To the Rescue

we traveled for days looking for trouble. Bandits seemed to pass word along that a powerful mage was wiping out their people. dusk began to set when we came across a group of people. Several where crying and screaming. as we got closer i noticed a small battle had taken place. bodies lay sprawled out in the road, a broken down wagon burning.

"What happened?" i asked as we got close enough.

"Bandits attacked us sir. they killed any who resisted. they took a girl who was traveling with us. a beast girl who was a servant of one that died." a woman flung herself at my feet.

"I will recover her and avenge your dead. I will name my price when I get back." I said flipping my cloak as I turned around.

"Track the vile creatures my dear Veronica." I said turning to her.

She nodded and disappeared. a few minutes passed and she returned. I smiled, our routine had become close to perfect, however I felt off.

"We need to be careful, I have a feeling this is a trap of some kind. Those other villagers where off." I said placing my hand on the pommel of my sword.

Veronica nodded and began to lead me.

"Silent steps, whispers of the dead." I whispered.

the air become immediately still as clouds rolled in.

"They are waiting for you" a soft voice whispered in my ear

"So many this time, will you be able to handle yourself young one? will you survive this fight? we thought we could take you and now look at us? bound to your spell to feed you information on our friends. ironic isn't it?" a voice called to me with a demonic laughter.

"the price you pay for preying on the weak. the strong preyed on you." I replied with a shrug.

I motioned for Veronica to stay hidden, as I walked into a clearing. hundreds of bandits stood their with smiles on their faces. behind them tied to a tree was a small girl with a fluffy scruff and cat ears. her eyes screamed anger, she kept fidgeting. her grey hair was cut short, her green eyes darting from me to the bandits.

"bubble." I whispered pointing at her.

a bubble formed around her, not that anyone but me noticed.

"Oh you're the one killing all me men huh?" a rough looking giant growled at me.

"Aye it was me. now you think you have me out numbered mate but your wrong oh dead wrong. i said with a laugh at my pun.

"looks to me like your alone!" the giant growled.

"Do you happen to know the history of this field? how many have died here? you see the funny thing about me is that the dead never really stay dead when im around bandit scum." i replied grinning

"What are you babbling about." he yelled motioning his men to attack.

"Rise ye ole damned, fight once more with my banner as your strength." i yelled pointing at the ground.

a slow rumble began, the earth slowly shiftig. suddenly a group of hands erupted from the dirt, grabbing any nearby pulling them down. the smell of decay and copper began to fill the air.

"You see your kind doesnt deserve my fire, so my friends can take you." i grinned pulling my sword.

one reached me and swung with all his might, i was faster. my blade blocked the blow, a loud metallic clink rang out. i punch him in the ribs, pulled back and thrusted my blade through his throat. another managed to flank me, sword raised high then a gurgling. an arrow in his throat as he fell. as we fought their dead joined my ranks, shuffling towards the enemy. The giant was fighting with everything he had, swinging his mighty sword around with skill. The Dead didnt care, they felt nothing from his swings, no matter the limbs they took. men fell under bone and claw. screaming filled the air as their numbers began dwindling.

"We need to be Reinforced get the others!" the giant yelled at his back line. a man broke of and ran away.

i allowed it, might as well clean up as many as i could. spare as many as i could from the bandits. The giant was starting to carve his way to me. i raised my eyebrow in interest.

"Let him through." i called out. the dead stopped shambling and looked at me as if i had lost my mind.

"Enhance strength, enhance speed, fortify, enhance unarmed." i whispered moving towards him

i handed my sword belt to a nearby zombie.

"Dont lose this or else." i growled at the zombie.

its face looked taken back but a low growl and a nodded ment he understood.

"You want a fair fight?" the giant growled.

"Never said it was going to be fair mate, this was one sided the moment you plotted against me. so in respect of your courage i will fight without my sword." i replied circling him.

both sides had stopped fighting to watch. they circled us trapping us in a human made cage. the giant plunged his massive blade into the earth. as he did he charged me. his eyes glowing from anger. i smiled, anger could be weakness. its draining. i knew that from the first time i fought here. i had figured out that control was better. i rolled at the right time, the giants fists smashing the ground. i jumped and delived a nasty blow to the back of his head. he let out a howl of pain as he spun around. his anger flowing out of him like a river. he had lost control.

"that was to easy big guy come on." i coxed

he ran at me, swinging wildly. i ducked and slammed my fist into his knee. a satifying cruch of bone as he tumbled forward into the dirt. then i felt it, that change from anger into despair. he looked at me knowing what was coming, his eyes pleading for mercy.

"How many times has someone looked at you like that? how many lives have you shorted out of greed?" i asked grabbing his face.

He glared at me with hatred.

"exactly." i said snapping his neck. his body thudded to the ground.

"Sick em boys, leave no bandit breathing." i yelled.

the fighting immediatly resumed. the bandits weren't ready, still in shock at the death of their leader. within seconds the dead had begun moving towards where the man had escaped, arrows began flying from the tree line. not that it did any good. the dead were upon them and their god wasn't there to save them from the hell i cast upon them. i walked over to the beast girl who was tied up.

"Your safe now, im going to untie you do not bite me." i glared into her angry eyes.

she slowly nodded.

i undid her bindings and she hugged me.

"They wanted to do unspeakable things to me." she wept

"It's ok now what is your name?" i asked.

"Liona m'lord." said between hiccups.

"You ready to go back?" i asked.

"i would rather stay with you. those people hate beast people." she said grabbing my hand.

"Very well Liona." i replied with a smile.