Chapter 5:

Over The Horizon, Lies a City

Waydyntale

[I…have no excuse.]

'Why did you remain silent? Thrall and the other two morsyahs sacrificed themselves? You could have helped us?! Observe the surroundings and hint at it!'

'So, I ask again, why?'

[...]

'Answer me! We risked our life sharing the common goal. You gave us a direction and now you aren't willing to see it through as you promised?!'

[I was…unprepared.]

'Could've fooled me.'

[Those people in black, they are humans. Earthrun as they called it. They are like me.]

'And…?'

[I wish to figure out a way to reverse the spell that made them like that. I was too preoccupied and too distracted by what is happening around you. It was utter chaos and I am not used to it.]

'Are you….serious? You, who gave us information of our enemies and about this land cowers before mere swarn of slightly taller small folk?!'

[It has been a long time since I did this. It felt like ages ago tagging along with Ryzalyn and her friends.]

'I don't buy that excuse, but…'

[but…?]

'Make up for it by actually guiding and helping us here. Can you speak to Thrall?'

[Yes, I can feel his readings. Patching him now.]

…

[He's here.]

'Urgh, it hurts like a blizzard.' Thrall groaned.

Hildr's heart eased a bit.

'Thank the Allfadr you are still alive.'

'It wasn't easy,' He breathed heavily. 'They bite hard.'

Bite…?

'Thrall…are you saying that–'

'Still not confirmed, Valkyrja.'

Maybe, but this is dire. A bite from a vampire as Phrumen has lectured them before is fatal. The chances are they transferred their curse to him.

'You can't be serious! This is a life and death situation!'

'I know, that's why I need you to stay calm and do your duty…as a Valkyrja.'

'What?'

'You have soldiers nearby, you remember what your task is as a War Maiden, right?'

'This is different!'

'No, the people are. These bunch are helpless and…they lost two.'

'Goodness…'

[I am sorry. I should have done more.]

Thrall sighed. 'Then help her, I'll make my way to where that triumvirate stands. Valkyrja, Allfadr guide you.'

'Wait! Phrumen, call him back.'

[I can't. My link to him weakened. His trust in me is damaged.]

'Bacrau–SHI–no, I shouldn't have said that…'

[My words might not mean much to you now, but I swear that I will help you finish this.]

'Then prove it now.'

A pregnant silence.

…

Broken by Phrumen's breath.

[As you wish. I need you to stand still. Let me feel your whole senses for a moment.]

What?

…

It was sudden.

In Hildr's vision, hues of orange engulfed the surroundings. It was merely a second before it disappeared. The morsyahs didn't seem to notice this. What has Phrumen done?

[I got it.]

'What are you planning?'

[Look around you…]

And she did. It is the North District since the distinctive architecture is still in sight. There is enough light to see it from afar. The long stairs that everyone was on before can be seen. It leads to a hill that has a building that shines like a beacon. She assumes it is important to this city. After all, something built at high places means high value.

To the city itself, it is ripe with buildings that are situated close to each other. Leaving so many tight spaces and gaps…which can be–wait! It seems the brain cells in Hildr's head started to flicker. She might understand what Phrumen implied here.

Vampires are big, well, not that big, really. They are as tall as her chest which in turn, Hildr is around Thrall's chest. That is quite significant in a city that didn't accommodate their heights. Judging from the frames on all the buildings' entrances which as she noted for some reason doesn't show doors that often, The morsyahs could use that to their advantage.

Their previous mistake was to rush through the main street to the mountains. They should've been more careful. Adding to that, the small-folk are good climbers. The first vampire encounter showed this. Perhaps, if Hildr could ask them more about that, she could devise a strategy for a more safe approach.

As she thought of this in her head, she didn't realize that all the morsyahs had been staring at her.

"You have been standing still there, lady. Are you well?"

Hildr shook her head. "I am fine. Just thinking about how to get us to the mountain–"

"ARE YOU CRAZY!" one of the soldiers snapped. He makes his way to Hildr, steadfast in facing her.

"Avniel and Yonah died! We can't survive this if we keep goin–"

"Hush, Yehoram! Let her continue." Another soldier interrupts, it was Aviv, the one that gave her the manacaster.

Hildr cleared her throat. "As I was saying, I have been formulating plans to reach those three vampires. We can't leave Thrall or the other two morsyahs alone."

Yehoram then says, "Avniel and Yonah are alive?!"

Hildr shook her head. "No. Thrall had confirmed it through Phrumen. Still, we can't leave their bodies alone. They need proper burial."

Yehoram was about to say something before an arm barred him further. He paces away from Hildr trying to collect his thoughts. In his stead though, Noahsadiik approaches her.

"This Phrumen, where is he?"

Hildr points at The Root. "There, his voice guides Thrall and I."

"Can I speak to him?"

'Phrumen? What should I do?'

[...]

'We can't hesitate now.'

[Ask him for a vow of trust like I did to you.]

Hildr took a long breath, then faced the brown cloaked man.

"Do you trust this voice that haunts my head?"

[R-Rude!]

Noahsadiik paused.

"I can't say I trust it, but…I want to. So yeah, bring it on."

Hildr sighed in relief. "Then I welcome you to–"

[Waydyntale Order.]

The little man startled for a moment. Looking around left and right for Phrumen.

"Whoa, this is…weird."

"Don't worry you'll get used to it quickly."

"What's happening there, Noah Bey?" one of the soldiers called, probably perplexed by what had transpired.

The man in question dazed. Trying to comprehend what he is experiencing. After a long pause, he finally put it into words.

"It doesn't feel like an intruder at all, but a voice that was there from the beginning. It feels like a consciousness that calls within."

Hildr actually shares the soldiers' thoughts.

What the hell is this man talking about?

Phrumen to her is like a voice buzzing in her ear. One that she is not sure can welcome after a realization.

[I-I am still here, you know?]

It does not matter. If the base of his link to her is trust, she better expect one that truly respects what she and Thrall has to go through.

And preferably keeping his words in moderation of reading her thoughts.

[I said I am trying, alright!]

The valkyrja coughed. Reverting everyone's attention back to her.

"Now that Noahsadii–"

"A question, lady?" Aviv interrupted.

"Yes?"

"Why did you spell his name in quick succession?"

"Eh? His name is Noahsadiik, right?"

The brown cloaked chuckled at my words. "I think you are mistaken. My name is Noah, Sadiik is my family."

Oh…

Phrumen could have told her.

[I thought you already knew.]

She sighed. "Very well…Noah. Now that he can speak to Phrumen, let us form a plan to find Thrall and attack those three vampires guarding the stairs."

"I take it you have a plan?" One of the soldiers said, darn, she still can differentiate them.

Hildr nods.

"I noticed all of you are quite agile. You managed to slip behind when you all pulled that stunt before."

Noah…sheepishly laughed. "Well, we have been trained to climb since we were young."

"So all of you morsyah–"

"Morsyan."

"Excuse me?"

"Er, plural for our people."

Hildr groaned at being corrected again. "Right, Morsyan…Noah…Morsyan…Noah–anything I should correct?"

Nobody said anything.

"As I was saying, the city provides a lot of cover here. You could use the buildings to hide and maneuver the vampires and possibly enthralled people who I assume patrols the street."

"Now that you said it," Noah looked towards the city. "We definitely could hop between buildings. As long as we don't stay on the rooftops for long that is."

Hildr already knew the answer, but she asked him anyway.

"Those vampires watch over the sky, right? And you said this enthralled folk have the streets. The best we can do is to stay in between. Although I do feel bad breaking into civilian's houses." Noah answered.

Hildr glad he came up with the same conclusion as her.

Noah then said, "The only issue left is who is going to attract their attention to make sure we don't all get overwhelmed."

She already knows who's going to hold that place.

"I will volunteer to distract them all."

"B-But, lady! Are you sure?" Noah's concern is understandable. After all, even with their numbers before, they are overwhelmed.

"I can't measure up our speed, but I think I am strong enough to hold the line. You folks said it yourself that those vampires can tear through your shields without batting an eye, right?" Hildr sent a glance towards Aviv.

The plan was simple yet very risky. What is considered in mind is the morsyan's survivability. They are weak and easily defeated. Though they are quick, it won't save them from vampires' clutches. For the skies is their reach while the enthralled people keep their toes on the ground.

In Hildr's honest opinion, there is no ideal scenario where they smoothly travel to mountain stairs without breaking a sweat nor anything that can grant absolute safety. It's do or die this time. Honestly, she was glad, in a way. Ever since she was stranded here, she recognizes what fear is again. It makes her feel more cautious. More aware.

The morsyan across Hildr huddled up. Discussing the plan she proposed.

Of course, while their backs turned on her, she noticed that thing again. That powerful weapon that dangles on one of their backs. Due to their uniforms, besides Noah that is, she can't identify which one is holding it.

Nevertheless, the details are irrelevant, what interests her is the explosive javelins.

"Hey," she called out to the group, earning their attention. "How much ammo do you have for the explosive javelins?"

She assumes these weapons work like the manacasters. Thus, the number of javelins is limited.

"The blastauncher?"

What…

Oh, so that's the name.

"Right, the blastauncher…?"

The soldier that has it on his back then counts his javelins. It was stored in a quiver. Hildr didn't notice it at all when they started this excursion to the city.

"Six, along with the one on the blastauncher." came the soldier's answer.

An idea pops into her head.

"Alright, let's rethink our plan again."

Everyone looked concerned at her words, but still listened to what she had to say.

"We are still running and hiding from them, but this will be risky,"

"I can accept any plan at this point, really."

"You," Hildr addressed the soldier who had the blastauncher. "What is your name?"

"Er, Suf."

"Suf…Suf…okay. How good was your aim with that," she pointed at the weapon on his back.

"Good enough I guess."

"How was your speed, can you still keep up with others with that dangling on your back?"

"Not a problem."

Hildr nods, confident reinstalled at her core. This might blow her up, but this is the measure she is willing to take to push through and bring these men back unscathed.

"Very well, let me tell you what I had in mind…"

Hildr laid out what she wanted to do. The soldiers attentively paid attention to her. At this point, any words she utter is their only chance to move forward. After all, she is practically stronger than them. Her bold plan earned a little ire since it was related to their first encounter.

Of course, the neat part comes from how it will be executed.

After a little bit of rest, the group embarks their way to the mountain stairs, trying to catch up with Thrall and hopefully recover Yonah and Avniel's corpse.

Just like what they had agreed upon, the morsyans climbed onto the buildings' interior. That way, it's hard for the vampires and the enthralled to pin them down. Hildr took the rooftops, instantly detected by the flying monsters above.

Their screech echoes the area.

She can hear footsteps emanating below. Enthralled was alerted. Fortunately, this plan will have to take on the rooftops. This is the best she could do to not harm the folks below. Three vampires from before already on her tail. The morsyan just one floor below here already following her steps. Seven of them move within a gap to make sure any scenario where the enemies kill two ravens with one sheax can be prevented.

Thanks to what Phrumen had done earlier, she can get a sense of who or where any living things are. And thanks to him, she too realized how the buildings here were structured. There are many buildings here that are connected to each other. Subsequently, in close proximity to their neighbors. What this means is that Hildr could walk above it while the morsyans take two lanes beside where she is at.

Of course, she had accounted for the windows available too. All for the one plan she hopes will succeed.

For now, she needs to bait many of these vampires before executing them.

From three, they now turn to five.

Sounds of tiles clunking along with her own is enough to get her heart beat faster. The gravity of this situation pressures her more to turn around, but it's not there yet. After all, She and the morsyans are not mindlessly running in circles here. Their heads fixed towards the mountain stairs. Towards where Thrall is heading.

Five to seven.

One of them was tired of this farce, so he used his wings.

And so, Hildr sped up as well. The bladess on her heels pop. While rooftop tiles are not the most recommended skating environment, she is skilled enough to navigate them. She turns to both of her sides. The morsyans is still keeping up with her. By Allfadr's grace, they are faster than she accounted for.

A soulless grown reverberates around her.

Of course, the enthralled still here. If anything, they are a backdrop as they have no way of hitting the morsyans since they are still inside a building. Even if the small folk do get out from the windows, they'll do it just to move from one building to another. Their way of moving is mesmerizing to see. The acrobatics they showcased from their skillful way of ejecting to speed themselves up to their way of hopping from one beam to another in quick succession kept her spirit up.

She is more hopeful they can pull this off.

The group of winged seven now turned to eleven.

The mountain stairs are halfway there.

The horde of eleven now turned to seventeen.

The place where Fjorm took off is in sight now.

And the big hunk of a shadow that rushes through the enthralled while his whole body is gripped by them.

Thrall.

They managed to catch up to him after all.

The seventeen now turn to twenty

The momentum on her bladess is enough to propel her to where she wanted. Hildr expected the vampire to follow her suit.

First part of the execution.

"NOW!" Hildr shouted.

The blastauncher shoots its javelin. Hildr opened her shield…

and reflect it down to her feet.

It sends her flying towards where the triumvirate vampires stood. Not just that, she is sent off flying behind them.

Thanks to her shield, she managed to negate the damage, mostly. It still hurts, but more like being punched on the face.

From afar, she can see the morsyans did their next role. All of them are now on the rooftops. The small folk then formed a stair with seven of them climbing each other to make it happen. All in order to send one of their own to air. Each of them boost Suf up, the one who has the blastauncher.

Hildr already landed on the ground. The vampires and the enthralled were still there, for a moment she hesitates, but the sight of Thrall already closing in eases her a bit. She did the same move as before,

"Isa!"

The ice rune spreads at the vampires' feet. The twenty chasers have also been caught.

Thrall, seemingly understands what is going to happen then grabs the enthralled people away. Making him the target for the mindless hordes.

The next step relies on speed. Time to make those five javelin counts.

Suf who was airborne before now aimed his weapon at Hildr. The vampires who were about to flap their wings to stall her didn't get their chance.

The explosive javelins sent towards the valkyrja now reflected on the vampires' face in five consecutive succession. As it turns out, her hunch was right, this blastauncher is good for blasting other people to shreds.

The monster now left with nothing with their core and the mangled remains that are about to be regenerated.

Not a chance.

Hildr sends twenty javelins towards their chest. With a snap of a finger.

The monsters are no more. Leaving nothing, but a soon dissipating pool of shadow.

Still…

It's not over yet.

The horde of enthralled people crowded Hildr's front. Thrall, who is ahead of her, already raised his fist in defense. Even after everything, he still tries to stick to her suggestion. Yes, even as he looked more rugged and damaged than before. The vampires and the enthralled really did a number on him.

Suf, the blastauncher user, has landed behind Hildr. Of course, this poses another problem. The other six morsyans are still on the rooftop across where she stood.

The others can't just land and expect a breeze. There will be a lot of resistance.

Hildr, Thrall, and Suf stick their backs. Steps towards the stairs while their front towards the enemies. The morsyans above raised their manacasters. The three on the ground wordlessly looked at each other. Behind their helmets, they agree what will be the course of action.

The backpedal turns quickly. From the turn to the soon to be exhaustive sprint. Their enemies doubled with the stairs. It's either the new triumvirate giving in to fatigue or they reach another last stand. The steps to the shrine above are tedious. It's long and coupled with how easy to slip in sometimes didn't help the matter.

The silver lining here is the enthralled too, struggling to catch up.

The sounds of tired moans and guttural growls from behind fill the air.

Allfadr's sake, Hildr has climbed many stairs, longer than this, but these tiny steps somehow drain her life. Who built this? Stair steps should be wider to accommodate people her size and Thrall. If not, then build railings. That way, she can use her skating blades to go up.

After many steps she can't count at this point, she is about to give up here and now. Her legs are killing her. So many times she could slip and many times Thrall had to catch her. To make matters worse, the enthralled seem to not lose any fatigue. Even then, their sloppy movement causes them to topple each other a lot.

That's a relief at least.

'Is there no end to them?' Hildr's own internal voice sound tired too.

[I can still see them. Shit, I need to do–wait! Look above!]

'Huh?'

"Thrall, did you see what I am seeing?"

The jotunn lifted his head, breath hitched as he did so.

[BRACE YOURSELF! SHIELD UP, HILDR!]

Hilde mustered her strength on her legs. She managed to make it in time to stand in front of Thrall and Suf.

Phrumen's words ring true.

A sudden wave of energy blasted towards any poor soul who stepped on the stairs. Hildr's shield managed to negate it and in doing so, sparing two people behind her from its blast. She is not going to lie, it was a struggle to keep herself steady. Any moment now she could be toppled if she loses her balance.

A hand touches her back.

Thrall's palm keeps her back steady. Suf joins in to help. When the energy dissipated, the three of them met another bizarre sight. The enthralled people are now falling like a snowball. Any little life they have suddenly snatched away.

Wait, does that mean…

"The morsyans!" Hildr exclaimed.

"Brothers…" Suf looked below.

Thrall is the only one who casually looked around.

"Something strange, Valkyrja."

"What is?"

"Look up."

Once again she did. At the top of it all, a crimson beam emitted. It was wide enough to brighten the area around them. A loud screech can be heard from there, akin to bat…

Vampires.

So that confirms one thing. They have a fight in their hands sooner than to her liking. Hildr clicked her tongue.

"Rest."

The three of them looked around. Wondering where that booming voice comesfrom.

[Not me.]

"You, creatures of the gray, prey to the darkness. Save your vitality. For I will soon sap it like the husks that have followed you."

"Husks? Enthralled people?!" Hildr shouted.

"Eheheh…is that what you call these…people. Enthralled? Hahahaha…"

"They are not people. For living is to think for themselves. Those husks have no mind. For they have chosen to abandon their weak vessel to a new delusion."

"Delusion?! What are you saying?"

"Come now, you have met her, haven't you? The slitherer in azure gleam,"

"No way…"

Is he saying that…these enthralled people…are actually…

"For she is the master of fantasy. For she has brought their minds to doom! For she has brought us–my people–a generous prey!"

"You hear her name, and she hears you everywhere!"

"Bacraut! You, vampires! How could you do that? Sapping the lives of people…"

"...They can still be saved…"

"Enough of this. I shall await you. Come, gather your power first and we shall fight."

Thrall looked behind towards Hildr.

"Valkyrja, no matter what happens. We did our best."

"I know."