Varnoth- the Black Blade 2

by Lavelle Jackson

  “Ah, this should prove very useful. I will remove the catapult from the equation,” said Flynn as he jumped over the wall to the ground and sprinted southeast.

  “Maybe, I should go with him. There is no way he can do that by himself, right? asked Cody while he searched for Flynn in the darkness.

  “No, we need you on the wall. Flynn can take care of himself,” Varnoth replied as the catapult launched another projectile.

  “Get down!” commanded Varnoth.

  Everyone ducked behind the stone wall. They wondered where the ball of fire would impact. Time seemed to stand still as they waited for the ball to hit. Suddenly Varnoth heard a massive boom thirty yards to the left, followed by screams. The wall held firm, but the fire made it over and engulfed three men. They jumped off the scaffolding and rolled on the ground in an attempt to put out the flames. It was almost like a liquid flame drenched them. The fire stuck to them, and the rolling was not effective. Two men tried to help, but it was futile. After a few moments, the screams stopped, and they laid motionless.

  *****

  Flynn ran at top speed southeast in the hopes of flanking the catapult. He turned his head when he heard the impact of the giant flying ball of fire. He hoped the wall stood firm, but he had to ignore it. If he didn’t destroy this instrument of death, it would quickly turn the tide of the battle. The horde was closing in on Darthill fast, but he hadn’t been spotted yet. The dark elf equipped his obsidian bow and activated Stealth Shade. Ten goblins were surrounding the catapult, two of them were hobgoblins. They were the operators of the catapult. Flynn decided to approach from behind and use his new amulet to light up his arrows.

  After Flynn got within twenty yards of the rear of the catapult, he launched two engulfed arrows into the night. The fire embers looked to have materialized out of thin air with Flynn in Stealth Shade. One of the arrows pierced the dark, green flesh of a hobgoblin who was loading a large projectile onto the catapult. The flaming arrow impaled the flank of his throat. The other arrow plunged into the back of the hobgoblin that operated the device. The hobgoblin grabbed the burning shaft of the arrow, sticking out of his neck and screamed in agony. The fire erupted out of his mouth with each scream. The operator reached for the arrow in his back, but it was in perfect position out of his reach. The fire from the arrow ignited his crude armor. His long ponytail caught fire and soon engulfed his head — the hobgoblin dove off the platform to the ground.

  The catapult was out of service for the moment, at least. Flynn knew he would need to break it completely. However, eight goblins turned toward the mayhem and charged the dark elf. Flynn unequipped his bow and equipped his obsidian chakra blades. Four goblins ran toward him from one side of the catapult, and four charged from the other. Flynn pointed his left chakra and activated Black Rain. Onyx blades showered the goblins from a dark storm cloud. The repeating thud sound and blood splatter made the dark elf grin.

  He focused his attention on the four waddling goblins to his right. He didn’t have enough mana for another black blade skill. He planned to use his obsidian chakras to dispose of the foul creatures. The Black Blade charged to meet them in blazing fury. Two of the four had spears, and the others carried a small dagger. One of the spear goblins lost his footing and fell flat on his face. Flynn used the clumsy goblin’s back and launched in the air. He spun like a corkscrew with his arms outstretched. The goblins had no strategy to defend against Flynn’s acrobatic attack. His circular blades made shredded goblin flesh on all sides. Flynn somersaulted on the ground and turned to look at the aftermath. He saw two arms pulsating on the ground and three goblins lying dead. One of the goblins missing an arm held his sword high in his remaining arm and slowly moved toward Flynn. Blood spurred out of the stump, and the coppery smell was overpowering. Flynn nocked an arrow and fired a shot between his eyes. The goblin fell flat on his back and moved no more. Flynn moved quickly to destroy the catapult. The dark elf bombarded the wooden structure with blazing arrows until it became a huge fireball. The catapult was out of commission.

  *****

  The humans and gnomes began firing arrows as the horde approached. Some of them had shields and were able to block the arrows, but others weren’t so lucky. Impaled goblins fell all over the battlefield. However, there were much more than was initially thought. Hobgoblins were scattered among the horde and towered over the small goblins. The hobgoblins were geared much better, and the arrows were not as effective. Some of the hobgoblins lifted dead goblins and living goblins and held them as meat shields. Varnoth saw one goblin with a dozen arrows protruding from his body.

  Suddenly out of his peripheral vision, Varnoth saw a gigantic bright light in the distance, and then he heard cheers from all around.

  “Son of a bitch did it all by himself!” exclaimed Henegarron as he looked at the blazing catapult behind the approaching horde, “That is one brave elf. I will give him a wet, sloppy kiss when this is all over.”

  *****

  Wrimrung, Klotts, Baldrik, and Toggus stood at the northern gate. The witch doctor, Toggus, had put a cloaking spell on the four of them as they traveled to Darthill’s flank. Wrimrung commanded Mung to command the first charge that would garner the attention of the defense. It had worked like a charm. The army of Darthill had no idea they were going to attack from their blindside.

  “Mung has already lost the catapult? How the hell did that happen?” asked the hobgoblin ranger, Baldrik.

  “If he survives the battle, he will pay dearly for his incompetence. No matter, we will be able to slaughter these imbeciles before they have any idea what is happening,” Wrimrung replied with a look of disgust.

  “What is the plan, my lord?” asked Klotts.

  “It’s simple. You will place your ladder here. You and I will climb over and attack from the ground. Baldrik will attack with her bow from the top of the wall, and she will keep Toggus alive while he keeps a shielding spell on you, me, and Baldrik. After we begin slaughtering the cattle, our primary forces will be scaling the wall. Most of these bastards are not warriors, and they are relying on the wall to protect. Once we make it inside, I fully expect the gnomes and puny humans to shit their pants and run. There are only a handful of competent fighters. However, our numbers will easily overpower any fighting prowess they may have. There will be no mercy. We will kill everyone here. If the opportunity arises, I will enjoy taking this Overseer, Varnoth, prisoner. Does everyone understand?” asked Wrimrung, gripping his sword tightly.

  “Yes, my lord, this is a brilliant plan. I can’t wait to see the terror on their faces. I will protect Toggus with my life. You will keep the shield spell going, or I will kill you myself,” said Baldrik as she gazed with disdain at the witch doctor.

  “It will be done. I will raise undead hobgoblins to attack from below as well,” replied Toggus.

  “Do you have the mana reserves to accomplish that and maintain the shield on us?” asked a concerned Klotts.

  “You let me do my job, and you do yours!” exclaimed Toggus as he pointed his staff at the weary hobgoblin.

  “Enough! We are wasting time. Place the ladder,” said Wrimrung angrily.

  Klotts set the ladder against the wall and ascended.

  ****

  Varnoth felt useless behind the wall. He was used to up close and personal attacks with his daggers. The pyromancers and rangers were doing a good job taking out the fodder headed to the wall. Small fireballs erupted from Owyn’s staff, and more enormous fireballs were conjured in the hands of Celeste. Owyn’s attacks were much more rapid. Celeste had to cycle mana for a couple of seconds between her attacks. Each of the pyromancers had drunk one mana regeneration vial between them.

  Cody was accurate with his bow and killed at least one dozen goblins and injured double that. Varnoth was sure that arrows were in short supply. A pair of hobgoblin warriors placed a ladder. Varnoth activated Black Rain. A dark cloud swirled over top of the two hobgoblins and rained black blades with impunity. Varnoth immed
iately kicked the ladder down from the wall. Varnoth was livid at himself. He realized it would have been a much better strategy to pull the ladder over the wall.

  Varnoth heard screams to his left, and he saw goblins going over the wall. A group of gnomes handled the section the goblins scaled. They dropped their bows and used their small swords. They were able to get a few hacks in on the lesser goblins, but the taller and stronger hobgoblins were able to cut down the little warriors. Blood sprayed as great vessels were slashed, and chunks of flesh and limbs were torn from the bodies of the gnomes. Henegarron and John reached the bloody sight, but they were too late. The dwarf and orc were able to avenge the deaths of their brethren. Heads were smashed, and guts were spilled from the orc’s hammertar and the dwarf’s ax.

  As Varnoth moved along the scaffolding, he activated Dark Disciples at the bottom of the wall. Three undead Black Blades erupted out of the dirt and screeched like demons from the Seven Hells. All the goblins within the vicinity stopped in their tracks, and some fell on their butts in terror. One of the disciples slashed a demonic claw across a goblin’s throat. The blood excited the disciple even more, and he ripped at the wounded throat with his rancid mouth. The goblin fell to the ground as the disciple chewed. A second disciple grabbed a goblin’s arm with fury and yanked with fantastic force. Varnoth could hear the rip from on top of the wall amongst the chaos. The third disciple took several slashes from a hobgoblin’s sword. His left arm was severed and fell to the ground. The disciple took several slashes to the chest, but he kept on. The hobgoblin was unaware that the disciple could only be killed by damage to the brain. The hobgoblin performed a spin attack that sliced through both legs of the undead creature. Black blood erupted from the stumps, and he plopped to the ground. The disciple began to drag himself on the ground by his only remaining limb, his right arm. The hobgoblin, frustrated, screamed into the night and lifted his sword over his head and stabbed downward through the disciple’s head, killing him. Little did he know, a disciple had moved behind him. The undead Black Blade punched with all the strength it could muster, and its fist plunged through the hobgoblins back and out of his gut. The disciple had a fist full of entrails as he yanked his arm back out of the hole. An ungodly scream erupted from the mouth of the hobgoblin, and he dropped to his knees onto his face. The disciple turned and went after its closest victim.

  Varnoth was amazed and horrified to see his new skill in action. He was so enthralled that he didn’t see the goblin’s dagger slash at him from his left. Burning pain exploded from his thigh as the rusty blade cut through muscle. Varnoth roared and fell to the stone floor. When he made contact, he unsheathed his dagger and stabbed the goblin in the gut, and the green menace fell to the floor. Bright, red blood poured from the wound. Varnoth grabbed healing salve out of his pouch and placed a giant goop of it on the tear. As the muscle fibers began to mend, he heard a commotion inside the castle walls. He saw his people turn north and began firing their arrows at some unknown force. The pyromancers unleashed their fireballs towards the north section of the castle. Varnoth saw green figures approaching from the north within the castle. Two large hobgoblins appeared in his vision engrossed in a red aura. Arrows just bounced off them and to the stone floor. The pyromancers’ fireballs were absorbed into the red field. Suddenly arrows bombarded the Darthill warriors from the top of the wall. Human and gnome heads exploded and covered the stone. Everything appeared to be moving in slow motion, and he heard no sounds. The shadow panther watched as the people he was supposed to protect died right in front of him. Varnoth dove off the wall to dodge incoming arrows. His body ached from top to bottom from the hard impact. The hobgoblins covered in red came closer and closer. The red aura continued to protect them from attacks, but it did not prevent them from attacking others. They were hacking through gnomes and humans like they were cobwebs. The stone floor of the castle was covered in blood and gore.

  Cody ran towards the hobgoblins firing arrows in rapid succession. It was futile as none of the arrows pierced the aura. Cody’s momentum carried him too close, and he was stabbed in the chest by a huge sword and lifted into the air and thrown over the hobgoblins’ heads. Varnoth screamed for his friend and got to his feet. To his right, he saw goblins overflowing the wall from the numerous ladders that were put against the outer wall. Any humans or gnomes that were on the wall jumped to the floor or were killed where they stood. Rips, thuds, and screams flooded his auditory canals and made his brain pulse in pain. The enemy soon surrounded Varnoth. He activated Blade Shield and stopped any punishment he was going to receive, and the blades from the black sphere tore into the goblins. After the shield dissolved, he was able to get a vision of the source of the arrows. It appeared to be a female hobgoblin, and she stood in front of a goblin mage. His staff glowed red, the same color as the aura surrounding the large hobgoblins on the lower level. Varnoth realized that the mage must have been conjuring a force field for his brethren.

  “Kill the mage!” Varnoth screamed at Henegarron and John. As Henegarron turned his head to listen to the shadow panther, an arrow plunged into his shoulder blade. A goblin coming over the wall jumped on Henegarron’s back, and they both fell the 12 feet to the rock floor. Henegarron clearly stunned from the impact was stabbed in the back several times by the goblin. John roared as he watched his friend’s demise, and he charged toward the ranger as she approached. He held up his hammertar, which blocked two incoming arrows, but he was unable to prevent a third, which impaled the right side of his chest. He used his powerful, charged momentum and lunged toward the ranger. He took her to the ground and began bashing her in the head with his mammoth fists. Suddenly, Flynn appeared over the wall and fired a fire arrow in the back of the head of the goblin mage. As soon as his head exploded, the red aura surrounding the hobgoblins disappeared. They were no longer invincible.

  Owyn noticed the change and used the window to attack. His staff shot two quick fireballs that were blocked by the more massive hobgoblin’s shield. The hobgoblin threw his ax immediately afterward, and it flipped end over and end until it sunk in the skull of Owyn. Celeste screamed and sprinted over to her grandfather, but there was nothing that could be done. He was dead. Celeste’s eyes burned and became orange as the sun, she extended both of her arms with the bottoms of her palms touching one another. A long stream of fire erupted from her palms toward the hobgoblin that killed her grandfather. He was able to get his shield up in time, but Celeste was able to keep the stream of fire going, and within seconds, his shield began to melt. Celeste screamed louder and louder, which appeared to make her flame hotter. Glowing orange steel dripped from the hobgoblin’s shield to the stone floor. Green forearm flesh began to cook, and screams of agony erupted from the hobgoblin. He fell to one knee as he tried to keep his melting shield in place. Suddenly a large blade cut through the hobgoblin’s neck, and blood spewed like a geyser from his neck. The large head made a resounding thud as it hit the floor and bounced twice. William Marth was responsible for the killing blow on the green beast. He stood over the body, breathing heavily with blood splattered clothing. The more massive hobgoblin turned and ran into the courtyard. Varnoth sprinted behind him and found him standing in the center, waiting for him.

  “This war you started…was it worth it? The gnomes you saved are in pieces all over this castle. The smell of all this blood is very invigorating. I will soon drink your blood. Come closer,” said Wrimrung.

  “I am guessing you are the dirtbag, Wrimrung. I will give you some respect for being brave enough to face me. I figured you would sit at home while your goblin army was slaughtered.”

  “I think ‘slaughtered’ is an excellent word to describe both sides of this battle. Both of us have suffered high losses today. However, your remorse will be short-lived thanks to my blade,” replied Wrimrung. Lightning stretched across the sky, and a downpour of cold rain began.

  “Ah, yes, the gods are going to help you wash away all of this blood. How nice of them. It feels pretty
good. Enough of this banter, fight,” said Wrimrung as he slammed his storm and shield together.

  Varnoth performed a fast somersault and threw a dagger directly at the war chief. Wrimrung was startled but ready. He held his shield up just in time, and the blade pierced through the shield all the way to the hilt. Wrimrung grimaced due to the blade cutting the top of his forearm. Blood flowed from under the shield and dripped to the wet stone. The war chief raised his sword and swiped down. Varnoth’s lone obsidian dagger blocked the blade. Wrimrung performed a front kick into the gut of the shadow panther. The war chief brought up his left knee and smacked the forehead of Varnoth, and he fell backward and landed on his butt. Wrimrung extended his sword in a stabbing motion aimed at Varnoth’s face, but Varnoth rolled to his right a split second before impact. He began a barrage of slashes toward the shadow panther in rapid succession. Varnoth was able to block some, but at other times, he had to roll quickly to avoid a gaping wound. The hobgoblin grew frustrated and backed away to rest. This gave Varnoth time to get back into a fighting stance.

  “You are a quick little worm. However, your luck is running out,” said Wrimrung.

  “Likewise, goblin,” replied Varnoth.

  “I bet you want your dagger back right about now. It’s mine. I will use it as a toothpick when I am done eating your flesh.”

  Varnoth lunged at the hobgoblin, and the massive shield blocked him. When Varnoth bounced off the shield, he grabbed the hilt of his impaled dagger and yanked it out of the shield and performed a backflip to move away.

  “Well, that was a nice move. I might have underestimated you…Might,” said Wrimrung with a laugh.

  Varnoth activated Black Rain. Dark clouds swirled above the hobgoblin. Blades poured from the darkness. Wrimrung rolled to his right in the nick of time to avoid any damage.

  He stood up and laughed. Then he pointed his sword at the shadow panther, and vines rocketed from the floor and wrapped around Varnoth’s legs. The vines were covered in sharp thorns that tore through his fur into his flesh. The vines made their way like snakes climbing a tree. Varnoth’s arms and legs were gushing blood, and he was stuck in this trap, helpless. He attempted to activate Blade Shield, but the Black Rain attack left his mana reserves empty.