Dear Zanza this week was crazy, first week shootin a feature and WOW, so much work but with one exception it is the fun kind of work
With that I am really happy to be bringing you all another chapter, thanks for readin and all that
Ymarkteg OCs 10 is going up on deviantArt and with that Regalshin continues...
...
...still sore...
Chapter Twenty Five
Fortress City, Pyrnaz
Walking into the capital city, Rhogam turned to the group with a grin "We made it, all in one piece, like I expected any less!"
"Just saying that makes me think you did…" Orgoth muttered to which Rhogam just laughed.
Shaking her head, Tyazaer turned to the merchants "For a trip to the Negative Wastes we're going to need more stuff, especially if we have to ascend the Umbarra Heights and then double back, suffice to say, it won't be easy."
Lune chuckled "After what has happened, not just on the Hijtam Shield, we're ready for anything."
"Any volunteers to help Fistivus and Lune load their carts at the market?" Soren asked to which Mikel raised his hand "I'm built to lift stuff."
"I'll make sure he doesn't drop any of it." Leena commented as she walked alongside him and joined the merchants.
"When have I ever-"
"Every time we've loaded the carts…" as the four joined the crowds of people walking through the streets, Tyazaer called Soren and Mia over "This city is home to a lot of people that desire a more peaceful life…someone who lives here that you may be interested in…is former general Joltam."
"Murawk has a habit of speaking about his hate of that man…isn't he over one hundred years old or something?" Mia asked to which Tyazaer smiled and Rhogam added in "As old as he is, he seems spry as always, definitely the last guy anyone wants to mug."
Tyazaer turned and ran her hand through her horse's main "I'm going to take this girl to get taken care of for a bit, Rhogam, show them to the good places, not any of your late night taverns."
To'Eltz grinned "You and Mikel should get along just fine in that regard…"
Rhogam shrugged "Nothing wrong with that…I don't always do it since we're out on the road a lot and the last thing Tyazaer wants is a tipsy partner…but when I get the chance…"
The group fell into line behind him and headed into the city.
Having watched Soren and Mia's Troop enter the city, Murawk sighed "Part of me thinks this is…terrible…but the other! A brilliant chance to exact my revenge and get another go at Soren and Mia has appeared before me, I'd be a huge fool to not take fate up on this opportunity."
One of his soldiers kneeled next to him "Are you sure? Pyrnaz is the capital, they have a lot-"
"I know what they have…I don't care and neither should you…we died long ago…this time, we'll take him with us."
The soldier nodded and returned to the rest of the group as Murawk closed his eyes and remembered his last vision.
He fell to his knees, impaled by countless weapons in all his limbs and torso, unable to move or stand do to the blades the ripped through his knees.
He looked up and saw Joltam, the cowardly man who brought over fifty men to fight him, instead of facing him in one on one combat he ordered them to strike.
Murawk acknowledged that he would do this to anyone but from someone like a General of Anondye and one of the most renown at that, made this situation more disgusting than most of Murawk's killings.
Unable to speak do to the lance in his throat he wanted to say how impressed and disgusted he was at Joltam who approached him and ended the berserker.
Clenching his fist, digging his nails into his palm and drawing blood he grinned "Soon, Helswath, you will be covered in all the blood you could possibly desire."
"Bringing along Michalis as well?" Tyazaer commented as Kay'Shera followed her with the bird walking along the snowy roads, attracting several children who have most likely never seen a roc before.
"He deserves it after everything we've gone through…which reminds me, I've been meaning to ask the name of your mount, she seems very brave."
Tyazaer nodded "She is indeed; I had a hard time thinking of a good name until Alsyia came to me."
"Is that…"
The paladin nodded "Alsyia was the name of one of Regalshin's greatest cavalry commanders and the first female one. She led the army of horsemen into battle and was met with many victories."
As they reached a stable with many other horses they also noticed a few wyverns flying free overhead. "Here we are." The paladin commented and continued walking with Kay'Shera close behind.
"Hello! You will undoubtedly get the best deals here, love!" said a red haired woman to Fistivus as he approached.
"I must say everything…wait…haven't I met you before? Gods curse this old memory."
"No worries, the name is Anna, no one matches my prices!" She stated proudly as Fistivus glanced at the various wares around while Mikel helped Lune load a few things onto her cart.
"See, I haven't dropped anything!"
As Leena loaded something, she laughed "I caught the stuff you dropped!"
"It didn't hit the ground!" he called back as she jumped on the cart and positioned the supplies around in a very organized fashion.
"Mikel!" the warrior turned and walked over to Fistivus "What's up? Got some more stuff for me to lift?"
"Wow, quite the muscles you have, handsome." Mikel turned to Anna who winked and chuckled "Oh these things are nothing; I can lift five times this."
"That'd be something to see." Fistivus pushed a crate into Mikel "No time for your nonsense Mikel, go on, take this."
"There is always time for this 'nonsense' Fistivus, you were young once." To that the merchant laughed and conceded his point as Mikel marched away keeping an eye on Anna until he walked right into Leena who grabbed the crate from him.
He noticed the look in her eyes and chuckled nervously "I can take this Leena…no need to…"
Releasing a frustrated sigh she stomped away to finish with Lune's cart as Mikel felt the crate nearly slip out of his grasp.
Rhogam showed them to a cozy inn and a good eatery "When we set up around here, it makes a quick go-between the points we study outside the city walls and these great establishments. "Tyazaer prefers to camp out in the snow but I think the walk is worth it."
Soren realized how tired he was and as Rhogam, Mia, To'Eltz and Lyle took off to eat he looked over to Wyre and Wayu retiring before turning to the stationary Orgoth.
"What are you doing, Orgoth."
"Just keeping focus on…never mind…that Leah fellow wasn't a Tellian correct?"
Soren shook his head "No, it has taken much longer than I thought it would to meet with someone, but eventually…"
"Soren! You aren't coming to eat?" Mia asked stopping next to him.
Soren smiled "No, I feel unbelievably tired…maybe later…"
Mia shook her head "It's fine, the mountain climb was quite the trip."
"I always wish I was as energetic as you." Soren stated, to which Mia waved him off "I love the part of you that is more level and focused than my scatterbrained self."
"I guess we both have distinct advantages and disadvantages." He kept staring at her large smile before embracing her and kissing her "I'll see you later."
"Sure…and you are energetic, Soren…just, in your own way."
"In certain situations I suppose, but I'm more than content to leave it to you, now go eat before you starve."
Laughing she kissed him again before walking off.
"Soren…" The sage turned to the knight from Euto who seemed concerned about something, instead of continuing he shook his head "Get some rest, we'll talk later."
Soren nodded and left as Orgoth walked away as well.
"Wyre? Wayu?" Soren asked knocking on a door, Wyre emerged alone "Wayu took off to take a shower before turning in…we have the time for-"
"We'll need the time if the Negative Wastes are as bad as we've been told. No need to worry."
Wyre nodded "Alright. By the way Soren…is it okay that Leah left? He is a close friend and an excellent fighter."
"He trusts Tyazaer and Rhogam…but I would've liked it if he stood with us…it's been too long since I last saw him." Soren turned, thinking before facing Wyre again.
"Anyway, I'm going to rest, probably black out…have a good evening."
Wyre nodded with a smile "Nothing is going to be easy for us after this, we have to cherish this time."
"Definitely." Waving, Soren took off to his room as Wyre closed the door.
"Nearly my entire life has been among ice and snow, I can't imagine a burning country like Sarhara…I wouldn't be surprised if I just fell over dead when I entered that nation." The Froghul said with a laugh as he took a long drink.
To'Eltz shrugged "I grew up surrounded by sand and heat, its different here but not impossible…"
"I think the cold is easier to get used to, personally…you can't do much to get comfortable when you are sweating oceans." Mia commented as she ate.
Lyle chuckled "This is true…at least here we can just bundle up if the cold gets to us."
Rhogam: I suppose, we Froghuls wear these cloaks out of tradition, not so much frost…I have this armor but also a comfortable…shirt you could say…beneath it so the frigid armor doesn't contact my skin, it is more of an annoyance than an actually cold feeling.
To'Eltz: I see…there really isn't anything we do to make the heat comfortable…we just live with it.
Mia: Honestly, I prefer the normal weather of Anondye.
Rhogam: Sounds good…no extremes there…I hear Numengate is like that most the year except for the winter where lots of Regalshin frost sweeps into the nation.
Mia: Really? That would be something interesting to see.
Lyle: Indeed…though I'm more interested in visiting Pozem, you ever been there Rhogam?
Rhogam: Not much…I have visited Tier the Pozem city on the Regalshin/Pozem border.
To'Eltz: Living in Pozem must be some kind of challenge…no extreme cold or heat or vast forests like the other nations, it's practically all earth and stone.
Mia: I imagine the people are just as unique.
Standing and stretching Rhogam sighed deeply "When we wrap up the business in the Negative Wastes, we'll visit the nation together, and it will be an experience for all of us."
Orgoth walked through the streets, looking around; he saw Mikel, Leena, Fistivus and Lune though the mercenary didn't seem too happy with the warrior trying to talk to her. "Those two are quite the pair…"
Lost in thought the knight nearly bumped into another man "I apologize."
Facing the old man, he noticed that the man was smiling "You are a knight from Euto. How goes things down there?"
"You are from Euto as well? Regardless, when I left it was in pretty good shape, though the Research Center was in the middle of intense repairs."
The old man nodded "How is Sharlaan's daughter, Eminse?"
"She is the head of the Research Center...and she is married."
"I hope her life is happy...I really should visit her one of these days…" the old man noticed Orgoth's expression and waved him off "I apologize for the sudden questions from a stranger my boy…I'll be on my way, have a good night."
As the man walked away Orgoth continued down the streets, his focus had been on Lyle who he felt was an insecure man to say the least. However, Soren has grown to trust the swordmaster as evidenced by the battles in Euto and the Hijtam Shield, it should be all well and fine that the two are working together now as they are deathly effective, but Orgoth still has his doubts.
"Why did I have to take on my mother's obsessive sixth sense?"
Orgoth came to a stop and turned quickly, almost as if to answer him, he felt like someone was following him. He practically knew it wasn't a member of the troop. Deciding he walked and thought enough he turned and headed back towards the inn.
"Still trying to figure out what they are?" Soren opened his eyes, he knew he was asleep but his mind wasn't letting him go.
He faced Ashnard again who mockingly waved at Soren "Hello."
"What are you talking about?"
"What am I talking about? You should be asking yourself 'What am I about!' It's obviously those Midnight creatures that seem to be incapable of feeling pain and can create weapons out of magical energy."
"Do you have a theory you'd like to share, do me a favor for once in your nonexistent life."
Ashnard shrugged "I know what you know."
"Am I really supposed to believe you aren't hiding a highly plausible theory just so I can get stabbed in the back when it comes true?"
"Ask yourself this tactician…how long have I, The Mad King been dead and gone only to emerge in this strange country…you've lived on it for years, you already know more than me…asking me those stupid questions is halting you from building your own theories. I may have been behind all the evil on Tellius, but this isn't Tellius, as brilliant as I am, I can't manifest into The Midnight's dreams and tell them to do this or that you fool!"
Soren turned away, how could this lead to Ashnard? The foes they face now probably would don't even know who he is or what he did to a land so far away.
"Why do you continue to appear before me?"
"Because I can…I know there is a dark thought in your head…should you face this master of the True Elder Magic. You believe he'll be able to use your deepest darkest fears against you. So you convince yourself you can hide them…only to allow them and myself to bubble up to the surface."
Soren sighed "I'm tired and I'm through with you…" Not facing Ashnard, Soren threw himself back on his bed and fell asleep.
When morning came, Soren noticed that Mia had thrown her arms around him and smiled. He looked out the window and thought of the mission ahead, deciding to ignore it for the time being he closed his eyes.
Outside Lyle watched as Lune and Fistivus brought their carts up, now there was a third.
"Is another merchant joining us?"
Tyazaer appeared at the helm of the third "Nope, this is just the supplies Rhogam and I brought when we went to the Negative Wastes long ago, not as big a cart as Fistivus or Lune's but there were only two of us. Regardless, the more room the better…we'll be leaving sometime today so make sure you're ready."
Lyle looked down and counted the three blades before grinning "Ready."
"I'm sorry! How could I resist! She had red hair and an irresistible wink!" Leena continued ignoring Mikel as she walked with Wyre, Wayu and Rhogam.
"Oh! So now the hair color matters!"
"You…the…blue green-ish is awesome too!"
"Oh! Too!"
Rhogam roared with laughter "Just stop Mikel, you are hurting yourself."
"Why are you so offended? I thought-"
Rhogam grabbed Mikel in a headlock "Just let her cool down, it won't take as much time in this nation as others but I'd still be wary."
Mikel sighed but followed Rhogam's advice and stopped talking.
Wayu looked back and smiled "Mikel and Leena are just perfect…"
"Hmm…you and I have different definitions for the word perfect." Wyre commented, Wayu shook he her head "No, they really are perfect."
Wyre turned to see Leena close behind and Mikel further back with Rhogam. "Leena…not that it is any of my business, but don't you think-"
"What?" Wyre faced Wayu who shook her head before she turned to Leena "Never mind, he wasn't going to say anything!"
Rhogam then noticed another red haired woman walk close by "Hey Mikel, look!"
"Huh…oh…wait…are you supposed to be offering me good or bad advice?"
"Neither, just showing you how not to strike out! Excuse me, ma'am."
Mikel watched Rhogam approach this striking woman, he looked at her face, she was beautiful but that wasn't why. She had this look in her eyes, something he recalled seeing in some of his comrades. Namely-
"Mikel!" He turned to face Leena "What? No! I-"
Before Leena could continue Mikel walked past her having noticed something on a roof. "Hey, Rhogam."
"Excuse me…yes Mikel, I'm in the middle of something."
"Do people normally walk on the roofs of their houses around here?"
"No, why do you ask?" Rhogam then noticed Mikel's hand grip tightly on the bow slung at his side. Cursing silently he turned back to the woman.
Leena approached Mikel slowly "What is it?"
"I don't know…but it isn't good." The warrior answered still gripping the bow tightly.
Soren and Mia walked hand in hand through the snow covered streets; Soren enjoyed looking at Mia's excited face as she took in all the sights and commented on the buildings and places they should visit when the whole incident wraps up.
She noticed him staring and laughed slightly "Keep your eyes on the road Soren."
He chuckled "Much more difficult than it sounds…"
Behind them, Lyle and Tyazaer walked, she started by telling the swordmaster about the city but noticed that his eyes were focused on Soren and Mia ahead.
"What are you to them?" she asked, to which Lyle raised an eyebrow "What do you mean?"
"Are you one of the first people they met when they came to Ymarkteg or are you…just, significant to them in anyway...no offense."
Lyle faced Tyazaer "I only met them after they settled in the Lis Forest and began visiting Corelis regularly, living normal lives like everyone else in the city. Mia began teaching at Kino's Dojo where I taught as well…it was only to earn enough money to go on a journey to Pozem."
Tyazaer: I see…how long were you teaching?
Lyle: Before or after I met Soren and Mia?
Tyazaer: Both, I suppose.
Lyle: About nine months, Kino was easy to work for…and afterwards I was there for a few years.
Tyazaer: Years…
Lyle: I left Corelis after Mia asked if I'd lend my sword to their journey…I'm glad I hadn't left yet.
Tyazaer: Why not?
Lyle: Why didn't I leave? I told you, I was saving money for a trip to Pozem.
Tyazaer noticed Lyle return his gaze to Soren and Mia "But, if you were there for nine months…I'm certain another half year maybe a full one would get you enough…why'd you stay for-"
"What are you getting at? Maybe I decided to work for more money to extend my trip elsewhere…or maybe I-"
"Didn't want to leave?" Lyle stopped walking at that and faced Tyazaer.
"Why is it, every new comrade feels the need to grill me with these bullshit questions, it was Orgoth and To'Eltz before you…I'm not taking this shit from anyone anymore."
Lyle stormed off, leaving the paladin standing in the snow looking after him worried before glancing over to Soren and Mia who, luckily, didn't catch what was going on.
As Orgoth finished tightening the supplies down and getting the carts in final traveling order, To'Eltz came up to him "Where did you go yesterday?"
"Me? Just…around…I was thinking…"
"About what?" Kay'Shera added, joining the two.
Orgoth sighed, "Everything I suppose…"
To'Eltz nodded and looked at Kay'Shera "I apologize; we're probably the most boring pair to be stuck with."
"From what I know about you two, you aren't boring, just really careful and insightful about things…you don't even fully trust some of the other troop members, right?"
Orgoth grinned "Well, I for one didn't know you to be that insightful, Kay'Shera."
The roc knight pushed her blue hair from in front of her eyes "Michalis tells me these things…you two speak very plainly when you think no one is around. Though I'm really happy that the two of you don't care about my history…even though you figured out the truth…this is a testament to your intelligence."
To'Eltz took off his hat and waved it, brushing off the light snow on it "Two and two make four, Kay'Shera, to anyone with a decent brain you aren't too hard to figure out…no offense."
The roc knight shook her head and couldn't resist letting out a small chuckle "Since we left Sarhara and those people that know me…I think being more open about it is alright, especially after a talk I had with Mia."
Orgoth jumped down from the cart "Soren and Mia, quite a pair to bring together a group like this and manage it as well as they have."
"Two halves of a perfect circle…you never see a pair of people who can operate so well together." To'Eltz added in.
Kay'Shera and Orgoth glanced at each other then to To'Eltz who raised an eyebrow "What? Just speaking the truth…"
Michalis landed near Kay'Shera and she placed the side of her head against Michalis fur, her hands brushing him as he told her something.
"Orgoth…To'Eltz…Michalis feels a dark desire…several people full of hate have entered Pyrnaz from all sides…"
Orgoth and To'Eltz glanced at each other quickly before withdrawing their weapons "Can Michalis-"
Before the trickster could finish there was an explosion followed by screams, Orgoth, despite his armor took off and yelled at the other two to keep up.
Wyre turned around upon hearing the explosion "We've moving! Now! Make sure-"
Wyre trailed off as Rhogam told the red haired woman next to him to run, she took off extremely quickly but Wyre could swear she looked familiar.
Wayu continued for the sage "Make sure your weapons are ready and you know where everyone else is! We're going!" Grabbing Wyre's arm, Wayu pulled him along and they headed towards the sight of the disturbance.
Having stormed off, Lyle turned in shock as a building next to him exploded; several people ran screaming with flames covering their bodies. Arrows struck several confused civilians as more people began screaming, Lyle looked up on a roof and recognized the man's attire "Korgans!"
Taking his blades out he leapt onto the roof and killed the man with little effort.
"Tsk, tsk." Lyle turned as a massive hand grabbed his head and lifted him. Kicking and struggling he swung one blade as his other hand grabbed his opponent's arm.
His blade bounced off the armor as he heard Murawk speak "I'm not here to deal with you or your friends…there is more to this attack than wanting you lot dead, now get out of my sight!"
Murawk swung around and threw Lyle towards the ground, Tyazaer on Alsyia ran by quickly, grabbing Lyle before he crashed into the ground.
Shaking his head and realizing who saved him he opened his mouth to say something before she cut him off "I'm sorry about what I said but now is not the time!"
Soren and Mia entered the battle field and engaged several of the Korgan warriors on the ground cutting up civilians.
Tyazaer looked up, eyes meeting with Murawk's even though his face was hidden by his helmet she saw the rage and fury burning in his red eyes.
"I see Soren and Mia have new friends…once again…irrelevant!" Murawk jumped into the air and raised Helswath above him, the axe began to bleed and with a massive swing, a wave of blood crashed into a building and blew it up like the last one. Murawk fell into the ruined building as it caught fire only to break out and continue his rampage.
Kay'Shera shot through the air, lance stabbing into a Korgan swordsman before he could kill a civilian. To'Eltz and Orgoth ran out of an alley and directly engaged a pair of Korgans while Rhogam's group finally arrived from the opposite end, charging down the street towards the combat.
"I know you are here! I won't stop destroying this pathetic city until you face me!"
The Pyrnaz Elite Guard flooded the street, Murawk shook his head "Not you!" Dashing towards them he began ripping the guard to shreds, arms, heads, legs and torsos fell to the ground as the snow became red and Helswath began to scream.
Soren could not believe how easily Murawk killed the Elite Guard, of the forty men that arrived to save the city; none were left standing after the few minutes of the Korgan Leader's rampage.
As Tyazaer killed an axe Korgan, Lyle called out to her, she turned as he leapt and sliced through an arrow "Now, we're even."
She smirked and reared her horse before charging towards To'Eltz and Orgoth as they pushed their foes back.
Three more Korgans ran towards the pair only for one to be impaled by Wayu's spear, a lightning bolt hit the spear, lighting the Korgan's body while Kay'Shera dove down and struck another.
Reeling from the blow from above Rhogam tackled the man to the ground and mauled him with his axe.
Mikel and Leena leapt onto the roofs and took out the sniping Korgans that continued to kill panicked civilians. The pair turned as Murawk blew up three more buildings including a large training hall that loudly and violently collapsed on itself before catching fire.
Soren and Mia unleashed their Branded Fire towards Murawk but it burned harmlessly against the Berserker's armor. Turning he aimed Helswath at them and charged, barreling through Orgoth and To'Eltz who flew into ruined buildings before swinging at the pair. The blood wave shot towards them but the pair leapt over it, turning, Soren saw it strike the ground and explode "What the hell?"
Mia charged Murawk who caught her blade with his hand, she ignited Ein'Tosen, burning into his hand, and with a laugh Murawk kicked Mia away and leapt into the air. Kay'Shera was shocked and tried to move away. The Korgan struck Michalis throwing the roc and rider into a building, tearing through the roof.
"Kay'Shera!" Tyazaer called before turning to face Murawk who charged towards her, Rhogam, Mikel and Leena joined her as the four engaged the raging leader. Three axes collided, sparks erupted from Rhogam's as Leena's blade scratched against Murawk's armor. Tyazaer's hook end of her lance caught into Murawk's armor and tore off a small section. Wyre fired his brave bolt into Murawk but the leader shrugged the attack off and with a massive back hand, threw Mikel into the same building Kay'Shera crashed into.
Soren and Mia attacked from behind as Wyre joined the struggle, Murawk spun around with his axe causing a ring of red to appear around him and explode knocking the entire troop into the air and then crashing into the floor all around him.
"WHERE ARE YOU!?" Murawk screamed as Soren stood, Murawk turned, Helswath crashing into Soren's blade and forcing the sage to one knee.
"I suppose…you'll have to do…"
"Murawk."
Noticing the berserker's loss of attention, Soren rapidly fires off Rexcalibur, spinning Murawk into the air and slamming him into the ground.
Orgoth turned slowly, seeing Murawk stand and ignore Soren to face another man who appeared among the blood soaked snow.
"You!" Orgoth called, recognizing the old man he bumped into the night before.
Murawk grinned "General…Joltam…"
"I was promoted to Marshall after your death…but I've long since retired…never did I imagine I'd see you again…" the old man said, Orgoth noticed he was now armed with a blade strapped to his back. "He isn't going to engage Murawk…is he?"
Murawk laughed "I thought that you would hear of my actions across Ymarkteg and seek me out…I am very disappointed that I had to come find you."
The berserker threw off his helmet and crushed it under his foot, revealing his blood red hair and eyes as well as his heavily scarred face. Smiling, showing his razor teeth he began laughing again as Joltam took a few steps toward him.
"I knew nothing of this…there is no place in this world for someone like me…so I retired and vanished from the public eye…few know I still live here well into a hundred years…"
Murawk spat and turned to Soren "You can leave now…care for your wounded…I don't give a single shit…not anymore."
"You can't expect us to ignore all the death you've caused and the countless times you've tried to kill us!"
Murawk shrugged "That was as part of The Midnight…they kept me from finding Joltam but now that I am no longer a member, this precedes all of my previous engagements…this is why I am here!"
Soren glanced at Joltam as the old man brought his massive blade to bear, catching each other's eyes, Soren knew that the man was counting on the troop.
Soren turned to Mia as the trueblade stood up, he nodded towards her before finding Wyre among the fallen "Get everyone in fighting shape…this isn't over…"
The thunder sage nodded as he pulled out his staff, Murawk screamed and charged Joltam as Soren and Mia took off towards him.
Axe and blade clashed, sparks shooting everywhere, Joltam roaring just as loudly back to Murawk as the weapons flew apart and collided again. Dancing across the blood stained snow the pair continued to exchange blows, each clash louder than the last and each blow pushing the other back with intense recoil.
As Mia leapt into the air, Joltam disengaged Murawk causing the Korgan to chase after him; Mia impaled her blade into his upper back, straight through the armor. Murawk turned and grabbed her as multiple air slashes cut into him. Joltam doubled back as Mia kicked Murawk and leapt away, the former Marshall leapt and struck against Murawk's side as the man turned back and with a powerful fist, punched Joltam and caused him to skid across the ground, nearly slamming into a wall.
Soren landed in front of Murawk and pulled out his blade to catch Helswath again, noticing the axe was dripping blood Soren quickly moved away as the massive weapon burned through Soren's blade, leaving him with a short, jagged end.
"What is with that weapon?" Soren muttered.
Joltam kept his eyes on Helswath as well and shook his head "Murawk didn't have that when he was at large in the past…where did that come from?"
As Soren and Mia backed up to stand next to Joltam, Mia spoke up "We're not sure, but he's always had it from the first time we met him."
As Murawk slammed his axe into the ground again he roared and charged towards them, dragging Helswath through the snow leaving a blood red trail.
"Not gonna happen!" Lyle yelled, leaping in from the side and slashing Murawk, ignoring it the man spun, bringing Helswath's pole into Lyle's stomach, throwing him into the snow.
Back now to Soren and Mia he faced Rhogam and Mikel, both yelling loudly as they swung their axes at him. Countering the attacks, Murawk knocked the two weapons away before spinning again and throwing a blood wave at Rhogam and Mikel, as they flew away and Helswath was as far away from Murawk as it could go, Joltam shot forward followed by Soren's Arcwind, Murawk started to turn until Wyre emerged and fired Brave Bolt.
Caught between the attacks, Murawk was hit in the front and back by magic before being stabbed in the lower back by Joltam.
Kay'Shera and Tyazaer, on their mounts charged in, dashing past Murawk and striking him as he swung around, Joltam's blade still in his back he grabbed the old man by the neck and threw him in the air before striking him with the flat side of Helswath, shooting him into the snow.
Mia and Lyle moved in again, blades being countered by the mighty Helswath as Leena and To'Eltz ran across several ruined roofs, leaping as Murawk began to swing Helswath again. With all their force they kicked against Helswath pushing it back, delaying Murawk's attack and allowing Mia and Lyle to make quick cross cuts against his body armor. There was an X visible on Murawk's chest armor as he finished bringing Helswath down, a ring of blood shot out, covering the area and exploding, throwing Mia and Lyle away before he turned back and cleaved through Leena and To'Eltz, knocking them down with grave injuries.
Turning again, Murawk noticed Wyre preparing a spell and charged him, Orgoth emerged and unleashed his spear head, Murawk easily knocked the approaching projectile away. Wayu leapt off of Michalis and landed in front of Murawk, he roared at her as she spun her lance and lodged it into the middle of the X on his chest plate.
With a powerful swing, Wayu was thrown into another building followed by Orgoth, at point blank Wyre held his finger out, unleashing a stream of Arcthunder through Wayu's spear and into Murawk's body. As the electricity crackled and shot into the snow all around, Joltam appeared again and grabbed the hilt of his blade, sticking out of Murawk's back. He cried out as he pushed it further through before ripping it out again.
As Wyre continued his onslaught, Mia, Lyle and Joltam attacked from behind, Murawk grinned despite the searing pain of Wyre's attack and coughed up blood all over the floor in front of Wyre.
The sage's eyes widened as the blood erupted into flames and exploded, burning the man's face and throwing him away.
Ripping Wayu's spear out Murawk turned around and stabbed Lyle with the weapon. The swordmaster was shocked at the familiar spear now in his body before he was struck by Murawk's axe. Mia's Ein'Tosen flared to life as she began striking at Murawk alongside Joltam. Kay'Shera and Tyazaer returned again, as they moved in, Rhogam and Mikel backed them up by firing as many arrows as they could towards Murawk.
While Mia's blade burned and sliced through Murawk, he ignored it and tackled Joltam to the ground before stealing his blade, turning he threw it towards Rhogam and Mikel, the two dove aside as it embedded into the snow.
Ignoring the arrows in his legs much like most of his injuries he knocked Mia away again as Soren, with a stray blade from one of the fallen Korgans, threw his weapon, guided by Arcwind into the X on Murawk again.
"You all surprise me…you are much more skilled at fighting me then back in the Emerald Hold and the Grove Mine…not to mention what I saw at Sarhara Palace…but I will take the life of Joltam! I literally have nothing to lose!"
Raising Helswath in the air it began to spray like a fountain, blood then started to rain down, Soren leapt out of range, feeling a burn and called everyone to get away from Murawk.
Bringing the axe down the snow around him burst into flames and several blood droplets stopped in midair, surrounding Murawk.
On the other side of the burning snow, To'Eltz stood up and glanced over to Tyazaer "Any chance…we'll get help…from the stronghold?"
The paladin shook her head "I'm sure they know the entire elite guard was wiped out…they aren't going to commit any more of their forces when there are perfectly able troops around…in this case, us."
To'Eltz spat "If they knew Murawk only wants Joltam dead…that'd be enough to stop them from helping us."
Leena turned to him "Whoa! Don't say that!"
Rhogam chuckled "Unfortunately…it's true…and you know why they wouldn't care?"
To'Eltz nodded as Rhogam continued "Because it'll preserve the peace."
Murawk charged out of the flames towards Joltam, Soren and Mia as Tyazaer held up Joltam's blade and called Kay'Shera.
Any of the standard blades lying around have either melted from the blood or will be destroyed by Murawk so Soren decided to fall back and rely on his magic as Mia engaged the titan directly.
Joltam looked up as Kay'Shera threw the blade, it stuck into the snow near the Marshall. Acknowledging her, he grabbed it and moved in as Mia leapt away from an attack, "Look out!" Soren called as a spray of blood followed her.
She shielded herself as best as possible as the explosion followed and knocked her away. Joltam and Murawk's weapons collided again, the snow around them bursting into flames, ashes and snowfall from above coming to a stop around the pair as their weapons sparked against each other.
Lyle opened his eyes slowly as To'Eltz stood over him, Wayu was at his side holding her lance and apologizing, he waved her away with a smile "I'm not dead…you've no need to apologize."
To'Eltz stood "Stay here…you aren't the only one with great injuries and we still need to help them finish this…"
Lyle nodded as To'Eltz took off, followed by Kay'Shera, Tyazaer, Orgoth, Leena, Rhogam and Mikel.
Lyle then turned to see Wyre lying nearby and sighed, struggling to get up. Wayu placed a hand on his chest "You go over there now, you'll get killed."
As the two broke apart, Soren shot an Arcwind spell, Murawk moved back as Joltam seized the chance to leapt at him, Murawk stopped the blade with his shoulder armor and elbowed Joltam away as another gust of wind shot past him. Moving forward he slammed his axe into Joltam's shoulder, destroying all the armor there as a powerful tornado barreled into his side. As Murawk skidded away, feet dragging through the snow, Joltam followed up with a powerful slash, sending bits of Murawk's armor all over the floor. He was struck by Helswath in the side, surprised as Murawk ripped it away, cutting into Joltam's flesh.
With battle cries, the rest of Soren and Mia's Troop arrived and engaged Murawk as Joltam stumbled away.
Soren clenched his teeth as Tyazaer was grabbed off her horse; she still managed to sink her lance into the big man's shoulder before being thrown into an approaching Orgoth.
Mia walked slowly next to Soren; he turned to her and noticed the burns "Are you alright?"
"I'll live…but we have to finish this…"
Soren nodded "Murawk is known for having an impossible threshold of pain…and being revived from the dead, he cares for very little now…actually, nothing."
Joltam walked over to the pair, his face showed intense pain but he ignored it and spoke to them "That weapon…Helswath…we need to take it away from him…without it, I have no doubt we can kill him."
Soren looked over as Murawk struck To'Eltz and Leena with the axe before swinging around and catching Rhogam, throwing him high into the air and into the roof of a building.
"I only know about Helswath what I researched alongside Mikel. It is the same axe wielded by Anondye's most notorious master, Gashuuka…wielding it he bloodied all the other nations during the Darkest Days of War…"
Joltam turned to Murawk as the berserker slammed Mikel into the ground before being struck by Kay'Shera and Leena from behind and Orgoth from the side, all unwilling to give up.
"The Darkest Days of War…the age before the warring ages we know of…everything began there because of the lords and masters of the ancient five nations…Gashuuka being one of them…even beating back Regalshin's own master, Meltraitis. I've no doubt most of their power is from their weapons and if Murawk won't let it go, there is only one thing we can do."
Murawk swung towards Tyazaer and Leena but upon hearing Joltam call him he turned quickly "Aren't I your primary target?"
"At this point…I just want to kill everything!"
Charging towards the Marshall their weapons again met, despite his age, Joltam recalled everything of Murawk's abilities and while he was stronger, more savage and less caring it was the same man underneath. Though Joltam has aged and knows he won't be able to keep up with the berserker much longer, "Soren, Mia, let's make this plan work…"
As Joltam was pushed away Soren attacked from afar, Rexcalibur caused a powerful gust to appear around Murawk, keeping him pinned as Joltam charged in and began striking. Both weapons claimed blood from the other as the gust raged more before Joltam threw himself away, large spears of ice shot into Murawk, he broke a few but the others found their mark, bleeding the man or slicing through armor.
In the mist of wind, snow and ice, Joltam moved in again and brought his sword onto Murawk's arm, leaving a large gash. The berserker roared and forced Helswath into Joltam's gut, rending the armor and ripping into his skin causing the old man to cough out blood before swinging him away.
Mia took that chance and leapt into the air, spinning and releasing purple flames all over and around Murawk who shielded himself as they burned against him.
Mia landed near Murawk and swung her blade; suddenly the man grabbed it and tore it away from her before punching her to the floor.
"Shit!" Soren called out and charged in only to be met with a stream of blood that exploded and knocked him aside.
As Murawk grabbed Mia's neck he raised her into the air and laughed, even as Lyle and Wayu sank their weapons into his back and Wyre shot an Arcthunder straight into Murawk's face.
"Your neck wasn't the one I wanted to snap first…I apologize!" Murawk stated as he began laughing.
Joltam tried to move in but the latest strike caused him to fall on his knees "Mia!" Soren called out, the trueblade held a finger out and shot into Murawk's face but he turned away before tossing her into the ground and raising Helswath above his head "Die!"
"You've caused enough death…enough for all the men in your employ…"
A large berserker grinned and turned to face the bearded man who spoke to him "So…general…you are the best they could send to kill me? End the Korgans?"
"My name is General Joltam…and yes…I am Anondye's best."
Murawk laughed as a Korgan tossed an axe over to Murawk.
"Just to make sure your men don't interfere…" Joltam whistled and countless knights of Anondye flooded the caves and began fighting and killing the Korgans.
With a scream Murawk charged at Joltam and the general's blade met the berserker's axe.
A red arrow shot into the fray and sunk into Murawk's left eye causing him to stumble back and scream.
"Now!" Mia leapt up and grabbed Ein'Tosen, igniting it and bringing it down on Murawk's arm.
As Joltam's blade left countless scars against Murawk's body the general asked "Why do you wear minimal armor?"
"I don't need it…those cuts, I can't even feel them!" The berserker yelled as he cut into the general's armor.
Time seemed to slow for the pair as they fought while around them Korgans and knights fell, blood staining the caves.
As one hand gripped Helswath tightly and the other flew to his face, grabbing the arrow, he screamed unable to remove it without causing searing pain.
"What is this!? Why does it hurt so much! You bitch! What did you do to me!?"
Murawk broke away from Joltam, both injured and breathing heavily as the last Korgan took a spear to the neck and fell over dead.
All of Joltam's men surrounded the general and berserker "Sir! We-"
"Stay out of this!" Joltam called as he reengaged the general.
Mia screamed as her blade melted through Murawk's muscle and bone before completing its swing and crashing into the snow.
Murawk glanced to his right side, noticing his arm had been severed and laid on the floor still gripping Helswath.
"That isn't…how it happened…" he began screaming "Why!"
Joltam and Murawk parted again before continuing, neither granting each other respite until Murawk's axe slammed into Joltam's side, forcing blood out of the man's side and tossing him over.
"Now!" A man screamed as Joltam struggled to stand and stop the order.
"No!" He screamed as Soren spun and shot out a large stream of black flames, covering Murawk and burning him intensely.
Turning so his one good eye could see Joltam he screamed before the blood that poured out of his arm and covered the snow ignited, the entire troop was tossed into the air by the force as the explosion flattened any of the still standing buildings in the vicinity and Murawk vanished in the explosion.
The dozens of soldiers around Murawk stabbed him from all sides, arms, legs, torso were filled with blades and spears. He was unable to move due to the blades that ripped through his knees, he still screamed that he would kill everyone in the room as Joltam stood. As his vision blurred and voices began to echo he saw, what looked like, Joltam striking the man standing next to him.
"What…"
"What?"
"What did it…?"
"Did that mean?"
"…"
"Joltam…"