Chapter 4
“Get Behind the minions!” The wave of animals, rushed from the gates, eyes bloodshot and foam dripping out of their mouths. Their intent was clear, they wanted us. A flash of light came from gwen’s staff as she casted her incantation before I could finish my sentence. The afflicted animals fell into the trap and charged into the light. They shriked in unison as the light from gwen’s staff singed their eyes and they fell to the floor clawing wildly. My minions fell upon them and feasted, the sloppy sound of meat and bone tearing filled the air, but we did not dawdle to watch the scene. The afflicted were past the gate and the survivors were in visible terror as they advanced.
Razah summoned channeled his energy to summon spirits to hold off the pursuers who weren’t preoccupied with the minions and with our backs covered, Norgu quickly struck the afflicted with panic. Their numbers turned against them and the creatures began faltering. In tandem, Gwen and Norgu struck them with illusions and turned them against each other and I raised their fallen flesh once more to engage them in melee.
Once the fighting was done, I turned to the survivor. She looked at me with frightened eyes, and I talked in a soothing voice, “It’s all right now, the abominations are dead now.”
I heard the unmistakable sound of flesh slapping against the ground and turned my head around. One of my minions had decayed and the magics imbued in its flesh was now putrifying it at an alarming rate. Its flesh bubbled and disintegrated into black smoke. The other minions loafed around apathetically as their own flesh rippled with the occasional bubble or two.
I looked back at the terrified woman and smiled weakly. “Well… Ok, the abominations not on our side are all dead now.”
Chapter 5
“All right newbie, you know how to hold a wand right?” Initiate Tsuirai said, looking at me with disdain clearly visible on her face.
“Yes, but…”
“Then what are you doing with a spear and shield! You’re not a paragon!” She exhaled sharply. “Why did Zei Rei send me this fool,” she muttered.
“But I…”
“Enough! I suppose this is fine, maybe you can distract the afflicted long enough while I complete my mission of purifying the lake. Do not get yourself turned or I will strike you down myself! Now let’s going twinkle toes”
“I…”
Gwen stifled a laugh behind me. I shot her a dirty look, which seemed to make her laugh even harder. By Balthazar, marriage sure does change people. She reminded me more and more of the little Gwen I knew before the searing. Minus the cuteness of course, which seemed to somehow have turned into insufferable insolence.
…
We marched towards the lagoon. It was putrid and I could’ve found my way to it by smell alone. Tsuirai turned towards me and wagged her finger, “I'll handle the ritual to cleanse these waters. I need to be within the lagoon for it to work. Unfortunately, it's certain to draw out the Afflicted, so be prepared. If you let them interrupt me, so help you! Even if you survive them, you'll have to face me afterward.”
I rolled my eyes as she turned her back and I shouted to my party. Get ready, spirits up, Razah to the east of Tsuirai’s position. We head south for some hit and run. Tahlkora prepare to heal me when I give the signal, I’m going to infuse my own energy into my minions to give them a boost. Gwen, Norgu, stay at the back and cast on my signal when they have clumped together to strike my minions. Ogden, hit me with a protective spirit in 10 seconds, I’ll draw out their initial barrage of strongest attacks first. Ok go!
Beams of light, struck me as I ran forward, the afflicted made a beeline for me as I felt the tingling effect of the protective spirit Ogden cast on me. They struck me rapidly and I fought through the pain as I summoned, the rays of judgment ended and the minions behind me have finally shambled into position. I backpedaled, the afflicted tried to make pursuit but the oncoming wall of unfeeling flesh were there to stop them. I raised my arm, Norgu casted and Gwen followed suit. Their magicks and attacks were shut down and Sousuke began sending bolts of flame in their direction. They were locked into position, they struck at the minions trying to escape, but the enchantments I had placed on the minions took into effect and a putrid blast welcomed them. They fell quickly and we turned our eye back to Tsuirai. The spirits were about to fall, the minions ready to advance. We ran forward and intercepted, their numbers were large and on the other side, I could see more afflicted coming down a slope and making their way to the lagoon. I grit my teeth, this was not going to be good.
"Kaijun Don, hear my plea. These words I give, an offering to appease."
"Let cease the seething, a vengeance left there bleeding."
"To slide from shadow and release from sorrow, to hear the call of a brighter morrow."
"A day met as star again, rippled reflections looking clearly back to the heavens."
The lake rippled with energy and an incandescent light swallowed the afflicted advancing on our positions. Before I shut my eyes from the piercing rays, I could see the afflicted make something akin to a smile before disintegrating into the air.
I felt a slap on my back.
“Not bad… for a rookie”.
Chapter 6
“What next Zei Ri? Are we going to give Rhea’s Crater another cleansing?”
He looked at me puzzled amidst guffaws guffaws from sousuke and vekk, a sigh from gwen, a facepalm from tahlkora and Xandra turning beet red. “No, I am sure I told you that we have already cleansed all the afflicted in that area.”
Koss chimed in, “But it’s a really really giant crater, who knows what we’ll find in the bowels of that nether region.” He held out his hand wide to demonstrate and gestured at Xandra. “See Xandra’s a luxon, she knows how big those… tracts of land can get”
Melonni slapped him and everyone laughed except for Zei Rei who was still puzzled.
“I don’t know what you heroes are laughing at, but the situation is still dire. Although we’ve made great progress our scouts have detected the presence of Monstrous afflicted in the Morostav trail.” We’re throwing units at them to keep them isolated in the area, but we need to eradicate them once and for all.
I stopped laughing. “Yes, the monstrous afflicted will be dealt with. Xandra, you’re coming along this time. Time to bring out the big guns to deal with those big afflicted.”
