The Final Battle

“The thought of revenge is too sweet to ignore.” Thought the figure, “It is time to make a stand!” As he stalked through the tunnels towards Torm his robes fell to the ground revealing the armored scales and serrated claws that marked him as a demon of the lower planes. Terrified dark dwarves leapt to either side as he passed by, cowering in fear from him. Shortly, he arrived at the huge cavern outside of Torm and without breaking stride shouted, “Move!” to the mass of dark dwarves blocking his way. Two seconds passed and the demon’s eternal patience ran out, “Then die!” he yelled sending a fiery, yellow-orange inferno from his hands into the dark dwarves main body of fighters. It seamed to leap from dark dwarf to dark dwarf cackling with glee as it consumed the hoard. An instant later a smoking pathway of charred bodies lay in front of him, some still weakly twitching, unable to scream, vocal cords burned away.

From across the cavern Korg saw a disturbance among the dark dwarves as if they were all trying to scramble away from something. Then, all in an instant, a raging inferno leapt into being behind the dark dwarves and burned away at least a quarter of them. “Yes!” he cheered along with the rest of the dwarves thinking the humans or allied elves had sent a spell caster to aid them. He squinted, trying to make out the form that was still partially obscured by billowing smoke. A sudden gust of wind blew aside the smoke and he gasped, leaping back in horror. A demon stood in the smoldering pathway through the dark dwarves, hands still glowing red hot with flames, mouth twisted into a wolfish like grin.

“Finally, after those eternities of banishment. All because of you!” the demon spat out, those last words directed at an old dwarf standing in the front lines. The dwarf had a long, flowing, beard and bore the crest of Lundem, a dwarven god. The dwarf spoke up, “Lundem stood against you before and shall again, for his light can reach even the dark depths of this earth.” The demons mouth opened and a hideous noise somewhat akin to laughter sprang forth, “You think your god will save you but I have waited an eternity for this chance. I will not be denied!” With that the demon raised its arms and the ground in front of him burst open with a loud explosion spewing molten rock every were. From out of the newly formed fissure three hundred skeletal warriors clambered up, each one clutching wicked bone weapons and huge rib shields. Then with a thundering reverberation the fissure cracked and widened to emit a creature sprung straight from the darkest depths of Korgs nightmares.

It was serpentine in appearance but instead of lying horizontally on its belly it floated five feet off the ground seemingly without support. Its entire body was oozing some sort of acid that made hissing noises when it came into contact with the ground but the true horror of the creature was its twisted mockery of a human face. The eyes were lopsided and misshapen, both dripping blood and it’s rotting mouth was skirted to one side of its face leaving just enough room for an extra set of hands on either side of the mouth. It was a grisly, misshapen thing but the worst part was the aura of pain and suffering it emitted. Looking at it, Korg almost felt sorry for it until it leaned forward, effortlessly extending its body to surround a company of five dwarves. Its acidic drippings then multiplied by a tenfold to eat through metal and flesh till there was nothing left of the dwarves but a pile of goo which it hungrily sucked up.

At the demons command the skeletal warriors charged forward into the left flank of the dwarven fighters, leaping over trenches and pikes and landing on shields in a remarkable display of agility. In a matter of seconds the hastily constructed barricades were overrun and the dwarves were being slaughtered, axes bouncing off bones and skeletal swords reaping souls every second. The ancient dwarf looked immeasurably sad viewing the scene of slaughter. He slowly took off his helm and placed it on the ground beside him. His armor, too he took off and set aside. All around him was chaos yet he was untouched by it all. He spoke softly but Korag could hear him across the cavern. “I have lived a long, good life. I have seen many wonders and had many victories on the field of battle. Now, my time has come.” Then, without any hesitation he leapt across the entire length of the cavern to land directly in front of the demon. The demon snarled and grabbed the dwarf by his shoulders ripping his stomach open with its claws. Then blindingly fast, it weaved around the dwarf and stabbed him three times in his back. Before the ancient dwarf hit the ground he was sliced open in twenty more places. However, the last expression on his face was one of happiness, not the expected pain or shock. He seemed to fall the slowly, till he hit the ground. It rose up, of its own accord to envelop him, and take him down to his final resting place.

The demon looked uncertain now, it slowly began backing away from the spot where the dwarf disappeared. Then, there was a blinding flash and a solid white sphere blossomed out of the ground. It rapidly began to expand and the demon screamed. The sound filled the entire cavern making seasoned dwarf fighters clutch their bleeding ears and fall to the ground. Then, abruptly the scream was cut off as the light touched the demon and it began to dissolve. In a couple seconds its entire left side was dust and its right side was quick to follow. However, the light didn’t stop there. It continued to grow and when it came into contact with a group of skeletons they shattered into pieces spraying bone fragments everywere. The dark dwarves turned to flee yet the light cut them down were they stood. Korg and the other dwarves braced themselves but when the light passed through them hacked off limbs grew back and cuts were healed. Within a short period of time the dwarves were completely healed and filled with energy. A booming voice filled the cavern and spoke, “My gift to you, for his sacrifice.” Every dwarf in the cavern recognized the vioce of Lundem, their god and was moved to tears by the gruff tone. Finally, after a short bloody battle, the siege of Torm was over!

The Escape

As the dark dwarf scrambles off, Korg rushed forward drawing a roll of bandages from his belt. He flipped Roark over and gasped at the sight of the gruesome wound. As he tightly wrapped the bandages around Roark’s back to stop the flow of blood Roark gasped in pain. “Easy brother, you’re going to live.” Assured Korg. With that he heard footsteps from the direction of Torm. Already? The dark dwarves could not have reached the city yet. Thought Korg. He drops Roark, spinning as he does, his battleaxe already in hand. “AAARRRRGGGGG!” He screamed fully prepared to sacrifice himself to kill as many dark dwarves as possible!

However, the footsteps belonged to five fellow Tallos members. Korg watched as they scrambled into view closely followed by their commanding officer and exhaled in relief. “Dark dwarves attacked…. we fended them off but it cost us dearly” Korg explained gesturing to the many corpses littering the ground, “One escaped, he’s fetching reinforcements!” Just as Korg finished speaking fifty some dark dwarves scrambled into view from the side tunnel the other dark dwarf had gone into. “Retreat!” yelled the officer and Korg picked up Roark and started to climb the steep slope to the gates of Torm. Hand axes whistled through the air to bury themselves into two Tallos’ backs. They went down hard and tumbled down the slope knocking a couple dark dwarves down onto their faces. Finally, the great stone gates of Torm came into view revealing rank upon rank of battle hardened dwarven warriors. Korg gave a cheer. There were at least a hundred dwarves standing in formation, weapons held ready in clenched hands. They parted making a path straight into Torm. Korg handed Roark off to one of the other Tallos and joined the dwarves in their ranks.

Just 2 tunnels away the black robed figure stalked ever closer, surrounded by a swarm of terrified dark dwarves. Just how important is this city to the master? Should I show myself? The figure was unable to decide whether to participate in the final battle for Torm or to let the dark dwarves die by themselves.

Choose reader. Should the figure enter the battle in favor of the dark dwarves or stay out of it letting the dark dwarves fight by themselves?

Ambushed

With a voice like grating rock the black clad figure spoke, “You will attack by the tunnels!” With that he stalked towards Jack lifting an arm revealing blood red scales and gruesome, serrated claws.

In the tunnels behind Torm, Korg, a young Tallos member was resting with the rest of his group.  One of his buddies complains, “We’ve already scouted three side tunn…” he breaks off abruptly as a hand axe whistles into his forehead.

Shouts and screams filled the air as ten dark dwarves sprinted out of a side passage straight at the group. “Ambush!!” Screamed Korg as one more Tallos fell dead from a pair of deadly hand axes. He leapt up drawing his battleaxe. Two dark dwarfs clad in rags broke off from the main group and leapt at him mouths twisted into animal like snarls. Korg felt all his muscles tense with a familiar hate as he screamed and jumped foreword to confront them. One swung a light hand axe at him while the other circled behind him in an attempt to flank him. He ducked the hand axe and brought the flat of his battleaxe to smash into the first dwarves face. Stunned the dark dwarf fell flat on his back and Korg finishes him off with a mighty overhand blow. He turned to face the second dwarf who was already backing away at the realization of Korg’s combat readiness. He relentlessly pursued and smashed his axe through the dark dwarves pitiful defenses. The dark dwarf fell to the side, dead.

He looked around and saw nothing but red through the gory haze of combat. It took him a moment to focus but the instant he did he gasped, seeing Alberhad lying dead with gaping wounds and three dark dwarves standing around him leering. The body of a dark dwarf he had slain lay next to him. Torag, Alberhad’s brother screamed with anguish and grabbed Alberhad’s axe, leaping at the three dark dwarves that killed him. An instant later all three were dead and Torag was struck down from behind. Korg realizes that there are only four dark dwarves left and four of them.

“Victory will be ours,” he growled. As he spoke another member of the Tallos leapt foreword and spun to deliver a killing blow to a dark dwarf. He gasped when he faced the small encampment of good dwarves and managed to yell, “Behind you!” Before getting stabbed by a spear from behind. Quickly Korg spun around just in time to see another Tallos get axed by a pair of dark dwarves that had snuck up behind them. The injured dwarf managed to land a killing blow to one of the sneaking dark dwarfs before getting killed by its partner. Korg rushed at the main body of dark dwarves yelling curses as he went. He heard the scream of the one remaining dark dwarf behind them as he got chopped in half by a vengeful dwarf swinging a broad axe. Then, he was by the last of dark dwarves and tackled one head on. He quickly leapt on to the dwarf and dispatched him with a blow to the head. Looking around for the last dwarf he saw it fleeing, weapons dropped in haste. 

Swearing, he is about to pursue when he hears a low groan from behind. Korg spins around and spies Roark wounded, losing blood at an astounding rate. Torn between indecision he can’t decide whether to pursue the fleeing dark dwarf who may be getting reinforcements or save his life long buddy Roark who would certainly die without his immediate help.

Choose Reader!!!

The Beginning

The Siege of Torm
Above the ground it was summer thought Jobb but you wouldn’t know it from looking at the cold dark halls of the clan Strong Axe. To the dwarves this was home but to Jobb, a human, it felt unnatural. He heard a slight coughing behind him, reminding him of the presence of Banjere, a dwarven fighter of some renown and his bodyguard during his stay in Torm, the capitol of Strong Axe’s cities. Jack, his apprentice had gone out with a party of dwarven scouts to find new mining areas. He was due back any day now. A sound broke into his thoughts, hurried footsteps outside the door. Banjere exited Jobb’s quarters and several dwarven words were exchanged. Then, there was a shout of exclamation and the door was thrown wide open. Banjere stood there looking murderous and shouted, “Akiata.” Jobb looking to the page standing next to Banjere and heard the page translate, “Dark Dwarves.” Banjere strode towards the entrance hall and the page gestured for Jobb to follow.

Upon entering the spacious hall his gaze was drawn to a single member of the Tallos, an elite group of dwarven scouts who worked in squads of eight. Jack had gone with looking for mines with them some days earlier. The Tallos member’s clothes were torn and bloody and he looked to be asleep. In his hands were the shattered remains of a battle-axe. Banjere strode over to him and said, “Farnet, wake up.” Farnet’s eyes leapt open in fear then relaxed at the sight of a fellow dwarf. He drew a shaky breath and began to cough. At that moment Jobb could almost sense death in the room with all of them, stalking out its next victim. Farnet spoke haltingly through bloodstained teeth, “Akiata,” he spat, “We… stumbled upon hundreds…I am…. the only survivor….” The effort obviously cost him dearly as he collapsed into chair. Seeing Jobbs panicked face he managed one last sentence, “The human was taken alive.” With that the dwarves face finally relaxed and he fell into the deepest slumber, never to wake again.

Down in the deepest, blackest tunnel a war council was in progress. Hundreds of Dark Dwarves were gathered and debating loudly. One, a Damien shouted fiercely, “Our informant has told us of a tunnel that leads to the back of Torm. We can take it by surprise and slay every last one of our despicable kinsmen!” The crowd’s gaze was drawn to the huddled chained figure of Jack who weakly nodded his assent. Another dark dwarf stood up and yelled, “No, if we ever wish to succeed we must break down the front gate and directly battle them!” Damien turned to a figure clad in an all black robe with an impenetrable hood. A chill of fear passed through him and he weakly shook it off. “Well,” he spoke, “The gates or tunnels?”

Choose Reader! Should the dark dwarves enter attack from the tunnels with the element of suprise, or march to the gates and do battle honorably? Comment now!