by Isaac Hooke
As the Blue Hornets neared Denfidal, the final gargoyle swarm that had remained behind broke away to assail them, along with the remaining fifteen Blacks. The demon itself turned around, realizing it wouldn’t be able to invade the territory of its rival, not until it dealt with what it likely thought was a minor annoyance.
Malem smiled. Yes, the Balor no doubt believed it would defeat them without breaking a sweat.
Oh, you’re going to sweat, my friend. Like you never have before.
As he got closer, he could feel Denfidal reaching into his mind, trying to assert control. The demon’s mind control power was similar to Malem’s Breaking ability, though it could affect every species, from animals, monsters, all the way up to men. But Malem was able to resist readily enough, as were the dragons, and all the riders he had chosen to lead the air assault. He had warned his troops there was a chance they could become possessed by Denfidal if they were injured too close to the demon. Some of the weaker-minded oraks and lesser species among his ground troops could also succumb, but there was a limit to how many Denfidal could control at once, just as Malem had a limit—it was doubtful Denfidal would give up control of the more powerful creatures bound to him, such as the Stilt Walkers, in order to Break a handful of oraks. This limit was one of the reasons why Vorgon had only bound the Black Swords, and relied upon them to dictate its commands to the remainder of the army.
Because Malem’s companions were already Broken, they didn’t have to worry about Denfidal—or Vorgon—taking them. Only Xaxia, Timlir, Goldenthall and Grendel could succumb, so it was important they remained strong and uninjured in the fight to come. Especially Grendel.
The gargoyles reached the front ranks of the defensive sphere, along with the fifteen Black dragons.
The Blacks and gargoyles formed a wedge with their bodies, and shoved through the ranks, heading directly for Nemertes. They took down anyone that got in their way, tearing open throats, ripping gashes in leathery wings. The ground troops of Denfidal’s host roiled at the feet of the demon, and swarmed the body of any dragons and their riders that landed in their midst.
Denfidal waded into the fighting as well. The demon unleashed dark streams of magic from its body; though that magic didn’t harm the dragons, it killed riders in waves. To kill the bigger foes, the demon hurled that giant halberd in sweeping arcs across the sky, producing cracks like thunderclaps. Every dragon it struck was hewed in half. Consumed by bloodlust, the Balor killed gargoyles, and even one of its own huge Black dragons, in the process.
The Stilt Walkers launched their long tongues, drawing in Blue Hornets like a frog drew flies, and devouring them just as easily.
As that indomitable battering ram of dragons and gargoyles continued toward their position, Malem made up his mind.
Gwen, Mauritania, Wendolin, Malem sent. Send your mounts to Nemertes… cut the blade off her back!
I can fight, Nemertes said.
Dump the sword! Malem told her. You’re too much of a target!
The battering ram reached them, and Malem and the others were forced to scatter beneath the terrible force of the enemy.
I can fight, Nemertes repeated. As if to prove her prowess, she tore into the neck of one of the Blacks that came at her, and ripped open its throat. But then another Black swooped past her, and cut a wide gash into her flank with a swipe of its talon.
Your courage is admirable, Malem said. But you don’t need to die for this. The Paragon can pick up the sword.
He dove toward her, with the dragons of his remaining companions, and they did their best to accost the monsters assailing her. Hastor raked its claws against the back of one particularly big Black, but the dragon swatted Hastor away with its wings.
Nemertes launched streams of light magic at the gargoyles and Blacks that were snapping at her from all sides. The gargoyles imploded, and some of the Blacks slowed down, affected by her debuffs. He was forced to feed her stamina—she was quickly becoming taxed.
When Malem got close again, Grendel also released light magic, and the streams wrapped around Nemertes. The big blue suddenly seemed full of energy, and moved with a speed she never had before, striking out at Blacks, and devouring the gargoyles. Malem hoped Grendel hadn’t drained herself too severely to provide that buff.
A bunch of gargoyles came in at Hastor, but Malem’s own winged creatures protected him. At least at first: there were too many for his guard to hold off entirely, and a few began streaming past. Malem had his sword in hand, and he cut off the heads of any that came close. Unfortunately, some attacked from unreachable angles behind him, swooping in upon Grendel; he tried to Break them, but they were strong-willed members of their kind. Grendel was forced to release her whips of light: she wrapped the tendrils around her foes, and threw them aside.
When she had handled the gargoyles coming for her, she began to assault those that attacked Malem.
He glanced over his shoulder and shouted above the wind of flight: “Save your strength!”
“What’s the point of saving my strength if I die before I can use it!” she replied.
He sensed Nemertes flagging once more. The buff Grendel had applied had already worn off.
Denfidal’s fiery green halberd came screaming down upon the great blue dragon.
Nemertes narrowly dipped to one side.
The blade sliced just through the sky just beside her body, and she was momentarily drawn downward as the weapon sucked away all the nearby air.
Fuck! she sent. Then: Rip this fucking sword off my back! Now, now, now!
Finally.
Do it, Malem sent his companions.
The dragon mounts of Gwen, Mauritania and Wendolin darted through the enemy dragons and gargoyles, until they reached Nemertes. The Blues used their talons to rip away the cords that bound the sword to her back, and when the blade was free, Nemertes flapped one wing to initiate a roll; she tucked in the leathery appendages, and let the blade tumble free.
The large weapon plunged through the air, striking a couple of gargoyles along the way, and landed with a loud clang among the rocks below.
Free at last! Nemertes said. Now I can fight!
Below, enemy ground troops swarmed over the sword, and issued cries of victory. Nemertes swooped in on them, breathing acid, and the enemy screamed, fleeing before her.
Denfidal’s halberd came crashing down upon her again, but she darted away, and the weapon only scattered more of the demon’s ground troops that had come to claim Banvil’s sword.
Denfidal seemed to lose interest in Nemertes then, and turned away to randomly attack any dragon that came near. Banvil’s blade was really the only thing that could harm the demon. Denfidal had probably feared Nemertes intended to drop the sword on its head in an attempt to guillotine the demon. But now that the sword had been apparently abandoned, the Balor no longer cared.
The closest enemy Blacks and gargoyles also scattered, spreading out to attack the Blue Hornets at random.
And then arrows arced into the sky, striking gargoyles in waves from below.
Glancing down, Malem saw that his ground troops had begun to arrive. Those arrows were launched by the archer brigade of the night elves.
Enemy oraks rushed forward to attack those archers, along with the herds of quadruped reptiles with tentacled heads, and the mini-Balors among them.
But a dwarven infantry brigade sallied forth to intercept them. Their axes hewed through oraks and reptiles alike.
Orak mages sent walls of fire and ribbons of darkness into the dwarves. They caused earth elementals to rise from the dirt, and blades of ice to fall from the sky. Two mini-Balors broke through the dwarven ranks at the same time, swinging their huge hammers, sending dwarves flying in all directions.
But then the Green Rot of Eldritch magic struck the mini-Balors, and both went down. Hidden blades struck at the orak mages as invisible Eldritch targeted the higher level foes. Those blades sought ordinary oraks and the reptiles with them next.
The men and oraks of Malem’s army joined the fray shortly thereafter, lending their sword arms. None of the goblings had yet arrived, strewn across the plain behind the main fighting as they rushed forward.
The six Metals had transformed back into dragons, but they remained upon the periphery to assault the outskirts of Denfidal’s army. They mostly breathed their flames, igniting any foes rushing to join the attack against the ground troops. Because they had assumed a position on the southeastern side of the battle, they were also able to accost the uraks of Vorgon’s army as the latter rushed to join Denfidal. Many of them made it past the Metals to fight alongside their dark brethren.
Finally, Vorgon itself joined the field of battle. The great demon rushed forward, trampling the ground troops of both armies, swinging its ax wildly at any Blue Hornet that crossed its path. It seemed to be looking for someone.
Probably Malem.
It’s time to end this.
39
Malem glanced over his shoulder, and was about to shout at Grendel to summon the Paragon, when he saw that her eyes were glowing a bright yellow. The rest of her body had also lit up.
She raised her arms, and threads of light swirled between them, forming a great vortex of light above her. She threw her hands down, toward the ground between Denfidal and Vorgon, and that vortex spiraled earthward, growing in size, until it struck the monsters that swarmed over Banvil’s blade. The dark creatures scattered as if in pain.
From the bright maelstrom, a large, glowing mass unfolded. In moments, a being of pure Light stood beside him, reaching to the same altitude as his dragon. Bright, but not blinding. Humanoid, with stilt-like arms and legs, and a long, egg-shaped head, and small, iridescent globes for breasts.
Corinne.
Grendel slumped against Malem’s back. She no longer glowed, and seemed completely spent.
Beside them, the towering Paragon calmly knelt to retrieve the black blade of Banvil. The sword became a bright, almost blinding white in her hands.
“Balors!” Corinne boomed in a voice that was both angelic and demonic at the same time. “It is time to meet your doom!”
“The only doom to befall this day will be yours!” Denfidal thundered, swinging its flaming halberd at her.
Corinne stepped back, parrying the blow. She crushed the ground troops of both sides who didn’t flee her great footfalls in time.
The Balor was slightly larger than her, and seemed to have the advantage, which it pressed, forcing Corinne on the defensive. Sparks flew from the giant blades with each strike.
Vorgon, meanwhile, ignored the Paragon entirely, and circumnavigated that battle of titans to come rushing into the cloud of Blue Hornets and gargoyles around them.
What’s Vorgon doing? Gwen asked. Why isn’t it helping Denfidal?
I think Vorgon has spotted me, Malem said. Grendel became a shiny beacon during her summoning, after all…
We can use that! Wendolin said. Try to keep Vorgon distracted for as long as possible. Give Corinne a chance!
Oh, I intend to, Malem told her.
Sure enough, Vorgon headed directly for him, and raised that fiery blue ax to strike.
Dodge behind Denfidal! Malem ordered Hastor.
The dragon flew to the side, narrowly avoiding the path of that giant ax. As Vorgon pursued, Hastor headed toward Denfidal; the latter demon still had Corinne on the defensive.
One of Denfidal’s huge Blacks lunged at Hastor, but before it could strike, that giant flaming ax cut the Black into two halves.
“Mine!” Vorgon roared, rushing forward.
Hastor dove in beside Denfidal; Malem hoped Vorgon, in its fury, would strike at the other Balor, but sadly, Vorgon restrained itself.
Corinne seemed to have recovered some of her lost momentum, and she was taking the offensive against Denfidal. The large Balor retreated beneath the flurry of her attacks, and seemed to be struggling to keep up with her. It let out streams of darkness in waves toward her, but she intercepted them in turn with tendrils of light, and they canceled each other out.
“I am your opposite,” Corinne bellowed. “You cannot harm me with your Darkness.”
“But I can harm you with my blade!” Denfidal boomed, lurching forward with surprising speed. Malem wondered if the weakness had been a feint, to get Corinne to lower her guard. Whatever the case, it almost worked, and she narrowly deflected the blow meant for her torso. The huge halberd did strike a glancing blow on her thigh, however, and light rays spilled forth in all directions. She fought on, moving with a slight limp.
Malem kept the two titans between himself and Vorgon, maneuvering Hastor in slow circles. Vorgon stalked them angrily. He could sense the rage emanating from the creature, and thought Vorgon was going to join the battle against Corinne soon, if only to eliminate her so that the demon could get to Malem next.
Beside him, once more Corinne quickly gained the offensive. And in a surprise riposte, her blade struck off the right hand of the Balor; Denfidal almost dropped the halberd—the demon narrowly gripped it with its remaining hand.
Denfidal retreated, narrowly holding its halberd as a shield in front of itself as Corinne kept up her blows; Vorgon moved forward, intercepting her, and protected the other Balor.
Malem’s gaze was drawn to a bright light emanating from the field of battle below, sourced among the denizens of Denfidal’s army. He spotted a figure there amid the oraks and reptiles, a woman wielding a sword of crystal. Glowing a brilliant red, that sword proved the source of the light.
Hastor, bring me closer to that woman, he sent.
Hastor dove over the enemy army, and as Malem neared, he recognized the strange woman from beneath the Khroma mountains. She was dressed in her usual crimson robes.
As her blade glowed brighter and brighter, shining like a beacon upon the battlefield, whirling mist rose from the ground and enveloped random soldiers on both sides, causing them to fall dead to the ground, like marionette’s whose strings had been cut.
At the same time, threads of darkness began to appear around Denfidal, and flowed into the demon’s body. While Vorgon kept Corinne at bay, Denfidal held out its arms, including the stump of its right hand, and issued a stentorian roar at the sky.
The green flames surrounding Denfidal’s body doubled in size, consuming the dark threads around it. Black mist promptly flowed from the stump at its wrist, reforming its shadowy hand.
It gripped its halberd with both hands once more, and lashed out at Malem’s army, sending dark streams into the ground troops. Next Denfidal chopped at the sky around it, cutting dragons out of the air. Beside the demon, the Stilt Walkers continued to launch their deadly tongues, plucking Blue Hornets, squirming, out of the air and devouring them.
Denfidal abruptly shoved past Vorgon to strike at Corinne with renewed fury.
What is that sword? Malem asked his companions.
It’s some kind of mass Drainer, Mauritania replied. She’s using it to feed stamina to Denfidal from both armies… we have to take out that woman or the Paragon is doomed!
All right, everyone, she’s our main target, Malem sent. Hastor, take us closer.
Nearby, Vorgon had taken to randomly attacking the dragons and ground troops around it, having lost sight of Malem owing to its temporary skirmish with the Paragon.
Hastor made an attack run at the woman below, joined by the dragon mounts of Malem’s companions, and escorted by the gargoyles he had Broken. As he got closer, Malem reached out, but couldn’t detect the woman at all with his beast sense. That told him she was either undead, or human. He guessed the latter, from her appearance.
When they were in range, Hastor breathed acid at the woman, while the accompanying Blues released ice.
But a mini-Balor threw itself in the path of those deadly breaths, protecting her. The small demon itself took no damage from either the acid, or the ice. Around it, some of the reptiles and oraks didn’t fare quite so well, and either melted or froze.
As Hastor passed overhead, the woman pointed her crystal sword up at the black dragon, and white mist flowed from Hastor’s body down toward the blade.
Malem sensed a precarious drop in stamina from Hastor, and he frantically replenished it, taking from himself, Mauritania, and Gwen.
But Hastor was already plunging from the sky, and crashed well beyond the woman, smashing into a troop of oraks. The big dragon crushed most of them, while the remainder scattered. It was a good thing Hastor had come so close to the ground during the attack run, otherwise the fall might have killed the creature.
Are you all right? Malem asked the dragon.
Not really, Hastor replied. That sword almost killed me. If it wasn’t for the stamina you gave…
Malem checked the dragon’s energy bundle. Still low. Can you fight?
Not like this. Hastor said. I’ll need to rest. Unless you have more stamina to spare?
I’ve already taken too much from myself and the others, he said. I might need whatever we have left to deal with this woman.
Slay some more dragons? Hastor said.
Malem glanced at the remaining Blacks that still roved to and fro among the Blue Hornets above. He counted three of them. Massive, lumbering things.
Mauritania, he sent. When you have a chance, see if you can feed Balethorn on a couple of those enemy dragons.
Will do, she replied. After a few more attack runs against this bitch. If that’s all right…
Fine, he sent. You hear that, Hastor? You’re on your own for now.
Oraks began to attack the downed dragon, and Hastor swatted them weakly.
But then icy breath swept across the oraks, and a Blue landed beside them.
“Need some help?” Xaxia shouted from its back.
“Protect Hastor and Grendel!” Malem said, removing the waist harness that tied him to Grendel, and sliding off the saddle.
Behind him, Grendel was too weary to even keep her back straight: she sagged drunkenly in her seat.
