The Fugitive, The Runaway, and the Novice Pt2

 

Ivo: Either way, this would be information I would have liked, to keep my team informed if nothing else.

 

A= The shadows in the room once again fidget. Ivo’s eyes instinctively fixate on the movement, once again Ivo cannot be sure he had seen anything, but the feeling of displacement Ivo felt earlier is only growing more intense. A tap on his shoulder comes from behind, Ivo turns to see Artemis’ arm outstretched, his eyes shaking, darting about the room.

 

Ivo: What is it Artemis?

 

A=Artemis’ eyes close and a scowl forms on his face.

 

Artemis: We see him.

 

A= Ivo’s hair stands on end and his arm dives for his blade as he scans the room looking for what it is Artemis sees.

 

A= A demonic cry breaks the silence, as Artemis weapons materialize filling the room with a dark eerie purple light. It is then Ivo sees. A dark shade hiding amongst the rafters of the ceiling. The shape of a man, realizing it has been discovered the shade flinches. Artemis’ scythe rockets upward crashing into the shade and slamming the creature into the ceiling before ripping it down to the ground, shattering the wooden floorboards.

 

A= A battle cry from Eris, as she slams her foot into the floorboards, from beneath the now grounded shadow a rock spire crashes upward impaling the creature. For all of a moment, the shadows into the room writhe in agony, shifting and convulsing. The shadow cries out splitting in half and then fading from existence. With that the room returns to its silence. Eris charges past the elders gripping the Mayor by his clothes and shoving him against the wall.

 

Artemis: That was a scout from a Shadow Archon.

 

Eris: There was no mention of an Archon in the contract! Planning to keep that bit of information from us as well?

 

Mayor: Please Guildsman,you must understand. We didn’t have the money for that kind of a job, please the village is poor and there's no time to send another contract. We’ll gladly pay our debts when the tradesmen restock the treasury.

 

Ivo: You knew there was an Archon? I should have know. Asking for three Archons to defend you from a few bandits?

 

Mayor: Please! We’ll pay the proper amount

 

Eris: It isn’t about the money! Do you know why the cost goes up to fight an Archon? You know how dangerous Archons are! We don’t know how powerful this other Archon is! He might be able to kill all three of us for all we know!

 

A= Ivo steps forward and puts his hand on Eris’ shoulder.

 

Ivo: We were sent here by the Guild to help, that hasn’t changed. Out of respect for my team I’d ask this be mentioned to our superiors. They will reward us for our actions in their own way.

 

A= As Ivo steps away Eris drops the Mayor and follows Ivo. Ivo looks to Artemis

 

Artemis: We can feel the shadows, he is getting closer.

 

Ivo: Then it may be time for us to go meet our guest. Eris, Artemis, let’s move.

 

A= The Trio walks outside and are met by the guard Captain from earlier.

 

Ivo: Captain, where will the enemy be coming from?

 

A= The Captain looks confused for a moment but eventually answers.

 

Captain: The main forces should be approaching from the south. You passed through the gate on your way in.

 

A= Ivo turns to look at Eris. A nod comes from her

 

Ivo: Captain, take your men and post them at the other entrances to the town.

 

Captain: Wouldn’t that leave us-

 

Ivo: My team and I will handle the south gate, I want you to ensure no forces sneak in from behind.

 

A= The Captain stares wearily

 

Captain: As you wish Guildsmen. I will have my men move out as soon as you take post at the south gate.

 

A= The team returns to the south gate. Guards passing the team as they approach. Upon passing through the gate the team orders the gate to shut. As Ivo stares into the clearing, The sun begins to reach the highest point in the sky. As the shadow of the gate disappears, rustling can be heard in the woods. An array of steel and villainy brims on the edge of the forest.

 

A= A large brute begins to bridge clearing. A red bandana tied around his head, a scraggly beard hugging his face, and a large battleaxe clinging to his side. Behind him swarms a tide of much smaller bandits. The group shows fatigue from the long and arduous battle, many wounded, arms in slings and heads bandaged.

 

A= Ivo rises striding out into the clearing to meet the mountain of a man leading the bandits. Eris and Artemis follow quickly behind. Ivo and the bandit leader merely a few paces apart speak.

 

Bandit Leader: We’ve fought for three days, beaten back the tide of your soldiers. All of it, to reach this moment. And this is what the Redgarden responds with?

 

A= The bandit leader leans back, obviously unimpressed with Ivo’s group.

 

Ivo: Redgarden is under the protection of the Guild. Turn back now and the Guild has no quarrel with you.

 

A= The bandit leader is evidently unmoved

 

Bandit Leader: The guy who hired us said there would be Guildsmen. Good, my men had gotten bored for goring petty guards. Though to be honest, If I were you I’d account for the difference in numbers.

 

Ivo: You’re men are tired and broken. Against guards you may have stood a chance. Im sure you’ve heard about what the Guild can do. We’re not just… Petty guards.

 

A= The Bandit Leader’s hand rises to the axe clipped to his side.

 

Bandit Leader: If you’re calling us cowards, we’d love to prove you wrong. Now step aside, or I will draw blood.

 

Ivo: I don’t believe any of us are ready to leave just yet.

 

Bandit Leader: So we both know how this is going to end?

 

Ivo: Eris, I believe i’ve done the talking.

 

A= A stone wall erupts from in front of Ivo knocking the Bandit leader back. Eris’ fist strikes the wall and it shatters into a hellfire of shrapnel, forcing the army of bandits to back off. As the dust clears Eris is now standing in front of Ivo and Artemis is nowhere to be seen.

 

Eris: I can only handle the big one, or the all the little ones, but not both. Ideas?

 

A= The army of Bandits begins charging at our heroes.

 

Ivo: I can take the big one taking on large numbers has never been my forte.

 

A= Eris tilts her head back a smile on her face, evidently excited by the action.

 

Eris: Don’t get yourself killed it would make me look bad.

 

Ivo: What about Artemis? Where has he gone?

 

Eris: Don’t worry about him, he can handle himself.

 

A= Eris bolts forward toward the group, stopping just shy of reaching them. Slamming her fits deep into the earth, her hands emerge covered with stone.

 

A= Quickly Eris delivers a bone crushing uppercut to the nearest bandit. Slamming her foot down, tall pillars of rock explode from the ground around Eris knocking many of the bandits back, swinging her arm around, Eris destroys the base of the pillars causing them to fall down on top of her enemies and kicks up a wave of dust to obscure the battle

 

A= The scene cuts back to Ivo, as the Bandit leader and many of his minions close the gap between Ivo. Ivo pulls his blade from his back, and charges toward the group. Thrown axes careen through the air as they sail toward Ivo, who almost effortlessly deflects them.

 

A= The distance between Ivo and the bandits has nearly evaporated, The bandits prepare to strike raising their weapons. Ivo responds by raising his own blade. The ground cracked, pierced by steel, swung with lethal intent at Ivo.

 

A= However none had found their target. In fact Ivo the would be target was nowhere to be found. Confused as to where their enemy had gone the bandits looked behind them, to see Ivo now in full sprint running away from the bandits having slipped past them in the mad dash to fight.

 

Bandit Leader: Arg! You idiots, he was right in front of you! Get after him or it’ll be your hides!

 

A= The minion bandits, take off running after their escaped target, letting out screeches and battle cries! Less than a dozen paces away from Ivo, the battlefield shakes violently. Abruptly the ground ruptured and the earth erupts into spires of stone slamming into the unaware group of minions, tossing their batch aside like ragdolls.

 

A= Ivo looked to see Eris, locked in combat, The spires of stone having been conjured by her to assist him. Even in the rush of battle, it appeared Eris had intended to keep their agreement.

 

A= The Bandit Leader watched from a distance as his underlings failed to capture Ivo. Axe in hand the Bandit Leader intended to resolve this issue himself. Walking calmly he approached the stone spires created by Eris and with a show of strength cleaved the amalgam of rocks apart kicking a wall of dust up into the air.

 

A= Two blades, belonging to one weapon thrust from the cloud, nearly impaling the Bandit Leader’s eyes. As the Bandit Leader recoils to avoid the blow, a fist rockets forth from the cloud striking the Bandit Leader in the gut. As the dust settles Ivo is revealed, having turned around to now fight his target.

 

Bandit Leader: Quite the henchmen you’ve found yourself, she quite capable. Maybe she could teach you a thing or two.

 

Ivo: We both have our talents.

 

A= A large Axe strikes the ground where Ivo had been a moment ago having now been sent tumbling backward, having only just eluded it.

 

Bandit Leader: Why don’t we handle this between us then? No sense in us ruining the underlings’ fun right?

 

A= Another swing of the axe grazed the air, Ivo dodges below it and thrusts his blade forward, narrowly missing the Leader. In response the Leader grabs a hold of Ivo’s arm and lifts him overhead, tossing Ivo aside.

 

A= Violently slamming into the ground, Ivo’s weapon slides away from Ivo, having lost his grip. Rising quickly to his feet, Ivo attempts to regain his weapon, finding his course blocked by the Bandit Leader.

 

A= Again on the defensive Ivo, is forced to only avoid the Leader’s attacks.

 

Bandit Leader: Not to useful without that weapon of yours.

 

A= A heavy strike leave’s the Leader’s axe buried in the ground temporarily disarming him. Ivo rolls toward his weapon to rearm himself. Blade once again in hand, he turns to confront the Leader.

 

A= As Ivo prepares to strike a cry can be heard from behind Ivo. Instinctively he rips around to see a lesser bandit, seeming having slipped past Eris, rushing toward him, Ivo waits to counter the bandit’s attack. Suddenly a bright purple flash rockets from the tree line. Ivo can just barely make out the shape of a scythe burying itself into the bandit before the flash rips the bandit backward into the forest, leaving only a cloud of dust behind.

 

Ivo: Huh, so that’s where Artemis went.

 

A= Several more bandits are ripped from the battle field being dragged off into the darkness of the treeline.

 

A= The sound of shattering earth redraws Ivo’s attention the the battle at hand. Having ripped his weapon from the ground the Bandit Leader surges after Ivo. Both of the men trade blows, countering, dodging. The two lock weapons.

 

Bandit Leader: You can’t hold out forever Guildsmen, I can see it in your face. The way you wince when you defend yourself. You’re weakening by the second.

 

A= Ivo throws himself back out of the lock.

 

Ivo: We better make this quick then, I think my friends are getting bored with your minions.

 

A= The leader gazes over to the other fight going on. The battlefield is littered with downed bandits and broken earth. The ground shook with Eris’ attacks, as bandits were sent soaring into the air. The haunting sounds of bandits’ blood curdling screams as they get dragged off into the forest reverberated across the clearing.

 

A= In anger the Leader rushes forward swinging his axe down with all of his strength, the first strike crashed into Ivo’s blade with such force as to tear the weapon out of Ivo’s hands. The second attack rose high above the Leaders head and strikes downward.

 

A= Ivo with a smirk calmly takes a step back as the leader buries his weapon into the ground, too overcome with anger to adjust the swipe to account for Ivo’s movement. As the leader attempts to pull his weapon up, Ivo places his boot on the back of the weapon. The leader looks up to gaze at Ivo. Suddenly a hand grips the Leader’s face. Ivo’s hand.

 

Ivo: I was hoping to not have to exhaust myself, im not very good with magic. But I think i’ll have to make an exception for you.

 

A= After a moment of silence, a bright flash envelops the area, as a lightning strike pours forth from Ivo’s arm. The lightning skittered across the air and within an instant, it was gone. As Ivo pulled his hand away, the Leader fell with all of his weight crashing into the ground.

 

A=Ivo recoiled in pain and gripped his hand.

 

A= As the bandits gazed at their now beaten leader, the remaining bandits begin to flee. Ivo retrieves his blade and walks back to his companion. The ground shook as Eris threw her last strikes at the fleeing bandits.

 

Ivo:  Well that went well.

 

A= Eris turns to see Ivo walking toward her, still holding onto his hand in pain.

 

Eris: Glad to see asking you to take care of one guy wasn’t too much to ask of you.

 

Ivo: Maybe If I could throw boulders at people, it wouldn’t take me as long.

 

A= Artemis strides out from the tree line, what appears like purple smoke softly drifting off of him.

 

Artemis: We do not believe this is quite over. The shadows we can feel them.

 

A= Ivo instinctively looks down to his shadow. However nothing is strange about it.

 

Ivo: Yeah, I feel like we should have run into him by now.

 

A= Ivo turns away from Eris and Artemis and looks toward Redgarden

 

Eris: The bandits said someone hired them, do you think it was the Archon? They may have just been a distraction.

 

Ivo: To distract us from what?

 

A= Ivo looks towards the mountain as the words of the elders echoed in his head.

 

Ivo: Oh no.

 

A= Suddenly an earthquake shakes the ground. Ivo turns toward Eris, but the shaking is not coming from her. A deep grinding and tumbling echos across the clearing, evidently coming from within Redgarden.

 

Eris: The Vault…

 

Ivo: We need to move, Now!

 

A= Our trio sparks into action bolting off toward Redgarden. The gate to Redgarden sealed, as our heroes close in.

 

Ivo: Eris, get us over the gate! There's no time to wait for it to open!

 

A= Eris sprints forward, grabbing onto Artemis and Ivo by their collars. As her next footfall lands the ground revolts, exploding upward tossing the trio high into the air soaring clear over the gate.

 

A= Artemis summons a scythe, and hurls it downward into the wood of the gate, the chain materializes then tightens, slowing their fall back to the ground. As they land Artemis trips and slams face first into the ground but rolls forward onto his feet, seemingly unaffected by the fall.

 

A= Ivo takes the lead charging forward, with his companions in tow. Ivo traces his steps back to the town hall eventually turning the corner. Ivo stops silently.

 

A= Eris and Artemis catch up, turning the corner to rejoin their ally.

 

A= Where once the townhall of Redgarden stood, now only rubble and smoke arose. Eris having regain her sense rushed forward toward the destruction leaving a speechless Ivo behind.

 

Eris: Hello? Anyone!

 

A= A short cry of agony emanates from beneath piles of wood. Eris digs her arm into the rubble, attempting to clear it. With a roar Eris rips a large piece of debris from the ground, exposing a beaten and bloodied body. Ivo finally having been freed from his awe attempts to aid the man.

 

Ivo: Elder, what happened here?

 

A= The elder painfully breaths in, coughing up blood as he exhales.

 

Elder: The Archon, Guildsmen he came for us. As we listened to the destruction beyond our gates, he appeared from nowhere, stepping out from the very shadows. He asked, demanded for the vault! We would not tell him Guildsmen, you must believe me.

 

A= Eris tries to clear more rubble away from around the area hoping to find more survivors.