"By the divines, why are there so many of them?!" Said Tiberius looking over several reports.

"Too many have been left to the crows, those that have fallen must be burned." Said Neira peering over his shoulder.

"I have told those who would listen but more attacks are coming"

"If more of your kind was listening, the Imps would not be running rampant."

"You speak the truth but for now our task is to go and reinforce the others."

"And Mages will be transporting us?" Said Neira, prompting Tiberius to lay down his papers and turn to face her.

Neira's complexion was an olive tone, eyes a bright green, and long curly brunette hair; Un-furred wings, horns, fangs, claws, and a tail were also a part of her. She had a figure that was divine despite the many scars that adorned it. She was clothed in a short white linen dress and sandals.

"Yes, they are due to arrive any moment now." Said Tiberius

Tiberius complexion was like Neira's, his eyes a dark brown, short brunette hair, and clean shaven. His physique was fitting for a soldier and he had the scars to match it. He wore a plate breastplate with short sleeved chain mail, grieves, and simple boots.

"Will a disguise be needed?" Asked Neira

"Given current events, I would ask that you wear one."

"Then I shall wear one" Said Neira with a sly smile.

Neira's scars faded from her body in a instant, as did her un-furred wings, horns, fangs, claws, and tail. Many creatures like her existed, able to hide in plain site, and appearances changed at will with few limitations.

"Thank you, let's go." Said Tiberius.

Tiberius and Neira left the room they had been staying in, passing by his men each giving a greeting as they prepared for their trip and assembled in the nearby field. Darkness was coming and all but a few of Tiberius's men were ready to begin the journey awaiting him in formation. Neira was by his side as he strode to the front of the formation, Mages now arriving through portals as he grabbed his shield and spear.

"My men are almost ready." Said Tiberius

"Then let us prepare your passage" Said one of the Mages as they gathered, beginning to channel their arcane energies so a portal could be formed.

Tiberius turned to face his men as the last ones entered into formation. The signal that they were ready was given just in time for a portal to be ripped opened behind him. He turned to face it and all with him caught a glimpse of the battle to come. Those that awaited them were already overrun and Imps were swarming in the streets.

"FORWARD!" Tiberius yelled, leading the charge through the portal without hesitation. Neira and his men following him into the battle without question.

Tiberius and Neira were the first ones through, dispatching the Imps closest to them who were caught feasting in the open. They pressed the attack, Tiberius thrust his spear through the head of an Imp as it tore at a woman and her child. Neira's hands igniting in flames as she vaporized those that were coming at their flanks. More of his men making their way through the portal fanning out left, right, and forward of it.

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His men skewered the Imps with spears and pushed them back with shields. Wave upon wave crashing against them as citizens raced for their lines, some unable to make it before being devoured. A defensive perimeter was formed but more Imps were coming. Their color a light brown, claws, and eyes red like the flames of the burning city. Mages now came through the portal, ice coming from their hands as they tried to quell the nearby flames.

"Through the portal!" Tiberius shouted as he ushered some of the crowd out of the city. Neira paused her onslaught of flames to help with this task, chiming in herself. "Hurry now or die."

"What would you have us do?" Asked one of the Mages.

"Keep the portal opened, we will save all we can." Said Tiberius

"We will not be able to keep it opened for long" Said a Mage.

"Then hold it for as long as you can, MEN FORWARD." Said Tiberius.

The soldiers moved forward, their shields guarding one another, any Imp who tried to break their lines killed by spears and then stepped over. A few would change their tactics keeping their distance and throwing fire from their hands. Some of their magic scorching the arms of the men but Neira responded in kind by turning them into ash. A small foothold now established at the city's entrance and within it's walls.

Tiberius stood in the middle of their position more citizens pouring past him as they fled through the portal. Now he could spare the time to scan the battlefield and look for those they had been sent to reinforce. Upon the walls there were only bodies but further in the city he saw fighting in houses, the doors blockaded with shields, and spears thrusting outward. Those were likely his men but they could not know of his presence.

"Neira?" Said Tiberius.

"WHA--FUCK. I WILL COME AND FEAST ON YOUR ORGANS LITTLE ONES IF YOU DO NOT STOP THROWING YOUR FLAMES." Neira shouted.

"I need you." Said Tiberius

Neira withdrew from her current fighting running over to Tiberius with a confused expression. "What is it?"

"Look, in the houses. Do you see them?"

"Yes, I see them."

"Can you reach them?"

"I can but I will ha-"

"Do it."

"What of the Mages?"

"They are distracted, they won't notice."

"What would you have me do once I reach them?"

"Tell them to rally all those who live and push towards us." Said Tiberius

"Very well, try not to die while I am away." Neira said with a wink.

Tiberius went to reply to her words but before he was able Neira had shifted forms. She leapt from the ground as her wings lifted her into the air flying with grace and speed to her destination. The Mages who now were struggling to keep the portal opened seemed none the wiser as they drank mana potions to renew their strength.

It took Neira only a minute to reach her destination, there the men fighting in houses could be heard shouting in obscene language at their enemies. They taunted in spite of the position they found themselves in. The Imps had surrounded several houses and were slowly making their way inside making a dire situation much worse, Neira circled their positions casting spells as she called out to the men.

"MEN OF THE 1ST LEGION, MORE HAVE ARRIVED TO HELP YOU. AT THE ENTRANCE OF THE CITY THERE IS A PORTAL. RALLY, MAKE HASTE THERE, AND I WILL AID YOU."

The first spell cast by Neira was one of control, the Imps closest to reaching the survivors inside stopped in their tracks, their minds going blank before turning on their own. The fighting was trivial but of good effect. They tore at one another with tooth and claw, buying some of the survivors the space they needed to push out of the houses and to help others.

The second spell was one of exhaustion and would be inflicted on those running towards the men who had made it out. The Imps who normally covered ground with speed would become lethargic and barely able to move they had become so tired. The men she had first rescued able to get the others and rally as had been request. Once all were assembled they looked to the skies for the voice that had called to them spotting Neira and cheering for their heroine as she directed them towards the portal.

"We cannot hold this portal any longer Tiberius!" Shouted a Nearby Mage.

"Then go, renew your strength, and return for us at first light!" Said Tiberius

"And if you should perish?"

"Then so be it."