Il’E, Helix

The next day, morning.

Talia grinned as she rode the Pegasus, a magnificent beast of myth. A horse built for war with almond brown hair, a mane of black and a pair of long brown feathery wings. All around her a dozen more flew along with hers, Shark was clenching onto his black Pegasus in fear of falling. Each of the Pegasii and their riders were from one of the churches, Light and Dark had trained the two heroes but the churches of Fire, Water, Stone and Lightning had also sent their best warriors.

Behind them four large griffin carriages followed closely, these weren’t for transport. The carriages looked more like a small fortress with archers looking out the windows and mages lining the roof, extendable bridges were built onto the sides to allow boarding of other aircraft and four ballistae turrets were being manned at each corner of the roof.

The griffins themselves were larger than the common ones used for transport, born and bred for combat they were covered in gleaming silver armour and armed with razor wing and claw attachments.

As they flew over Frosthold a swarm of these griffins rose from the ground and joined them, the royal military’s main force. The military surrounded their convoy forcing them to stop mid-air. One of the griffin riders approached Talia as she was at the front.

“Name your reason of air presence!” The lightly armoured soldier ordered as he stopped his white feathered griffin a couple meters below her, about three times larger than the war Pegasus she rode.

Talia opened her inventory and took out the scroll she was given “The six churches request military assistance! Approved by General Moore and General Blade! Passed through the alliance council! Requesting for third General Jessie!” she passed him the silver trimmed scroll by dropping it.

The soldier stood on top of his griffin’s saddle and grabbed the scroll, quickly he unrolled it and read it’s contents “Very well, follow me.” He replied after pocketing the scroll. The soldier made a gesture at the rest of the swarm of a couple hundred griffins causing them to flow downwards in formation and back to the ground.

Talia followed the soldier’s griffin as did everyone else in her convoy, he lead them over the forest behind their defensive lines. She studied her side of the gigantic wall called Helix, Dwarven war constructs lay ready behind the wall to fire volleys of whatever they were loaded with, large summoned creatures stood behind the warmachines along with their Fae summoners and other Dwarven engineers.

Ever since the wall was breached for the first time the mage guilds rushed to repair the damage, the alliance built up their forces behind the wall and around the peninsula of corrupted land.

Behind those front lines was the forest, from the air encampments could be easily spotted lining the forest’s edge. Military and adventurer alike, millions of fighters either stood around, ran around with their orders or trained together.

Talia grinned at the show of force that lay in front of her, how could she not? It was nothing less than awe inspiring. She looked up from the land and scanned the sky, high above winged humanoid beings scouted the skies tirelessly. The Esfeltian air force was impressive but what the Avians brought with them was nothing less.

Hundreds of Avians flew around in perfect squadrons over the cursed land briefly swooping down and eliminating the stray demon in one smooth motion. Their emerald armour gleamed in the morning sunlight as their magical blades shone brightly even at the distance between them and her.

Glancing back down she then had to squint to notice the surrounding sea, off and on she noticed massive sea creatures poking out of the water’s surface before descending back down. The Mers and Nymphs had been guarding the seas around Barik since the beginning and now wasn’t any different.

Then there it was, the Devil’s fortress, Devil’s eye. A gigantic pitch black barrier forming a perfect sphere around the stretch of land, all around it a fierce river of rapids magically flowed. In Talia’s mind that barrier was all that kept the Dezol legion on Barik, the forces of the alliance too vast and strong for whatever small force that lay within that barrier.

The soldier lead her and the convoy over to a clearing in the forest where he directed them to land their mounts. Talia hopped off her Pegasus along with the rest, Shark and the other adventurers followed behind her leaving the church’s fighters with the mounts and carriages.

“This way to the main tent” the soldier announced then gestured for them to follow. All around lay large hexagonal tents of either blue, yellow or red. Weapons, armour and ammunition were scattered around the encampments in separate stacks and heavily defended by a guard of warriors and mages. This was to better defend their resources, one good explosion spell and a lot would be destroyed otherwise.

They followed the soldier through the camp, adventurer and solider alike stopped what they were doing to curiously glance at their party.

“Fuck it’s cold here!” Exclaimed Sharkmeat as he shivered and hugged himself, as a Mer he wore special metallic armour that purposely didn’t cover the gills that lay to the side of his abdomen instead having magical enchantments forming a mana barrier along most of it. In turn this made for poor cover from the elements of cold, not that Talia minded.

The soldier stopped in front of a larger blue tent than the others, from the sound that came within it seemed like an argument was ensuing inside.

“Captain Elrick requesting for General Jessie! Mandatory convoy of the six churches, signed transcript by the council!” The soldier announced without daring to enter.

The voices from inside the tent quieted down before a commanding female’s voice replied “Enter!”

The soldier stepped aside and held the tent open for Talia before handing her the scroll back, he nodded in apology as she took it back and stepped through followed by her companions.

Inside the tent lay a large table depicting the entirety of the cursed land and it’s surroundings as a map with multiple carved wooden pieces marking the alliance’s forces. Several people stood around the table, military, mage guild, alliance and adventurer.

Talia glanced over the two Avians, a Mer, three Nymphs, a Dwarf and a Fae before inspecting the Beastkin General and the adventurers.

Esfeltian Royal Military Third General (Fey Talran Jessie) [Level 148]

The general was a female Wild-catkin with short greying crimson hair, brown feline ears and green feline eyes. She looked to be in her forties yet for a Beastkin that meant she was in her second millennia of life. Her fierce expression demanded respect as her eyes seemed to stare deep into Talia’s being. She wore heavy plate armour while holstering a one-handed warhammer to her waist, a dark blue cloak fell from her shoulder pads lined with red and gold as both formed a hydra’s depiction.

Zeeke [Crusader]-[Geomancer] (Steadfast) (ETE Eternal Grand Lord) Level 87 Nakano [Slayer]-[{Lord of Arachnids}] (Electrifying) (ETE Commander) Level 92 Karnage [Bladedancer]-[Flamedancer] (Spell-sword) (APOK Big Bad Bitch) Level 103 Zaahr [BattleMage]-[{Arcanist}] (Arcane) (APOK Grand Tactician) Level 98 LukeSkyDiver [Forged Engineer] (Crafty) (BW Master) Level 76 HiHelloGoodbye [Sorceror]-[Phasemancer] (Traveller) Level 81 Dherik Firehide [Forged Warrior]-[{Beast of Earth}] (Backbone!) (LOST Emperor) Level 112 Regina [Technomancer]-[Gunslinger] (Rapidfire) (PRED Queen) Level 108 Deathstrike [Summoner] (Underhanded) (SHADY Prime) Level 69 JaxHashRekt [Blademaster]-[{ [Master] Lord of Wyverns }] (Guise master) (REKT Prime Wrecker) Level 125

In return the adventurer guild leaders inspected the new comers back, it was a greeting at this point and some had to manually stop themselves from drooling at their…assets.

Taliarissa [{ [Master] Beast of Nature}]-[{Chosen of Creation}] (Hero of nature’s purity.) (PRIDE Second rank) Level 127 Sharkmeatguy [{ [Master] Beast of Dark}]-[{Divine Blood Mage}] (Blessed hero of divine blood) (PRIDE First rank) Level 131 TuckerGG [Bladesmith]-[{Beast of Fire}] (Scorched) (PRIDE Mid-rank) Level 112 Cashmeoutside [{ [Master] Beast of Lightning}]-[Wrestler] (Thrifty) (PRIDE Mid-rank) Level 126 Kylie [Pathfinder]-[{Beast of Light}] (Pure) (PRIDE Mid-rank) Level 118 Dreck Spellbane [{Beast of Stone}]-[Shinobi] (Stealth-rock) (PRIDE Low-rank) Level 115

The adventurers sized each other up as Talia addressed General Fey “New orders, General.” She passed the scroll to her.

Fey took the already unsealed scrolled, rolled it open and slowly read it’s contents. Annoyance bordering anger briefly flashed through her expression before the cold stern norm returned, she turned to face the rest of the war council behind her.

“The Devils who assaulted Eslet have been unmasked as adventurers by divine intervention. The culprits are heading north, they plan to pass through us along with their two Devil companions.” Fey let the news sink in while she studied different expressions of wonder, shock, amusement and confusion.

“These same adventurers have been tagged with multiple other crimes, the blackmail of Il’E’s guard, blackmail of one of your own comrades” she glanced at Zeeke briefly before continuing to scan the others “But furthermore the blackmail of Esfeltian council members. We have orders of capture, kill if you must but capture is our prime objective.”

Noticing some realisation passing through a couple adventurers Talia added “Do not falter at their identities. These are Devil spies, Demon helpers and above all else murderers and psychopaths prone to genocide! We may be able to respawn and so can the people of this world but that shouldn’t make it any less a taboo. Murder is still murder.”

Talia inwardly laughed (“To defy a deity is to commit suicide I guess, look at how your comrades are turned against you. This will be too easy, we have the numbers and power. They don’t stand a single chance of escape! Life of nobility here I come!”) unconsciously she was grinning.

Fey stepped over to the table and move a couple of the tiny statues around as she spoke “Apok, Eternium and Lost, can I request your assistance with this?”

“You have it.” Immediately replied Zeeke (“Perfect, time to cut ties with those bastards.”).

“Sure.” Said Dherik.

“Yes, we’ll assist.” Replied Zaahr as she glanced over at Karnage who was staring down at her sheathed swords, hands clenched around the grips. Zaahr made a mental note to ask her leader what was wrong later (“I’ve never seen her so angry…”).

“We’d like to assist as well, my boys are getting tired of standing around.” Stated Jax who hid a grin under his bandana (“Karma’s a bitch isn’t it?”)

Fey nodded “Very well, as for our previous debate there shall be none. The alliance will set it into motion in three days, you have that long to train your people as so we will do with ours. The shifts have been given to you, please oblige by them.” A series of sighs followed “Everyone except the punishment force we just agreed to can leave.”

The guild leaders stepped out of the tent passing by Talia and Shark’s party on the way, Talia noted their relieved expressions as they left.

“You. Heroes, come closer we shall discuss how to blockage the forest.” Fey ordered the two, both walked over to her left and studied the map now that it was closer. “What can you tell me of their classes and abilities?” the General asked them as she gazed over the map.

Shark glanced over at Talia “You still remember it all?”

“The important parts…” Talia replied thoughtfully “About half of them have mastered a class, most of their ability relies on covert and mobility except for two of them who rely on distraction and flashy combat.”

“Just to confirm, do you remember their names?” Karnage suddenly asked sternly.

Talia raised a brow “Their leader’s name and the two heroes is all I remember, Devi wasn’t exactly being calm and collected when she ran me through the details.”

Karnage’s expression darkened “So it is Serenity.” she said bitterly.

“I hear they’ve rebranded, twice actually hoping that we wouldn’t find out.” Talia chuckled “The second I forgot, we don’t need to know it anyway. As for their current, just look out for the tag RHD or mention of Red Hawk Down.”

“Names for the adventurers are listed in the message, although actual classes would be preferable.” Fey declared in annoyance at the easy-going adventurer, she opened the scroll over the table “Leader, Birse.” She began to vocally list them.

“Second in command, DeathChilled, Jackykill and SlyOkami.”

“Members, Soren, Kyllix, Seren_Cross, D.E.M SkillShots, Cherrysboi, C.H Farms, Steph773 and Woodstauk.”

Frostbite Forest, South of Frosthold

Five hours later

Kyle sighed as they approached the town, high above the forest they flew using the griffin carriage they had once stolen. Kyle was standing above with a couple others, him, Sly, Birse, Soren and Jacky were standing on the roof of the carriage.

“They will sight us soon.” Exclaimed CH from the front griffin, he had gotten the beasts used to his presence and was chosen as driver.

“You sure about this plan?...” asked Soren already regretting agreeing to it in the first place.

Kyle tapped the Dwarf’s shoulder reassuringly “When have my plans ever failed? Actually don’t answer that question! Trust me, we’ll be fine.” He chuckled loudly.

“I’m not convinced.” Soren replied followed by a deep sigh.

“Everything will be fine as long as you all keep their attention locked on you, they’re mostly after Kyll and Sly which works perfect for us.” Birse explained with a wicked grin “Oh and as long as our mana doesn’t run out, else we’re getting shot straight out of the sky.”

“That would be a first.” Joked Sly who sat ready at the carriage’s ledge, a black blindfold covering his eyes.

“Is that really necessary?...” Jacky asked as he stared at the blindfold with disbelief.

“Yes”

“Yes”

“Yes”

“Hell yes.”

They all immediately replied.

Jacky shrugged “Ain’t coming back for you even if you land head first, actually you’d probably die on impact then.”

“Kay.” was all Sly replied with.

Soren leaned in to whisper to Birse “Will he be alright?...”

“Pfft! He’s built shit that was broken down before, he’ll be fine leaving it behind whole.” Replied Birse.

“But-” Kyle was about to interject but Birse cut him off.

“Yes we know, but he doesn’t. Yet.” He told Kyle with a smirk.

“Griffins approaching!” Ch reported back at them.

Kyle squinted and focused his vision causing [Draconic Perception]’s sub-skill to activate enhancing his vision. True enough a squadron of fierce looking armoured griffin riders were heading their way from Helix “ETA 14 minutes, sooner than we expected.” He reported calmly.

“You four get ready, operation Cloak and Flash is in effect.” Birse ordered before walking away from the edge and over to a hatch in the middle of the roof, he opened it and a green-blue light escaped covering his face. “Report!” he shouted inside.

“Team cloak ready!” replied Death from inside.

“Team flash ready!” followed Jacky.

Birse looked up from the hatch and stared at the direction the griffins were coming from, barely dots in his eyes. “Kyll report on ETA 5 minutes!” he quickly ordered.

“Roger.” Said Kyle as he continued to observe the incoming squadron.

“Seriously who the fuck IS Roger?” asked Sly jokingly.

“You know, Roger.” Replied Soren with a chuckle.

As Soren, Sly and Jacky argued over who was Roger what was supposed to be a tense atmosphere felt nothing different than the usual to Kyle. A jolly mood as they chatted away while potentially heading to war.

“ETA 7 minutes!” Announced Kyle, the platoon now more visible to the others. “Remember what we’re here for! This isn’t for our pride! This isn’t for our benefit! This is for our god damn freedom! Cause we do what we want and when we want!”

“Yeah!” the others cheered including those inside, Jacky simply rolled his eyes.

Kyle continued his speech “Some fucked up racist goddess with a multiple personality disorder thinks we’ll just lay down and die! They think they can stop us here! They think we’ve already lost! Sure we’re outnumbered! Sure they are currently stronger!” he was winging it to say the least.

“Motivational much…” mumbled Birse.

Kyle grinned wickedly “Sure they probably completely destroyed the dungeon we built together! ETA 5!”

“WHAT?!” Exclaimed Sly as he ripped off his blindfold “MOTHER FUCKERS!” he leaped off the edge followed by Soren, Jacky and Kyle. Each swallowed something as they fell.

“Operation is a go!” Announced Birse.

Kyle grinned as the blood magic took effect, he had condensed the red slime into a pill and told the others to swallow them. He glanced around him as he fell, behind him the carriage quickly began to disappear as the magic took effect.

To his right Jacky had summoned his Wraith form and was slowly descending as the shadows around him slowed his fall.

To his left Soren activated his Battle axe’s side feature, the mechanical weapon expelled steam furiously as the geared parts that made it began to separate forming two axes each half the weight of the original. The Dwarf extended his arms and a parachute came out the back of his mechanical armour.

In front of him Kyle watched as Sly took his Aurei form and plummeted downwards, tattered wings formed on his back allowing him to glide the rest of the way.

Kyle glanced down, half way to the ground now. He opened his arms and legs wide as thick black slime formed a wingsuit around him, dark slime was light but also very durable and retained it’s flexibility better than most.

He glided down into the forest separating from the others, spotting a good spot to hide out for a couple minutes he swerved towards it and undramatically landed almost tripping twice.

“Perfect landing” he mused while opening his inventory, from it he took out the two largest slime cores at his disposal.

“Now…Shall we start?” He exclaimed while pressing a palm to each core beside him, a wicked grin from ear to ear as slime of all types at his disposal flowed out from around his arms and engulfed each core.

Talia glanced around the forest below as chaos ensued, she flew around atop her Pegasus. Soldiers and adventurers ran around as trees fell crushing tents, the ground shook like an earthquake causing many to lose their balance and black smoke hid the enemy’s position as they rampaged throughout the forest.

“This was easy…it should have been easy!” She exclaimed in annoyance.

She watched as a dark figure flowed through the smoke like a shadow bending reaper, it’s six arms cleaving adventurers and soldiers apart before disappearing back into a moving black fog of death.

Further to her left the earthquake’s source, a dual axe wielding Dwarf rampaged through the grounded griffins massacring the beasts. His attacks expelled flames all around him causing even the snowy forest to catch fire. The griffins were rampaging as well, being terrified by the flames, quaking and sound.

Closer to the wall a headless giant of violet mana flowed through the Dwarven warmachines, it’s many tentacles grabbing hold of one then raising it over another before crushing both with each other. Any magic or projectile sent it’s way either evaded entirely or blocked using a machine as a shield.

Talia glanced back “Shark! There’s your target! Pink giant by the war machines!” she exclaimed back at the Merman.

Shark grinned and turned his Pegasus towards Sly’s position “I got him.” He said while flying away towards his target.

Talia grimaced, her target was nowhere to be seen. She continued to scan the forest from the sky, watching the defenders reform their lines that had been either at ease within the camp or preparing a blockade further towards Frost hold. A blockade the targets simply flew over using the trees as cover.

Most of the combat would ensue within the forest or around the camp now so the airborne squads were left to search for the remaining of the enemy guild and their transport, the griffin carriage had completely disappeared and not even their more powerful mages could locate it’s position with the chaos distracting them.

“Did he stay inside the carriage? I’m sure I saw him fly down too!” She mumbled to herself while retracing her flight path. A chill suddenly went down her spine causing her to glance behind her, her eyes widened in shock as a large black paw swatted her Pegasus aside like a fly.

Talia rolled off the Pegasus before they both hit the ground, a bed of vines had grown to cushion hers. She groaned from the pain but quickly rose to her feet as the vines re-burrowed below ground, she scanner her surroundings for her attacker.

The Pegasus hadn’t been as lucky as her, it’s corpse lay sprawled on the side of a tree due to being the main object hit by the attack. Four wide gashes lined it’s side like claw marks, even it’s silver armour was torn like paper under the attack.

Author: I usually change around music while writing fight scenes but this one stuck all the way on a loop ^ ^

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_h69bwoqyQ8

The chill returned and she immediately looked upwards, vines rapidly flowed into a pod to cover her as the gigantic monster landed feet first onto them. It’s claws ripped the vines apart but it was forced to back off as more moved to surround it. Talia studied the creature from gaps in her barrier of vines.

The fox had two heads side by side along with two tails, a black shell like material covered it’s entire body as a blue glow emanated from between the scale like formation. It’s eyes were crimson red and ablaze with fire as flames escaped it’s maw with each breath. It’s fangs were emerald green and long like swords while it’s claws were the same except for the crimson red tips and being three times the length.

Talia shuddered at the sight, she had seen demons before but this creature was on a whole different level of terrifying. She inspected it causing her mouth to fall gaping.

{Golem} Devourer of realms (Twin cored) (Manual) [Owner: Kyllix (RHD)] Level 136

“Were you looking for me perchance?” The fox’s two heads spoke in unison forming a single chilling voice. “Well…Here I am.” Thick black tentacles of slime grew out of the Golem’s back, they lunged forward and at her position.

“Balls!” Talia summoned forth more vines to block the attack but the tentacles seemed to phase through her defences like smoke, she broke into a run intent on putting distance between herself and it.

The sound of wood shattering reverberated throughout as the Golem rushed after her, it landed smashing it’s paws into a tree’s trunk as it glared down at her. It’s claws dung into the bark causing it to sizzle and smoke.

“There is no escape for you little hero.” The golem opened it’s two mouths wide showing a smooth black carapace inside “Devouring Frostfire!” it blew out a stream of white-blue flames that quickly descended upon her.

“Nature’s vigilance!” Talia quickly chanted causing the ground in front of her to rise and form a wall of earth between them.

The frostfire collided with the earthen wall causing it’s surface to form a layer of frost that spread to the back.

“Nature’s descent!” Talia chanted again causing a blast of wind to bash into the Golem’s side, it was thrown off the tree and sent crashing into the snow. “Nature’s vigilance!” the ground around the golem’s landing rose in the form of two walls “Earth clap!” both walls rushed at each other threatening to squash the golem between them.

A blast of snow followed as the three objects clashed, blocking Talia’s vision as she stood with both her arms raised towards the collision. She was controlling the spell with motion, a rare ability among elemental magiks.

“Keep trying, this might just be fun.” The fox declared as the snow cleared up. The golem had stood up on it’s hind legs and was hold back a wall with each front leg, using them as arms. It pushed further making the stone crack beneath it’s strength.

Talia closed her palms closer together making the earthen walls push closer, the connection between stance and spell as if she was actually physically fighting the golem herself.

“Nature’s growth!” She chanted causing vines to rapidly grow out from below the golem much quicker than before, they tried to entangle themselves around it’s legs but tentacles of emerald slime melted through them like powerful acid as tentacles of yellow slime lit them aflame.

The walls cracked further as Talia put more pressure on them, she continued to will vines to grow and assault the golem.

The golem’s heads suddenly grinned wickedly as the walls shattered entirely revealing the several thick emerald tentacles that slowly wiggled around, they had grown out of the golem’s palms and dug into the stone.

Instead of falling back to four legs the golem rush forward running on it’s hind legs while it’s front claws lay wide open ahead of it.

“Nature’s descent! Nature’s growth! Nature’s wrath!” Talia chanted several spells, wind blew to her will, vines burst out of the ground controlled by her left hand and fire blazed alive controlled by the other. With control second to none she bent the three elements around the golem forcing it’s charge to a halt.

Vines and roots alike wrapped around the golem’s legs as tentacles of slime moved to intercept, blast of wind repeatedly bashed into the golem as it deflected blasts of crimson flame with it’s own frostfire breath.

“Cold hatred inside my being light up! Burn my insides like hell and awaken the inferno! Rage!” The golem chanted causing a red aura to form around it, the tentacles that moved to intercept the ever growing vines stopped and began to form in the golem’s front paws.

The golem changed as it’s back straightened and shoulders rose giving it a bipedal form, the slime entangled around itself forming two long emerald batons of coiled tentacles in each of it’s hands. Acidic slime formed the batons’ outer shell while the inside filled up with murky green swamp slime.“Want to know something interesting? Do you know the difference between fire and ice?” the golem asked followed by a wicked chuckle.

“Chilling flames passed down by blood…Burn up! Heat up! Devouring Firefrost!” an infernal heatwave surged from the golem’s body turning the vines and roots to ash. Like a blizzard the ambers of heat flowed around the golem like a protective barrier, more a chaotic ripple of mana than a balanced sphere.

As suddenly as the blizzard of heat appeared it dissipated causing the golem to grimace as it mimicked it’s maker. “No matter, that still requires playing around with. Yet I have other things to play with right now.” It’s grimace quickly turned back to a wide grin as it chanted. “Devourer of souls! Chilling blade of hell! Frostfire Blade! Destroyer of souls! Burning blade of the tundra! Firefrost Blade!”

Talia followed with chanting herself “Power of creation within my very grasp defend me against the vile and vicious! Divine guardian summoning!”

The golem’s batons lit up forming two blades, a fierce white-blue frostfire raged around the right while a steady white-red mist formed the other. Both blades emanated their own element creating half an aura of heat and half an aura of cold.

The ground below Talia rose as earth and vines flowed up and morphed beneath her, the two elements formed into a humanoid shape as she stood with arms open wide and eyes closed in concentration. The new golem’s shape was raw and rough as they commonly were, it’s size slightly larger than the two headed, two tailed fox.

It’s fists formed out of stone as claws grew out of strange vines that pulsated with mana. Suddenly the claws burst into flames without burning the vines themselves. From it’s back two large wings made of thick leaves grew out giving it a wing span wider than itself, every flap caused bursts of wind to lash out.

Talia sighed in relief as the casting of the summoning finished releasing her concentration, “Grab him!” she ordered the nature golem causing it to flap it’s wings and leap at the fox.

The fox golem blocked the nature golem’s charge by hold it’s open arms with both batons and slamming it’s left leg into the golem’s chest while both it’s tails smashed down to the ground giving it more to stand on. The nature golem was unfazed by the kick and grabbed hold of both batons causing the vines and stone to sizzle due to the acid layer, it didn’t feel a thing and continued to put pressure on the fox.

“Devouring twin breath!” the fox’s master chanted causing the golem to speak the chant too, both mouths opened wide.

“Nature’s descent!” Talia chanted sending a burst of wind to counter the attack.

The fox golem breathed frostfire from one mouth and firefrost from the other causing the three attacks to clash in between them. The clash of elements burst outwards in an explosion of violent lightning sending both golems crashing and tumbling back.

Talia was thrown off her golem by the blast but managed to not be hit by the electricity, she crashed into the snow and tumbled back a couple feet as the sound of something cracking reverberated in her ears. She groaned from the pain while pulling herself up, her left arm was made useless from the fall.

She blinked the tears out of her eyes and refocused on the fight, her golem stood up unharmed by the lightning due to it’s own element but had lost both wings from the crash. She stared ahead at the fox golem as it lay face up on the snow, it was unmoving as electricity surged over it’s body.

“Grab it! He’s paralyzed!” she shouted and took a step forward causing a jolt of pain to run up her left leg, “Dammit!” she cursed and crouched down. “Nature’s virtue!” she chanted while holding her right palm over her twisted ankle. Water flowed out of her palm and surrounded her leg as a green glow shone from it.

She watched as she healed, her nature golem had tackled the fox golem on the ground and held it down completely. Talia felt relief from her leg then moved the water up to her shoulder, she held back a scream before dissipating the healing spell. “Shattered…” she noted from the feeling of misplaced healing that caused the pain.

Talia took a deep breath and stood up, feeling that her leg was now fine she stepped forward and towards the two golems. As she approached the sky lit up with a blaze of fire, the military’s mages cast their widespread attack to locate the carriage she figured.

She grinned and even laughed mockingly when she arrived at the fox golem’s right head, it was completely immobile as her nature golem held both mouths shut with its stone hands and grew vines to hold down it’s arms and legs.

“What now dark hero Kyllix? Your comrades in the air have been discovered, your allies on the ground surrounded and either captured or killed by now.” Talia spoke condescendingly “You think you can just play villain and not get away with anything? You think you can warp and mess with diplomacy from the shadows and cause mass destruction without dealing with the consequences?”

She raised her working hand towards the golem’s chest where she figured the two cores and it’s master were, although it didn’t matter if she missed since her astral mana was still only below half.

“You really thought you could insult an immortal being, go against a Goddess and get away with it?” she chuckled at the irony of the situation, her face twisted into grinning amusement “Nature’s wrath!”.