Tales of Eleutheros

“So what are you saying exactly?” Avria asked, digging her fingernails into her palm. Her frustration mounting at dealing with the village nobles. “The Rexunii could be here at any moment.”

“That is irrelevant, Lady Avria, what matters is we entertain the thought of diplomacy. The Rexunii are terrible indeed, but even your own scouts have reported that they are treating the captives with mercy and fairness.” The young noblewoman bowed her head after. “All I am saying is, we cannot expect our village to turn into a fortress.”

“With respect, of course.” Atun said, sitting to her right.

Avria ground her teeth together. “Why am I surrounded by cowards and fools?” She glared at the girl. “If you wish to surrender to Alektor and the Rexunii, I will not stop you. However I will not allow traitors to live, if I can help it.”

“Lady Avria.” Atun rested his hand on hers. “We must not say things like this. Please understand that we are not as attuned to warfare as yourself. Many of our people are frightened, and will seek to preserve themselves. Lady Munic is only voicing her concerns.”

Avria jerked her hand away from Atun’s in frustration, and massaged her brow. “Where is Daniel?” She asked, letting out a deep breath. “I can’t bear another moment of conversation with these fools.”

The young noblewoman stood, offended, but bowed and left the room.

“He is training with the new company of warriors.” Atun exhaled in disappointment. “Would you like me to send for him? Again?”

Avria shook her head. Ever since they had their little argument, Daniel had been making himself scarce. But for the last two months of preparation and training, who could blame him? She couldn’t put her finger on it, but the man had grown on her a bit. He was stoic and irritating to be sure, but he was a stable warrior, and had been a friend to her. The pangs of guilt and pain at the loss of Oros were still throbbing within, but with so much to do, and the support he had provided, it hurt less. “No… I’ll go myself.”

Avria stood and grabbed her blade from a small stand near her desk. “I’ll be back.”

“My Lady, I would like to accompany you.” Atun stood as well.

Avria shrugged as she walked out of the door. Making her way to the practice fields was easy enough. She just followed the cracks and bangs that came from the new human weapons they had made. She walked into the command tent, and saw Daniel around a Dunamis grown, three-dimensional map of the surrounding area. There were two guards at the entrance who saluted and opened their mouths to announce her arrival, but she silenced them with a gesture.

“Fortifications to the North of the village could be used in egress.” Daniel said to Lieutenant Jori, the new civilian officer he had promoted. “As we fall back, we can use them to defend. Make sure they are effective in both directions.”

“Yes, sir.” Jori’s head turned to meet Avria’s gaze. “My Lady!” He bowed his head.

Daniel turned to see her, but just took in a deep breath.

Avria narrowed her eyes. “Lieutenant Jori, please take your leave with these guards. I wish to speak with Captain Daniel alone.”

Jori bowed deeper and scurried out of the tent, ushering the two guards out as well.

Daniel folded his arms and leaned against the stone map. “What is it this time?”

Avria cleared her throat and sat down on one of the stone chairs. She looked as though she were about to speak, but she only looked at him blankly.

Daniel’s eyes flared in a gesture that could only mean, ‘well?’

“Daniel I wanted to apologize to you.” She finally said. “I treated you poorly, and for that I am sorry.” She let out a deep breath, like she had just done something physically painful. “There, I said it.”

He raised his eyebrows. “So you came all the way down here. Interrupted my training operation to apologize?”

She looked at him in irritation. “Yes. I thought that we could--”

“Avria.” Daniel interrupted her, waving his hands. “I accept your apology. There is no need to explain it. I’m sorry too. I know I can be a dick sometimes.”

Her face looked confused. “A what?”

“Never mind.” He shook his head.

Nearly a minute of silence ensued as they awkwardly looked around the command tent.

“So.” He finally said, “I’ve been meaning to get to the estate, to go over some things with you, but… I…” He shrugged. “We never really got along well Avria. We had a rocky start, and it never really got better. After our last discussion, I figured it was best to just stay out of your way.”

“That is of course, my fault, Daniel.” She said. “You have proven yourself to be a trustworthy friend and companion. I should not have reacted so defensively.”

“I don’t really blame you. You’re dealing with a bunch of village idiots. You look like shit.” Daniel immediately regretted the words as they left his mouth.

Her hand subconsciously raised to brush some of her dangling hair from her eyes. “Things aren’t going well…”

“Haven’t you been getting rest? You look like you haven’t slept in days.” He winced slightly as he worded his phrase more carefully.

“I can’t deal with these fools. I thought Vul De Rah was bad, but these backwater village nobles are far worse.” She sighed, closing her eyes. “I just need to vent, though I suppose I could just walk outside and speak to a tree.”

Daniel chuckled, walking to sit across from her. “The tree would probably give you better advice. I would like to think that I helped you out though, you know, over the last few months. If you want to vent about stupid poe-dunk nobles? I’m all ears.”

Avria’s face smiled, an expression that was so uncomfortable to her it nearly brought pain. It was gone as quickly as it came. “Don’t let this fool you, I’m nowhere near overwhelmed. I just need people at my side that I can trust.”

“I feel I’ve proven that.” He said. “You know I’m not going anywhere, Avria. Without Oros, and everyone dead or missing, you’re the closest thing I have to a friend out here. I know it sounds campy or whatever, but in my world… in the Marines. There was no such thing as a one man army. It took cooperation of the unit to win battles. That also applied to when we got back home. We relied on one another for support.” He leaned back appraising her. “You look like you’re on your last legs, whether you’d like to admit it or not. So crack that shell a bit, vent to me. Tell me what you’re thinking, help me help you.”

Avria clenched her jaw. “And what about you? You have the same air about you, showing all that you are an unbreakable and immovable object. Do you not also need support?”

Daniel took in a deep breath. “Well--”

He was interrupted by a loud horn that blared. The two of them shot up in an instant and looked to the entrance of the tent.

“That is the Western watchtower.” Avria said. “Daniel?”

“I’m on it!” He ran with her outside the tent, and immediately began assembling his warriors. “Get the company off the range and geared up! I want the platoon commanders and platoon sergeants up here ASAP!”

~

As Daniel made his way up the Western watchtower, he was saluted by several of his own warriors. He cursed the numerous stairs as he took long strides, finally opening a small wooden door to see the tower’s vantage point. There were three of his warriors, and his second platoon commander, Lieutenant Carassi.

“Captain.” He saluted.

Daniel returned the salute and walked to look over the western landscape. “Report.”.

“Multiple groups of warriors have been spotted over the horizon. Warriors, and mercenaries it looks like.” Carassi said.

“Clan?” Daniel asked.

“Visgo” Carassi gave a grim nod. “It looks like they are probing for an assault.”

Daniel let out a sigh. “Well at least they aren’t Rexunii.”

“Sir, any group of warriors has a good chance to slaughter us.” Carassi turned to look over the landscape again. “We can only hope that they are not here in force.”

“Secure that talk Lieutenant.” Daniel pointed a finger at him. “They come here, we kill them. That’s it. Even if we face certain death, I expect you to keep your damn bearing in front of the warriors. Got it?”

Carassi gave him an unreadable look, then nodded. “Yes… sir.”

First, second, and third platoon mounted the walls and barricades on the North, West, and Southern fronts of Vul Dema. Fourth platoon took up the eastern side, giving one of their squads the task of skirmishing with any flanking elements that ventured into the Forest to the East. As Daniel made his rounds atop the walls and battlements, he could see that many of his warriors were silent, some even shivering with fear. This was to be expected of warriors who had never seen battle, but if left unchecked, it could lead to defeat.

Hours passed in trepidation, and all the defenders of the village could do, was wait. Finally, nearing dusk, the first signs of enemy formations could be seen marching down the road toward them.

Avria approached from behind and leaned against the battlement beside Daniel. “I doubt it, but perhaps they will send someone to negotiate.”

“Yeah, I don’t see that happening.” Daniel turned to face her. “I thought you were going to protect the nobles.” He grinned.

She gave him a look of irritation, but it soon melted into a genuine smile. “Please, those fools would have a better chance at killing me from boredom than the enemy would with blades. I’m far safer here, in the midst of battle.”

“Yeah.” He looked out to the advancing forces. He counted as best he could, the even ranks of yellow clad Visgo. He came to the conclusion that there were close to three hundred against them. Standard formations and war-groups. “We can take ‘em.” He said.

“You think so?” Avria leaned back. “You and I might have to dive into the fray again. Do you think you’re up for it?”

“Bring it on.” He said.

Then the advancing force halted and raised spears against their defenses, nearly a hundred yards out. They were well within range of the rifles they now had, but seeing as how they most certainly had Dae-Voh with them, he wanted them close before they revealed their secret new weapons. A Visgo warrior atop a Cro’kan strode to the front of the war-groups and drew a sword that was sheathed at his side.

“Defenders of the forest village!” He yelled, his voice enhanced by his Dunamis. “I am Commander Domic, of House Thadis, of clan Visgo! And I have come to claim this village for the Visgo forces here in Lokkon! You have our word that you will not be harmed! All you must do is lay down your arms, and cooperate with our coalition’s demands! This is your one and only warning. If we are forced to scale your walls, we will kill you to the last child! Make your decision! You have ten minutes!”

“Well that was to the point.” Daniel said.

Avria stood on the battlement in full view of the enemy forces. “Commander Domic of the Visgo cowards! I am Avria of house Regios! And I reject your terms! If you dare to approach these walls you will find nothing but death and blood! Do your worst!”

Domic looked on in silence for several moments, then turned to ride to the rear of his formations.

“Maybe not the best thing to say, Avria.” Daniel grunted, “Now they know you’re here.”

“We would have had to abandon this village regardless.” She drew her blade and closed her eyes. “I refuse to lose this battle Daniel, and I refuse to hide. They will know the name of the one who will slaughter them.”

With a mighty shout, the war-groups of the enemy forces charged toward the walls of Vul Dema. Not so quickly as to stumble over themselves, but like a steadily moving battering ram.

Daniel turned to either side of himself, watching his fearful warriors. “Steady!” He yelled, using is Dunamis to enhance the volume of his voice. He raised his hand and began to summon the crimson flame of his power. Aiming it at the nearest formation he grit his teeth. “Fire! At will!” He yelled, flame vomiting from his hand down toward the enemy.

In a cacophony of gunfire and screeching Dunamis, the wall of Vul Dema erupted violence against the Visgo attackers. They had been expecting an attack from the wall, so the Dae-Voh were quick to respond to any aggression. What they did not expect was the speed of the bullets fired at them. Dozens of warriors crumpled to the ground, blue blood gushing from wounds. Within moments the earth around the war-groups wrapped around the enemy, covering them from the bullets raining from above.

Rifles barked around Daniel with a level of chaos that seemed familiar to him. The fire he launched, crashed hard against the earth wall. Chunks of molten stone spewed from the impact and with little resistance the crimson heat melted through. Screams could be heard from under the protective shell, but Daniel did not let up. Suddenly there was a blast to the right of his attack that shattered a portion of the defense. Daniel glanced to see Avria charging for another one. He marveled for a moment at the sheer power of her attack, then his focus returned to his own.

Portions of the Visgo defense broke off into jagged spears and launched their way up to the top of the wall. One warrior further to the left of Daniel was impaled by the attack, and squirmed in anguish while it lifted him over the inner wall. Immediately after the large spears reshaped into stone ladders of some kind. Genius, Daniel thought for a moment. “Pull back! Get off the wall!” He roared running down the line. In the initial planning of the village defenses, Avria had warned that the enemy would be barely slowed by the wall. The Dunamis of this world made static defenses like this nearly obsolete. With that knowledge, Daniel decided to split his forces. All of his defenders couldn’t fit on the wall anyway, so half of each platoon was stationed within the wall, behind barricades that had been grown before the battle. Daniel’s warriors withdrew from the wall down ropes and ladders of their own. The element within covered their withdraw by shooting at the Visgo warriors that climbed over the edge.

Avria slid beside Daniel and unleashed another blast. A massive chunk of their own wall was blown away with half a dozen enemy warriors being flung into the air. The fire from the defenders was impressive, and took a large toll on the Visgo, but as they came over the wall, Dunamis attacks of their own began to rain down on the defending warriors. Blasts of wind and fire smashed against the barricades. Daniel watched in frustration as his own men began to die in droves. He clenched his teeth at the inevitable truth of their situation. The guns just weren’t enough against this kind of power. Maybe in the hands of battle hardened warriors, but in the hands of villagers with two months of training?

“Sir!” Lieutenant Carassi yelled, gaining his attention. “We have to withdraw! They are killing us here!”

Suddenly a massive bolt of lightning arced across the top of the wall. Again Avria was displaying her power. Another dozen or so warriors screamed as they were charred by the energy, and the attack provided a moment for the defenders to gather themselves. The window wasn’t long, and almost immediately the fallen warriors were replaced. Daniel then saw the truth of this battle. If the Visgo continued to hold the wall, and launch their elemental fury down on them, they would lose. It was a slugfest at this point, and they had more to give. If they fled, they would not be able to escape these warriors. It was win or die. Daniel sighed in resignation, he knew they had to disrupt the elemental attacks from the wall. Only he or Avria would be able to do that. Fuck it, He thought.

“No!” Daniel replied, drawing his sword. “We stay here!” He grabbed the Lieutenant by his cloak. “Keep them here! Keep the fire up!” With that, he charged at the wall and used his Dunamis to enhance his legs. In a burst of speed and power, Daniel lunged to the top of the wall before the Visgo could react. He slashed his sword down, and fire exploded from the edge as he landed. Two warriors were engulfed in flames and screamed as they fell into burning heaps to the stone. Daniel brought his eyes up just in time to deflect a spear thrust from another Visgo that had scaled the wall. More seemed to pour over, stabbing and lashing at him with their Dunamis. Daniel did what he could to defend against them, but the attacks were too numerous. A spear slipped his guard and jabbed into his stomach. Blood poured from the wound and he grunted in pain. Using his left hand he grabbed the shaft of the spear and wrenched it from his body, then he used his impressive strength to pull it from the warrior’s grasp. The man backed up and went to draw his sword. Daniel leapt forward, stabbing him in the neck. Blue blood poured on him as he lashed his blade out, decapitating the man. Pain surged through his body, and Daniel screamed with vile rage at his enemies. They drew back a moment at the sight. Daniel reached both of his arms out to his left, down the length of the wall, and with another yell, unleashed a massive burst of crimson flame. Dozens of warriors were enveloped in the fire, many attempting to use their own power to defend against it. The alien fire though, could not be stopped. It evaporated water barriers, rushed through wind walls, and melted through earth defenses. The attack stopped suddenly as another spear was lodged into Daniel’s neck. He fell to one knee, gargling blood, but blasted fire behind him. The warrior holding the spear fell from the wall ablaze, but another replaced him and blasted him with a bolt of lightning. Daniel’s body was blown into the aftermath of his own attack, and fell to the charred stone limply.

~

“No!” Avria screamed, lashing her power forward against the Visgo. She had followed Daniel as quickly as she could, but had been unable to reach him in time. She found herself atop the wall now, slashing her blade and killing enemies with her lightning. Suddenly the rate of fire from the Lokkadonian side increased, and the disrupted Visgo warriors on the wall began to fall to the newly invigorated hail of bullets.

Avria cleaved her way through warriors, to get to Daniel’s prone form. Skillfully deflecting attacks, and dispatching all who stood against her with brutal efficiency. Then, as she slashed across a warrior's abdomen, spilling his guts and spinning to decapitate him, the wall suddenly shook violently, and dozens of projectile impacts peppered the attackers, now with more accuracy and desperation. Bodies littered the top, and the battlements were slick with blue blood. She pressed forward, and as she did, the warriors she faced turned to escape over the wall. The Visgo blew horns for retreat, and she dashed toward the fallen human. She slid against the scarred stone to rest beside him.

“Daniel!” She yelled, shaking his body. He was lying face down with the broken tip of a spear lodged in the back of his neck in a large pool of red blood. Carefully turned him over to look into half opened and lifeless eyes. “No…” She said, her eyes filling with tears. “You fool! Why would you do that on your own!?” She shook him, and his eyes focused for a split second on her. She gasped as she realized he was still barely alive. She pressed her hands on his head and closed her eyes. “You’re not dying!”

In a flash of light she found herself once again a guest in Daniel’s Dunem Dae Espa. Here, she could tend to him and hopefully stabilize him. She looked at the barren desert around her for any sign of him.

She turned to see him standing behind her, looking off into the distance. “Daniel!” She yelled, but he didn’t respond. She moved to touch him, but he began to fade. He’s dying! She thought. Gritting her teeth she grabbed hold of his form. Daniels body didn’t react. His face still stared into nothing. She felt for his core, the source of his Dunamis within. It breathed powerfully behind an internal barrier, that she couldn’t seem to get through. She pressed her own power into him, and it broke across the barrier like a wave against a cliff. How is this possible? She thought, taken aback by the sheer power that lay within. “Daniel… please. You have to open yourself! If you don’t I can’t heal you. You’ll die here!” She yelled into the vast desert, but no response came. Suddenly a faint light blinked to life before her. Not the familiar power of the Dunamis, but something different. Avria lifted her hand to touch it, and when she did, burst into tears. The light brightened into a small sun, and radiated a power that brought the Dae woman to her knees. It was gentle, but infinite in its scope; terrifying, but beautiful. Through tears, she brought the light in her hand to Daniels core, and watched it react. The barrier fell, and his power flowed out, surrounding her. The fire was intense, and she held her hands out to defend herself, but found that it was not burning her.

Her eyes opened and she fell back to see him still lying on the ground, only now he was engulfed in flames.

“What…” She said. “What are you?”.