33 Slaying Serpents (1/2)
”You need to hold it in place for some time!” Chen screamed, lashing out at the Corrupted surrounding him. He'd waded deep into enemy lines to create a buffer as troops formed up to contain the creatures and now he retreated to join up with Elya.Her forces encircled the snake, trying to stay out of its reach. A casual swing from its tail could leave a person shattered if they survived at all. Bolts and arrows streaked towards the great beast, too small to be anything but pinpricks, not even serving to enrage it. It hissed at them, unwilling to strike out. Elya perceived the insane magical battle playing out in the sky of Konstanz had something to do with its trepidation.
Whatever the warp-lich was, its ability to face a Master Mage made it a terrifying threat. On the back foot since the beginning of the fight, it was forced to absorb most of Nikolai's attacks, using dark vortices to take on the raging thunder and streams of multi-coloured light Nikolai cast. It was a horrifying yet beautiful sight, seeing the devastating magic flaring across the sky.
She directed more troops to shore up the forces around the ruins, trying to put a stop to the mass of Corrupted pouring out from underground. Confident the soldiers would hold, she turned her attention to the snake, considering Chen's demands. She would be the only person capable of such a feat, matching such a beast in raw strength.
At least for a while.
Weapons wouldn't work, the disparity in size making the greatest of enchanted blades toothpicks in front of the creature. Elya ordered Chen to disengage and prepare his attack. She'd seen what Thunder Lancers were capable of, untold damage and force, capable of shattering an army with a single charge. Unfortunately, their skills required preparation and while Elya didn't know exactly how long that would be, her previous experiences made her inclined to agree with Chen's demand.
The massive armoured figure of Chen squatted, attuning himself to his armour, bringing out its power. Sparks of lightning spun around him, twirling in odd directions, his cape rising in defiance. He raised three figures, which Elya took to mean in three minutes he would strike. Sensing the pressure, Elya wrestled out of her own armour. She needed speed and force now and even the slightest weight could hold her back.
Barefoot and dressed in a padded tunic, Elya spun her hair quickly, tying a rough ponytail as a precaution. Loose hair could lead to lots of problems in the middle of a fight but she found it impossible to keep it short after her admittance into the Order. As a squire there'd been so many rules on appearance but a Knight had more leeway and while she wasn't a vain socialite, she retained pride in her silver locks. Odd thoughts to have in the face of single combat with a great beast yet she'd experienced this moment so many times in her life and it always felt the same. Before the attack on Nostrum's tower she'd been struck by the beauty of the snow that fell on the camp. In the face of the horrific desperate defence at Galicia, Elya learned a folk song from one of her comrades.
Today. At this moment. She worried about her hair.
It felt coarse from all the sweat and dust, the normally lustrous sheen eclipsed by streaks of soot and grime. Even if she would be too exhausted to take a proper bath at the end of this fight, she'd have to care for her hair. Her toes gripped the cobblestone underneath, cold despite the vast magical forces clashing around them. A smile slipped onto her face as she remembered running barefoot across the Suzdal manor, chasing butterflies in the gardens and her sisters through the castle. Her aura compressed, immense forces condensing into her well-toned frame.
The snake sensed something, its serpentine gaze locking onto the powerful figure of Chen. It hesitated, eyes flickering to the magical combat above where Nikolai was steadily gaining the upper-hand. The warp-lich was suppressed, being battered into submission by innumerable spells. Nikolai held Nezgrom aloft, the staffs great crystal burning so brightly it seared the eyes to even glimpse it. He chanted steadily, each mystical phrase sending out hammers of wind or streams of lightning, battering the warp-lich further.
The snake seemed to understand its situation as well, and she could see the fear in its dark eyes. Now that it was clear Nikolai would emerge victorious, it would be a small matter for him to tear the snake apart with his magic. It slithered around the building in agitation, coming to a decision and striking out towards her troops, aiming for the weakest first. Elya held her breath as it tore into them, urging her body to gather power faster. Knights of Chernigov charged the beast, managing to withstand its attacks and reduce its speed. Frantically the snake whipped its tail towards them, teeth snapping at anyone who stood before it.
Elya sensed her body brimming with terrifying power and checked on Chen's progress.
He'd be ready on time.
She roared in defiance at the powerful forces rampaging through her body and the snake flinched as if it was facing an actual Dragon. Which in a way it was. The reason so many Knights and soldiers went Dragon and Drake hunting was to absorb the powers of the great creatures. It let them display the same vitality and power like the Draconic beings themselves for as long as their bodies could take it.