Marius stepped onto the strange engine powered boat and looked out at the Altona River. They had chased Myrian west along the shore of the Emerin Sea, and now they landed on the last port before a desolate landscape. The port-town was named Seaton, and Myrian had stayed long enough to destroy half of the town before boarding a steam powered river boat and heading north to Altona City. Huldain, Olaf, Alun, and Marius had boarded a similar craft, and now were setting out behind Myrian in the desperate hope to catch him before he caused more damage.

Marius sat at the prow, and watched the water flow beneath their craft, when suddenly a thought popped into his head: he couldn't believe he hadn't thought of it before. He looked up at Olaf and Huldain, who were both looking anxiously up the river hoping to see their brother's craft.

Marius cleared his throat, and said, "Olaf."

Olaf looked questioningly, and Marius continued. "Why don't you just teleport us all with magic, like you did to me in Stonehill?"

Huldain looked to his brother, alarm evident on his face. "You teleported?" He asked incredulously.

Olaf nodded once, and then looked back at Marius. "Two reasons," he said. "Firstly, it's extremely dangerous. You need to have the memory of the place exactly right in your head, otherwise you could be lost forever. And secondly, it takes far too much power out of me."

Marius thought about this and then nodded, going back to watching the water trail by.

Hours slipped by and Marius felt desperation begin to creep in. Suddenly, Alun jumped up and pointed out at a distant vessel on the water. Smoke billowed out in a thick plume as it sped up. Beyond the vessel, a large lake could be seen spread out like a gigantic mirror, and Olaf knew they would not catch Myrian before he reached the city of Altona.

More wood was pushed into the burner, and the paddles sped up as the distance between the two boats shortened. They were racing in open water now, and the city of Altona could be seen spread out on the banks of the lake. Myrian's boat drew closer to the docks, and Olaf, Huldain, Marius, and Alun made ready to jump onto shore as they drew closer. They were meters away now, and as the tip of Myrian's boat touched the docks, Olaf and Huldain jumped.

They bounded across the other boat, and spear tackled Myrian, just as he tried to jump to shore. The three of them grappled upon the docks, scaring the crowd. Myrian was quickly overcome, and Marius felt almost disappointed that their hunt ended like this. He watched as Olaf put Myrian face down, and held his arms so he could not move, whilst Huldain grabbed the weapons that made up the immortal bow from Myrian's belt.

“Why?” asked Olaf, once Myrian was properly constrained. He received only a disdainful look in return. Olaf growled with frustration, clenching his fist as he took a step closer.

Huldain gripped both of his siblings about the arm. “Not in public,” he said, before bringing their brother up, and marching through the city with Alun and Marius in tow, heading for the city's prison.

Altona was a mix between Trystem and the Alturine Capitol; it had a direct trading link to the Vakringuardian kingdom of Rutchnar, and had a large supply of rich furs. The prison was situated at the top of the keep, and had high walls and towers which gave the prisoners a view of the freedom they would never have.

This was all Alun saw of Altona: the cobblestoned main street and a few merchant shops before they were within the main keep's walls. He saw the landscape that surrounded the city out of a barred window that gave light to the corridor Myrian was imprisoned in.

Myrian was silent, and looked at his brothers with a strange look which seemed to flicker between hate and regret. Olaf had managed to take control of the whole prison, and now sat on one side of his brother whilst Huldain sat on the other. Marius gazed out of the window, and watched the flowing wind. He frowned at a strange cloud of fog that rolled over the fields next to the Shore of Altona Lake, and it was then that Myrian made his first sound.

He exhaled loudly, and both Huldain and Olaf span around and stared at him, waiting for whatever would happen next.

Myrian cleared his throat, and looked around at his captors. "You are all fools," he said, and Olaf frowned. "I am not the man you think I am. The Eldar are coming, some are near."

Olaf stood up, and bent to look Myrian square in the face. "How do you know this?" He asked.

Myrian opened up his mouth to the fullest extent to show the four companions a pair of prominent canines that pointed out from his mouth. He closed it, and then looked about him.

"We are connected, the Eldar and I. We are charged by the same curse. Trust me, brothers, the Eldar are close. Four of them with an army of corruption; they do not know of their failure in Alturine, and now they seek to destroy this city. This is why I have come."

Olaf frowned, walked over to the window and looked out. He too saw the encroaching cloud, and swore. "Alright. Alun – go and tell the captain of the guard of this threat. Huldain, Marius, and myself will go out and meet them."

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Myrian frowned. "I will fight too," he said, and Olaf shook his head.

"No," he said. "You have caused enough damage; you will stay here."

Myrian growled, and shook his head as Huldain chained him to the stone floor. Olaf, Huldain, and Marius set out towards the city walls, whilst Alun went to the city guards for help.

Olaf looked out at the growing fog, and his brow furrowed as he made out the shadows of the undead beneath it, marching upon the city with a relentless pace. He made his way through the gate, followed by Marius and Huldain. He heard activity on the walls above, and saw the city watch running about, trying to get into position. Olaf looked ahead at the encroaching forces, and drew his blade. Huldain already had his axe at the ready, and Marius followed with a determined step. The crunch of the army's footfalls could be heard against the ground, and the fog dispersed around the undead.

Olaf could tell that his enemy realised they no longer had the element of surprise.

...

Eldrikch looked out over the farmland towards Altona. He was feeling confident before, but now as he saw the shining blue and red runes of the Eldar bane, he could feel Serlaena's and the twin’s panic blossom at the sight of the axe and sword. Another figure stood between the two glowing figures, but Eldrikch was sure that this was not Myrian. He smiled; the master must have destroyed the youngest brother.

He dispersed the fog, not seeing the point of concealment any longer. He felt Olaf bristle at the sight of his army, and Eldrikch knew he would lose his Nosaferatu and wargs. He sighed and clicked his fingers; the undead charged, silently screaming as their footfalls sped up, and the wargs darted out in front, growling and slobbering as they ran. Eldrikch watched as the twins turned into shadowy apparitions, and controlled the hairy mutants. Serlaena stuck close to Eldrikch, pacing around behind him, worried at the appearance of two of the immortal weapons.

Huldain was the first to strike; he lifted his axe and brought it down just as he had done in Stonehill. The ground around him buckled, and the wargs that charged were knocked aside and crushed under the sheer power of his strike. Olaf was next as he jumped over the devastation, and sliced with his blade, followed by Marius. The pair of them landed in the midst of the undead ranks, and carved out a clearing with their swords.

At this point, the twins had retreated back towards Eldrikch's vantage point. They hid behind their prince, and watched as Huldain, Olaf and Marius picked apart their forces with ease. Eldrikch felt his rage build up, and allowed it to fuel him. Flames burst from his hands, and twisted into curved glaives as he leaped into the sky and formed into a vast shadow, followed by his three disciples.

Myrian saw the shadows bearing down on his brothers from his cell, and looked down at his iron chains. He focused on his wrists, and felt his yellow tattoos flicker beneath the years of captivity. They flared slightly, and he looked across the room to where his weapons were held. The iron began to melt away, and Myrian stood up, rubbing his wrists absent mindedly. He walked over to his weapons and wrenched them out of their safe. He looked out at the unfolding battle, and ripped the bars from the window, jumping out into the open air. His black clothes billowed out behind him as he fell, and he watched as the rooftops of Altona came up to meet him. Myrian adjusted his angle, and slid across the slate tiles, skidding into a run as he charged for the front gate. He sprinted past Alun and the guards, and burst out from the gate just in time to see the Eldar descending. Myrian had his pistol in one hand, and his knife in the other; he pumped power into the gun and took aim. As he released, one of the shadows burst into yellow light, screaming as it fell to earth.

Olaf looked up at the descending shadows, just as one burst into a light infused explosion. A figure fell from the sky and landed with a sickening thud next to Marius who stabbed it with his black blade. The undead had fallen now, and the wargs had deserted, running for the hills or being shot down by Alun and the city guards. Myrian had joined the fray, and instead of fighting him, Huldain and Olaf joined their brother. The three remaining shadows landed, and Marius felt rage burn within him as the Eldar that had butchered Stonehill stalked over the corpses of his fallen army.

Flames flickered in the shape of glaives within his hands, and Marius managed to reign in his anger just enough to watch Myrian take aim at Eldrikch. Yellow light burst forth, and Eldrikch struck back with his glaives, deflecting the light, and then engaging Olaf in a series of blows, before fending off Huldain.

Serlaena followed her master, and jumped at Marius who skilfully fought back. She studied him as they fought, and her eyes opened slightly with recognition.

"You!" She hissed. Using this distraction to his advantage, Marius managed to catch her off guard and slice her side. She hissed and fell back, just as the other twin jumped into her space, sparring with Marius in a series of quick blows, fury and vengeance clear on his narrow face.

Olaf span around just as Myrian lunged with his knife. Eldrikch deflected them both with flawless ease, and then kicked Huldain out of the way. Marius felt his steel long sword shatter under his grip, and readjusted his hands on Nurlin's blade; he then sliced the twin just above his elbow.

Blood flowed out from the wound, yet the twin fought on. Two strikes later, and another wound hit him on the thigh. He staggered back with Marius pushing on. The twin saw his end and fled, turning into a shadowy apparition before being shot down by Myrian.

Eldrikch saw this and panicked. He pushed Huldain and Olaf back, before throwing Myrian hard across the battlefield. Eldrikch now was drained, and saw the boy from Stonehill charge at him. He retreated, grabbing Serlaena as he went. The Eldar bane were too much – he had been defeated.

Eldrikch flew off in a southern direction, and Marius, Olaf and Huldain stood panting, staring after the fleeing black smoke. Alun came down with the guards, and Myrian groaned, picking himself up just as two guards grabbed him and pushed him back down.

Olaf turned, and saw his brother being arrested. He called out, "Leave him alone, he has information to tell us!"

The guards stepped back, and joined Alun's group who were checking that the dead stayed dead. Olaf and Huldain sheathed their weapons, went over to Myrian, and helped him out of the dirt. Marius picked up the shattered handle of his long sword; He looked at it and sighed. He would miss his old blade, and he would need to find another to replace it. He looked down at the two fallen Eldar and kicked the nearest to him. He sighed, and threw his old handle down, walking back over to his brother.

Alun came up to him and smiled. "That was amazing," he said.

Some guards around Alun looked at Marius with awe, whilst others began piling up the corpses ready to burn.