章 323: Stoved Up
I round the corner, my breath catching as I witness a colossal battle unfolding before my eyes with effects that span the entirety of the city. The sheer scale of destruction is overwhelming, with once-proud buildings of Blackstone that reach many stories into the sky now reduced to mere rubble. Five formidable figures dominate the scene, each engaged in a desperate struggle as Lennon, Edward, Tomas, and Johnny rush toward them. Bonfire and Skyswain are nowhere to be seen in this contest of strength.
I can't help but pause for a moment as I am surprised by the figures present. None of the humans fighting already are Angels; all are only Forerunners, but together, they hold two Angelic demons, even if only barely.
Two old men, their faces etched with the marks of time, command my immediate attention. The first, possessing fiery orange hair and a prominent limp, commands a thousand ropes. He only holds one rope with his hand, but they branch out seemingly endlessly as his Ether pours forth. He manipulates them with a skill that borders on a Dzil or is, in fact, one, guiding them to encircle and bind a gigantic demon.
This towering monstrosity, the size of a three-story building and crowned with menacing horns, bellows and thrashes, yet the old man remains undaunted. The air is thick with the acrid scent of scorched rope, dark orange flames wafting off of the demon's back as it reminds me of Bonfire while the threads strain against the demon's fury. For a moment, I turn away to focus on the other, but I realize that Lennon's scream must have targeted this man orange-haired old man.
His left arm is missing, and a bloody patch on the demon's mouth is the only hint of where it has gone.
Beside him, his partner, a man with a missing eye and a mane of gray hair, exhibits precision beyond measure, edging out Johnny in my eyes of accuracy. He hurls and connects thousands of needles, bending each of them with intricate wires to take advantage of the ropes holding it down. Each incision from the needles is minor, even though I can tell the aim is to slowly weaken the creature. The battlefield is littered with broken and strewn rope and wire, proof of the many attempts to bring the demon down. I try to rack my mind for the demon's identity, but nothing comes to mind. There are many more Powered demons than humans, after all.
Blood does, however, stream from the demon, falling to the ground from their efforts. These two are specialized in taking down giant foes. That is damn certain. Plus, Lennon must know them. I can see him rushing toward the demon while another already lies dead beside him, sliced in half.
I suppose I know why that slash happened earlier.
But these aren't all the people fighting, and I find Johnny, Tomas, and Edward rushing toward another group.
Amidst the wreckage, a trio confronts another demon, more minor in size but no less destructive. This one seems to be condensed strength made manifest as it swings a lampost outward, forcing a woman to dodge who wields only a revolver with a blade at the end.
A voice enters my mind the moment I bear notice of the weapon, Lily taking an interest in it.
"That is a strong one. I can feel him from here. Careful, Wyatt. Blodwyn is still sleeping."
My lips tighten as I realize what her appearance in my mind means. A lot of people are dying. Battles on the other side of this rubble ring out, and I can even see gouts of flame come from that side. Glancing back and forth, I rush toward Lennon, looking to help that group fight as they seem to have fewer numbers. The only shitty part is that they are nearly a block away, meaning that, unless I want to blow Burdenless right now, I'll just have to take some time to get to them.
But as I approach them, my focus falls on that Colt. Examining the battlefield is a good use of my time, but I can't do anything but look at the Colt for several moments. It is an imposing weapon that emanates a vague mental energy. With each shot, the air seems to vibrate as my headache tightens from just being in the soundwave's path from the gun—the Mindsplitter. Arnold Pilner truly made some incredible weapons. That means... that the woman is Laura. Laura Crease, right? I think that's her name.
My brain can only focus on one idea as I rush toward the demon, the scythe blade on my right arm extending as I prepare an Arbalest in my foot.
The Lumen-wielding gunslinging woman is not alone, however. She has two other partners helping her hold back the demon. The first is a warrior, reminding me of Sacate with spiraling tattoos down her uncovered back, who bears a gleaming spear. They move with the grace of a seasoned dancer, narrowly avoiding every attack. I can't help but be impressed, yet the last figure, armed with a halberd with vines that extend from it, strikes as the front line. Cuts embezzle the man's entire form, but the vines seem to cover and prevent the bleeding.
Despite their combined efforts, the trio is pressed closely by the short yet powerful demon. I hardly catch the one with the halberd getting struck by the light pole across the street before I get within attacking range of my current foe.
The sick crunch of the man's bones is audible as a fiery roar is released ahead of me. Gazing forward, I find a splash of literal magma soaring through the air. Running along, I slide on my knees, keeping my head down as heat passes over me.
Grunting, I push myself forward with an Arbalest that delivers me only feet away from the massive demon. Once in front of him, I hesitate, not because I don't think I'll be helpful, but because I don't know what to do. How do I fight something this large?
A voice from my shoulder answers my question as Lennon and the two old men attack the giant sulfuric creature.
"Get it in the face. Lennon probably just needs a good shot. If you can stun it, we've got it killed. I'll work with old man Phineas to hold it down."
The moment the voice ends, a shadow hurtles forward as its silhouette splits off and heads in another direction. I need to get to its face. Okay. Okay. I'll wait for them to hold it down, then Arbalest to its face with an Explosion. After that, I'll undoubtedly require a Burdenless to reset it all.
Stepping back, readying myself for the coming attack but careful not to step into the heated rock behind me, I observe the fight. Virgil and his Silhouette explode into a number of Nightwhips, each wrapping around or grabbing some part of the demon.
It roars angrily, cursing us as it strikes at Virgil, but the two old men, Phineas and the other one with needles save him by slightly altering the path of the demon's clawed hand.
"You pesky human! Come here! Urtur is hungry for a shadow!"
My eyes flitter back and forth between the three Forerunners as I mentally question the still Lennon. His legs are crouched, and his hands are on the hilt of his blade sheathed in its scabbard. His whole body is unmoving, like that of the most perfect statue. Why is he not doing anything?
He's waiting for the right time to strike. And he won't get it anytime soon without me. I watch for another few seconds, finding that the opportunity that Virgil promised isn't coming. Gritting my teeth, I jaunt across the black rocks that adorn the ruined streets of Blackstone. I kick off one large crumbled storefront before climbing onto a higher part of a partially remaining building.
Reaching upward with a Leash, I climb to the absolute peak of the rubble, which is sadly only at most fifteen feet, halfway to the demon's head. I tighten my gaze, examining the demon's movements as I let my Leash grow outward even further, extending it to the maximum I can at the moment.
Then, as the demon rears back another powerful strike, the kind that demolishes entire buildings with ease, I throw out the Leash, wrapping it around his arm. I know that I'm not more physically powerful than it, but I'm not weak. I just have to throw it off balance to open an opportunity.
All my Ether at once explodes with a fury, even a Release of my legs and back with a Strugglers Gasp as I reach the very boundary of my Ether saturation. My mind flashes back to the train, yet I hold on. The rubble beneath me, less concrete than what it used to consist, crumbles instantly underneath my feet as I dig into it, gripping onto the Leash with all my might.
Yet, a great force that elucidates a rip of pain along both my shoulders and into my spine rips me from the rubble, sending me soaring through the air. As I fly through the air, spinning head over heels, I see that the demon is partially off balance, his right leg lifted into the air as he wheels forward.
An idea blooms as I soar over the demon, and I immediately shout toward the only man who can make the thought a reality.
"VIRGIL! STEP!"
The head of the shadowed man twists toward me, confused, but he instantly understands after only a fraction of a second. Before I even reach the apex of my jump, he reappears beside me, a platform of darkness tangible enough to step on.
I kick backward, landing my right foot against his darkness, and meet substance. Smiling, Arbalest hurtles me through the air but not toward the demon's head. Instead, I aim low, heading straight for the other leg of the terror. My other foot slams into the ground as I pivot, throwing everything I have left into this strike to the demon's heel.
An Explosion crackles from my prosthetic, warping some of the metal on my fingers as a colossal vibration runs through the ground. The demon falls onto its knees, and I immediately dive to the side as my whole body prays for air. Rolling away, I heave, retrieving oxygen from the atmosphere as a clink enters my ears.
It reminds me of that of a sword entering a scabbard.
Muddled and wondering if Lennon took the opportunity I gave him, my eyes widen as I find the demon over five times my size split in half, falling apart in two pieces to the ground. There is no noise, only pooling blood as Lennon Hull has already sheathed his sword and is now approaching the two old men. The Bladed Monster's eyes leak blood as his chest heaves up and down in tremendous gulps. But despite his evident exhaustion, he killed the demon in a single slice. The feat leaves me stunned as I see him hug Phineas and question him about his missing arm.
I gaze around, locating Virgil as he slides against a wall, one hand to his side that displays a nasty burn. Then, I witness the end of the other fight quickly approaching as the other Angelic demon is outnumbered three-to-one by Angels, not even counting the Forerunners.
Seeing that the battle is over for now, I waive Burdenless for later. Instead, I push myself to my feet using the rubble as a guide because of my spinning vision. I'm right on the end of saturation, the very brink, but I can wait. The medicine from Earl is still working. A few minutes and I'll be able to fight a bit more. I have to make the most of it all. As I step forward, I hear Lennon nag Phineas and the other old man, who I learn is named Judas.
"Phineas! Judas! What are you two doing here! You should be back in Seaside living out your retirement, not dying in this shithole!"
Limping toward them from pure exhaustion and the headache that rails against me, I see the orange-haired one, Phineas, laugh.
"Can't let you have all the fun, Len. Plus... it's do or die. A lot more than just us two are coming out of retirement. Did you know Laura was about to retire? Hardly forty and about to relax and join her grandfather in retirement... hmmm... you all sure fucked that up for her. You nearly got Canyon to leave his plateau, too."
Phineas nods at the other clash as the woman with Mindsplitter falls to her knees over the body of the man with the halberd. The woman with the spear stands over her shoulder, looking down. I quickly shift my attention as I realize their grief. The fight didn't end without casualty.
Judas then speaks up with his one open eye as he retrieves a plethora of needles from the demon, sliding them out of its flesh. The instruments of death fall into his sleeves with such swift motions I can barely tell he's even moving.
"Two demons and already one of the Claws are down. Things ain't looking too hot, Len. Any info you got for showing up so late to the party? Most of the other Sigiled are on the west side of the city. These two were just going for the escaping people."
I answer for Lennon as the man looks up, deigning not to answer. He must be thinking about something else.
"Vincent is about to ascend. The other Dominions of the continent are coming to stop him. We need to get to a safe place, and this whole Territory certainly isn't one."
Phineas' eyes squint at me while Judas' lonely pupil does the same. The latter acknowledges me.
"And who would you be, young man?"
Limping forward, I stretch out my right hand. Better I know who I'm fighting with than I don't.
"Wyatt. Wyatt Graves."
The instant I say my name, the two older men smile a grin I don't think I've ever seen the equivalent of.
"Wonderful. I thought your whole family was gone for good. Maybe we really do have a chance to save all these folk then."
Phineas nods toward me as Johnny, Tomas, Edward, and the other two figures that they were fighting with step up with haste. Edward quickly introduces them before being interrupted by a landing Skyswain, her wings bloodied and ashen.
"Laura Crease and Sydney Donald of the Cross Claws. I'm sure you know Phineas, Lennon, and Judas, but these four are Wyatt Graves, Johnny Caldwell, Tomas Travis, and Virgil Boone. Now that introduct—"
"The west side needs us now! Elizabeth and Millie are working on evacuations, but ten Angels just steamrolled their way into the city. One of them is a Virtue as well."
Her words come out anxious and hurried, but they sink the entire atmosphere as I see even Virgil's head sink.
Ten?
Fucking ten?
How... how do we even...
Edward breaks the silence after only a short moment of thought. He starts pointing and divides up responsibility.
"We don't have much time for discussion or elaborate planning. We need to split up and handle these Angels while the rest escape east. Sydney and Laura, can you two handle one? I'm not sure what we're coming up against here, but Judas, you might have to even force Lance back on his feet with your Puppetry."
I glance at Laura, a woman with bright yellow hair tied up into a bun with her gun at her side, as she wipes her brow before peeking at Sydney. She takes a deep breath before nodding.
"No need, Judas. Give Lance the poker, Syd. He'll be furious we used the artifact, but better that than we die."
Edward nods at the two from Gravecross before turning to the two old men. They are both already hurt, but they have to stand up all the same. After all, few of us aren't hurt. Virgil has a burn on his side that goes nearly bone deep, and even Lennon has bandages around his stomach from the bunker.
"Phineas and Judas. You two have been out of service a hell of a long time. You alright with holding one off for a while until you can get some more help?"
Phineas hauls back his hair, which is surprisingly long for such an aged man, as he smiles far too broad to be sane.
"Of course. Y'know, I was fighting before even your Pa got a Sigil. Judas and I were known for stalling Angels. Won't be nothing but a pie."
His tone betrays his words as he seems significantly less confident with how he says what he says, but Edward moves on to the other Angels and himself, skipping Skyswain, Virgil, and me entirely. Edward glares at the swordsman for the longest time.
"As for us, Lennon, Tomas, and Johnny. We'll probably each have to take one or more. Numbers are against us on the higher end, but if more people like Laura, Phineas, and Judas are showing up, then it's not impossible we could hold this place. But we shouldn't. We need to retreat back to Gravecross. No city in Blackreach is safe from a Dominion. Though... no town in general is. The goal is to buy time and kill as many as you can without being unable to run. Lennon. I need you to listen to me. This is not a fight to the death. This is a regroup and retreat, okay?"
Lennon sighs with a nod, but I don't trust his agreement at all. Then, Edward shifts and stares at us three, the remaining few without orders. But as he speaks more and more, the flashbacks of Bent start replaying. The escape with only losing lives. It leaves a sour taste in my mouth, and I don't want to repeat that at all.
"Skyswain, Wyatt, and Virgil. You three need to focus on protecting the Unsigiled and getting them out. I know you'll focus on your families and friends, but don't be so discriminatory. Everyone deserves a chance to live."
Edward finishes by leaping up onto the edge of one of the few remaining buildings around us, using his feet as they dig into stone as footholds. Once upon the top, he puts a hand over his eyes to guard from the setting sun as he shouts for us.
"Move! The Angels are tearing through the people! Bonfire is there, too, fighting with the other Sigiled! Let's go!"
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