Sudden Ambush

Bags of food and necessary belongings were buckled onto 3 brown horses outside the door to a small house. The sun with all its glamour, was alighting all the wonders of the scenery outside. The wind rustled through the green meadow, carrying its aroma across the horizon.

All the men and women were walking here and there, getting ready for departure. The tension in the air was tremendous.

"Give me 5 minutes. I'll just bid Volmae farewell" Loomati mumbled with a voice of sadness. He made his way to the bedroom where a woman was helping Volmae with his new born child.

"Aria, please.. can I have a moment with my lady?" Loomati said, clearing his throat.

"Of course master," She replied with a bow and left the room quickly with her gazed lowered.

"Why do you have to go out there without me!?" Volmae burst out as the door closed.

"My lov-"

"You know my powers are crucial to set the seal!"

"Yes, bu-"

"But what!? I cant just lie in here knowing all of you are going in the mouth of death."

"We'll be fin-"

"No you wont. Don't try to blindfold me to the truth!"

"You are not in the condition to fight!" Loomati yelled taking Volmae by surprise. Sighing, he continued, "listen my love, taking you out there is something I cant make my self do. Don't push yourself beyond your limit my lady."

"Don't pity me" she sobbed, turning her face away for him.

Loomati sat on the bedside and with his left hand, gently turned her face towards him. "Do not think like that Vol. Do not confuse love with pity. Watching you get hurt is the last thing I want." he reassured.

"My heart feels heavy, like ready to sink into a bottomless pit. There must be a way around it. Why do I have to lose you when I finally found all my happiness?" Tears flowed down her cheeks, onto the caressing hand of her husband.

"Do not shed tears from your gorgeous eyes my love. For every tear that comes, shatters my heart into countless pieces. I can sacrifice myself a million times, just so that the women who gave birth to my child would stay alive and well. I cannot lose you Volmae. You are more precious to me than myself. Please understand this. You have to stay behind. Look after our son, he will be needing his beloved mother." Loomati leaned forward and planted a kiss on her soft forehead. He turned towards his son who was glancing at his father for quite some time now. Loomati laughed through the tears. He bent down to hold the boy in his arms. "Be a good lad, will you? Your old man has some business to look after. Take care of your mother when you grow up. Be strong and fearless. Show no weakness. Make your old man proud some day. I may not be with you when you will be facing harsh times, so I will make up to all that today. I promise...." His voice choked, but he kept it as manly as he could. Bringing his new born as close to his face as possible, he continued, "....Your innocent eyes will not see the horrors of the past. If I die today, I will take the evil with me. For my son, my beautiful wife, and all the generations to come. I will fight to the death."

"Loomati pleas-" Volmae started, but Loomati interrupted her,

"Volmae I have to go. Stay safe.." And with that he turned around and went outside.

Moments later, the trotting sound of the slow walking horses entered the house, which too faded away as the distance grew.

__________

Slowly, as time passed by, so did the intense journey towards the rocky shores of Ohara came to an end. Camps were set up at the edge of the forest. All the warriors were tired, resting their head before the show begun. Plans, equipment and all the preparations were done. By day break, war would be outraged.

All plans went smoothly till midnight... until...

A sudden thud woke all the men, followed by a strong wind from the west.

"What was that!?" one of the men yelled, recovering from his sleep.

"They found us! Mount your weapons!!" Wallgof was yelling at the top of his lungs as he slipped his dagger in his back pocket and picked up his sword.

"To places everyone!!" Loomati ordered.

There was an uninvited commotion. As they all tried to arm them selves, another gush of wind threw them in the air, scattering them like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. A flash of lighting soon followed. In an instant, the forest was turned to a lifeless desert.

"Gimiulique!!!" Hingli shouted, both frightened and shocked.

"Find Alche! Make a safe zone!!!" Otake Commanded.

As all the men fought their way to group up, the clashing grew more furious. The sudden shock had worn off. The seriousness of the situation was dealt with equal intensity. Barriers were up. The initial plan was aborted, as there was no time to think. It was a do or die situation.

"Fight with your guard up! Don't surrender no matter what!! Loomati yelled through the slashing sound. "Its this da-'

There was a loud roar of interruption turning all faces to its direction.

A large ball like creature came into view. Suspended in mid air, millions of its tentacles slashing the ground as it came closer. Greasy black liquid flew in all direction. It was a hideous black creature, drenched in blood and grease. No eyes, nose, ears, or any feature could be seen. The roars coming from the hideous monstrosity had no definite source.

Outraging and slashing, it suddenly touched the ground with a bounce, creating a tidal wave that crack opened the ground beneath, sending shock waves over serval kilometers.

"Lift us up Alche!!" shouted Otake.

Alche took his long metal rod and forced it into the ground beneath, causing aurora lights to appear in a circle surrounding all of the men from every direction.

The creature arose high up into the sky as it turned from a ball to a cylinder like shape. Holding its shape, it forced itself down, slamming itself in the ground. it squished itself after impact, giving full momentum to the impact. The second it hit the ground, the lights around Alche intensified, pushing the small piece of ground into the air. And then, like ashes left to face the wind, the ground burst upwards into smithereens.

Hands covering their ears to protect them from the intense sound that followed, Alche opened his eyes to see through his sandy vision. As the dust settle down, what could be seen was more than that which could be believed. To miles and miles, only a bottomless pit could be seen. The ground had faded away like the passing time, never to return.

Everyone stood up, both terrified and hopeless. Never had they faced an enemy of such caliber. The will to fight was still blazing bright, but the determination to succeed, in only a few men, if any.

"We cannot afford to die without putting up a good fight now! Alche, create a temporary ground for us to fight. Cepat, give us some cover. Kaowadko, Gofod, distract it...." Otake started passing out the orders with the intent to win this dreadful fight. But deep down all the men had realized that their fate had been sealed the moment they encountered their enemy, the Gimiulique.

"We take you with us if that's what you want beast!"