WAR: Monster Attack

Chapter 29: Mantis Attack
Chapter 30: More Trouble?
Chapter 31: Interrogation
Chapter 32: Newcomers
Chapter 33: Surprise Attack

Chapter 29: Mantis Attack

While Gedai backs away from the light, Gwydeon silently glides back into the nearby forest.

The creatures, easily 6 ft. tall when on all four impossibly thin legs, look like giant green sticks with legs and a small head with big eyes on top. Yet the two sharp scythe-like appendages the creature uses to grab its prey, say that this is a formidable creature. The giant mantis on top of the shield of light flutters its brightly colored wings as it tries to break in using its scythe-like claws.

Suddenly the light lifts up off the ground forming a sphere, which quickly rises into the night sky.

As the sphere rises, the mantis on top of it slips off. It hits the ground hard near Gedai, who takes the opportunity to leap to the attack. Unfortunately the creature was looking in his direction when it hit the ground. The eyes glow briefly, an answering glow appears on his chest and Gedai goes flying backwards several dozen paces where he lands hard, his chest burned and smoking, the leather armor and clothing vaporized leaving a burning hole on his chest.

This gives Tristan the opening he needs and he comes in swinging. His sword cracks up against one of the creatures’ thin legs and breaks it easily. So easily, in fact, that he is thrown off balance from such little resistance being offered. As he starts to recover the mantis rights itself with amazing speed and turns and slices one of its scythe-like appendages at Tristan before he can recover. Tristan watches in horror as the scythe slices at his head. At the last second a sword blade streaks over Tristans’ shoulder, meeting the claw and deflecting the attack over Tristans' head.

There is a flash from the foliage and a dagger goes flying through the air just passing in front of the mantis, who suddenly becomes very still.

The second mantis looks up as the globe of light flies up into the night sky to join the stars.

Xedel reaches into his backpack with his good arm and pulls out a rod with a gem on top. The second mantis turns to him and its eyes glow bright red. There is an answering glow from the gem on top of the staff. The area is rocked by several explosions as the trees northwest of Xedel and south of Gwydeon explode in the center.

The second mantis pauses and then begins rubbing its arms together making the shrill sound again. It wings start beating irregularly. At the sound the first mantis turns its head ever so slightly. Its wings that had once retracted to its back come out in full force and also begin beating wildly

Xedel smiles and says, "Ah HA! Now I'm gonna show you what happens to those who mess with my family and think they can get away with it!"

The creatures’ eyes glow again, this time Xedel, still holding the rod up uses his other hand to toss something small and dark at the creature. Halfway between the two a giant fireball erupts between the two. Xedel hits the ground as the flame washes over him. The mantis however panics. With appendages burning it leaps/flies south trying to put as much distance as possible, between it and the crazy old man. As it lands for the third leap two of its legs give out and thus it is off balance when it jumps again. It careens into a tree with great force and its twig like body wraps around the tree its carapace snapping with a loud pop. It falls to the ground in a smoldering heap of parts.

This situation is not lost on the first mantis who watches its companion, even as he keeps track of the two humans before him foolishly attempting to attack and the elf hiding in the trees tossing daggers at him. Apparently it decides to try a different tact as both of its claws reach out and attack, Tristan and Pheras simultaneously. The two young warriors easily block the attack, but are thrown off balance when the mantis jerks downward forcing the swords down. However they recover quickly enough to raise their swords again to deflect the next attack. When it knocks their swords down again, Gwydeon sees his chance.

The mantis has a clear view of the entire battlefield, but its attention is drawn sharply to one side as a rainbow of light erupts from the bushes where the elf Gwydeon had hidden. The light engulfs the mantis and while it doesn't seem to do any physical damage, it seems to unnerve the creature. It immediately leaps backward out of the stream of light. Once out of the light it leaps backward again its eyes flashing rapidly.

First Tristan and Pheras are knocked down, Xedel is knocked sideways and he collapses in pain.

Gwydeon dodges deeper into the woods as branches and bushes snap and burn all around him.

Once the creature can no longer see the elf it turns it attentions back to Tristan and Pheras, both hiding behind their shields. It blasts them mercilessly the two are knocked back head over heels and knocked down to the ground.

Its eyes detect moment as Flint pushes Bormann off of him and rubs his head, "Oh, you're heavier than an ogre and just as ugly. Loose some weight!" He cries out in pain as the creature blasts him with a quick attack.

With everything is still and unmoving on the battlefield the creatures near omnipresent view of the world show him that something is approaching from above.

One moment Asura, Sindel, Wismerhil, Stash, Crow, and Pol are standing in a battlefield, the next they are among the clouds. Wismerhil's eyes go wide in surprise and Aruna looks just a bit unnerved by the sudden fact that they are suspended in the sky without any means of support.

Pol Crane looks to the young woman, remembering that the last time he met her she had been a fierce fighter under the control of the Orc Jafar, but that was before she got this powerful sword.

Asura grips here sword tightly and looks down. After a moment the view shifts and suddenly they are floating above the forest. To the north, Torana's tower can be seen as well as a town that has sprung up around it. The town seems to have been cleaved in two as there seems to be a zone where there are no buildings.

Asura concentrates again and the sphere moves downward to one point in the forest as it gets closer, they can see that it is the battlefield. And as they watch the last of the defenders falls to the one of the mantis. The other mantis is gone.

The sphere accelerates quickly as they fall back down to the ground with amazing speed, heading straight for the mantis.

Suddenly there is a brilliant flash of light and the sound of a loud explosion all around them.

The mantis attention is focused on the approaching ball of light. A second later the falling star streaks out of the darkening sky and hits the ground where the mantis stood, and it vanishes in a brilliant blast of light.

The star hits the ground with a tremendous force. Shockwaves lift all the bodies on the ground and toss them south away from the point of impact.

When the smoke clears it reveals Asura, kneeling, her sword half buried in the ground. To one side stands Crow looking quite menacing and behind him is Sindel. To the other side is Pol Crane holding his bow ready to fire at a moments notice and behind him is the Elemental Priest Stash.

In back of them are Aruna and Wismerhil looking just a little wild eyed at the recent events.

For several long moments silence rules the battlefield as the newly reappeared group look around for survivors.

Covered in wood chips, sawdust, and a little tree sap, Gwydeon silently appears at the edge of the forest. He looks around and seeing young Gedai lying motionless he rushes to his side.

Stash, also seeing his friend down, rushes over to help. Sindel spots her fallen brother rushes to Xedels’ side, "Damn you old man wake up!" It is then that she catches sight of the smoldering heap of remains that had threatened them before. "You idiot! I told you your toys would get you killed one of these days! When are you going to listen to me?"

Crow standing by Gedai looks over the battlefield and says. "This is not good. More than half of our force is at least seriously injured and we are still a day or so away from town."

Wismerhil moves forward to check on Voreas and he finds the sergeant to be breathing normally. He is alive but has one leg pinned under the horse. A quick look shows that the horse is dead. No one could survive having most of their insides vaporized and the rest broiled.

With a little help from Aruna, the two manage to get the Sergeant out from under the horse and off to one side. Realizing that most of the injuries are internal and that there is nothing he can do for the man. Wismerhil makes him comfortable and looks around. He quickly heads into the forest vanishing from view.

Stash takes a good look at his remaining supplies. He sets them aside and offers up a tear filled prayer to his Lord Solutious. While his prayers are answered Stash is left fairly weak and Gedai while is no danger of dying is still in grave condition. "There is not much more I can do for him now. It will be sometime before he is fighting again,” he says sadly.

The weakened priest gathers his things and moves to the nearby dwarves. After examining them he concentrates on Keegan muttering something about a "luckless dwarf". He fills a wineskin with healing liquids and pours some of it over the huge burned scar that seems half as large as the dwarf. The dwarf comes awake sputtering a string of curses. When his eyes focus it is on the retreating back of the water priest. "First one tries to set me on fire then the other tries to drown me! Give me priest of Obsidius any day over these freaks!"

Xedel, barely conscious after being shaken awake by his sister seems weak but grateful for the attention. Stash approaches as Xedel is bragging about how the giant mantis was no match for his awesome firepower. For once Xedel doesn't have to be forced to take the healing drink. After a few gulps the old mage leaps to his feet proclaiming himself healed and Sindel leaps to her feet to catch her older brother falling back down again as his illusionary strength fades.

Wismerhil appears with several leaves and roots in his arms. He returns to Voreas side and crushes of the leaves up mixing them with liquid from his wineskin and forcing it down the Sergeants throat. Next he heads over to the dwarves. "Chew on these it should take care of the pain somewhat."

The dwarves mumbling something about "...not really being hurt..." take the proffered roots and leaves.

Gwydeon looks around and in a quiet voice only heard by a few, "Looks almost as if someone does not want us to make it to the tower in time... Hmmm I wonder..."

Wismerhil and Stash finally get together and with their combined efforts soon everyone is out of danger and with the exception of Gedai and Voreas, nearly everyone can walk under their own power. Voreas it seems has taken a serious blow to the head and seems to drift in and out of consciousness.

With their leader out, the others are wondering what to do when another strange creature walks out of the forest to the south of them. This one looks like a nine-foot tall elk standing on two legs. A near perfect rack of antlers on the top of its head is marred by the fact that one piece of it is broken. The creature holds in one hand a mighty spear that is as tall as it is.

Its attention is not on the group however, it is on the smoking remains of the giant mantis.

A moment later the half-man/half horse creature they saw earlier, by the name of Brisquen, comes out into the open with a bow ready to fire at a moment's notice.

Those closer to the creatures notice that the half-man half horse has a wing on its back that is quite similar to one of those from the flying creatures.

The creature, that called itself Brisquen, has its attention focused on the remains of the giant mantis creatures for several moments before looking around.

The elk creature sniffs the air. A confused look appears on his face as he looks around.

Gwydeon whispers to those around him as he draws a sword, "Get into the underbrush. We may have to make our way through the forest instead of following the trail."

Wismerhil, Bormann and Keegan "escort" the injured Gedai and Voreas away from the two newcomers.

Asura draws her glowing sword while Sindel attempts to drag her suddenly not-so-weakened brother away from the creatures.

Brisquens’ nostrils flare as the wind blows the scent of the old man toward him. But doesn't react as he did before.

Tristan and Pheras come to Sindels’ aid and help her drag the old man away from the objects of his fascination.

Aruna puts an arrow to his bow, leaving it pointed at the ground and he waits calmly, watching the two new comers, hoping that another fight can be avoided.

The elk creature casually walks through the group as if he were either among friends or people who matter not. The weary fighters give him room to pass but don't drop their guard.

Brisquen points to the smoldering remains and says, "Where ... other? It run?" His eyes are constantly watching the others cautiously almost as if it expected an attack.

Asura relaxes watches, as it gets closer to her. She steps to one side and says, "The other one is gone." She points to the small crater behind her. "There is nothing left."

Brisquen speaks to the giant elk creature in a language that that only they can understand. Tension rises as people expect an attack at any moment.

The elk creature walks around the crater like a stalking lion, only not as happy. After an extended silence he says something to Brisquen.

Crow says worriedly, "Asura! Be careful these guys could be sent by those flying monsters."

At this the elk creature looks at Crow, but says nothing his face calm and impassive. It walks calmly back the way it came, signaling for Brisquen to follow

Brisquen backs away from the others slowly, preparing for them to rush him at any moment. Once far enough away he turn follows the creature into the forest both vanish without a trace.

Once they are gone Gwydeon and Stash consult. Gwydeon finds out that while most can walk they are weak and will probably hurt themselves wandering around In the darkness. Stash looks up almost cursing the deepening twilight.

With little choice, they make camp for the evening. Those least injured rotate guard shifts until morning.

Gwydeon walks with his book of spells over to Xedel and tries to start a conversation with the man. Xedel seems unusually weak up until Gwydeon mentions the recent Magical Minds Conference where the magi gathered from all over the valley. Suddenly the old man recovers, much to the chagrin of his sister and begins a rambling account of the wonders of the conference.

Gwydeon quickly realizes that Xedel only attended the flashiest of demonstrations as he talks about exploding runes, magical enchantments that made lots of noise or had some visual quirk to them. He is describing a demonstration where they levitated a structure not unlike a room except where that it seem to be balanced at one point, when suddenly he stops in mid-sentence, almost mid-word.

Sindel who had been ignoring him up until now looks over at him. Suspicious at the sudden silence.

As a look of enlightenment passes over his face a look of utter horror passes over hers.

Sindel stomps over disrupting the circle that had formed around him. She grabs Xedel by the front of his robe and says, "No more TOYS! You nearly got yourself killed last time."

Xedel looks at her realizing that she is genuinely upset and says soothingly, "I'm sorry I didn't mean to upset you. I won't make anything more tonight. Really! I don't even have the materials to do so."

She looks at him for a few long moments, and then walks away. As she does he says too quiet for her to hear, "I don't have the materials yet." He sits back down and continues on.

Eventually he winds down tired and looks around realizing he has an audience, "Tomorrow I'll tell about some of my adventures before..." he nods in the direction of his little sister direction.

Wismerhil sees this and gets out his spell book and does a little catching up himself. Xedel peeks over the shoulder of Gwydeon for a little while before he finds himself to tired to think and sets himself down to go to sleep, never noticing that Sindel watched him intently as he looked over Gwydeons’ shoulder. Now she watches the young elf study his books and an idea forms in her mind.

Stash has declared he must get the man to a temple otherwise he will die. The dwarves don't care either way.

Tristan, Pheras, and Sindel have their hands full trying to keep Xedel under control. After listening to a long dissertation on how they should keep their filthy hands off of him Sindel finally gags him. Xedel still has enough strength to walk, but just barely. And he absolutely refuses to be carried, so to make sure he doesn't do anything rash the three-team mates stick closely to their elderly companion.

When anyone tries to look his way, Aruna slinks into the background. Asura leans on Crow and looks to him. Crow and Stash look at one another then turn to Gwydeon.

Wismerhil growls, "Someone’s got to take charge!" Pol Crane and Gwydeon stand and watch the conversation/argument commence with some amusement.

For a long time there is tense silence. But before long the silence is broken, but not by a brave volunteer. To the north the two flying creatures appear as if by magic not 100 ft ahead of them. From the back of one of the creatures jumps a man with. Short braided hair that is bone white. He wears a light green forest cloak to obscure his body, but it does not obscure the bow slung over his back.

He looks like he means business as do the two flying creatures that seem ready to charge at a moments notice.

Sindel takes one look at the creatures and turns to her companions, "Get him out of here! I'll take care of the creatures!” Xedel tries to mouth a protest, but the gag muffles whatever it is as Pheras drags him back a bit.

Gwydeon looks over the ragged battle weary troops. The last thing they wanted this early in the morning was another battle but it seems that there has been nothing else but trouble since those two flying creatures first showed up a few days ago. Many are wary that they have summoned some other type of creature to attack them when their guard is down. Others don’t seem to care.

Stash looks around and says, "Wismerhil! Get Voreas out of here before he gets killed!"

Gwydeon turns to Stash, "Watch my back. I'll take care of this." He slowly walks forward with his hands in front of him.

Gwydeon walks closer and at first they don't react, but something tugs at the edge of his mind as he approaches.

Suddenly the elf realizes what it is that bothered him, but it is too late! He stops his advance as the creatures leap aside and the man finishes chanting his rune. Gwydeon leaps backward out of the way as a hailstone the size of his fist slams into the ground before him. He starts to dodge back then realizes he isn't going to make it back to the relative safety of the others because the two flying creatures have decided to charge him directly!

Asura quickly holds up her sword and a protective shield forms around her, Gedai, Stash and Crow.

Gwydeon draws his swords as they approach. At the same time he is still trying not to get hit by the giant hail raining from the sky that has scattered most of the group.

When the creatures are almost upon him, a giant spear launches itself from the nearby woods slamming into the creature on his right, causing it stop his charge. From the woods bursts the huge elk-like creature from before. It charges the flying creature that stopped.