[IC] Godless Ichor (Dark Fantasy/Action)

[Eklispe]

How to get through a wall of shields? Under it? He risked them slamming down on him. Going over would leave him helpless and either shot down again or worse. What to do?! Eldarin wasn't cut out for this, basic tactics and quick thinking he could manage, but this was ridiculous. His bag of tricks was down to his, admittedly somewhat basic, magic and he had no idea how well anything he had would work on these shields. Still, he couldn't dilly dally or else he'd end up like Bronwick, overwhelmed, only Eldarin's lighter armor would be his demise. Forward. Eldarin charged forward, making the same movements as though he were to jump off the shields again, only this time he skidded roughly on the ground beneath them, planning to get under them before once again approach the shields. His own shield was held above him so that even if they managed to slam down on him they would at the very least hit his shield first. Plus, though it was nearly impossible to tell, Eldarin's shield now had electricity running through that would discharge on the first thing that touched it. Eldarin of course didn't know if electricity would even do anything to these things but everything was worth a shot in the hopes of obtaining victory.

[CadenGallic]

The shields did not slam down upon him as he skidded underneath them, the sharp edges barely grazing his own defensive arms. He was nearing the Demonic Greatshield itself when suddenly it prepared to retaliate once again, the main shield itself slamming onto the ground and glaring at him, before it rushed straight at him with intent to pin and no doubt crush against the rocky walls of their arena.

[Eklispe]

He'd breached the shields once more, over and under, it was unlikely that either tactic would work again. Eldarin focused on his target. A bull rush? Well at least it hadn't tried retreating again. If it had managed to escape him once again and hid behind more shields he wasn't sure that he'd be able to take it down. As it was . . . He still wasn't sure. But he now enact the plan he'd had for a while. Power gathered in his shield hand, as much as he could wield without actually blowing his arm off. Still the amount of lightning in it right now would be guaranteed to barbecue his whole arm as soon as he released it. Hopefully though it would also barbecue the imp behind the shield. Eldarin dropped his shield and held his supercharged arm forward as though to block it's advance. In reality as soon it came near enough he would firmly grasp it, releasing his stored electricity and attempt to vault over it, ready to finish it off with his sword if necessary.

[CadenGallic]

The shield barreled toward him like a runaway carriage on a hill, its speed and power incredible. But Eldarin's movement was timed just right and as he vaulted, he was able to discharge his electricity into the shield. It was a decent enough conductor that the being behind the shield would take the hit, as he spotted it yelping as lightning riddled it's meagre frame, the entire shield spinning slightly and breaking its charge. As it floated back up, he noticed it wasn't holding as stably as it used to, dithering slightly before regaining motion. The imp behind the shield couldn't have much more life left in it. And now it was ready to employ a new tactic.

About half the shields in its army flew to its back and formed a defensive barrier over its back end to protect the imp behind it. Bronwick moved to Eldarin's side, having batted away the shields for now.

[Eklispe]

Eldarin growled under his breath. He'd been luckily that he'd pulled that off with practically no injury. Other than of course, his arm's outer layer of blackened flesh. It was on the defensive for now though. Should he take this chance to heal? He had several chugs of ichor left and could likely refill it from this enemy given it was slain. Yes, he should do it now. Eldarin quickly reached behind him and took out a vial of the blood and removed the cork with his mouth, quickly, drinking the whole thing in one quick gulp and it went back where it came from. His blackened arm nearly miraculously shed its layer of skin revealing itself to be good as new. Eldarin also felt a surge of energy flow through him and he looked at his enemy with new eyes. His shield was out of reach from his maneuver so he was left with his blade and a few arrows. Well if nothing else they served as half functional daggers. Eldarin glanced at Bronwick briefly, "I'm going to charge." was all he said. Bronwick could figure something out. Eldarin proceeded to do just that, given that shield hadn't taken advantage of the brief moment he'd spent taking his drink. He sprinted forward, sword in one hand and an arrow held in the other like a dagger. Eldarin planned to slash downwards with his sword, to serve as a diversion as he thrust the arrow through the shield's eye hole. Of course it wouldn't hit anything, but Eldarin planned to turn his hand once inside and stab at the imp with the shorter, albeit somewhat awkward, weapon.

[CadenGallic]

"I'll have your back." Bronwick assured him as Eldarin healed up perfectly from the ichor's effects.

As he approached, the shield judged his attack coming and prepared a defense. Whilst most of the shields had been used to defend the back of the creature behind the shield, there were still shields at his front. He brought two together in a stack, too tall to duck under, rushing at him with the shields.

[Eklispe]

Eldarin glared at the shields for a moment. Could he break through them? He didn't actually know how strong they were but it would probably be unwise to fight them strength to strength if Bronwick had been overwhelmed. Energy crackled through him. He was full of power, ready to do anything. He ran forward with his shield held in front of him, aiming for the shield to the right. He planned to hit it with his shield and bounce off it, spinning around it and continuing moving straight for the demon shield, executing his earlier plan of attack.

[CadenGallic]

His motion was succesful as he managed to make it past the incoming shields, leaving him an open path to attack the Demon Greatshield itself. the shield hovered, eyes upon him, awaiting his move with its back still protected.

[Eklispe]

Moving foward Eldarin dropped his shield and took an arrow into his other hand. He intended to charge directly at the shield plunging both weapons into each eyehole. Now that he was aware of the imp's location he planned to reach his weapons through the eyeholes and then sever the connection between imp and shield with lightning charged blades.

[CadenGallic]

The two shields clashed together as Eldarin was able to stab his arrow through the hole itself and with the lightning charge, it paralysed the demon behind as it screeched in a high pitched whine of pain, the shields upon its back faltering and clattering. Whereupon, Bronwick delivered the killing blow, cleanly severing the demon from its shield with a slice of his mighty blade. The heavy shield dropped and the pathetic creature that clung to it hit the ground and barely even moved before it died, golden ichor leaking from the sliced off stump that used to be it's arm. Their enemy had been slain.

[Eklispe]

Eldarin let out a sigh of relief as the shields collectively crashed to the ground. "Good work Bronwick." He took another glug of golden blood to make sure he was ready for anything else that happened to show up, not trusting this place to give him a chance to rest. He grabbed began to drain the shield demon's stump, mentally preparing himself in case a surge of memories came forth again. Once that was finished he would pick his bow and shield. "Ready to keep going?"

[CadenGallic]

The demon gave him very little golden ichor, only one bottle full. And just as he predicted, a surge of memories from the demon. He saw that the pathetic demon was once an equally unimpressive and weak bandit, robbing people in the valley with a group and cowering behind his shield whenever they were attacked. All it took was one drink from the river to turn him into the physically weak demon and permanently graft him to his hideous shield. Said shield was also lying on the ground... It was no doubt heavy but it's defence would be unparalleled should he decide to take it.

"Aye." Bronwick briefly lifted his helmet to drink from his own flask of ichor, shuddering briefly from the taste.

[Eklispe]

Eldarin shook his head. Another person changed into a demon by the river. He gave the shield another glance and shrugged to himself. He hefted it and moved his arm around. It was rather heavy, but he could already think of ways to make it useful. Deciding to keep it, Eldarin left his own buckler behind and looked ahead, they'd best get moving, he would like to cover as much ground as possible while there was still daylight.

[CadenGallic]

From the clearing where the demonic shield had been felled, he could see a small raising ridge in the wall behind the waterfall. And beyond that a clear path up the cliffside toward the top where the water tumbled down. Bronwick was already making his way over to it, unabashed about their encounter with the Godless.

[Eklispe]

Eldarin, left behind for a moment quickly made his way after Bronwick, adjusting to the new weight as he went. He would have to be careful in his next battle lest the new weight prove to be his undoing.

[CadenGallic]

Thankfully for the both of them, their trek up the side of the cliff was undisturbed, aside from the sound of rushing water from the waterfall they passed by. As night fell and the moon rose, they arrived at the top of the cliff and spanning out before them was a township. It was surrounding by a large stone wall with towers and a large wooden gate set into the front. Bronwick moved toward the gate and began to heft it open with his immense strength, letting the doors fly open into the township itself. The inside was fairly well built, solid houses and muddy streets, lamps lit at street corners and signs hanging in the slight wind... however, as they looked around, there was no-one in sight. No-one at all.

[Eklispe]

Eldarin glanced around the ghost town. "I presume there were people here last time you visited?" Eldari asked as he looked around warily, fully expecting a pack of bandits or some un-natural terror to come howling from the moonlight night. At least they wouldn't have to pay for lodgings? A grim thought for a grim place.

[CadenGallic]

"This is not how I remember it..." Bronwick shared his concerns as he looked over the town, keeping his sword in hand. They soon heard footsteps in the mud as three knights approached them. They were dressed in iron armour with a grey tinge to them, their helmets curiously designed after bell shapes with flat lines to show their eyes. They were armed with short swords and a rounded shield in both hands.
"You over there! Halt!" They shouted as they approached them. Bronwick showed no fear to these guards, even with his suspicions... Eldarin was another matter.

[Eklispe]

Eldarin was somewhat reassured by Bronwick's lack of concern, but he had very little trust for anything he found here. His stance was relaxed and he waited for the gaurds approach, slightly behind Bronwick, ready to run or fight as the sitation demanded, already mental running through how to fight them. Best to open with a flash of light, eliminate one in the confusion if possible to even the odds. He was out of knives but he still had a few arrows that could be substitued in a pinch, he made sure he had easy access to them as well.

[CadenGallic]

"Sir Bronwick!" the guards gave a salute to the pale blue knight. "Thank goodness you have returned, the king will want to see you immediately." he said quickly before his helmeted gaze turned to Eldarin. "But this one, he must be taken to the dungeons."
"Pray tell, why? He has done nothing wrong. He is a staunch ally." Bronwick assured the men.
"It has been decreed by the king. All outsiders are to be jailed and executed before they may cause harm." the guard continued to explain, his two partners keeping their eyes on Eldarin.
"Preposterous." Bronwick replied, the grip on his blade becoming firmer. "Has the king lost his mind? Outsiders are not of concern."
"We do not make the rules, Bronwick. Your friend must be escorted to the dungeons, there is no argument over this." One of the guards seemed firm as his allies began to move on him... only for Bronwick to intercept them with a strike of his blade as all three guards blocked him.
"Go! Flee! Find refuge!" Bronwick shouted back at him as one of the guards pulled out a whistle. From the further streets, he could see more guards on their way, numbering at least seven.