Chapter 55: This is the End part 1

With the knowledge that we needed to get to the ship as fast as possible, we still decided to stop and gear Helen up, and find what Melfina needed for battle. While Geno hadn't been far from the docks in his previous times here, he still remembered a place where we could find some of the times we were looking for. Running part of the way there, and stopping to make sure we were going the right direction, we still made good time, according to Geno anyway.
Helen had already accepted the use of one of my hand axes, and a spear from Marda's haversack, but had desired a few other weapons, not to mention armor. Quickly picking out the best quality of both we can find, we pay and leave for magical supplies. It was eerie watching the armor, walk out of the store, a Halberd floating behind it. Now that I think about it, eerie wasn't the proper word. Unnerving would have been better. I had a sudden thought of all my armor walking out of the shop on it's own volition.
Leaving the armaments shop we join back with Marda and a still wobbling Melfina as they leave a jewelers shop next door. With everything we need safe in out pouches, pockets and packs, we once again make haste to the dock where the airship is being kept. It had been over 8 hours since we sent the message to everyone, and while I didn't like to keep Max's father waiting, we really hadn't had a choice. Stepping out on the docks, I quickly spotted the ship, which was crawling with activity. People were crawling over every inch of the ship, checking for rigging, damage from the port, and stowing hastily purchased supplies. While I saw everyone on the ship as we got closer, I was really only looking for a very specific few.
I couldn't locate my wife or daughters by the time we were boarding the ship, but Marda had seen two other prominent guests, one of which we had asked to come. “Druss, up near the back of the ship. That lady Mr. Corbin is talking to. It's been so long, but, didn't we kill her last time we saw her?”
Marda had pointed to a blonde Elven woman, who, after a couple of moments I recognized as someone I had in fact actively fought. She had been in lake town, or the forest nearby anyway, and had been trying to kill everyone in town, which included me. So the feeling had been mutual. Both Max and his father were standing where Marda had pointed, calmly chatting with the woman who had been very dead at one point, and my own chest itched a bit when Aurane had forced the Diamond into me all the months ago.
Looking up, I finally locate Bellia at least, who was up in the rigging of the ship, personally making sure everything was done properly. As she was unable to talk to at this time, and with Leona probably below decks, Max would probably know where she was. And to talk with Max, I had to approach Mr. Corbin and his no longer dead protege. Leaving Marda to explain who the Elven woman was, I wave hello to the group.
I shake Mr Corbin's hand as I greet him. “Sir, it is always a pleasure to see, you, and I apologize for the needed expedience, but time is of the essence.”
Wearing his normal brown shirt, his usual pantaloons were replaced by britches that ended just below the knee. His ever present wide brimmed hat was covered in dust, as usual. “Druss. Lad, it is always good to see you.” He had something else on the tip of his tongue, like he wanted to say something else, but wasn't sure. One hand was gesturing to the Druid.
“I see you brought someone Sir.” I was trying to be polite about it, but the tone must have been off.
For the first time ever, Mr Corbin fumbled over his words in front of me. “Ah, yes, well, I know you know Miss, Haneways. Tharthiel was possessed by that crystal embedded in her chest, and while she doesn't have to apologize, she wouldn't have meant any of it.” Looking to the woman, I can see she wasn't going to apologize anyway. In fact, she was doing her level best to ignore the whole situation.
I nod in agreement. “ It isn't a problem Sir.” It truly wasn't. I had forgotten her entirely, and we had won that fight. “Sir, Time is important here, and while I would never want to trouble you with something, I need to ask. Is there a way you can get everyone here to Cherwood today?”
I had never asked Mr. Corbin what he did to get all his money. Max had never said either. I had never asked him his age, nor what he did during the caster wars. But I had always known that if Max or I needed Charles Corbin, he was there.
“Yes of course son, how many people are we talking about? Do we want to rest for a bit, then go? Your friend over there seems to have bled from the eyes recently. And Moving people like that will take some essence, it may leave me weak. Or we could leave now and find somewhere to rest.” He hadn't batted an eye at my request, just given me practical options. The others had joined us too by that point.
Marda spoke up first. “Well, how many can we take? If it was the whole ship, that changes things.”
Mr. Corbin thought for a bit. “Well, If we could get the reagents needed I could move the whole ship right now, but it would be costly. Say.. around sixty five thousand gold?” We all just goggled at him. Picking up on it, he continued. “Miss. Haneways here would be able to move everyone all at once if there were the right trees both here and in Cherwood.”
At this Tharthiel interrupted. “No, Charles, I couldn't do that. The tree would have to be wider than the Boat on both sides, and you and I both know those trees don't exist out side of -”
“Not here.” Mr. Corbin said. “You are right. Well. If we aren't taking the boat, and looking at a number, I can bring somewhere around ten to fifteen people right now. How many are there. And Where are we going?”
Doing a quick count, we find that the group comes to ten. Mr. Corbin and his protege, Yun Geno, Melfina, Marda and I. Sylvio would be part of it, along with Max and Leona if they agree. Max snorted in derision when we looked to him, but I wasn't going to force Leona into this. If she wanted to fight, she could fight. We could use every hand. First I had to find her. After looking at options, we decide on going to Holden's compound first. While I wanted to be inside the city, and go to Rorin's estate, there would probably be fighting immediately, and Melfina would need a break. Maybe going to the compound outside the city would allow me to make contact with the Legion too. When Mr. Corbin said he would need a few minutes to get ready, I took the time to find my family.
“Uh, Druss, a moment.” Mr. Corbin said, beckoning me over. “What are you going to do about your youngest? To'Li?”
I felt bad that I wasn't here to introduce her to Mr. Corbin. “Well Sir, I would assume that Bellia is going to be needed for the ship, but there is a chance she isn't. I had planned for the both of them to come back with the ship.”
“Do you really think that it is going to be safe for them?” the old Elf asked.
“Well, it's going to be safer than going to a city under siege by some evil Lord of the Hells! Of course I don't want them there!” I realized I was yelling at him, and I needed to calm down. “Sorry sir. This has been a stressful few hours. Like Leona, I will ask Bellia. I would prefer to keep her and To'Li far away from anything sharp. Let me find Bellia.
Excusing myself, I find Bellia coming down from atop, and I help her off the rigging, holding her in my arms for a short time. It was mutual. “I missed you.” I told her.
“And I you.” She said, nuzzling into my a bit.“What is happening Druss? Max said we would need to go right away.”
“Asmodeus is no longer trying to take over Marda's body. Instead, there is a ritual to summon him to this plane in Cherwood. We need to get there as fast as possible and try to stop it.” Looking at her I felt terrible about leaving again. “Mr. Corbin can take you if you want to go, but I told him the decision was yours.”
Stepping back and looking at me she responded slowly. “First, thank you for asking me what I think, But no, very much no I don't want to go. I will need to stay with the ship, and I don't want To'Li in danger like that. The voyage should only take a couple weeks, maybe a bit more.”
My little one must have felt that we were talking of here, as I suddenly heard a grand cacophony that only tiny little child feet can make. Sounding like a herd of cattle, she came stomping up the stairs from below, her big sister in tow.
“Daddy!!” To'Li cried, her high pitched squeal piercing through the noise of the dock as she runs at me.
“To'Li!” Lifting her up when she gets to me, I throw her into the air. Giggling, she blasts lightning into the air in glee, and I turn her away from as much as I can once caught. “ you are getting so big my little Bolt Bearer! Your Mommy is going to take you on an adventure on the boat again, and you are going to see so much!”
“Yay!! Adven'tur!!” My daughter wiggled in delight at the idea. “Adven'tur fun. Do it forever!” setting her down, she quickly started running my legs screaming “Adven'tur! Adven'tur!”
Looking to Leona, I ask her if she wants to come with us now, or on the ship. “Well,” she responds, “If you think I can help I can come.”
“It would be a honor to have you there.” I tell her. “If you are coming, go and get your things. Make sure your armor is on and ready, for we may find a fight faster than we want to.”
As she goes to get her things, I turn back to Bellia. “I love you with all my heart, and I will see you in just over two weeks. I'll be in contact when we can spare the energy.” Embracing again, we quickly let go before it becomes too difficult. It didn't take long before everyone was ready. Instructed to hold hands, I grab Leona's in one, and Max in the other. As Mr, Corbin finishes his incantation, we disappear from the Deck of the Garfunkel.
The experience was only slightly different from when I used my own small teleportation, but prolonged. Maybe that was due to the distance, I had no way of knowing. With a feeling of being in free fall, combined with the same feeling of a stiff compressed body all at once, stretched out for hours on end, but all within a moment. My scales felt raw and flaky, with an intense wave of itchiness covering me before vanishing completely.
With a pop, more felt than heard, and a wave of pressure, we appear over some huge building. An additional wave of pressure, this one much stronger pulses out from the middle of the circle like a gut punch, forcing everyone apart to land awkwardly on the roof tiles. I land poorly, but maintain my balance, but Max lands on his back. With a yelp, I look to see him rolling off the roof. With no time to think I use the first thing that comes to mind, and summon my axe to my hand. Diving for him, I swing the axe to him.
The head of the axe comes down flat against his chest with a loud crack. I hadn't hit with either the blade or the hammer, so any damage probably wasn't fatal, but it still obviously hurt. Being in a rush, the top heavy weapon was just to difficult to stop under the circumstances and it had stopped him from sliding down the roof.
“Is there a reason why you had to hurt my son? Aren't you supposed to be looking after each other?” Mr. Corbin was slowly making his way to us, carefully placing his steps to not slip. Looking around I could see that we were really quite high up, and a fall from this height probably would have been deadly.
“Well, I figured since no one else was doing anything I should save him.” I responded. “and he has taken harder hits during sparring.” He most certainly had not. In truth, I think I had broken something in his chest.
Groaning, Max muttered “ I don't think I could even hit you that hard.”
“Due to the limitations of the magic, he would have needed to start falling before I could cast it.” Mr. Corbin said, helping his son up and away from the edge of the roof. “And yes, before you say it, I agree. That is a dumb limitation. But most magic has limitations like that. When you can cast it, how long it takes, thing like that. Even your own magic if I am not mistaken.”
Yun came over to help me up and I thought about when they cast that spell on To'Li. She had been falling when the spell took effect. Hmm. Gentle touching Max's Shoulder, I pushed some healing energy into him, trying to help with what I had done. Giving me a nod, it seemed to help a little, and I could tell he knew I didn't mean to hurt him. I still felt bad.
With the promise of both Yun and Mr. Corbin to help us down, we jump off the roof, to float down to the ground nearly one hundred feet below. I hated it. Trying very hard to ignore the drop, and the experience, I looked around the compound. While all the buildings and walls were intact, most of them were boarded up and dark. No longer the bustling hub of ingenuity, it was more of a ghost town now. Now on the ground, the best place to start would be the Hangar door to see where everyone is.
“Would you like me to check?” A disembodied voice asks from slightly to our left.
“Yes Helen, that would be lovely.” Marda replies.
I had forgotten about the spiritual companion already. With everything going on, I shouldn't be forgetting such a valuable asset as that. And something had happened to Helen now that she had touched Melfina's third eye. Maybe she had been turned into something different all together. Asking her to go scout it out we wait.
“So you too have experimented with bringing things to life have you?”Tharthiel asked us.
“Helen has always been with me.” Melfina responded. While not supported by anyone now, she still looked worn out. “and it was not any of us that created her.”
That was all that was said before Helen appeared in front of us. Reporting that preparing weapons for movement, she was able to see Oliver inside, overseeing everything. There was no sign of Holden, but I expected that. It seemed that everyone had taken shelter in the hangar. Since it was large enough to house the Garfunkel when it was here, it should be able to hold the compounds residents, if maybe a bit cramped.
With no better way to communicate with them now, we had to knock on the hangar doors. Waiting a moment, there was no answer, and we were about to knock again when a window opened on the second floor. His fur was matted with grime, and he looked tired and mostly annoyed. Peering down at us, he took stock of each of us before talking.
“Where is Bellia and the ship?”
“They are on the way. The ship could not fly fast enough to get here in time, we needed to get here now.” I answered up.
Deciding on a better question he called down again. “What is the name of the statue at hthe top of the stairs?”
As Geno lead Sylvio forward, the goblin called up, “That's Ricky, and he better be in good shape!”
Nodding in acceptance, Oliver turns and calls out for the doors to be opened. Hearing things moved from behind the door, we wait while the door barricade is removed and the doors opened for us. With weapons similar in nature to those in Davenport, engineers and laborers come out of the hanger to point them at us. IT isn't until Oliver himself comes down that the weapons are pointed elsewhere, and we are free to talk with Holden's second in command. As we are lead inside, we start asking about the situation here in the city.
The attacking forces were mostly the forces of the Red Dragons and devils, imps and the legions of the damned. A dull red glow can be seen in the direction of the city as it burns at night. When the Red dragons started the attack, several went down into the sewers to deal with the Myconids. Only a few were seen again, now acting as some sort of fungal zombie taken over by the Myconids hive mind. Some of the survivors in the city have taken to hiding underground and worshiping Mellow as some sort of deity, which at this point he may well be. With the news of the Myconid thralls, we were worried about Longcloak truly being himself. Without being there with Mellow, it was hard to say what was happening. Something else to deal with.
Rorin's Estate was in dire need or support. Garfield had been holding it, but there was no word of Rorin. Screams could be heard from the estate at night as the people trying to raid it fell into various pit traps and other dangers set up by the Majordomo, but supplies were running out. While we all wanted to get there as fast as possible, it would be difficult to get into the city.
The temples were all holding their own as best as they could, but it was iffy. Most of the city guard had been set to Dawnsreach as a show of force, so very little of them were here in town. I suspected that Vlad was here because of the age of his kids, allowed to stay home to help with them. And he had gotten hurt. We knew The Forge needed help, but was still standing. Fort Ropucha was still standing as well, as General Stoneskin wouldn't put up with demonic forces invading her city. IF the temples had significant forces it would be wise to get to them.
When asked how we can communicate with anyone, Oliver shows us a small rock with a mouth on one side, and and ear on the other. With Garfield having another one, they could talk to each other a couple times a day and check on how things were. A few raids had come to the compound, but nothing serious. Now, Everyone here in the hangar were preparing to attack the gates and break in to help those inside.
As Holden wasn't in his office either, Mr' Corbin, Tharthiel, Max, Leona and Melfina were going to stay there to rest and plan for the attack while the rest of us were going to go look for the Legion. Not knowing if they had shown up yet, we needed to talk with them. I was still worried that someone else had called them, but seeing as the attacking forces were devils and demons it was a safe bet that we were on the same side. Leaving Holden's office, we grab the armor I made for Holden's father all those years ago. It might come in handy.
Throwing the armor onto Sylvio, we plan on what to do. “I was thinking Yun and I could be on the flying carpet while Geno and Marda could Ride on Sylvio.” I said. Missing Mittens, I wouldn't be able to keep up with Geno's wonder on foot, and the height would give us an advantage to seeing the Legion.
“Helen can come with us on the carpet.” Yun said, picking up Spike. “That way if we need something scouted again we can send her down.”
Telling Oliver we would be back with the news as fast as possible, we leave the compound toward the east north east of the city. Knowing the Legion came from Davenport, they would have to come from that direction, and they had almost arrived when we talked to them last. So they should already be here, or just arriving.
Venturing out, we Yun and I found them quickly, as the camp was fairly large. For only getting here a few hours prior, there were a good amount of tents up. “We should Find Ragnus' tent” I shout over the wind. We were probably a couple hundred feet in the air and finding his ridiculous tent should be easier up here.
“What about Geno and Marda?” Yun asks. “They might have some trouble getting into the camp without us!”
“You're right” I yell back. “We should find them. It would probably be a bad idea to just show up from the sky anyway. The Legion is probably on edge right now anyway.” As I start down we hear from Helen again.
“Something is wrong.” My hand axes move from my baldric on their own volition seemingly before I hear from the spirit, “I'm borrowing these.”
Diving the carpet to where Geno and Marda should be, I search the camp edge and the forest. I can't see what is wrong, but I too now sense something is wrong. Yun has cast a spell on themselves, and their body outline becomes hazy, blurring in motion. I still can't see anything wrong, but I try to push the carpet faster towards the ground. Forty feet lower, and the Damned show up. Huge alabaster devils with long. Lethal stingers and multiple sets of wings charge out of the woods towards the far side of the camp. Over twenty of them surge towards to Legion, and they were at least three hundred feet from where I sat. I still needed to get lower to do anything.
“I won't need these, but thanks.” Helen says, leaving my axes on the carpet in front of me. As the axes land, Spike is thrust violently sideways, and at first I thought he had been blown out of Yun's grasp, but the turtle did not tumble as it descended, but instead moved in a slight diagonal line, in the same position as if it was being carried. The only thing I could think was that Helen had to have picked the turtle up to get it down to the armor. Hoping that they could fly, there wsn't much I could do about it now. I certainly couldn't catch up on the carpet.
Looking down at the turtle, I could see small things flitting between the tents of the camp now. Like unsightly birds, tiny demonic creatures were flying around, shredding canvas and tearing apart what parts of the camp they could. Summoning my axe, I waited until one of the little devils stopped moving for a moment, then let off a burst of energy, killing the thing with eldritch energy.
Yun sees them now too, and quickly casts another spell, summoning an Elemental. Like a tornado that had come alive, the thing was made of sentient winds and looked to Yun for direction. Sending it lower, it kept pace with us at first, then moved ahead to help deal with the impish creatures.
Having caught up, Geno and Marda were now close enough to get the attention of some of the tiny attackers, and were cutting them down as they encountered them.
With the sound of a Horn an alarm was raised, and I could see the Legion scrambling to make a defensive line on the far side of the camp. Huge balls of black goop were hurl at the oncoming wave, and right before the balls hit their mark they burst into fire. I couldn't take the time to examine the rank and file of the Legion, and had to hope they would be able to hold. Looking back to the imps, I could see now that the Air elemental had entered the fray. Any time it caught a tiny devil in it's cyclonic grasp the winds inside ripped the creatures apart and spat out the remains in random directions. A red mist would form temporarily inside the Elemental every time it happened.
A devilish cry of glee arose from somewhere under us, but Neither Yun or I could figure out from where. Trying in vain to see what had happened, our attention was drawn to Sylvio erupted from the treeline, three figures upon it's back, clawing and snapping at any flying devil unfortunate enough to be close by. . Geno was there fending off imps from atop his creation, and right in front of him was the plate armor we had taken from the compound, a maul in it's gauntlets. With a spear and a rapier hovering close by, it cut down whatever was in reach.
With no more trees in the way, Marda jumped off of the mechanical mount, to dash into the camp. Running into a tent, I can't see what she needed, but I trusted her to do what she felt necessary. We were close enough to the ground now, I couldn't see any more flying creatures, but the Legion was struggling on the other side of camp. Turning to Yun, I yell, “Get us over there! I know you can!” looking over the edge of the carpet, still easily sixty feet in the air I yell down, “Geno! Catch the carpet!”
As I look back to Yun, my hand is in one of theirs, the other was turning an invisible doorknob. One moment we were siting on the carpet, the next gravity was pulling me towards a much closer ground and we were falling. Trying to land properly, I land awkwardly on my ankle but brush it off. Looking to Yun, They land awkwardly as well, explaining, “Something threw off the spell!” Finding us behind the white bone devils now, it was where I wanted to be anyway.
While the Legion had taken some losses, the Devils had lost most of their force. Only five remained now, attacking with reckless abandon like they hadn't been hurt at all. Activating the blessing Astrea bestowed on my axe, I started towards one only to have two turn and attack Yun and I. The boney plates were so thick some of my attacks simply bounced off, but I finally managed to trip my dueling partner and deliver a mighty blow to the head the a satisfying crunch.
Yun had brought the Air elemental over to fight with us, and between our efforts and the Elemental, we were able to mostly hold our own. We had each revived a sting from a devil's tail when I heard Marda cry out, “Hang on Druss! Help is here!” Geno and his Mechanical marvel had vaulted over the Legions line, bring Marda and Helen with them. Landing between the last remaining devils, we were able to cut them down and win the battle with the Legion. The problem being, that feeling of unease was still here. Something was still wrong.