Book 3 Chapter 20

“You bastards…” Tirr growled. The Blessing of Life surged through his body, giving him untold energy and strength. Maria stood next to him following his lead, letting her power flow through her as she pushed herself to the limits…

She reached for Bren’s hammer out of instinct, but felt a wave of irritation when she grasped empty air, remembering she had left it behind at Raife’s manor for the ruse. “I think I might need to give Torvus a beating once we get out of this…” Maria muttered angrily.

“Don’t blame me, little God…” The wild man called as he stamped his foot. Dust and dirt rose into the air around him, forming a shell as it hardened into rock. “My name is Delm, and I’m only here for the pay, so send your ghost to haunt someone else once we’re done with you...”

Before Tirr could reply Delm started forward, more dirt forming around his hands into large clubs. Odee moved as well, smiling as he sauntered forward. On their left, the strange archer lept backwards, almost floating as he landed softly, taking his distance as he drew his bow once more. On the other side Reynolds let out a laugh, flame building around his body as flares condensed in both hands.

Tirr recognized Odee and Reynolds, but the other two were obviously Shard Users from somewhere else, mercenaries brought to the city with the promise of money…

“More blessings…” He muttered, turning towards Maria, “You focus on defense for now, without Bren’s hammer you’ll struggle too much here, I’ll handle offen…” Before he could finish a loud clap sounded from behind him. He turned to see the remains of an arrow falling against a shimmering shield. Maria stood next to him with her hands out and her eyes focused, “Got it!”

Tirr grinned, turning back towards the mercenary Delm, now looking like a giant of rock with the hardened shell he had formed around himself. The walking mountain let out a roar, each step giving him more momentum as he rushed them like a raging bull. Behind them, Odee ‘s form flickered as he disappeared. Maria started to turn, worried about just where the assassins might appear.

“Forget him!” Tirr shouted, “I’ll handle it, just don’t let those two land two many attacks from back there.”

She nodded raising another barrier as a flare of light came at them from Reynolds. The explosion shook the ground around them but the barrier held.

As the rocky giant reached them Tirr lowered himself, hands out. As the rampaging giant roared one last time, he ran right into the child’s god hands. The impact cracked the ground under Tirr and his feet sunk as he skidded back.

Tirr let out his own roar. Gripping the rock man's body tightly, he lifted with his legs, turning the giant’s momentum against him as he threw him over his head. “You assassin’s are too predictable!” He yelled as he sent the mountain man flying.

The giant's face was full of surprise as he flew over the delicate-looking brown-haired girl under him and towards Odee who had just appeared. Odee’s body flickered as he tried to avoid the incoming human boulder, dodging to the side as the large man rolled against the ground.

“Watch it, you oaf!” Odee yelled as the Giant stood.

The earth user growled, his eyes filled with disdain as he glanced at the assassin. He moved in once more, carefully this time as he closed. Odee disappeared once more as he looked for an opening while Tirr moved to face them again.

Around them, explosions sounded as Reynold’s flares and the archer's arrows slammed against Maria’s shields. She felt sweat building on her brow as she concentrated, each attack draining her energy sharply.

Reynold’s flares had proven their power back in the raid on Road’s End and since then he had only gotten stronger. His power growing at the same rate as his mania. Meanwhile, the strange archer's arrows flew with a dealy yet silent precision, each one carrying some kind of invisible power. Each one clapped like thunder when they struck, and her barriers were getting harder and harder to hold up alone.

She felt a presence appear behind her once more, but ignored it even as Odee’s blade rushed at her throat. Just before he could connect, a torrent of water struck him, sending him flying before his body flickered and disappeared once more.

“I don’t know how long I can hold this!” Maria called out towards Tirr. Reynolds and the archer had shifted positions, varying their attacks. It was becoming harder and harder for Maria to keep up with.

“Just do the thing we practiced!” Tirr yelled back at her, just as a rock covered fist struck him across the face. Blood went flying but Tirr stood firm, launching a fist of his own into the rock giant's chest.

The rocky shell shattered as he flew backward, rolling across the ground. Tirr whirled warding off the circling Odee once more while clicking his tongue. The Giant stood easily, rebuilding his shell. He was well accustomed to fighting, jumping back just as Tirr swung to avoid a fatal blow.

He yelled back towards Maria, “Don't think! Just do it!”

Maria shuddered and let the barrier fall for a moment as she closed her eyes and emptied her mind Her sigil glowed brightly as white light radiated off her. As the ranged attackers launched another attack, her hair changed, lightening from the deep brown to a shining blonde. The light collected on her back forming a pair of gleaming wings similar to what Tirr himself had formed before.

Just as the attacks reached them, two gleaming shields appeared, blocking the attacks with ease, no longer shimmering as if about to break. Instead, they stood like immovable walls…

Maria opened her eye’s trying to hold onto the strange feeling she felt, as if her mind had split into two. A familiar voice called out to her, “Let us be his shield…”

“Yes!” Maria responded, feeling her blessing surge…