Chapter 34: My Best Friend
The night progressed with a cold tension. Taylor returned not long after she left. With Ronalt's help the Kingdom and Guild were able to make use of the night and counter the Empire, not allowing them to rest as they tried to retreat. The constant battle wore out both sides but in the end it was our side that came out the better. Though their numbers were high, against Magicians of all sorts, the Empire couldn't claim a decisive position. All through the night Ronalt pushed at them, clear intent to fulfil his promise to me. It was a risk, but if Taylor's information was correct, by daybreak they'd no longer have a chance at all. The teleport formations had a limit and could only be used so much. Initially they had been saved as a resort to retreat but with our insistence to call the Kingdom, they couldn't be used till at least noon and even then only so many could run. The Archmage had bargained their lives on us and as much as I wanted to uphold her belief, it was looking grim.
The sleep we had was fitful and limited. Our eyes were focused on Lara and the forest. No matter how many hours passed she kept going. In a way it was truly heroic. The Hero's stand against an infinite number of enemies. If anyone saw this situation from the outside it would look like we were the bad guys even despite Lara's loss conscience.
Taylor managed to delivery some restoratives to us and Ardent recovered somewhat but when I had visited Marley she refused to wake. The spell she used on me had taken its toll. While I was glad to live, it was a shame. We needed her now more than ever and as the hours passed and the night began to edge away, so did the denizens begin to lose their strength. Lara really never gave up. Her armour was broken, her clothes torn and numerous scratches covered her body but still she remained a beacon of strength. Rough rasps of breaths puffed from her mouth visible due to the cold. Occasionally she'd scream, from what I didn't know. Maybe it was just instinct, maybe it was her secretly crying for help.
The sun peeked over the forest and with its first rays of light the denizens melted back into the land. An entire night and this was all we could accomplish. Caius fell to his knees struggling to breath. Beads of sweat pooled at his chin and dipped onto the earth.
"Get back Caius," I passed him a potion. "If we die you're the only one who can stall her."
He snatched the vial from me, "Then don't die." As much as I'd like to rely on him for the coming fight I knew better than anyone he wasn't moving anytime soon.
"Here's to hoping," I readied myself and stared into the crater that Lara had created. Dozens of metres deep, what had been part of the forest now stretched a hole in the land. Rubble and rocks were scattered haphazardly with tree roots springing from the soil. Lara stood in the centre confused at the denizens' sudden disappearance.
"Here we go," Taylor stretched her arms.
"Well at least she looks somewhat more tired," Earnest said.
I firmed myself, "Don't worry, we can do this. As long as we can pin her and get me close… I can save her." Or at least I hoped so.
"That is if we can pin her," Ardent laughed. He sighed softly, "This certainly has been a tale. If we survive this I am sure someone somewhere would make a lovely book."
"I would read that," Taylor nodded. "I'm sure there would be quite a few steamy scenes here and there." She winked at me.
I looked at her endearingly, "Time and place Taylor."
"I know," she stared back, there was a tender fear in her eyes, a fear directed at all she could lose.
"She's coming," Earnest placed his hand on his hilt, ready.
I swallowed my saliva. Ronalt hadn't come and the Empire's second army was on its way, not that we'd have to worry about that. We had every chance of failing now. There were no more traps, or tricks in my bag. It was just us against her.
"Earnest vanguard!" I shouted and dashed to the side as Lara came running up the hill of the crater. He leapt, skidding down the slope and swung. Lara growled as the myriad of blades flashed towards her and like she had done before knocked each one aside in a movement barely perceptible. No, that wasn't right. A single cut had made it through and sprang across her shoulder leaving a thin red line. She was knocked away. We really might have a chance here.
"Tch," Earnest frowned. "Harder than steel."
"Keep going!" I yelled and he advanced onto her. The pair ran around each other in circles. The sound of their blades repelling against each other echoed across the crater. Rocks shattered as they passed by, the force of their movements causing the crater to expand.
I drew my bow and aimed for her legs firing in quick succession. At the last possible moment she shifted away. Even from what should have been a blind spot she was able to avoid them. Not that I expected any less. The plan however had never been to hit her. With Earnest blocking one side Lara was forced closer to the side of a collapsed and broken tree. Taylor emerged from the shadows. Her knives flicked forward. The first strike glanced across her armour, the second pierced her skin finding a small gap that had been destroyed by the denizens.
Lara's retaliation was swift and with a swing of her arm sent Taylor skidding away. The metal plates guarding her arms bent inwards from the impact. If we had tried this yesterday that blow might have killed Taylor outright. I shot several more arrows to distract her as Taylor scampered away. With godlike precision Lara knocked them from the air and proceeded to run towards me. Earnest went after her but was a beat to slow. I clicked my tongue and discarded my bow towards her to buy time. She snapped the wood in half but it managed to slow her enough to draw my sword. The pressure of her single strike forced me to my knees even as I parried most the force away. It was clear however she had weakened considerably. We had a chance.
A ray of light sped from the crater's lip driving Lara off of me. Ardent stood menacingly in the light of the sun, glowing orbs ready behind him. They began to fire one by one towards Lara. With practiced steps she avoided each one as if reading the future. As the last one missed Earnest appeared behind her. She span around to stop him. For an instant she paused, stiffened by the poison Taylor had cut her with. It was a poison of my own make, something I'd never use on a normal person. Really I was hoping it would stop her completely but I knew the chance of that was slim. Earnest didn't hold back and took the opportunity by the horns. She tried to block. It wasn't enough. The impact sent her across the crater crashing roughly against the dugout ground.
Dust clouded the surroundings. None of us let down our guard. There was no way that was all it took to put her down. A hellish scream broke out and I had to clamp my ears in pain. It wasn't a sound even a beast should be able to make. The sheer power of it caused the dust to clear instantly and revealed Lara standing, her long white hair stood up as electrified ripples of energy crossed her body.
"Careful!" I called and immediately went for cover. I'd never seen her like this before but just from the aura it produced it meant serious business. A second later I heard Earnest' grunt. My eyes couldn't believe what I was seeing. She had moved so fast that it was almost instant. Earnest hung in the air blown by her upwards swing. His arms shook trying anything to defend himself. Ardent came to his aid, firing chains towards her. They snapped across her arms and legs pulling her to the ground before she could jump and deal her finishing blow. This was perfect. With Ardent chaining her like she was now, I could get close enough and safely… there was no way that was true.
Her muscles rippled against the glowing chains. The earth they were bound to began to break apart in large chunks and finally as she grunted and tore, the chains snapped. Ardent fell to his knees, he had given it his all to bind her and now the fall back raged inside him. Worse still was Earnest who hadn't recovered. I launched myself out from cover and screamed, charging towards her. Her addled mind reacted instantly and turned its attention to me.
"La-," my call was cut short as she suddenly appeared in front of me. Time slowed. Her leg span towards my head. Trails of air were visible in its wake. A kick that strong wouldn't leave anything behind. I tried to bend away and raise my sword. There was no way I could make it in time.
The moment collapsed as something tackled me away. It was Taylor, her eyes were wide and determined as she pulled me away. Lara's kick halted, the impact erupting into sound as it sent a wave of pressured air across the crater.
"Move!" Taylor pulled me up. I scrambled after her.
Earnest finally pulled himself together and leapt towards Lara again. The two collided an instant later. He held her off with a grimace as she let out a barrage of strikes against him. Spurts of blood flew from cuts across his skin that had barely touched him. He began to yell, focusing on her movements and countering each one with his own. Beyond her sword, her limbs acted like weapons themselves. Each push, each tiny flick of her hand, a single mistake could be deadly and yet only seconds had passed.
"Guh," he coughed as a kick landed to his side. The clear crack of bones breaking came soon after. Her sword came next towards his head. It happened in a flash. What had been at his waist suddenly guarded his head, blocking most the impact and sending him across the crater. His treasured sword snapped in the middle. Earnest didn't stand back up.
This was crazy. We had finally got the upper hand and she suddenly got a huge power up. No, even for her, something like this had to have a downfall. This was Lara on her last legs. If we could just survive then the perfect opportunity would show itself. There was a big condition on that 'if'. With Earnest gone there was nothing stopping her from reaching us. Caius was practically unconscious, Earnest not responding and Ardent still suffering from his spell's recoil.
I made a choice and let go of Taylor's hand, standing between her and Lara. Before Taylor could even react she was upon me. My mind burst into action recalling every fight I had against her, analysing the subtle movements of every inch. From the way her muscles twitched to how her hair swayed. Even the slightest tell would prolong my life. I moved before she did but she still moved faster. Her sword parried off my own. The shock rippled through me like lightning. I grit my teeth for what came next and blocked with all my might. It wasn't enough. A snap cracked through my arm and before I knew it I ploughed into the freshly dug earth.
Taylor stood with her eyes wide barely having moved from where I had let her go. I wanted to scream for her to run, to get to safety, but my mouth refused to let the words go. Lara descended onto her with a merciless glare. To my sight Taylor vanished but without any doubt Lara reached to her side grabbing the back of her jacket. I couldn't do anything as she was thrown across the ground, bouncing up and down only to finally roll to a halt.
Move! I forced myself to stand. My left arm hung limp. I ran forward regardless. It was too late. Lara shot towards her intent to pierce her into the earth. A metallic gong resounded. Lara's blade stuck to a thick metal shield as Ronalt tucked behind it filled with grim determination. He roared as the shield let off a burst of light, forcing Lara to skid back.
"Sorry I'm late," Ronalt hefted his shield with both hands. "The Empire was a pain." Lara regarded him with a cautious glower.
"Careful she's stronger than before," I called out to him.
"I didn't think that possible," he frowned and readied himself. Taylor managed to stand and after sending me a glance retreated away.
Lara however stayed where she was. It was odd. From the rage we had witnessed she had always attacked without warning. Even when she had been controlled, she had always moved with clear intent. Now she was hesitating… careful to approach. It was something the actual Lara would do. The girl who although almighty also doubted her strength. Was it my wishful thinking or was she slowly coming back? Regardless, with how she was now, we'd have trouble tying her down even with Ronalt's help.