Chaos on the battlefield

Walking behind the Royal procession, we make our way to the edge of a slope leading down to a large gate. Standing in front of it, thousands of demons in black clothing wielding those daggers stand before us. Spread amongst them, behemoths and some new four-legged creatures I’ve never seen before pepper the landscape.

"Damn. He's brought the ravagers." At Ella's words, Hannah speaks over to her from my left.

"What are ravagers?"

"Those four-legged creatures. Their skin is as tough as iron. They are a crossbreed between hellhounds and dragons. They are very hard to kill. Do not fight them on your own, Hannah. If you encounter one, get to your father or me for help."

"I'm not letting the pair of you out of my sight in this fight." Grasping my arm, Ella leans into me as we come to a stop.

"That's sweet, Oscar. But this is war. Once the fighting starts, there's no telling what will happen. I want you to promise me you will stay safe out there."

"I promise. As long as both of you do the same." Nodding, they look forward as horns sound from the demon ranks. Stepping forward, Queen Kiarae, holds her sword up high. With a twist of her wrist, she levels her blade towards the demon army.

"Fear not death, for the hour of your doom is set and none may escape it. Fight well and die with Honor. Charge!" At her cry, the Federation and Human forces rally and race down the hill like a tidal wave. Losing my place in the crowd as we charge down, the sound of the two armies colliding deafens everything out. And like water against rocks, bodies scatter everywhere. Pulling my revolvers from their holsters, I step on a dwarf's shield nearby and propel myself into the air, throwing a bullet from Throne into the sky.

"Aces high." As the rounds connect, bullets rain down into the demon army, dispatching demons as they hit. Landing heavily, I roll to my feet and a demons blade stops an inch from my face as Hannah blocks it with her sword. With a single move she cuts down the demon and pulls me to my feet.

“Gotta watch those landings old man.”

“Listen here you little…” before I can finish a giant sword comes whistling down. Leaping back out of the way, I winch as a piece of rock bounce off my cheek. Sliding to a stop I concentrate on Thorne.

“Fifty cal rounds. Shadow step.” Appearing behind the behemoth, I aim Thorne at the back of its head.

“Arbalest.” The shot rings out and pierces the Behemoth sending it tumbling into the dirt. Landing on the creature, I roll off it, bouncing to my feet and look around. Panic begins to rise in my chest as Hannah and Ella are nowhere to be found. Making my way deeper into the fray, I fire shots off as demons cross my path. Dodging blades that flash out of the dust. Finally reaching a clear space, I find Elias fighting back to back with Kiarae, demons surrounding them. Running in I cross both guns over my chest and channel the magic. Leaping up, my arms fling out.

“Akimbo.” Lighting and bullets fire out in every direction taking out the demons nearby. Landing heavily, I wince as the backlash takes hold and my body locks up. Rushing over to me, Kiarae places a hand on my shoulder. Feeling warmth flows into me, the pain lessens and my body unfreezes.

“Thank you, Oscar, but on your feet. There still more to fight.” Getting to my feet, I ready my guns as more demons approach. Rushing into us, my guns answer back and block blades as they flash towards me. Catching the Queen and King dispatching demons out of the corner of my eye, I wince as a blade pierces my arm. Levelling Throne at the demon I focus for a second.

“Arbalest.” Letting out a bark, the round from Thorne tears through a line of demons. Breaking at the sight they scramble away from me. Looking down at the gun in my hand, I watch as electricity crackles over the barrel and grip. As the demons scramble to reform their ranks, horns sound from nearby and a legion of elves and dwarves crash into the frey. Pulling me aside, the queen, looks at the cut on my arm. Placing her hand on it, heat builds up and when she takes it away the wound and pain are gone.

“Thank you.”

“It is all good. After all, you saved us first. Now.” Turning around we watch as the last demons are destroyed by the soldiers and for a moment the battlefield falls silent. Coming over to us the king wipes blood from a cut on his forward.

“Oscar. We’ve got trouble.”

“What’s happening.”

“Ella took the key for the door. Apparently, her and Hannah have headed inside to face Saetaen.” At his words a block of ice falls into the put of my stomach and my whole body goes cold.

“When?”

“A few minutes ago. If you hurry you should be able to catch them.”

“What about the battle here?” Stepping forward Kiarae give me a push.

“Go. We will be fine. Your duty now is to protect those closest to you. Hurry Oscar.” As the king nods in agreement, I race towards the door at the other side of the battlefield. Ducking under blades as they flash, I move on instinct. Every thought running through the worse possibilities in my head no matter how hard I try to shut them out. Finally getting clear of the fighting, I slow as I approach the giant doors finding them open. Stopping before I cross the threshold, I check the guns in my hand, making sure they’re both fully loaded.

“Fifty call rounds.” Saying the skill I wait as the round clank into place, filling Thorne. Taking a step inside, the fear rising in my chest as the darkness threatens to swallow me whole. And for the first time in a very long time, fear almost consumes me. Stopping and taking a deep breath, I walk slowly inside. As my steps echo around me I hear a scream further in. My barely suppressed panic rises, and I race deeper into the cave. Coming into a circular room, I get a brief view of a door before I’m hit from the side and I bounce across the ground, hitting my head on the rock wall. Trying to focus and get to my feet, a slow clap comes from the middle of the room. Walking towards the door Saetaen looks at me, his eyes glowing red.

“We meet again Oscar.”

“What did you do with them Saetaen?”

“Nothing yet. But I will.” My panic gives way to rage, and my hands flex my fingers inside the trigger guards.

“Oh, you meant the scream from earlier. You mean this one?” As he finishes, he lets out a scream identical to the one I heard a moment before.

“You’re a bastard. I’ll kill you.”

“How do you plan on doing that. I think you will have bigger problems to deal with then me.” Walking over to the door, he places his hand in the center. Memories came flashing back and I knew what was going to happen a second before it did. The spike pierces his hand and the door unlocks. Taking a step back as it swings open, I watch in horror as large footsteps sound from within. Coming from the door, snake heads appear one after the other followed by a long four legged body. As it reaches its full height, the door slams shut.

“I may not have the power to release them all, but this one should be enough to keep you busy.” Moving away from the creature, he turns his back on me and begins walking down the tunnel leading away.

“You’re not going anywhere.” Racing towards him, I stop and leap back as acid sprays in front of me. The leviathan moving to block my path. Turning around with amusement on his face, he laughs a loud laugh that echoes around the chamber.

“It seems I am. Stay and play for a while. See you around outlier.” Waving his hand, he turns and walks way. Aiming Thorne I pull the trigger and the round stops before it leaves the chamber, stopped by the hydras tail.

“Saetaen!” In response to my cry, the hydra leviathan moves its body to block the tunnel. Its nine heads waving around, mocking me. Holstering, my guns, I summon Final Testament and with no thoughts, unleash a round, the energy cracking all around me. As it explodes, the leviathan rears back and then roars at me. Three of its nine heads, disintegrated. Well so much for a god killing weapon. Putting it away, I slide Thorne from its holster and click the hammer back, ready to fight.