly. "I don't want anyone else in danger. I've got Spark and I've got the Light."
Spark looks at her Guardian with concern for a moment, but she soon shifts to a motivated expression of determination before she dematerializes.
Marin's look of concern does not leave.
Another explosion interrupts the tense discussion.
The people are frightened. A boy passes through the crowd and catches the attention of many when he speaks. "Marin, I can help. I can fight." He has a hunting bow on his back and fire in his eyes. "One of those monsters hurt my pa. You and The Guardian killed it on your own, but I wanted to help. I wanted to… but I was too afraid." Shahid stands strong. "I'm not afraid anymore."
Marin looks at the young man and recognizes the pain in his eyes. "Shahid, you don't have to fight to prove you're strong. Sometimes real strength means knowing when to sit one out."
Shahid looks angry. "I don't want to hide!" More villagers turn to look when they hear his shout. "He may have magic, but you have always been our guardian!"
Marin is hit hard by the words.
"I know you are hurt, so let me protect us, like you always have. I know others that are also willing to fight." His speech is focused and passionate.
"Listen, Shahid. You've got to think of your pa. Think of how he'd feel if he lost you. The Guardian has decided to fight them on his own, because he doesn't want any of us to lose someone…" A pain aches in her. Not from her wound, but from her heart. She turns to face the fearful villagers. "You hear that everyone? The Guardian is going out there to face the bastards that want to destroy us. He may not have been with us long, but he's willing to risk everything to keep us safe!"
The crowd looks at Klutz with skepticism despite Marin's announcement.
Eyran steps forward. "The Guardian has proven himself to be a good and selfless man! I know it may surprise some of you to hear me say this, but I am humble enough to admit when I'm wrong… The Guardian will be our champion against the Fallen, not because the Vanguard of the Last City has instructed him to do so, but because he is one of us, just as much as anyone in this village!"
Marin continues over the sound of yet another explosion from above. "The best we can do to help him is stay out of the way. Because the Guardian is gonna beat down the bugs so badly, I almost feel sorry for them! He's gonna take back our home and remind those bastards why we call them 'the Fallen!'"
The hyped up crowd bursts into cheers and praises. They look at Klutz in a way he's never seen before. They look at him with respect.
Klutz watches as the crowd's cheers die down and they look at him expectantly. He looks at Shahid, the anger in his eyes replaced with hope. The Guardian steps forward to address his people. "I… may not have done the best job of showing it over the weeks I've spent here, but I want you all to know this place is my home, just as much as the City has been. And I'm ready to fight to defend my home!"
The people show their new found appreciation with claps and praise.
Klutz steps back and feels the pressure bearing down on him. He knows he and his Ghost may not survive this confrontation. He just hopes he can keep his people safe.