Everything was dark, and though she couldn't see, she could feel her body curled in a fetal position. It was incredibly hot, but the heat felt rejuvenating matching the temperature of her mana. Otherworldly voices began to speak, but she couldn't converse back, simply listen to them as she floated about a nameless void.
What is this poison that infects her? That was a voice she knew well; it was the menacing intonation of Hakkon.
Hmm, the other male voice was so deep, it was almost raspy and she felt it reverberate in her bones, she is plagued by the same parasite that weakens me. Red Lyrium. Once the red is in your veins it is hard to purge.
But you can force it from her?
My, my, Hakkon, you're quite taken with this mortal.
She heard a feral growl rise up, She is strong and proves herself with each new obstacle that is more difficult than the last. The Phoenix has earned my favor, and in return, she pays tribute to me in the blood of her enemies. If you and the Lady are too weak to care for the mortals, then it falls to me. Now, I did not beseech your company to chat, Korth. Heal her so she may fight this foreign god's hold on our people.
A tingling sensation enveloped her arm. It was cold and numbing as if Korth was sucking out the sickness in her blood. You should know this god mucking up the earth's lifeblood is one of the Blighted Ones. It seeks to spread the sickness. Myself, The Stone, and its titians work to prevent its spread, but it does not help that the Maker remains absent, for it is spreading rapidly in the Lowlands without him to stop it. His words were enough to stop her heart, for even if she was no longer part of that world, knowing that she had friends and family at risk was terrifying. I've taken her blood into me for cleansing, she is yours again. I trust you will not allow her to be taken once more, for the more she consumes the stronger the Blighted One becomes.
No, I won't. Though the voice still had no visible source, it felt as if Hakkon was speaking in her ear, Phoenix, you are free now, and I command you to kill the infected. That is the will of your Lord, Hakkon Wintersbreath. Go.
A geyser of lava exploded from where she disappeared, spitting out a molten Phoenix. Everyone had not moved from where she left them, as if the gods had stopped time. Her vision returned as her body rose from the cradle of Korth with wet wings spread wide. Hardened black plates of armor covered her vital parts and her dripping wings folded back into her shoulders and body disappearing. Her long-braided hair was a continual fountain of magma as it flowed the length of her body to the ground. Eyes of pure white light looked about at the infected surrounding them. The trio beside her slowly backed away, unsure of whose influence she was under.
Her head snapped around to Axlan, pointing at him with a molten finger, "Lord Hakkon has ordered that all the those infected by the red lyrium die. It is only he who can command me." Running swiftly up a nearby boulder to elevate herself so everyone could see her, Evelyn addressed her fellow Avvar, "If you are a true Avvar, our gods have willed the purging of the Red Ones! For the love of Korth, whether you are from Redhold or Wolf-fang Hold, you will cut them down! The red lyrium poisons the Mountain-Father and in turn, our people! He needs us, He needs you to protect our people!" From where she stood elevated above the others, the battle seemed to have been going in favor of Redhold, but just barely. Her people looked spent and exhausted, their heads tipped slightly down as their weapons grew taxing in their arms. Yet, there was a spirit in them that didn't allow them to falter in the duty. Be it the actual Hold Spirits, the gods, or that Avvar tenacity, the dirty and blood smeared clansmen and women set their jaws and steeled themselves for one last brawl. As her blinding gaze turned towards the line of enemies, a prickle of fear crept up her back as they twitched strangely as their goddess sang her treacherous tune to the infected wolves. Immediately, a few hundred Avvar traitors turned their heads to look at her. Slowly they began to walk to her on the far end of the battlefield, ignoring all else. "You three need to back away towards the wall," she couldn't spare a second to see their reaction as the Red Ones' eyes were locked onto her with murderous intent. Hopping off the rock, she refused to turn away from them.
"No. We'll stay and fight beside you," Cullen's tone was grave, and while she appreciated his support, there were too many of them.
"Cullen," out of the corner of her eyes she saw his bloodied blonde hair turn toward her, "I said go." Evelyn was running out of time to prepare her attack with them standing beside her, afraid they would get hurt by her magic. Behind her, she was making a pool of lava to retreat to if need be. The infected were starting to pick up speed, and gritting her teeth she growled out her orders, "Go now. I'll need you when this is over and my mana wanes." She knew her husband knew what happened after she used the mark, hoping that would be enough incentive for him to get safely away so she could take as many of the enemy out as she could before the other warriors were needed to finish them. Feeling the magic of their bond fade, she knew he was finally heeding her command.
With a bright flash and plume of smoke, she once again forged her arm into an obsidian blade. Seeing it as a direct threat, the enemy charged. Wielding it with the efficiency of her spirit blade, the volcanic glass edge cut through their bodies as if they were made of soft animal fat. When it dulled after slicing through dozens of bones, she'd hit the blade again as if flintknapping to resharpen it. In the distance, she could see the clans working together to pick off those in the back of the horde. The flash of Dorian's magic and arrows from the walls assisted the warriors with the augmented wolves, but the Phoenix was quickly overrun. Severing the obsidian sword from her body, her molten arm regrew and whipped lava about, all the while stepping back to her fallback spot. With every axe that hit through her, every arrow, spear, and blade, her mana drained as it was forced to keep her core molten hot to survive. Her blackened plates absorbed some of the damage, but not enough for her to continue as she was.
When her foot reached back for the pool she had created, she jumped in pulling all those within reach in with her, drowning them. Splashing up like a whale, she sent waves of lava at the enemy, melting dozens with each swell. Sending them in all directions, after a time the pool dried up and it was time for one final attack before her strength left her. Touching her core, she let it burn as hot as she could bear before succumbing to a firey explosion deadlier than a mountain of gaatlok.
As the smoke and ash settled, Evelyn's body failed her laying limp and vulnerable in the middle of the field. Her naked body shivered slightly at the loss of her heat against the gritty charcoaled earth. The blue sky had been completely blotted out by the dense black smoke from her magic, and embers glimmered white hot until dying out. Across from the Hold walls burned a wildfire so intense the once living trees were already groaning as they fell over. Coughing from the smoke's dryness, feeling it coat her throat, she reached a hand out feebly to try and quell the inferno, but failed. When she felt calloused hands on her shoulders, she picked her head up expecting to see Cullen, but her jaw dropped letting a gasp escape. Axlan began dragging her away quickly toward the tree line, still in the cover of the aftermath of her final attack. Not able to muster the strength to cry out, her words came out as raspy pleas. In the distance, she could hear Cullen calling her name, but she had no way to reach him… but Kitsa could. A short distance from the forest's edge, stood the beige cat with red spots and stripes, though they were harder to discern with her sleek fur stained with blood. The large feline was struggling for breath, like everyone else after the explosion, but she straddled the path before them bellowing out a tremendous roar.
"You, fucking overgrown cat!" Releasing her, Axlan swung his large battleaxe back, and in a desperate act, remembering the importance of their Hold Beast, Evelyn draped her body over the head of the weapon. The sudden weight on his backswing caused him to drop the head low, but not before cutting into the Phoenix's unprotected belly. Flipping on her back, holding the wound as her lifeblood fled her body, she heard Cullen's battle roar rising quickly. Looking up in time to watch the Lion of Redhold shield bash the unsuspecting Wolfbane to the ground, the force of which made her fatigued muscles bounce. Evelyn hugged herself, but her body was quickly covered protectively by the wounded Kitsa. Any enemy who got too close to her was quickly mauled or swatted to the ground. Once again, the great lioness made her feel like a defenseless cub, though this time the Phoenix was grateful for it. Thankfully, the numbers of infected were dwindling thanks to the combined efforts of the clans, but Axlan was still threat enough. Unable to do much but watch from beneath Kitsa, Cullen was on his own. Evelyn fought her lightheadedness as her blood spilled forth soaking the earth.
Watching it pool on the ground beneath her, she heard the God of War again in her state of delirium, Phoenix, the offering of your blood is touching and intoxicating, but you promised me that of your enemies, not your own. He laughed manically, as his clawed knarred hand emerged from the puddle pressing on her belly hard. A pain like she had never felt before gripped her. She choked for air, unable to voice the sensation of his touch aloud. Each one of his talon-like nails poked into her muscles carving what felt like shapes into them, but as quick as the immense pain came, so too did relief. Now able to look down, she saw that he had sealed her wound, but left odd symbols along the fading scar. Once finished, the large pale hand sunk back into her blood, taking it all with it in payment.
Feeling a semblance of her strength return, as her life stopped ebbing out of her, she looked to her protector. The lioness was passively watching the duel between the Thanes. Axlan and his inhuman strength was crashing up against Cullen's shield as he held the brute back from them. They were just out of reach of Kitsa, who growled each time Axlan looked like he'd be in striking range. The situation worsened when the cat's challenger reappeared and stalked closer. Its matted black fur displayed evidence of their vicious territorial fight. Forgetting the Thanes, Kitsa lowered herself to pounce the dire wolf if it wished to resume their feud. "I'll be alright, Kitsa. This Hold is yours. Show this pup what happens when it faces a true huntress."
If I leave you, you will be vulnerable, Kitsa spoke through their channel.
"My wound has been healed, I think I can move now." The lioness snorted before hissing at the wolf showing off her sharp fangs. "Finish him." At her command, Kitsa's paws tore the earth apart as she ran at the challenger with such speed that dirt and grass were uprooted in her wake. The pounding sound of her footfalls reached Evelyn's ear which rested on the ground.
The next moment, the Thanes were above her, and after Cullen had won out for control above her, from behind his shield he tried to speak to her. Occasionally, she felt his boots bump or push her limbs, as he struggled to not yield ground to Axlan. "Evelyn, you need to get up! You can't stay here!" Looking up, she could see his shield was buckling in from the brutal attacks he was defending against. His boots were soiled from being dug in stubbornly not yielding an inch to the augmented enemy he faced. He had been taking beating now for over an hour and she worried after the state of his limbs and sore muscles. He'd never admit to his own weakness, that much she knew, ignoring it stubbornly until his heart gave out. When a pained wince escaped him, she knew he needed help. Axlan had taken several stabs and slashes from Cullen, yet the red lyrium kept the man fighting on. By all rights he should've been out of the fight long ago, allowing her husband his victory, but this goddess and her schemes were taking it from him. Cullen was spent, but it was then that she remembered her people's greatest strength - the clan.
Whipping her head around, she called to the warriors closest to her. The familiar faces of two lions that she had seen while shopping in the market answered her plea, throwing themselves at Axlan. The woman was first, her agility allowed her to dodge the brute's large swing before climbing his back trying to put him in a chokehold. The man followed, swiping low with a spear taking the enemy's feet out from under him. At the reprieve, Cullen stumbled back a step looking as if he was going to fall, yet stiffly panted the foot down beside her.
"Cullen, we need to get the idol away from him!" Panting and gasping for breath, he nodded. His break didn't last long before Axlan threw the two warriors off of him jumping back on his feet. Locking eyes again, Cullen let go of a heavy exhale raising his shield for the next onslaught. However, he was saved again when Rylen flanked Axlan, checking him face-first into the grime littering the battlefield. "Get the idol, now!"
"Here," before he gathered his weapons and dove into the fray again, he chucked his wedding shirt at her. Hardly white any longer, she quickly pulled it over herself, glad that it was just long enough to cover her.
Willing her sore muscles to stand, she looked about for her spirit blade. Knowing that this idol was probably protected by some strange magic, it would most likely take her magical weapon to destroy it. Reassured that Rylen was with Cullen, she spotted her staff slightly sticking up out of the earth off to the side by the tree line. Running and tripping her way over to it in her bare feet, as the ground was covered in bodies, discarded weapons, and blood, Evelyn fell to her hands and knees in search of the Everite blade. The debris made it harder to spot, as did the tall grass, but her blind prodding found it embedded in the mud. With the hilt found, she just needed the magic to summon it. Forcing her weak and shaky legs up again, she froze feeling the ground quake beneath her. Turning and ducking in time, Kitsa and the other Hold Beast tumbled out of the forest, landing just in front of her with such force, that had she had taken another step, she would've been dead. Blocking her path, the wolf, whose intelligence matched that of the lioness from the way it glared at her, stood its ground against the two of them. Beyond them, she saw Rylen get thrown over Axlan's shoulder and pounded into the ground by his fist. No doubt Cullen was next, so time was of the essence.
"This looks bad," Owayne appeared beside her.
"How did you…" Rather than answer, he opened his leather vest to display his arsenal of powders and potions. Scanning the vials, one in particular caught her eye, "I need that lyrium!" She swiped it from his pocket and downed it.
"You're welcome," he said with a bit of sass. "I know mother raised you to have manners because I was raised the same way, minus all that girlie stuff…"
"Owayne! Just shut up! We need to help Cullen and destroy that idol!"
"I know, why do you think I'm here? To chat?" When the massive black wolf snarled at them, the two Trevelyans took a step back out of reflex to such a menacing sound. "I don't have any more concealing powder; how do you want to do this?" Kitsa roared making them jump and getting the challenger's attention. In the momentary distraction, the Phoenix grabbed her brother and fade-stepped them past the wolf. She thought she had cleared the animal with plenty of space between them, but with one ferocious leap, its claws sunk into her brother's leg. "Evie!" Being dragged underneath the wolf, to be guarded like Kitsa had done to her earlier, except this time it was to savor the kill. Looking toward Cullen he too called her name, tossing the red lyrium idol a short distance away from her. He was pinned beneath a different kind of beast, struggling to fend Axlan off. The brute no longer had a weapon and was throwing mighty punches and kicks at anything near him. As more warriors sought to aid their Thane, Wolfsbane simply crushed and snapped their bones as if they were made of sticks.
Torn in two, it was as if time slowed allowing her to make a decision, but once again, it was her clan who saved her the choice. Cassandra boldly slid under the dire wolf holding her shield up against its snapping jaw. With Owayne's added strength in fending off the attacks, it gave Kitsa enough time to angle herself for a critical strike to her rival. Jumping, grabbing, and twisting the wolf away from them, she slammed him into the large rock Evelyn had stood atop earlier. With the black furry mass dazed, the bloodied lioness dragged her prey into the brush to finish him uninterrupted.
Leaving Cassandra and Owayne to sort themselves out, she sprinted to the idol. Her presence attracted that of their enemy and every one of the infected ran like madmen at their crystal goddess to keep it from her. Their feral and guttural screams chilled her blood knowing that nothing but death would stop them from getting to it. Casting a fire wall and mines about as quick as she could, Evelyn tried to catch her breath from the safety of her barrier, but the enemy, all coming from one direction, piled their bodies on her flame wall so high that they were climbing over their dead comrades to get to her. Igniting the magic of her spirit blade, she cut down a few of those clawing their way desperately to her before bringing the blade down on the idol. As she had assumed, there was an energy barrier surrounding it, and the harder she pushed down on it to break it, the more frenzied the infected became. Knowing they could not stop her no matter the cost, the Phoenix's aura rose to an alarming level. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw her allies back away from the inferno she was stirring up. With blazing orange eyes, her wings shot out once more as two of the infected latched on to her. Her blade was so deep in the idol's shield, that it held her steady despite the added weight. Feeling the lyrium flare, it was then she remembered how volatile the mineral could be.
Before her concerns could outweigh her reason, bounding his way up the bodies of his clanmates, Thane Axlan leap off the pile at her. Desperate to end it, Evelyn's mana crackled about the area piercing the idol's defenses. A shockwave struck all but Evelyn back as she held fast to her blade, pouring everything she had into it. The thick bloody hands of Axlan wrapped around her throat from behind, but before he could do any harm, a blinding white explosion erupted from the idol. The familiar sensation and presence of the 'goddess' was felt, as the lyrium's energy rippled through the air. An otherworldly wail permeated her ears, making her clutch her head before the force of the blast shot her backward. The force that struck her was so strong, she felt as if she had just been tail swatted by a dragon. Unsure of how far she was thrown, on impact her consciousness was propelled into the Fade. As she drifted, her final thoughts were of Axlan's hands still gripping her and wondering what had become of her husband…