Briareth

When I decided I would go for the weapons and help, I wasn’t expecting it to be this creepy. I mean I knew in theory that some teachers sleep in school, but actually running into a floating, meditating Vaeril while grabbing the weapons was not what I expected. I know that running around school at night is supposed to be kinda my and Folas’s thing, but we never actually went into our classrooms. I mean there was never anything interesting in them, why should we?

I already tried talking to some Masters who were on patrol in the hallways, but they were useless. They either didn’t believe me, or were more interested in why I was out after curfew to notice the fight. Sheesh. I even tried what Adamar had said not to do and mentioned the Aberration. The Master tried to do a drug test on me. I skedaddled out of there pretty quickly once he started going on about punishments for underage drug use on campus. Most tried to chase me to some extent, but I evaded them all.

When I arrive at the battle scene there will be no backup. I hope they don’t get too mad at me. I mean I tried, maybe we should have had Faladel and his charisma do this job. But then I wouldn’t have been able to show off my brilliance, and we probably made good use of him with Lyra. Either that or he failed miserably. It always goes one of two ways with him. Brillant, or bombed it. With me it could go any direction. Who knows someday I might do something so weird that I am hailed as a heathen chicken god. I wonder how people worship heathen chicken gods these days. Probably with some very nice feed.

Okay, not quite sure how my thoughts ended up going that direction. But I probably shouldn’t continue down that endless loop. Even if I can’t bring backup to the gang, I can bring weapons. Maybe the bow -uh wasn’t it called Dark-something?- will help somehow. And Faladel will definitely like finally having a weapon. Wait, does returning to the battle count as bringing myself in as backup? I’ll have to ask Adamar, he seems like a smart chap who might know the specifics of ‘backup’.

Well anyway, they seem to be battling it out quite explosively. I hear a high pitched shriek, could that have been Adamar? Or maybe Faladel? I know it isn’t Folas, I’ve heard him scream before, and it is surprisingly a very deep-voiced scream. Well, even if it is Lyra– which would be rather nice –I should probably hurry up. She really shouldn’t have kidnapped Val; if she isn’t already down by the time I arrive she will get an arrow in her!

Too bad my grand entrance is going to be a bit delayed since I’m on the wrong side of campus. I wasn’t expecting to be this far away when I tried to return. Running away from that Master who wanted to drug test me sent me way out of the way. When my feet have finally finished ferrying me to the fight, I am confused.

It almost looks like the Aberration is playing duck-duck-goose with my friends. Normally of course by duck-duck-goose rules, the Aberration and Folas would be running around Adamar and Faladel, I guess they decided that Adamar and Faladel don’t make up a big enough circle, so they are running around the greenhouse? Which is destroyed for some reason. This is very confusing, and it only gets more confusing when the Aberration swings at Folas with a stick.

“You can’t do that!” I shout at him. “That’s cheating!!”

The Aberration doesn’t seem to notice my disgruntled shout, but Folas does and falters, turning to look at me.

“Briareth thank goodness you're here!...” His call ends in a scream as the stick hits his side and sends him flying. I’m officially ticked at the Aberration.

“Okay, that’s it! That is not how you play, you imbecile! You shall not disgrace the glorious game of duck-duck-goose any further with your misbehavior!” I grab my bow, nock an arrow to the string, ignore all the sudden floating white strings that appear, ignore that the normal arrow I just picked out of the quiver turned to something that looks like lightning, and shoot him in the stomach.

When the funky blue lightning arrow hits him, it explodes, and the Aberration is thrown backwards.

I wasn’t expecting that either. This evening has been full of surprises.

“Why are there these strings everywhere?!” I call out to Adamar and Faladel, who are sitting on the grass. Adamar’s leg is bent at a funny angle, it almost looks like he broke it. I hope he’s not in too much pain.

“What are you talking about?!” Faladel calls back, “Duck-duck-goose and strings? Just keep shooting the Aberration!”

I shrug and grab another arrow out of the quiver, and aim at the Aberration again.

“Wait a second!” Adamar screams.

“Why? Shouldn’t he shoot it?” Faladel shouts.

“I’m trying to think, give me a minute!”

“I don’t think I have a minute Adamar! So think fast!” I shout back, watching as the Aberration gets back up. It really is a monster, with that sort of explosion it should have been blasted to bits, or at least caught on fire, but it is only mildly scorched. It turns at me, and it's eyes are glowing red. “Freaky.” I mutter to myself, and aim at it’s head. “Whenever you are ready Adamar.” I call out, sighting down the path as the beast comes charging at me.

“Are the strings connected to the Aberration?!” Adamar shouts at me.

“They are, can’t you see them?” I call back.

“Shoot at the strings!” Is his only reply.

“What? What are you talking about Adamar?” Folas calls, “He should shoot the Aberration!”

“Can’t hurt to try Adamar’s way!” I respond, resighting on the brightest string I can find. I fire, and then dance out of the incoming beast's way. This time the arrow doesn’t explode, instead it disappears, and the string with it. The Aberration stumbles, trips, and falls on its face, its chin occupying the place my feet used to.

“Where did the arrow go?” I shout to Adamar, since he seems to know what is going on.

“No clue, but shooting the string seems to have dealt him more damage than anything else we’ve done so far, so just shoot as many of them as possible!” He replies. I shrug, and fire off another arrow.

“What strings are you guys talking about?” Folas asks, confused.

“When I was-” Adamar hesitates slightly, “collecting information, I overheard someone saying that if you could see life signs, an Aberration would have lots of strings like a marionette because they receive energy from their victims all the time so they can move around.”

“So you're saying that the strings are actually beads of life force?” Faladel says, seemingly intrigued by the idea. I hope he doesn’t try to make any Aberrations in the near future, they’re annoying. I shoot another arrow at a string and watch it disappear. I wonder if it is the bow that makes the arrow lightning, or if it’s the arrows themselves.

Out of the corner of my eye, I notice the Aberration struggling to get back up. “Oh no you don’t. You are in timeout for ruining the game.” I mutter to him under my breath, and give him a headshot between the eyes. “That should keep you down for a while.” I finish, and continue about my business clearing up the glowing white strings.

While I do that, Faladel goes over to Folas, and it appears that he broke a couple of ribs. Nasty. Then he comes and retrieves his sword from me.

“A bit late for me to use this.” He comments, sheathing it. “But then again, none of us knew that your bow would be that useful. Thanks for bringing it, Briareth.”

“You’re welcome.” I say, and fire off another shot. The Aberration is crawling on the ground now.

“Should we expect any Masters to show up soon?” Faladel continues.

“None would listen to me.” I make a sad face, “Then again, someone must have seen all the explosions and what-not. So surely some will come. And if they don’t, I’ll go get someone to help us take care of our two wounded warriors. Speaking of which, are either of them bleeding badly?”

“Nope, just a few cuts, none of the bones broke skin thank goodness.”

“Great, then I can take my time finishing up here.”

“Guys!” Adamar shouts. “We have more trouble! Intruders!” Faladel and I turn around to see what Adamar is talking about. Behind him, there are five Dwarves on the school grounds. They look like they used to be sneaking, and one's foot is next to a broken branch.

“I’m really not in the mood for this.” I mutter.

“How did they even get in?” Faladel asks the air, and then stalks towards them, sword drawn. The Dwarves begin to scuttle backwards, drawing their weapons.

“Gross neglect on the Master’s part,” I comment. “You start taking care of them, while I finish off this dude. Once I’m done I’ll join you. In the meantime…”

“I know, keep them away from the wounded, but stay out of the woundeds’ line of fire. I just wish the Masters were around to take care of them.”

I nearly misfire as I hear a familiar voice respond to that.

“Well we can’t be everywhere at once, you do know that right?” The Dwarves’ faces pale as they begin staring upwards and whispering to each other. I glance up as well, and as per usual, HeadMaster Morthos Haulding is floating downwards with a band of Masters. I see quite a few familiar faces in the bunch. Master Vaeril, Kolvar, Edraele, and even Gennixa.

“Very nice fireworks display you put on earlier, Adamar, Folas.” The HeadMaster continues “I particularly liked your finish Briareth. That lightning arrow was beautiful, although in the future you shouldn’t borrow Master Vaeril’s stuff without asking, even if it appears he is asleep. He actually has a sign out sheet for students, very useful for when he isn’t available. And as for you Faladel, good job holding your own against stronger opponents while you're unarmed. Although you weren’t able to inflict practically any physical damage, points for improv.” He smiles and gives Faladel a thumbs up. Faladel looks very confused.

“Why didn’t you help out earlier?” He asks.

“And spoil the show? Why would I do that? Besides, I didn’t want to spill my popcorn.” The other masters glance at each other at his comment.

Master Edraele gives a little cough and murmurs to the HeadMaster, “Don’t forget the Dwarves, Sir.”

“Oh yes, Briareth, you continue beating up that monster by firing magic arrows into thin air, and I’ll take care of the Dwarves.” He smiles, a strange glint in his eyes, and that tiny action is more scary than any Aberration could ever long to be.