City of Light: Chapter 31
Arcturus has a confrontation as they try to reach Lyndis...
Chapter 31
The shroud of Veledar and the other's secrecy unraveled beneath the sonorous tolling of bells, their melodic resonance weaving through the labyrinthine stone corridors like ethereal tendrils. The ominous symphony was a herald of their doom, rousing the guards within from their rest. They swiftly adorned themselves in gleaming armor, arming themselves to the teeth. Shouts came, trying to organize under this surprise assault.
In disarray, the initial defensive groups faltered, their understanding of the imminent peril unfolding at a sluggish pace. They were sent forth into the fray, encountering a whirlwind of cantrips, draconic might, and the unyielding dance of fire and steel. They were left, strewn across the ground, bearing the marks of bruised and battered defiance. Yet, with every fleeting moment devoted to self-defense the dread ever grasped them, warning they'd be too late to save Lyndis from her peril.
"Halt!" Shandalar's command resonated with authority as she consulted her map, pinpointing the intersection adorned with paintings depicting a variety of animals found across Lumara from shore to shore. The mana lanterns, their ethereal glow casting wings upon the walls, marked the area.
"Down this way!" The distant shout of approaching guards reverberated through the hall, their figures armed with energy crossbows humming their deadly song, while spears gleamed in the light with cruel intent.
With a low growl, Veledar swiftly pivoted, his tail lashing out as a warning. Those in his field of vision wisely sought refuge, avoiding the impending conflagration of the exquisite, twisting red-orange inferno he unleashed upon the air.
"Here we stand our ground!" Shandalar clenched her fist, the other hand sketching a circle in the air. As she elevated it, the floor responded with a rumble, yielding to her command. Stone surged forth, creating a barrier that sealed the corridor behind them, leaving only a singular choke point for passage. In the other hallway, stone barricades emerged, providing perfect cover for the group.
Veledar surged to the forefront, his chest swelling with pride as a torrent of fiery brilliance erupted from his maw, a deadly dance that held the Lumarian guards at bay. "Witness the might of my fire!" snarled the dragon.
"What's the matter ya metal skirt wearing devils? Can't be dancing through them flames?" Merlia taunted, her bow taut and ready as she took cover.
Arcturus nodded, “And Asterion- “
"On it." the minotaur snorted, already intuiting the paladin's intentions.
With a prayer on his lips, Asterion radiated with a golden glow, ethereal images of spectral hammers materializing around him. Taking a steadfast position at the choke point, he let out a boastful laugh. "Prepare yourselves, Lumarians! I shall be the anvil upon which your feeble strikes shall break!"
The die was cast, and Arcturus exchanged a knowing look with Natassa. The gryphon gracefully assumed her position by his side, her azure-tipped wings poised for spells. "Ensure our escape route is secure; we'll return swiftly with Lyndis."
“Be swift about it." Veledar remarked with a grow as shouts of their location traversed through the walls, their demise is an inevitability at some point."
“Take as long as you need." Asterion barked in opposition, thumping his chest, "More honors for me to claim in the meantime."
A reassuring pat on the dragon's scales preceded Arcturus's departure, though deep down he knew it was more for himself. Despite the formidable scales, potent magic, and fiery might at Veledar's disposal, a lingering tether threatened to turn the knight back. However, he set aside those worries for the time being, knowing Lyndis should be his sole focus, her life on the line. Gripping his shield tightly, he steeled himself for what lay ahead, trusting in the dragon's safety.
Amidst the winding corridors, Natassa unleashed her enchanting melody, a magical cadence that quickened their steps twofold. Swiftly navigating the labyrinthine passageways, they forcefully breached the door to the interrogation chamber. Expecting a confrontation with guards or some formidable obstacle, what greeted Arcturus was a scene of unexpected horror. Lyndis kneeling upon the floor, wide-eyed and surrounded by a pool of blood. Her ragged breaths hinted at the ordeal she had endured. With determination etched on her face, she clutched a dead kobold over her shoulder, while another desperately clung to her, fervently chanting a healing incantation.
"Lyndis!" Natassa's voice pierced the air, filled with a mix of relief and anguish as she rushed to her side. "You're alive, darling! I knew you would be! Never doubt it for a moment!" Tears sprung forth from the gryphoness as she affectionately nuzzled Lyndis's head.
"Natassa? Arcturus?" Lyndis gasped, incredulous. "What in the hells are you doing here? Together, of all things." She blinked, a hint of disbelief clouding her expression. "Please don't tell me this is a dream."
"If it's a dream, you have a poor taste in imagination." Arcturus sighed, brushing aside the macabre surroundings as he extended a helping hand. "We brought the others to get you."
"And what strange choices of decorations." Natassa winced, surveying the gruesome scene. "But no matter, let's get you out of here."
Lyndis grimaced, her gaze lingering bitterly on the lifeless bodies. "Didn't have a choice; no way I'm going back to that hellhole." She nearly collapsed, saved only by Arcturus as the kobold beside her shouted in alarm."
"And who is this?" mused Natassa, tilting her head.
"Feku!" growled the kobold. "You help us out?"
"Indeed," replied Arcturus before a shadow crossed his heart. "And whom was this one over your shoulder?"
"He goes with shiny man." Feku demanded, staring daggers at the paladin's helm.
"A friend." Lyndis gave a mournful sigh. "I couldn't leave him behind. Without him... I'd have perished."
Initially, they attempted to support Lyndis, but her trembling limbs betrayed her weakened state. Natassa offered her a ride on her back, but the woman refused. The offer transformed into a demand, with Lyndis lying on her belly, arms wrapped around the gryphoness' back. While it might hinder any spells the bard could weave, it served their purpose well.
"I'm so glad to see you." Lyndis mumbled into the catbird's throat.
"Just be still, and you'll be well." cooed Natassa, her amber eyes fraught "Maneuvering will be weird, but hopefully, the others will be doing the fighting for us." She lowered her haunches, allowing Feku to climb onto her back.
"Leave the fighting to me." Arcturus laid a hand on her withers, receiving a head bump to his helm.
“And you have my thanks." Replied Natassa.
“Don't thank me, we're not out of this yet, and kobold."
“Yes, knight sir?" Feku stammered.
"Don't wander off, keep your head down, stick close to Natassa here, and never stop moving." His head swiveled to the sounds of combat echoing back whence they came, followed by a dragon's roar. A flicker of unease washed through him; they were to have need of them. Clutching his shield tight, he picked up the pace, starting their return.
Always thankful for the gryphon's hearing, especially when Natassa's ears flicked in alarm, instinct kicked in as he whirled around, ready to meet an ambush head-on. Shield raised high, hand crossbow humming its powerful threat, he was their bulwark as he ordered the gryphon to run.
"I'll buy you enough time!" He fired before finishing speaking, blue crackling bolts racing out like horses, striking a muscled human leaping at him square in the chest. A field of cerulean light radiated outwards, dissipating the attack as though it were nothing.
The man was shirtless, muscular, metal gauntlets upon his powerful, club-like fists. He sported an exquisite, blonde mustache. Behind him was an armored gryphon with teal and crème-colored feathers, the ground freezing beneath his talons.
“Run!" Arcturus ordered again, bracing himself as the man's fist struck his shield. To his astonishment, he was sent flying back by the strength of giants, crashing into the wall with a clang and a grunt. Hardly a moment of reprieve passed as the muscled man closed the distance at the drop of a hat. It was only drawing his sword with a hiss that drove the man back.
"Don't go dying now!" Natassa quipped before galloping away down the hall.
"Don't let her escape!" The gryphon shrieked before rearing up and opening his beak, losing a beam of concentrated ice.
Shouting words of power, Arcturus thrust out his shield, positioning himself as the unwavering bulwark between the newcomers and their intended target. In the depths of his being, he invoked the ancient essence of the tree, weaving a protective spell that emerged as an extension of his very soul. A surge of warmth radiated outward, materializing into a shimmering wall of resolute light, barricading the hallway and thwarting the impending assault. The collision produced pressure, and the brilliance of light bubbled up where the beam struck, yet Arcturus stood steadfast.
“Quite the impressive shield you've got there!" Powerfeather chuckled deeply. “Let's see how it fares against my indomitable strength!" His gauntlets glowed with light, runes flaring to life before each fist collided with the barrier in rapid succession.
The light, radiant as the sun, flared as Arcturus strained to maintain it, but the onslaught was overwhelming. The pressure intensified, causing the wall to shatter like glass. However, the shards coalesced into diminutive tendrils that encircled his armor, infusing him with their collective, absorbed strength. Ready to counter, Arcturus braced himself for the muscle man's continued assault.
“See, nothing can stand up to this!"
Overconfidence proved to be Powerfeather's downfall as shield met fist. Expecting the barrier to crumble, he was unprepared for the sudden, violent force that hurled him back, his arm snapping with a resounding crack. He crashed into the wall with a pained grunt.
“Powerfeather!" cried the gryphon, wings flaring as sparks of light formed at the tips. “You'll pay for that!"
Converging lines of light extended from each catbird feather, intertwining to form a single, lethal beam. Mist gathered around it as it surged forward, like a predator eager to extinguish life. However, it was not prepared to face a dragon's gift, especially one as formidable as Arcturus' shield. The paladin raised it, hissing the incantation, intercepting the beam head-on. For a fleeting moment, the shield held before reversing course, unleashed upon its master without a shred of loyalty.
Frostbeak had only a moment to shriek in alarm as his own attack enveloped him. Feathers frosted over, limbs froze, and his eyes widened in terror. When he collapsed, he was immobilized, save for the clacking of his beak.
“Good, now don't follow us." Arcturus sheathed his blade, surveying the aftermath. Both adversaries would survive.
“Arcturus, is that you?" Powerfeather struggled to his feet, spitting blood onto the floor. His gaze turned venomous. “Turn around, you traitor!"
Unyielding, Arcturus ignored him. “Stay down if you know what's good for you, soldier." The man's shouts echoed, but Arcturus remained unswayed. [[JB1]](#_msocom_1) Only when a wall of stone rose before him, sealing the path ahead, did he deign to look around.
“Where are you going, fiend?" growled Powerfeather, one fist outstretched in a martial stance, his other arm limp at his side and dripping with blood. “I am not finished with you yet."
Such bravery, Arcturus would have been honored if this man were under his command. “That is where you're wrong." He touched the wall with a gloved hand, twisting his finger to let the magic flow. He pictured the strands of magic that bound the structure together, then scattered them. With a final breath, the wall crumbled into nothing but dust. “Now stay—" He took a step, and the wall returned, accompanied by a pained grunt from behind. He sighed and undid the wall yet again, only for it to reappear with another of Powerfeather's grunts and a smirk.
“You'll have to go through me, Arcturus," snarled Powerfeather, sweat gathering upon his brow. “I can keep this up all day, delaying you until help arrives to throw your traitorous ass in bars."
“Can you, though?" Arcturus asked, knowing that people had only limited stamina for casting such powerful spells repeatedly. “I think you might be bluffing."
Powerfeather chortled, “Not really, sir. You'll find that I can hold this up for quite some time." He panted, “Such is the technique passed down in my family line for generations!"
“Fine." Arcturus drew his blade; seeing the golden ring on the man's finger, his energy crossbow would serve him no good. “You wished for a fight; you'll get one. I take it you won't back down?"
“And let you get away with freezing Frostbeak? Like hell."
“His own spell did that." He brandished the onyx blade, letting white flames gather at its surface, “Last chance to back down."
“I will be the one to take you down!"
With a stomp, a thick fog swelled into existence, completely blocking off any way of sight. Arcturus found himself waiting, listening to his own breaths. For one with such a loudmouth this man had gone awfully quiet. As he focused, hairs on the back of his neck stood tall, he couldn't describe it, but it was like he could peel back the fog, know exactly where the muscled brute was. He was currently tip toeing into a position before leaping upon the blinded paladin.
Planting his feet, he ended the fight the swiftest way he could. One slice right after the other, severing Powerfeather's hands at the wrists. The fog vanished the moment the muscled man collapsed to the ground with a pained grunt, blood already starting to pool upon the stone.
“My hands!" He shrieked in horror, staring at the stumps.
“You bastard!" Frostbeak clacked his beak.
It was done, their accusations fell upon deaf ears as he approached, sheathing his blade. “I gave you a warning, you ignored it. Now you can't prevent my escape. Perhaps now you'll listen when I speak."
“Get away from me!" Powerfeather tried to struggle, but Arcturus knelt beside him, pushing him against the wall.
“If I don't heal you, you'll perish faster than a cleric can heal you." He replied sternly.
There was silence for a moment, questions hanging on the soldier's lips if Arcturus was telling the truth. When no more struggling was to be had, the paladin's hands radiated with a golden light. The broken, bleeding flesh stitched itself together, not regrowing the severed limb, but ensuring he wouldn't bleed out upon the floor.
They didn't shout in alarm, there were no cries for help, begging for mercy, merely a cloud of confusion upon the gryphon and man's brow. Arcturus stood without need for thanks, only to catch two more gryphons cantering around the corner, one in various leathers of pink and brown feathers. The other armored gryphon was one he was far more intimately aware of, it was Skywing.
[[JB1]](#_msoanchor_1)Word is mad at unswayed.