Chapter 645: Demon (1/2)

Chapter 645 Demon

“Everyone is here, High Cleric. Those who answered the call,” Bryce said.

Donnavon looked at the armor clad members of the Corinth Order. Paladins and Inquisitors ready for battle. Healers for the rear line, ready to put their lives on the line to protect their brothers and sisters.

Mateo touched his shoulder, fury in his eyes. And guilt.

“You didn’t know,” Donnavon whispered, trying to reassure the man.

High Cleric Peterson was still not to be found. High Cleric Wyssa had been arrested, her devotion to Speaker Nathaniel unquestioned despite the evidence and word of her fellow Corinth healers.

Many of their Order still seemed doubtful, those surely involved had tried to flee once word had spread. Many of the warriors near the eastern temple had simply been warned of a coming battle, to be vigilant should Lilith show any hostility.

Emilia had been questioned but provided evidence of her lack of involvement. Donnavon wondered if perhaps she had known. And chose to remain silent.

His heart ached at the betrayal, his trust broken as he looked into the eyes of warriors of Hella. Righteousness, devotion, sacrifice. Values he believed they all shared but today proved their Order was more corrupted than he had ever deemed possible. It would take years to evaluate everyone, to collect all the evidence they could, to never allow for anything like this to happen again. The remaining high ranking members of all factions within their Order had voted to rescind the rank of Speaker.

The Inquisitors would be next, Donnavon knew. He would take time to grief, to pray, and hopefully, to heal. The High Cleric standing next to him didn’t seem to share this sentiment, nor did the Head Paladin riding on his white steed with his sword drawn and wings extended.

“Brothers and sisters! Today we are tested like never before. Our home was taken, our members left for dead, murdered by those they had healed for decades. Halstein should have been a new beginning, but the roots of corruption had already gripped the heart of our holy cause. Nathaniel has betrayed what we stand for. Those who chose to stay by his side have forfeited their lives. I stand here before you, not as the Head Paladin of our Order, but as a mere follower of our gods. Friede. And Hella.

“I ask you to search your hearts, brothers and sisters, to rip out any doubts and malice you may harbor. We have suffered, at the hands of human and beast, but we cannot allow ourselves to become savages in turn. What happened today is a disgrace, one that we must remember, one we must repent,” he paused and rode past the ranks. “Remember what we are. Remember what we stand for and grip it with all that you are. The demons brought upon us by those we thought our own are coming to this city. The city we swore to protect. Let us remember who we are and repent through battle. Let us destroy the evil we brought upon this world,” he said and raised his sword, a bright shimmering glow added to the reflected sunlight.

“For our gods, for our fallen brothers and sisters, for the honor of the Corinth Order!” he shouted, voices echoing back, weapons drawn as warriors mounted their horses, healers shouldering their packs, fighters saying their goodbyes to the relatives nearby.

Onlookers had gathered near the gate. City guards, adventurers, and civilians.

The speech wasn’t only for the Corinth Order, but for everyone who listened. A politician might call it a calculated decision but Donnavon knew every word from Bryce had been sincere. He too felt the shame and a wish to repent.

Donnavon too got on his horse, looking at the gathered warriors and healers. The might of the Corinth Order had been reduced to a mere expedition force and yet he felt hopeful. Hopeful for a future on the right path.

They rode, southwards and to the rocky fields of Garahill. To face the demon horde their own had brought. Why, Nathaniel?

Donnavon looked up when he heard a horn to the west, a hundred riders joining their flank, royal banners flapping in the wind as the heavy cavalry arrived. He moved to join them, along Mateo and Bryce.

“What’s the meaning of this?” the Paladin asked.

Emmanuel Eilhart smiled, his polished armor reflecting the sunlight.

A king joining the field. I pray he does not overextend himself.

He knew the king had ample magical power but he doubted his experience. Donnavon admitted that he himself hadn’t seen battle in many years, let alone against monstrous demons.

“The army shouldn’t risk themselves against these creatures,” Bryce added, the leaders joining together.

Donnavon smiled when he saw the Queen.

“We will take the rear and protect your healers, should your line be broken,” the King spoke. “I’m doubtful that will happen however.”

“Where is Lilith?” Mateo asked. “Did she not offer to come?”

“She is presently still… occupied with… the feast,” the King said. “Though she should join us momentarily.”

“It matters not,” Bryce said.

“Scout report, head paladin,” one of the Paladins said. “Around three hundred demons are currently crossing the Garahill fields. The villages have been warned. Horns seem to work in drawing the demons towards us. They have not spread out yet. Most are likely close to level two hundred.”

“A recent summoning then. Good work. We ride for battle,” Bryce said, a horn next to him resounding as the formation picked up speed.

“You know of Nathaniel’s location?” the Queen asked.

“Those imprisoned spoke of Fort Kalwart. I will lead a group to ride south after the demons are dealt with. To apprehend him,” Bryce spoke.

“What if he resists?” she asked.

Bryce looked up. “We are prepared to do what must be done.”

They rode for half an hour, pushing forward until they reached the hills overlooking the fields of Garahill.

The higher level Paladins got off their mounts, checking their swords and bows, groups of mages preparing spells. Healers readied their equipment and took their positions, surrounded by heavily armored knights and trained combat mages.

“Now we know what Virilya saw when the demons descended unto them,” the King said, joining the clerics with the Queen in tow.

A few nobles had joined the ride, mostly those holding ranks within the Kroll army.

“Monstrous creatures indeed,” Mateo said. “They move quickly.”

“They are deadlier than their level suggests,” the Queen said. “Those they kill will rise as demons themselves. We have to thin their ranks before they reach your lines.”

“What about our horses?” Donnavon asked.

“Look closely, they can outrun them,” the king said.

“The demons will reach us in a few minutes. Prepare for battle,” a nearby Inquisitor said.

Many of the healers said prayers, spells flaring up in the front, the slope allowing them to see everything below.

“She didn’t come,” Mateo said, looking back. “I had thought her sincere.”

“She seemed… disinterested. In our affairs. Even when she learned that her life had been in danger,” Donnavon said.

He didn’t miss the smile on the King’s face.

“Come and see, she said,” Emmanuel Eilhart spoke.

A whistling sound came from the north, many of the fighters looking up. Donnavon covered his eyes against the sunlight, finding a dark winged figure fly towards them. The sound became louder as the being passed overhead, slowing down as it descended to about a hundred meters.

Donnavon recognized the form now. “Lilith,” he whispered.

They looked on as she spread her arms, dozens of dark spears forming, glowing lines of fire covered her armor now, the spears moving in close as they too took on the embers. Lilith flew closer still, her wings moving slowly as she descended, ahead of their defensive lines.

A horn resounded, the signal to charge.

And so it starts, Donnavon thought, watching the foremost Paladins spur their horses, the savage demon horde advancing on them with open maws, dead eyes and bloodied claws.

A high pitched whistle interrupted the charge, everyone stopping in place as the powerful magic reverberated over the hills.

‘ding’ ‘You have heard the call of Lilith. Do not be afraid – You are paralyzed for five seconds’

Donnavon had experienced it before. He knew she had this power. And yet he couldn’t believe his eyes. Not only their own had remained where they stood. The demon horde had halted, entirely frozen in their tracks, as if a mere painting of the horrific display.

The charge of the Corinth Paladins against the monstrous demon horde, captured perfectly by a master artist.

Donnavon felt his heart beat faster, a primal anticipation building, for blood and battle. He watched as the serene painting was interrupted, whistling spears of burning ash coming down from the heavens. He blinked, bright light flashing up where the projectiles entered the ground, flames exploding outwards in a rain of fury. He felt the ground shake, a loud whistling picking up in his ears as he was deafened by the impacts.

He watched in awed fascination as the demon horde was disintegrated, those close to the blasts incinerated instantly, the creatures farther away sent flying, ripped apart as limbs and entrails clashed in the air, only to be burnt by the next impact. Hundreds were gone when they started to move once more.

Donnavon took a deep breath and gulped, watching Lilith land ahead of the front line. The grass around her caught fire, horses shying away despite the distance. His hearing returned, healing flowing through him.

Nobody moved as they watched the remaining few dozen monsters charge at the ashen healer. Nobody dared interrupt.

Ilea raised her hand, a bright beam of fire and heat flashing out.