Ch 42: Led Through the Night
The matriarch stepped off the barricade and floated towards their group. She continued to cast lightning bolts as the others at the barricade moved forward on the ground.
Piaras used his own aspect of the Coming Storm to redirect the lightning away from them while using the aspect of the Lunar Cycle to harness the absence of light of the new moon to hide them in darkness.
The group retreated away from the barricade as multiple spells started to rain down into the darkness that obscured them. Haydn and Derbail provided shields for the spells that came close to them.
From the sky, the matriarch started to direct the search groups by Whispering in the Wind. Her voice led the villagers to encircle them but leave a few openings leading them to the east.
Even though she couldn't directly see them, the darkness around them allowed her to have a general idea of where they were.
It took a few escapes from being fully trapped before Piaras realized they were being directed eastward.
"We might have to fight our way out. They're trying to lure us to their shrine and I don't think we'll like what we find there." Piaras said.
"Or we let ourselves be led there and surprise them at the last minute? People let their guard down if they think they're in control and winning." Baldeur suggested.
"NO! We can't go to the shrine. We'll all die if we go there." Mathys said.
"Is there something you want to tell us young master?" Piaras asked.
He went pale and his pace faltered.
"It wasn't my fault. This world wanted me to go there." Mathys started rambling to himself.
Baldeur had to grab his arm and pull him along so that he wouldn't fall behind.
"We're going to try and break out to the south the next time they try to encircle us." Piaras said.
As the villagers started to form their trap again, Piaras unleashed a slash of Lunar energy towards the south, causing their pursuers to scatter.
Leading the charge, Sigurd's sword was wrapped in lightning. His strikes landed on those that tried to fill in the hole that Piaras' attack caused.
Derbail caused thorn bushes to grow on their sides to protect them. Baldeur used the buff ability of the Rising Sun to cause the bushes to grow larger and sharper.
Haydn pointed her wand at random places. Her Mana condensed into an invisible ball ready to explode when a pursuer ran into it.
Aisling didn't have any abilities that she could use to leave traps. She was partially transformed into a werepanther in order to strike at anyone that got too close.
Mathys was still in a daze mumbling about fate and what he did wasn't wrong.
Their attempted escape started as successful but then the powerhouses of the valley began to make their moves.
A lightning storm began hitting the ground in front of them causing them to turn to the side. The trees in the valley began to move and grab towards them. And a mass wave then crashed from one side before rising up again. Baldeur recognized the master of the valley riding on top of the wave.
"Damn it, if there were just two of them… Come on and get ready to fight to the death." Piaras began to lead them towards the eastern side of the valley.
He didn't like being cornered but he was strong in the Wild Hunt and if there was one thing you shouldn't do, it was to corner a predator.
The area they were being led to had less vegetation and larger and larger boulders. They ended up in front of a large wooden arch with decorative doors. Massive ropes hung from the arch.
Warding spells from both Mana and Anodular were contained within the ropes. The wards weren't meant to keep people out but keep something within the cave.
Dozens of villagers began to surround them as the three village powerhouses took up their positions.
The matriarch floated in the sky surrounded by arcs of lightning. The village master was to her left standing on a pillar of water. The last was another old woman who sat in the branches of a moving tree.
"It will be better if you surrender and hand over the woman among you. Your death will be as painless as possible if you do." The matriarch said.
"How kind of you. If you think others won't come looking for us then you're a fool that deserves what's coming." Piaras said.
"I understand your ignorant reply but our Lord will protect us." The matriarch said.
"Even if your enemy is the church of the seven spirits? After all they were the ones that sent us." Baldeur said.
A few of his companions gave him confused looks.
"That false religion has no power in the mountains." She replied.
"Then how did one of their operatives cause that beast tide? I have a feeling that wasn't part of your Lord's plan." Baldeur said.
"It was necessary, I didn't have a choice." Mathys was still mumbling to himself.
"All the more reason for us to be vigilant in his service. After we take the woman among you, we'll move on to the refugees. We'll make up for the mistakes of others. And earn our Lord's praise." The matriarch said.
"Well then you'll have to work double, since we've taken care of another of your foul shrines." A new voice sounded from behind the matriarch.
Standing tall on a boulder with his head held high was the last of the three prophesied heroes, Nilo Salaza. He gave off an intimidating aura at first. Then those looking saw that he was breathing heavily, as if he ran just to make it on time.
"Why did you announce us? We had the perfect sneak attack opportunity." A woman with long red hair that was yellow at the tips walked up next to him. She was wearing silk wrappings around certain areas that highlighted her figure.
"He needed to have his hero moment." A woman in a cloak stepped up to his other side. As she raised her head, the hood of the cloak fell backwards. She was a beautiful dark blue haired elf with a bow in hand.
"It looks like we came just in time. Don't worry friends, we're here to help you fight this blight upon the world." Nilo said.
"Hero, yes. I am A HERO!" Mathys yelled from behind their group. "You fiends will fall before me."
He raised his sword and as he brought it down, a line of green energy ripped through the ground towards the villagers. Flowered vines burst out of the disturbed ground and reached out towards the enemies.
Piaras used the confusion to leap into the air as he fully turned into a large silver wolf. Lightning pulsed from his paws as he ran through the air. As he howled, a fear ran through the villagers.
An orange mist fell from his mouth as he exhaled. The mist fell on the living trees causing their leaves to start to turn brittle with the power of the Fall.
The matriarch thrusted her hands towards Piaras, sending a howling wind to cut into him. He dodged the attack and leapt towards her.
The master of the village tried to join the fight with Piaras but had to defend against a blast of fire from the red head next to Nilo.
A wide grin formed on her face as wings of fire burst from her back and she attacked the man riding the wave. As their powers clashed, steam surrounded them.
The elf let loose an arrow towards some of the villagers. Frost formed where her arrow passed.
Nilo raised his hand and a sword made of ice formed in his hand. With Mana infused muscles, he charged towards a group of villagers. Wherever his sword landed ice crystals formed.
Orbs of light left Derbail's hands and floated around her allies. As they were attacked, the orbs dimmed and healed minor wounds and invigorated them. She also grew three large vines at her feet to defend herself.
Sigurd's sword glowed with power as he danced among the villagers, cutting them down as he went. Lightning arcing from the dead towards the living.
Aisling wrapped her panther claws with Wrath fire as she joined Sigurd fighting, directing among the villagers.
Haydn waved her wand, sending condensed air bullets at their enemies. She also muttered spells of protection for her allies.
As for Baldeur he hummed a song and let shadows obscure his form.
Instead of joining his allies in attacking the villagers, he turned his attention towards the shrine behind them.
If what was in the shrine was so important, then he might as well take care of it and demoralize the enemy.