Rematch at Dawn

The camp laid out in the valley below was quiet, only the occasional dim glow from a campfire silhouetting it against the dark pre-dawn. I stood on the same grassy hillock as before, along with Rill and the others, while behind us crouched the entire compliment of the Halcyon’s crew, over two hundred men doing their best to not make a sound.

Not a word was said, not a thought uttered, as we watched the first rays of sunlight peak over the distant horizon. Jensen looked at Julius, and at his sharp nod, walked forward and held his hand up high, a tiny glass bottle in his grasp. He sighed, and muttered something even I could not make out, before taking a deep breath and shouting in a voice that shattered the silence, echoing out across the valley like a thunderclap, “Time to wake up, you bastards!”

Then, the enormous form of the Halcyon materialized high up in the air, directly above the tent where Marik slept, and slowly descended, slamming down directly atop it with the crash of splintering wood, the ship bowing down under the force of the impact. As a cloud of dust rose into the air, hundreds of battle cries arose all around us as the crewmembers brandished their weapons – short, curved swords and spears, mostly – and rushed down the hillside like an avalanche, falling upon the startled group of bandits.

Moments after the two forces met, and the clang and crash of battle broke out, there was a loud boom, as a gaping hole was rent into the side of the distant ship. Standing in the shadowy recess was none other than Marik himself, who held one of his hands pressed against the wound on his thigh. Around him wafted a purple mist, ethereal flower petals drifting lightly upon the breeze; a creation of Sarrah’s, a poisonous fragrance she had made using her spirit magic that would hopefully serve to weaken those who smelled it. His eyes honed in upon our small group on the hillside, and even at this distance, it was obvious that he was not pleased.

Relax, I told myself, and Rill, as we all shared a nervous glance. This is what we’ve been preparing for. This is the opportunity that Umbra gave us. We won’t lose.

You’re right, Leo. Let’s show him what we can do!

Together, our group made our way down the hillside and wound through the chaos until at last, we came face-to-face with Marik himself, who had not moved from the hole he had made in the side of the Halcyon. His aura still washed over me, still overwhelming as always, but perhaps slightly weaker than before.

Tirel and Nervin stood nearby, having run to Marik’s side. In my head, Rill told me, Leo, there probably isn’t much I can do to help you all against Marik himself. But, I can at least do something about those two.

Both of them? I asked, Are you sure? You could barely hold your own against either of them, before. If something goes wrong, none of us will be able to help you.

I felt her confidence waver slightly at my words, but she insisted, Yeah, I’m sure. I’ve been wanting a rematch, anyway. Them both being here at once just makes it easier.

The duo approached, hand-axe and twin daggers drawn, while Marik still made no movement whatsoever. Alright then, I trust you, Rill. Good luck.

Thanks, Leo, she replied coolly as she stepped out to meet them, But who needs luck, when you have talent?

The duo scoffed upon seeing Rill, obviously remembering their previous encounters. But before any of them could do anything, Marik’s aura surged and swept over us, and the man growled, “I don’t care if you settle your petty differences here today. But do it out of my way.”

Both of the men’s eyes went wide, and they shared a less conceited look with Rill before Nervin jerked his head, indicating that they should move elsewhere. Rill followed as they led her away, and we were left behind with Marik.

“Are you sure that was wise?” Lassan whispered to me, “Tark could have gone along with her for backup.”

I chuckled wryly and shook my head. “Honestly, I have no idea. But she wants to face them on her own, that much was clear. I’m sure she’ll be fine. She has to be. We have our own fight to focus on.”

We all stood still as Marik took one step out of the wreckage, then another, dragging his axe behind him. Slowly he approached, his single red eye glowing in the early morning sunlight. “So, you’ve all finally gathered together. And this is the best you can do? Color me disappointed.”

Taken aback by the man’s words, Julius exclaimed, “Finally? Wait. The lack of bandit patrols, the consolidation of your forces here…you planned this all along, didn’t you? You knew exactly what we were going to do!”

The large man grinned. “You think I had no knowledge of the rats scurrying about my domain? Why would I bother going after you one at a time when I could crush you all at once! Although I had expected you to fight alongside that woman from yesterday. If you had, maybe you would have stood a decent chance. But now? You all die, here!”

We had no time to argue as Marik lunged forward, swinging his axe at Julius’ head. Sarrah and Nora raised their shields and jumped into the path of the attack, but instead of blocking it, they were merely swept aside, sparks flying as the two of them were sent rolling across the ground. Still, it was enough to buy Julius time, and he jumped over the strike, stamping his boot down upon the axe head and delivering a powerful overhead strike towards Marik’s neck.

The man blocked it with his own forearm, Julius’ blade biting deep. Blood ran from the wound, but before Julius could retrieve his blade, Marik flexed his arm, snapping the steel weapon in half. Julius staggered backwards, staring at his stump of a sword in disbelief before Marik pulled upward on the axe upon which he stood, and sent him flying over our heads.

We all closed in on him then, but the behemoth of a man was not only inhumanly strong, but also a skilled and experienced fighter. Tark grunted as the man’s fist smashed into his face and sent him flying backwards, and the butt of his axe plowed through Lassan’s attempt at a side-guard, flinging him into a nearby tent. I closed in on their heels along with Jensen, who was wielding a huge blade that resembled a meat cleaver.

Marik did not attempt to defend or evade as I drove my blade into his ribs, but he did let out a surprised grunt in response. My molt after our previous fight had increased my strength, a fact he could not have known. Still, it was little more than an annoyance to him, and he instead focused on the sharp length of steel aimed at his neck, blocking Jensen’s attack with his battleaxe and spinning on a heel, delivering a debilitating elbow strike into the side of the man’s head. In the same roundhouse motion, his boot caught me in the stomach, my ribs creaking from the impact before I was tossed away.

There were groans from all around as my companions picked themselves up off the ground, clutching their various aches and pains, their weapons still held in defiance against this titan of a foe. Juilus’ armored form streaked by me as I struggled to rise, the others all opting to join in for round two. But this time, Marik was done playing around.

He swung his axe like a golfer driving a ball, the bladed head colliding directly with Nora’s shield, which instantly crumpled beneath the impact, the axe continuing through into her side. She merely ceased to be for a moment, even my eyes unable to follow her as she was jettisoned across the rows of tents and campfires, a dull impact reverberating from where she finally landed, out of sight.

We all stared in disbelief for a moment before Tark roared, “You monster!” He leapt forward, but was too slow, Marik swiping the butt of his axe into his temple. As the man’s eyes went white, Marik’s boot slammed into his midsection, hard enough for me to feel the impact in my own bones. Tark was punted away, flopping limply across the ground and into a distant cluster of tents.

Julius held his shattered blade steady as Marik brought his axe downward into the man’s hip, his superior strength driving through any attempt at a guard. Blood ran down Julius’ leg as he cried out in pain, but Marik merely delivered a backhand that connected squarely with the man’s face and sent him tumbling towards me. I caught him, sliding backwards across the dirt from the force with which he had been thrown, as Marik turned his attention on Jensen.

Marik easily deflected the sea captain’s attack with his axe. Tearing the upper half of Julius’ blade from his forearm, he swung it down to cleave straight through Jensen’s left arm. As the man stared blankly at his severed appendage, another kick sent him flying, and Marik spun again, slamming the sliver of steel into Sarrah’s shield, where it lanced straight through the metal banding and into her shoulder. Luckily for her, it was a shallow wound, and she drove her shortsword into his stomach. Again, he flexed his muscles, and as she struggled to pull the blade free, he loomed over her, eager for the kill.

I snarled as I leapt into the air, my body changing as I shifted into dragon form. In the moment before he struck, I coiled like a spring and lashed out with my tail, hitting him hard enough to actually stagger him backwards, away from his target. There was a momentary look of surprise on his face, and Sarrah’s blade slid free as she hopped away from him.

“You’ve grown stronger, dragon!” Marik exclaimed, grinning as he wiped a trickle of blood from the corner of his mouth.

It isn’t much, but we’ve actually managed to wound him a little. But even so…I spared a glance around at the others, who were barely able to continue the fight. If I could not turn things around, we stood no chance.

“Indeed,” I replied dourly, baring my fangs and preparing for my next strike.