Chapter 25: Draining Energy

Venator opened the bottle, inside only a few drops lingered inside. Despite the small amount, he began emptying it, feeling as a small bit of his energy returned, feeling less fatigue than before but it was not enough.

"I dug myself a grave here. A bunch of mages surrounding me, the army is probably running towards me as i speak." Venator stood up, looking around at the assailants besieging his dome.

"Well...It's now or never. Either i die or survive here somehow." He spoke with fear in his voice.

As he looked, the sound of hooves slamming on dirt grew louder and louder in the distance.

The mages ceased their attacks, their heads slowly turned.

From a hill, multiple soldiers bearing torches stood atop their horses. Looking donward.

In a second, they began descending down quickly, swords in hand. The mages scrambled forward, their hands pointed forward, abandoning their attempt of killing Venator.

Venator sensed opportunity at the ensuing fight in front of him. He clenched his sword, even with less energy he prepared to fight, now with a new plan.

The ice shattered in a snap of his fingers, instantly he charged at the mages.

His sword slashed across a mage's back. In the sudden attack, one of the mages threw ball of fire at Venator, sending him back to the ground.

A boot stomped on his chest, a mage looked down on him, hand already flame and ready to kill.

As the mage's hand raised up, he turned his head to the horses. The sound of hooves was now louder.

Before he could throw the flame down, he began running away.

Mages began moving away from each other, with fire they began fighting back against the soldiers.

Chaos erupted with mages spread out among the field, the horses ran around while soldiers swung at them. Fire began flying and spreading around on the field.

Soon, the mages were now surrounded, their organization in shambles as Venator began attacking them while the soldiers fought the rest.

One by one, they began dropping, slinging orbs of fire around, lighting up the ground or crashing into their attackers.

Few of the horses shrieked in pain as they were hit, Venator was struck by more orbs while the fight went on. The mages, now deeply in terror, attempted to escape. More fell, Venator slashed and threw his own flame while the soldiers continued running around, confusing and irritating the mages while they scrambled on who to fight. The battle went on, the mages became more desperate as more of their brothers and sisters fell, leaving just a few left in the fight.

Using whatever energy they had left they began burning the area, a cloud of fire surrounded Venator and the horses, sending their riders on the ground, immediately getting burned by the remaining mages.

Swings continued as Venator relentlessly purused the remaining mages, fighting for their lives. The horse rider's numbers dwindled quick, more getting killed by the mage while Venator continues killing.

Soon, a handful remained. Packing together, Venator limped towards them with diminishing strength, the fire in his hand became but a cluster of sparks while he dragged his sword on the ground.

All at once, the horses charged at the packed mages, Venator joining with the attack.

In seconds, swords slash at the robes and armor of the mages, sending them to the ground while they desperately slung fire in defense, tired while the fight continued. More horses fell while Venator sustained more hits by fire, striking his chest among other body parts, leaving charred portions on him.

The last mages fell to the groumd after their hard fought battle, leaving an area of burned grass and lifeless bodies in it's wake.

The soldiers trotted towards Venator, on the ground kneeling, burns and slash wounds on his entire body. Healing was nearly impossible with the deep lack of energy.

"Hey." A horse rider shouted, his sword pointed down at Venator's head.

"You fought against those mages, and not with them. Odd." He continued.

"But that doesn't matter, as per orders. All mages must be killed, regardless of circumstances."

The sword raised up, ready to kill Venator where he stood.

But, the sword didn't slam down. The soldier stared far beyond the battleground, frozen, the rest looked with him in shock.

Soldiers ran en masse towards the burning field, soldiers of the behemoth and supply wagons.

"Should have brought the army for reinforcement." In fear, the riders began escaping, leaving Venator on the ground

"They'll...Want....Me, dead." He struggled to even talk, bleeding and tired.

The army continued running at him, having lost thier supplies and war machine. Rage infested their minds as they all focused on Venator directly.

The horse riders disappeared in the distance, away from the battle and bound for home.

"That armor, better be worth." Venator, with struggle, stood up.

He looked at the approaching army, getting closer and closer. A plan started forming in his head of what to do next. His options were now extremely limited, having used up most of his power with only a small bit of energy left to use. Slumber and the feeling of passing out loomed above him while he looked.

"And the grave gets deeper." He laughed exhaustively.

Hope began dwindling while he stared longingly at the army's rapid approach, their mages were now gone though.

"Need to stall them," He looked around at the charred field. In an instant, an idea struck his mind.

"Hope I can still have energy after this."

Fear rose inside him as adrenaline bgan coursing once more. With a sheathed sword and both hands engulfed in fire, he awaited the massive shambolic horde of soldiers as they shouted, raising their swords and spears in rage.

through deep breaths, he prepared himself for what to do, sensing the doubt and possibilities of failure.

As the army got closer and closer, he began focusing his fear into anger.

"Meet....Your....War.....God....Now!" With both his hands, large beams of fire suddenly struck the front soldiers. He began moving forward, burning more soldiers as they continued running.