As we moved closer to the gates we could see a large group of people gathered in front of the gates. Scattered around were the many races of Nirn. They were in groups but all of them were dirty and dusty. A group of priests had a section nearby where they were healing the more minor injuries. A look past them showed the gates on the side ripped into from the looks of it. Crying and moans of pain were scattered about. The sounds brought back the horrors of Fuyuki to my mind. The clanging of armor disturbed my thoughts.
"Halt, right now we're dealing with the situation citizen we need you to join the others in waiting for us to clear the rest of the city of the Dedra still lingering about."
The first thing that ran through my mind was, 'thank the gods it's English.' The second was this might be an in. Using the connection between a heroic spirit and their master I relayed a modified plan.
"I can help if you need it, fairly good with a blade. Get me a sword and some healing for my little brother's arm and I could fight." Shiroe started.
The soldier didn't hesitate to say, "fine by me, the boy can stay by the medical tents in the mean time. As for blades you can find plenty by the lines of defense. More weapons then people to fight the damned things!"
Moving with a purpose towards the priests Shiroe unties me from his back and sets me down. Finally free from the binding I stretch my legs slightly. Looking up to Shiroe I nod with a half faked brave face.
"Stay here and stay out of trouble Azarius, I'll be back soon." The kind look on his face really sells out little bit. A old priestess of Kynereth moves to us after speaking briefly with the imperial knight from earlier.
"Alright let me see the arm boy, and you young man." Turning to face Shiroe as she knelt to my level. "May the wind guide your blade." Shiroe slightly bowed to her showing some respect.
She turns to me as I unwrapped the scarf slowly. The twigs used to splint it comming undone. Opening her hand slowly a golden yellow light slowly spills from her hand seeping into my arm. Relief and surprise fill my face as I can feel my arm mending quickly. "That should do it boy, while your brother goes to fight I'll have you helping me out as a runner as we have the other kids doing. You lot are faster and full of energy. so help the old bones out." Helping her to stand up as she seemed to struggle a bit. The best thing I can say is "Where do you need me?"
[POV CHANGE: Shiroe]
As I walked away from Azarius and the priestess; linking back up with the guard from before. I thought about how fast things have been moving. Barely any time to think about anything else. The bits and pieces of lore this world held that he told me about. The fact I was no longer connected to Alaya. As we moved through the crowds of people up the stairs leading into the actual city I saw the blockade.
The legionaries barking out order after order. The smell of fire and soot thick in the air. Then I saw the Deadra. The small ones looking like imps only bigger. A few looking more humanoid with red skin and black armor with highlights moving through it. A few larger ones with a very crockadile like body. They were pushing back a flank and men were rushing to help them. I found my feet already moving before I knew it.
The guard's voice from behind saying something I couldn't make out in all of the noise. Reaching down I grasped a sword from the ground, instantly feeling it's history. A farm boy who went to join the legion as this crisis started. The sword was his first after he joined up only months ago. Reaching the flank under pressure I braced and jumped, sword held in a reverse grip as I flew over a legionary blocking an attack from the crock Deadra. Gripping the sword with both hands I stabbed it down into the beast's face. Pressing my feet on its face and dragging the blade back with me, I lept from it's face. A cheer was heard from the soldiers. The beast fading from existence.
I shouted to the soldiers in front of me, "OPEN A HOLE!" an easy tactic to understand. The commander in white armor mirrored my order, "YOU HEARD THE MAN, REINFORCE THE SIDES, OPEN THE MIDDLE!" As the flood gates opened I threw the sword in my hand at the first charging little imps. Then I felt the call.
A wind at my back as my magic circuits flared to life. They felt smoother than ever before. The call from a lonely hill in my reality marble. The blades that have been with me for so long beautiful in their make. Made only to be admired at first, they were trusted partners to me. A whisper left my lips "Trace, on" as the very air solidified into their shape. They felt more whole than ever before. Nothing held them back. If anything, something was pushing them forwards. Or rather someone, as I remembered the info of the divines Azarius spoke of.
They fell into my grasp as I took a step. Kanshou and Bakuya moving through the air as sliced into the first of the Deadra in front of me. it was the first but it wouldn't be the last as I moved. Left and right the swords bit into the necks, hearts, and limbs of the Deadra. And as they fell I continued forward dancing a path of carnage. Soon I was next to the shield wall and kept moving forward. My swords felt better than ever before. They didn't crack as my projections usually did. Not once did I need to reinforce them.
A reassuring breeze upon my back as I stepped past the line. A dream I once lost came to mind as another crock Deadra faded from existence. To be a hero of justice. It became a fable, a false hope after working for Alaya for so long. Rin reignited my passion for my duties a bit at the end of the grail war. To try again, that opportunity has come. It doesn't seem so bad feeling this once again.
"REFORM ON THAT SWORDSMAN AND PUSH THEM BACK MEN! WE HAVE THE DIVINES ON OUR SIDE!" The commander's voice loud and clear as I moved forward. Spinning in place I cut three more of the imps. With the momentum of my spin I threw Bakuya forward into the humanoid Deadra's chest flinging him onto his back. The Deadra being pushed back led to the soldiers moving up to me killing off the ones left wounded. Running up to the downed Deadra he shouted at me. His voice gravely and distorted. "DAMN YOU MORTAL, YOU ALL WILL FEAR THE MIGHT OF MY LORD!!" Ripping my sword from his chest he faded and along with him a lot of the other Deadra around.
Yelling above the noise of the battlefield and cheering, "THE HUMANLIKE ONES ARE SUMMONERS TARGET THEM!!" Looking at the commander in white armor as he cheered along with his soldiers. He got the message as he turned to the other lines yelling much the same as I did. The message being passed along by the others In white. The few stragglers being taken down around me as I regrouped with the commander.
"Good work son, divines bless you for that." He said as I slowed down next to him. "Best I could do in that time, anyway I could get up on that wall behind our lines, I'm damn good with a bow and could get a good shot from up there?"
He immediately turned to the right, "Simmons, you got control of the flank I'll lead our friend up to the wall start to circle the bastards to free up our men. There's not as many now so keep our shield wall fresh and switch out those who need to,understood?!" With a slam on his breasplate a legionary answered "Sir!" "Follow me then the door by the gate is where we're headed."
With a jog and up 3 flights of stairs we were at the top where a few archers were stationed. Ignoring the commander so I could end this as fast as I can I moved to the side and hopped onto the ledge. The wind a familiar feeling by this point I traced my bow. The familiar feeling of the metal in my grasp. Holding out a hand I scanned the battlefield. With the flank rerouted to support the other two fronts and encircling the enemy it was much more efficient and safer for the shield wall. Tracing an arrow I looked to the larger humanoid Deadra giving orders. Pulling back the arrow, I aimed. I could feel the wind all but stop in front of me giving me a clear shot. Loosing the arrow it flew true and fast. The forehead of the Deadra had a new addition as well as being swept off his feet. With him gone a significant portion of their army disappeared. So I continued on with my new endeavor. With each pull of my bow I reaped another of the Deadra with brutal efficiency. Not even 5 minutes later the legionaries were cheering and resting.
"Damn good work, that was the most beautiful and deadly shooting I've ever seen. By the divines, what's your name son give it year in the legion I'm sure you'd outrank me."
Shiroe came back to himself at that moment the feeling of the breeze settled as he hopped from the ledge. "Shiroe, and apologies I'm not with the legion just a merc here with my brother."
"A damn shame is what it is, if you ever need anything from the legion just ask around for me. Name's Centurion Morvain 8th legion. Could use you in times like these." With a shrug we went back down the stairs. Passing by the soldiers saluted us. For the first time in a long, long, time. It felt good to do something like this.