Chapter 16: The Fall of the Western Gate

Although valiant, the western gate was starting to give in despite the defenders' greatest exertion, while huge shadow-beasts twice as large as any that Aelric had ever seen had rammed with thunderous force into it, their claws tearing into thick wood.

Lyra ran up to Aelric, her face white with fatigue. "The gate won't hold much longer," she said, her tone urgent. "If they breach it, they'll pour into the city."

The situation ran before Aelric's eyes as his mind took stock. They could not let the enemy into Elanor, not with so much life in their midst. He turned toward Seraphina, who had just dismounted Emberclaw.

Can Emberclaw hold the gate?" he asked, desperation creeping into his voice.

Seraphina turned to the dragon then, a look of determined readiness upon her face. "He can try, but it's going to take more than just dragon fire to hold them off.

Aelric glanced at his hands, the warmth of his magic tingling through him. He had been hesitant to let his full powers be unleashed, unsure of what his limits truly were. Now there was no choice, unless the city was supposed to fall.

"Then I'll stand with him," Aelric said, stepping forward. "I'll give everything I have.".

With Seraphina, he ran towards the west gate, where Emberclaw had already started spewing waves of fire against the oncoming beasts. Aelric closed his eyes, centering all his focus on the shield of light he had cast a little earlier. He took a deep breath and raised his hands, the shield extended outward, wrapping itself around the gate and holding back the monstrous beasts at the threshold.

It was a fierce pull, and Aelric's body shook with the effort. But he bit down, pressing on despite the hurt. He felt Emberclaw's presence beside him, his fire adding to his magic as it bolstered the barrier.

The creatures slammed against the shield, snarling and clawing, but the combined power of Aelric and Emberclaw held firm. For one bright, shining moment, it seemed they just might hold the gate intact.

Then, a shard of dark energy boiled from the darkness to lunge over the shield and slam into Aelric's chest. He stumbled back as his vision blurred, including lines of pain branded right across his body. His shield wavered, and with a final, earth shaking crash, the western gate shattered.

Aelric crumpled to the ground, and his head swam with the impact of weapons clashing. The enemy streamed through the gate, their triumphal roar an incoherent din against his ringing ears. He heard faintly the calling voices of his comrades, but he was slipping fast. As darkness swept him under, he felt a hand on his shoulder-warm, sure.

"You've done well, Aelric," Lyra's voice whispered. "Rest now. We'll hold them off."