“Easier said than done.” Anitus muttered, “Why risk our own for them?”
“We have not yet rescued Sancta. So if you need a personal reason, then there it is, Anitus.” Amaro said, “We won’t survive the night by throwing others away.”
“But how are we going to distract them?” Kaara said.
Amaro paused, “Right now, the others are surrounded. If we can flank the enemy, and ring our bell, then we can take them out with a pincer attack. Even if it only stops them for a little while, we might be able to bind a few of them with our magic before evacuating the rest.”
“Makes sense to me. Let’s do it.” Kaara said, “Gornax, do you think you’ll be able to sink their pieces to the ground?”
“I can try.”
“While I don’t want to be the bearer of bad news, I also don’t want to rush in blindly,” Tulos said, “Look at that crowd. Even at our best with the help of those still alive, we’ll only be able to make a hole in their ranks. And what do we do when that entire force turns on us instead? We don’t have enough people.”
As Tulos expressed his concern, a loud shout echoed through the forest, “Hear me now monsters!” They said.
“Who is that?” Anitus said.
“That’s Gaor!” Kaara said, “What’s he doing?”
“That fat ass is going to get himself killed, that’s what.”
“You are worthy opponents to push me this far, monsters! And that is exactly why I will have to use my trump card!”
The Oskuutor, who no longer bothered to hide their empowered forms, crawled up the tree he was standing on. As one opened itsmaw to swallow him whole, a spike of ice whistled through the air and severed its jaw muscle.
“Nihilik is nearby too!” Kaara said with a hint of excitement in her voice. It only made sense to feel relieved for the other Tibur.
A beam of blue fire cut through the Malaki’s limbs and stent it tumbling down over the others. “Beware monsters of the night! I am your reckoning! Seal, release!” A blazing aura erupted around Gaor’s body. A great heat overtook the area. The horde of monsters looked to Gaor, cackling as they prepared to absorb his magic.
Amaro had to shield his eyes as he blazed brighter. Even Tadios had not summoned this much power at once. Who was this Gaor, and why had Amaro not encountered him until now? When the bright light dissipated, an unfamiliar silhouette stood in the smoke. As the winds of the blizzard carried it away, the pudgy and rotund Gaor had thinned down to reveal an intimidating broad shouldered frame below. Fire blazed from the corners of his mouth, trailing off into the cold night sky.
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A great flame positioned behind him, taking the shape of a bear and snapping its maw over him. He outstretched his hand, his spear taking on the elemental’s power.
“That’s Edax armor!” Kaara shouted.
“The fuck is Edax armor?” Anitus said, “And what happened to all his fat?”
“He must have sacrificed it to use the spell. I never would have thought of doing something like that.”
“Well whatever he’s doing, he’s got the attention of the monsters. I say we help them out. Any more objections?” Amaro said, looking at his brothers.
Tulos smirked, “None here.”
“At the very least, he’ll be the one in the most danger. I’ll remember him if he dies.” Anitus said.
Kaara summoned an axehead on the tip of her spear. Rixam’s scar began to glow green. Gornax slipped beneath the ground, and Amaro’s siblings flanked him at his shoulders. He brandished Quinrai, closing his eyes and trying to get back to that place before. The tranquil peace he felt whenever he was fighting. He did not need all of that power. He begged that voice from before to lend him strength one more time tonight. All he needed was a little bit in this moment.
He really was a prodigy. That voice answered. Deep within his soul, he understood the meaning. That esoteric presence had communicated one message to him: Take all the power you need.
He channeled no magic into his blade. Only through his body. “Kaara, let Gaor know not to hit them with his magic. This is the bulk of their forces, and they are weak right now. We must bind them and buy as much time as possible.” He pointed forward, “Tulos, Anitus, we’re going to launch our cannon straight through that point, and let the others escape through the gap. Are you ready?”
Amaro felt two surges of magic power hit across his back, pushing him to step forward.
“On your mark, brother.” Anitus said.
“I’m not as good as Raktus was at this cannon thing, but I’ll do him justice. That much I can promise.”
“Set!” Amaro shouted.
“Mark!” his brothers shouted back.
Amaro felt the world slow down once again, “Kaara, ring that bell!”
The bell chimed its resonant tune. Half of the monsters had their attention pulled to them, while the other half looked to Gaor and Nihilik. The group stuck in the melee took their opportunity. Red lightning crashed through the trees. Metal wire burst across the snow. Waves of ice, fire, earth and wind propelled the monsters back. They might be absorbing that magic, but it was putting them off balance.
Amaro stepped forward, a thunderous clap following his pace. Iron walls clasped across the center of the horde as he slid beneath their legs. A pivot, a turn, and a lightning bolt later. He jumped back.
RAKTUS CANNON!
Anitus launched in after him. The power was not nearly on the level of their first, but it would be enough. Gaor took his chance, hurtling himself down into the crowd. Amaro caught his brother, sliding trenches through the snow with his feet to stand shoulder to shoulder with Deka, “I’m here to tell you that the cavalry has arrived. Now take advantage of the opening and let’s get the fuck out of here!”