58 Galicia 2 (2/2)
A second, final wave of bolts fell on the creatures, Uzukai's ammunition spent, and Elya heard the familiar thundering of hooves as her Knights charged into the weakened enemy lines. Pulses of Draconic Aura soared into the sky as the first rank shattered the wavering creatures, bodies hurled into the air at the impact. The second rank was already galloping even as the first disengaged to make way. Elya snapped her visor down, levelling her lance as her horse broke into a mad dash. She didn't even have to order it, the heavily trained beast in tight lockstep with its companions as they thundered across the plains.
Her eyes narrowed, pulse racing as the second rank peeled away, pennants of a hundred Houses flickering in the wind. The creatures in front of her were reeling, clawing to get away from her army. Seeing their snarling faces stricken with terror filled her heart with satisfaction. She leaned forwards, bracing herself and roaring in defiance. Elya growled and pushed out with her lance, twisting it like she was opening a lock. To either side of her, a hundred Knights were mirroring her movements, the elegant gesture misplaced on this field of blood and death. Aura poured into her arms, a deafening blast tearing from her weapon into the creatures. It was like a wall of pure force smashed into the enemy, shredding whatever remained of their lines.
Unlike the previous Knights which disengaged, Elya led her forces to plough through what was left of the enemy, slicing through shrieking horrors with every step. She plunged her lance deep into a howling creature that leaped at her and discarded the weapon to unsheathe Razors Edge, the magnificent blade glistening in the streams of light shining from the city. Elya lashed out to either side, not stopping for even a second as she broke through the creatures, her eyes only seeing the terrifying Magic swirling around Galicia. At her side Chen didn't even bother to use his weapon, letting the weight of his armour crush everything in his path. Within moments they were free of the enemy, only the plains and ruins before them.
They flew across the rest of the distance to the city, the only sound the drum of hooves and the dull thud of Chen's armour. Elya growled at the scrambling figures lining the ruined battlements of the city. She clenched Razors Edge tightly and leaped from her horse to land just outside of crossbow range. With a sweep of the cracked walls, she marked several positions and shouted orders to her Knights.
Chen sparked with power beside her and Elya drew deeply on her Aura, eyes fixed on a squirrelly little man dressed in the robes of a Vilinian Mage.
He had to go first.
”Attack!” Elya launched herself towards the wall even as she shouted, a single leap bringing her to the flustered Mages side. The already fractured battlement couldn't withstand the force of her jump, crumbling under the pressure, but Elya twisted and lashed out. Her blade screamed through the air, shattering the Mages barriers and slicing him in half. She flew through the air, punching through a wall with a bone shattering crash. Enhanced by Aura she simply grunted and skidded to a halt after several feet, leaving a deep scar in the stone beneath. Chen appeared on the battlement in a flash and Elya gazed at the familiar bursts of lightning with a slight smile. Nikolai had spent a few hours one afternoon trying to explain why the armour could only channel lightning.
The defenders on the wall were a motley crew, unable to withstand their attack. They quickly broke once their leaders and the few scattered Mages were dead. A handful of Knights hopped to the ground and started digging at the wall to make an escape route while the rest of the troop gathered around Elya.
”Wish we'd never come back to this place.” Alexis muttered, her sword level with the earth in case any creatures rose from the ground.
The habits they learned at Galicia were difficult to break.
”I couldn't agree more.” Chen whispered, his already hoarse voice almost inaudible.
”Now where?” The Inichi Yesaul scratched his cheek as his words echoed throughout the empty street.
”I think it's pretty obvious.” Alexis pointed to the vortex swirling over the city.
No sooner had the words left her mouth then the vortex was swallowed by a blinding pillar of light. Shivers ran up Elya's spine, shocked at the terrifyingly familiar sight.
”That's… impossible. He said it was destroyed.” Chen's armour trembled. The Thunder Lancer lurched against a nearby wall, gripping it so tightly the weakened masonry turned to dust.
Elya didn't care whether it was impossible, already sprinting towards the light as fast as her Aura infused body could take her.
Nikolai was bound to be where the Magic was strongest.