The last step

We walked for hours. sometimes fighting small skirmishes. The Ashens king was trying to buy himself as much time as he possibly could. Scores of men fell before our blades, I left many women widows along the way to the capital city. men who thought they had enough power if they did it for king and country, putting the lives of their men before my blade. I began to hate The Ashen king more and more. So many that died that didn't need to. The girls noticed my mood growing dark.

"Jackson are you ok?" Veronica asked looking worried.

I nodded. that was all I could muster without snapping. my mind was circling around my anger. soon we where near the Ashens Capital. we stood on a large hill covered by a thick tree line. We could see thousands of troops lining up in battle formation. Men barking orders, troops setting up defenses and mages chanting over armor. They were ready for a fight, I turned to Kali and the others.

"Now's your chance to walk away. I won't ask you to risk your lives here for my sake. however I won't stop you from fighting. Either way, The ashen's monstrosities will end today once and for all. We will shatter every hope they have." I said looking at the ladies.

They turned to each other and laughed.

"like hell we would let you do this alone. your the only thing we have complete faith in." Veronica said.

"yup yup what she said." Liona quipped.

I smiled. I felt relieved to have such companions by my side. I turned back to the men on in front of the city.

"Kali what do you think our odds are?" I asked.

she placed all four of her hands on her hips

" well we literally have a goddess of war, an elven Archer, a beast woman and a damn good mage. so ild say fifty fifty." she replied.

" I've had worse odds I guess." I said with a nervous chuckle. I calmly began walking towards the front lines. within minutes the men noticed my approach. yells ripped through the ranks.

"Kali you know what to do, Liona and Veronica stay behind me. make sure they don't flank me. Leave none breathing" I said.

I began applying my resistance spells. I also buffed everyone but Kali. within seconds of that the men began charging us.

"Come forth the gates of hell!" I called out.

The ground next to me opened up, intense screaming filled the air as a dark black gate wrapped in chains erupted from the ground. the chains fell to the ground as the doors swung open. flames spewed from the doorway. The charging men slowed down as they stated at the gateway in fear. suddenly large chains flung out and began piercing anyone in sight, dragging them back into the gate. Kali had snuck to the right flank and was creating havoc. Those on the Frontline tried calling back, however the chains were ruthless. hunting down any that drew breath. the mages tried launching spells at it only to be it's next victims. screams filled the air as the gate spell ended dragging all it had grabbed back into itself and sinking back into the ground. I put my hand into the sky and yelled "come forth the damned! lead my assault."

ghastly blue forms began to appear. Human shapes formed and began rushing the troops. They swung blindly at the forms, but it did nothing as they shredded them. a heavy fog began filling the area. Men screamed and yelled for retreat. out of nowhere and arrow pierced my shoulder flinging me back. I growled as I got up from the ground.

"That fucking smarts." I grumbled.

Veronica stopped for a second and helped me up. the troops were pushing back into the city gates. They tried to close them but it didn't matter the spectres went through it. screams filled the streets beyond the city gates. I looked down at my shoulder and began a healing spell. a soft warming tingle then everything was better. I looked to the girls and said "well ladies we wouldn't want the king to wait for us would we?" I chuckled.