When the creature finally moved, it was with a speed that caught all of them off guard. Its clumsy, elongated limbs pushed with unholy strength as it was propelled towards them at speed. Saga was unable to catch the movement as it happened, their body simply reacted with a feral instinct as they raised their shield and put all they had behind it. The tip of the thing's claws smashed into the shield and Saga let out a gasp as the impact was enough to send a massive jolt of pain up their still wounded shoulder. They staggered backward, feet slipping on the slick rock beneath them as the creature drove forward, whacking away with blinding speed as it blitzed Saga, seemingly impatient to kill them.
Luckily, Saga was no alone and the two ax-wielding women with them both moved towards the thing as soon as it seemed to have focused back on Saga. The brigand's flying, magical ax dove down and tried to cut directly at the creature's head but it swiveled away from it at the very last second, batting the ax out and lounging for her. She smashed the first claw away with her buckler and stepped away from the second strike just in time as she retreated back from outside of its reach.
Before the creature could react, Sasha soon came crashing into its back, both axes sinking deep into the creature as she snarled, pushing all her weight into each before wrenching them out to disengage. The heavy blades dug deep and hooked into the chitin, wrenching some of the hardened The creature whipped about with lightning speed and Sasha was forced to to dive to the side, her body skidding across the grew slick stone and muck.
Saga moved before the thing could pursue their partner, using all their might to throw the spear like a javelin, it sunk deep into the creature who once again had to reprioritize its target lest it is skewered like an undead kebab. It barreled into Saga, slashing claws trying to get past the frantic defending of the berserker who was now without a spear. They could try to reach for their shortsword, but at the moment using both arms to brace and block with the shield seemed to be the wiser choice. Each time the shield was hit, they flinched as it impacted with such force as to rattle their teeth. IT was nothing compared to the Warhammer that broke their last shield however and they held out, retreating one pained step at a time.
The magical ax of the brigand lady came down against the creature's back mid-swing and it howled in frustration once more. This time, however, it didn't immediately turn to the brigand, instead, it whirled on Sasha who was caught by surprise. She barely managed to hold her axes up in a crossguard before the impact knocked her back, claw slipping the parry and gauging a nasty cut up her left arm. She stumbled and fell back, scrambling away and just barely avoiding the next attack. Seeing Sasha so close to death got Saga's feet to move, the berserker's rage within them flaring to a fiery crescendo within their hearts.
They bull-rushed the vile undead creature, all their previous hesitation blown away by white-hot fury. Throwing caution to the wind, they let their might propel them into a powerful shield bash, the impact of the shield so powerful it activated one of the death runes. A wave of deathly magic exploded out around the creature that screamed and recoiled as if it had been lit on fire. It flailed and screeched in pain, desperate to get out of the miasmic purple energy. Combined with the sheer force of the slam, it entirely toppled the thing, sending it sprawling and thrashing for purchase. As the thing tried to right itself, Saga drew their sword, feeling it Might enhance the effect surge within them, further bolstering the berserker who began to hack away at the thing. But its skin was hard like chitin, and the blows while powerful were not delivered with any finesse. Half the blows glanced off flailing claws and boney arms that sparked like steel when struck.
Slash after violent slash was turned away from it, chipping bits of hardened skin off but without hitting anything that bled or seemed vital enough to keep the creature down. Saga's ferocious assault only found purchase at the very last moment when it righted itself enough to lash out at the angry warrior. IT's hands darted forward like the thrust of a spear, glancing off Sagas Shield with a grating noise and the Berserker had to twist the shield to the side so that the attack's kinetic energy was redirected away from Sagas already hurt arm. As the slash bounced and redirected away from the Saga used the energy to power their movement as they turned with the blow in a full pirouette. Their blade found a joint and the sword sank into the slightly softer membrane. But even then, the sword with all its might and fine, sharp edge was not quite enough. The creature screeched and bent its arm in such a way its hard chitin clamped the sword in place.
Saga tried to yank the sword free but it was no use, it was hopelessly stuck as the creature snarled in frustration and rage. These mortals had turned out to be much harder to pray than it had anticipated, and it was clear that the undead thing still felt pain. It swirled around, tugging Saga with it as it still clamped down on the sword. Before Saga could let go of their only remaining weapon, the creatures used Saga's surprise to line up another stab. Unable to properly use their shield in time, Saga felt the spear-like talons gauge a large across their thigh. Luckily it only bit into muscle and fat, as Saga angled itself to keep it from getting at their inner thigh and the main arteries.
It still hurt like the nine hells however and Saga gritted their teeth as a new surge of the berserker's rage flared up to compensate before they could falter. With a snarl, Saga smashed the edge of their big shield with enough force to trigger the last of the shield's charged runes. Another cloud of death magic flared out of the shield to envelop the undead fiend. It howled once more in pain and madness and lost control of the blade still stuck into one of its limbs. As Saga yanked it free, vicious ichor spilled out as the blade managed to cut deep enough on its way out to almost severing the entire arm at the joint. Seeing her opportunity, Sasha moved into the space created by Saga's attack, two axes blurring as the Axedancer began to assault the creature once more. The creature tried to react, to whip around and face its new attacker but Sasha smashed her foot on the ground as a small field of ice spread out from under her again, making the creature clawed, chitinous feet slid on the suddenly slick ground.
The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.
Saga and the brigand lady did not hesitate to move in, as if any one of the three fell at this point, they would all be dead soon enough. The dwarf's magical ax swerved about in the air, making a loop around the creature, drawing its attention while the dwarves other ax found a leg, hitting it with as much force she could muster. The creature snarled as the ax was far more adept at dealing with armor than a straight blade like Sagas' sword.
Saga did their part as well, dipping low for the other leg, aiming at a knee joint. They were less successful, scoring a shallow cut but a little more. But it was enough to take the heat off Sasha who could dance away and allow the creature to pivot its attention once more to the more urgent threat. The fight soon became a dance of vicious attacks and slim margins as the three of them would dart in and out, using every trick in their arsenal to keep the thing from regaining its advantage. But even then each mortal fighter's strength and stamina were flagging, despite the valiant healing efforts of the young hobgoblin. Worse yet was the fact that Saga could feel themselves approach the limit of their berserker's rage as their body could barely hold on to the extra adrenaline.
"We have to finish it soon or we are all dead." Saga said as they redirected one of the creatures flailing, sharp limbs with their shield. With the magic depleted, it was slow wearing the sturdy wood down hit by hit. But it would hold for a while longer still as the creature did not manage to properly levy its strength while being harassed at every turn.
"Any ideas as to how?" Sasha asked as she sidestepped another attack, scoring a glancing blow in return. "we have hurt it quite badly, but it doesn't seem to care, and we don't have that kind of luxury. We both lost a lot of blood, and I don't know how to score a proper blow."
"We all go at once." The dwarven woman said, eyes hard and sharp as chipped flint as she stared at the thing. "It is our only option. But it's not a good one."
"If we die, we die." Saga said with confidence they did not feel. Only the empowering rage kept the trembling, bubbling sensations of fear and dread from overpowering them. The three of them disengaged as one from the creature which seemed to still be in its frenzy. It froze in place, eyes sweeping across its hated, mortal enemies.
"As one." Saga said as they lowered their shoulder and put it in line with the shield. Without another word, she shot forward like a rocket. Sasha shot forward, leaping in at the creature, eyes lit with a fury that matched her partners. For a second the Brigand did nothing, and Saga's heart sank, thinking she would run away and leave them to stall the thing while she escaped. But instead, she let out a shout of anger as she dove into the thing. The Dwarven lady's fury was a match of her own, even if it wasn't powered by a skill. The amount of hatred her eyes held spoke of deep and personal animosity. The three of them laid into the thing with axes and swords. Bashing, chopping, and cutting. It flailed out and scored shallow hits but they pushed it further as ichor flew freely from deep wounds and necrotic flesh was carved from its frame. Just as victory was seemingly within its grasp, however, the creature let out an ear-piercing scream that made Saga's bones rattle and blood trickle out of their ears.
[You have been afflicted by "Bone Shatter scream" All movement slowed. All reflexes Slowed.]
Sagas allies did not fair much better, as the dwarven ladies' eyes were wide and bloodshot, stumbling back with blood coming out of nostrils and ears as well. It seemed like the brigand had scored a near-fatal blow with her main ax as the gnarly weapon remained lodged almost halfway into the thing's neck and collar bone. IT was clear the scream had been directed at the Brigand who'd taken the brunt of it and now suffered accordingly. Saga got up on unsteady legs, rage dimming by the second as they watched the undead thing drag its half dismantled, horrific visage over the Dwarven who screamed and blindly swung at it. But she had no control, panic evident in her every movement, and the creature struck with. Saga tried to move, but their body would not listen to them and it felt like pushing through a pool of Non-Newtonian fluids. Whatever they did, it seemingly made it harder to move forward. With horror, they saw the creature limp up the dwarven brigand and use its barely functioning left arm to impale her. The creature simply punched the claws through her skull, using its weight. Saga wanted to throw up, run away, and cry. But the creature had been so single-minded in its desire to retaliate, that it had left its one functioning weapon lodged into stone and flesh.
Saga let out a scream of their own and ran at it. The effect of Battle-cry dislodging the sonic shackles of Bone Shatter Scream from Saga who drove forward one last time. They had no fury left and each step was more painful than the last. But they pushed forward nonetheless. Behind them, they heard Sasha scream at them not to do it. To run. But Saga knew there would be no running.
Only Victory.
Or Death.
--
On a different plane of existence, a single eye opens. And a mirthful chuckle is heard. A man. Or rather a being that has chosen to appear as a man, as it is too vast in scope for even local gods to comprehend, stares down into a pool of water. Within he could observe the battle between the undead servant of some necromancer whelp is battling the outsider and their allies. The being with the one eye smiles.
"Victory or Death. That is the essence of war, dear child."