The Chronicles Of [DAD]
The Elona Campaign
Part 4: When Your Hero Falls
The mailed gauntlet fell swiftly. Crack! "Why in the name of Grenth are you still grinning?" Shouted the Kournan Captain.
Dj crooked his mouth and spit out a stream of blood. He then fished inside his mouth for a few moments. He then shot out a tiny projectile. "If you knock out anymore of my teeth; I swear by the Five, that your death will be more painful than it already will be" he spoke with a playful grin.
"You're pretty cocky for a beaten man who's all tied up" shot back the Captain.
"I'm having a family reunion today and I thought that maybe you and your men would like to join us" Dj proposed. A mailed boot landed square on Dj's mouth. "Well then I guess I have your R.S.V.P. You should be getting my reply within a few short hours or less" he answered with a cheerful tone as he shot out another tooth. The Captain began to finish his inspection of the camp. "One more question sir" Dj piped up in a childlike manner.
"What is it now you Istani dog?" he grumbled.
"Do you see a pale rider yet?" Dj joyously posed as his eyes gleamed wildly. The mailed fist landed once more; this time Dj spit out a colorful coalition of blood and teeth.
"If Varesh hadn't ordered that you be brought to her alive, I would so thoroughly enjoy finishing what I had started with you. But unlike last time I don't plan on using an arrow, I find it to be so troublesome to aim at times." His teeth formed into a wicked grin that spread into chilling laughter. With that the Captain strode away, chest puffed out to finish his inspection without interruption this time.
"Do you hear that Balthy old friend? When I finish this then our agreement is almost fulfilled. I trust that you won't turn your back on me now will you?" his words edged heavily with venom. Suddenly the stench of death greatly filled the air. "What took you so long? I'm beginning to get badly sunburned" Dj joked.
As he cut through the wrist bonds with his dagger, "You know, I really hate the desert. Why the hell couldn't you get caught some where's else? I mean I can't imagine why you Elonians live here. There's almost no water out here. That should be a clue to you that the God's don't want people living out here. By the five, there are hardly any shadows out here. How the hell am I supposed to work in these conditions. It's really starting to stress me out this constant heat and sun is. Cantha is so much nicer Dj, why couldn't we have just stayed there?" the shadowed figure complained.
"Fuma, if you don't shut up and get me free, I will kill you myself and end your "suffering" out here; then make up some excuse to Grenth later" Dj snapped.
"You're pretty cocky for a man who has no weapons, armor, or free hands for that matter. I should just head back to Eko and tell him you were already dea…."
"Fuma!" came a low growl.
"Oh sure, Fuma has some deep issues that he wants to talk about with someone and suddenly no one has time for him. There's so much hate here, you're blocking my chi" Fuma continued his rant. "See all done, you needn't be so pushy all the time. It will give you nothing but high blood pressure, then death." Dj snatched the dagger and sawed through the leg bindings in little time.
"Where's Eko and the rest?" the free man questioned.
"They're to the west, concealed 'till we give them a signal." Fuma informed.
"I think then that we should start a bit of bloodshed here huh?" Dj had that gleam in his eyes again.
The pair snuck from tent to tent. They moved with practiced care. A guard stalked out of a tent just ahead catching the duo unprepared. Dj crept up and swung an arm around to cover the guard's mouth. He then raised the dagger and savagely yet with great precision slammed it into the guard's chest, with enough force to penetrate the cuirass. Death was instant; however Dj could not dislodge his dagger from the corpse. It made no difference once Dj looked up, Fuma tossed him another dagger. Another guard exited the tent directly to Dj's left. Upon seeing the two standing there, he tried to get help. However Dj grasped him and brought him to the ground. The two struggled and Dj's energy tanked for a bit, allowing the guard to get on top and pull out his knife. Blade poised above Dj's prone form, the guard's eyes suddenly went wide in shock. Fuma's blade glided effortlessly across his neck, parting flesh like a warm knife through butter. A cascade of blood washed over Dj.
"Whoa!" uttered Fuma.
"What?" Dj inquired as he picked himself up.
"Look for yourself." Fuma held up the fallen guards battle axe. The visage staring back was startling to say the least. Staring back was a man caked in the white dust of the desert and smattered with blood, giving him a demonic quality.
"Well isn't that just prime" Dj muttered. Hefting the battle axe he continued down the row of tents, Fuma stayed in the shadows. The red mist took over Dj's eyes. No longer did he tread stealthily. Guards emptied from their tents filling the lane. The influx of guards momentarily caused Dj to pause. He laid about in all directions with his axe. Each time the axe bit armor and skin yielded to the blade, bone shattered and blood scattered to the four winds. Their slight advantage did not last nearly long enough for them.
Chaos erupted on the left side of the battlefield as Eko led a spearhead aimed for Dj. Lightning rained from the sky accompanied by deadly wooden shafts. Spirits sprang up harming whomever their master commanded them to. Several guards fell as they developed the signs of a deadly plague. However the most fell like grain to Eko's scythe. A stray shaft caught Dj in the leg, but he was far to gone to even notice. By the time the saviors had reached Dj, little remained of on the battlefield but a sea of blood and vast dismemberment. The group rushed up to Dj. Eko brought his scythe up in a swift motion, in time to deflect a blow from Dj's axe attempting to remove his head.
"What in the name of Balthazar are you doing?" Eko roared. "If we weren't brothers I'd kill you for that."
Shui walked up and punched Dj, drawing blood from his lip. "Snap the hell out of it and take a break."
Chu unhooked the sword from his back and tossed it to Dj. "I thought you two might want to be together again. She seemed very lonely while you were gone" he informed Dj. Dj gave a slight chuckle.
"What's so funny now?" asked Eko.
"Just realizing how something that causes so much pain and sorrow gives me such pleasure and joy" he replied sagaciously.
"Have you not been paying attention these past years? Killing is all we are good at. It's all we know how to do, and it's the only reason we're still here and alive. So quit pondering such menial thoughts and do your job" snapped Black Horn in an irritated tone.
"You're right as always. Well I s'pose I have one thing left to do before we rejoin the guild." Dj came to his senses. The seven men rose and prepared themselves. "Same plan as always then."
"Don't you want to clean yourself up first? The Captain ain't going anywhere's you know" Eko asked.
"No, I rather like this look, it makes me look distinguished" Dj evenly replied.
They approached the Captain's tent and noticed that the remaining guards had formed a protective line. With a flick of his wrist Fuma dropped one guard who clutched at his throat. Shui wove his hands into intricate patterns and projected lightning bolts and dropping two of the guards. Before the others could react Dj gripped his katana and charged the line. Moe fired a continuous stream of arrows in an attempt to cover Dj while Eko chased after him. The other began to try and draw fire as best they could. Dj barreled into the guards and burst through into the tent. There he found the Captain waiting in preparation.
"So how was your family reunion? All joy and tears?" he mocked.
"Well the food was good, but we're not finished yet. We have to plan the annual game of Kill the Kournan Captain. It's just not a family reunion without it. I know, why don't you give it a try?" With that Dj slashed wildly at the Captain who parried with ease. They traded blows for several bouts, neither side gaining an edge.
"Why did you kill my brother?" Dj shouted whilst catching his breath.
"That arrow was never meant for him. You were the target as per Varesh's original orders. You are a threat to the mighty Abaddon. However it turns out that you're protected by the God's and he took your place. Sure I will get into trouble for killing you now, but I'm sure Varesh will understand." He charged with new found energy. His blade flicked in and out, dangerously close to Dj's eyes. The Captain was a better swordsman than he had first shown. The rain of strikes seemed endless, but Dj merely bided his time. The captain made finally made his mistake; he tried to end the battered Dj with one grand thrust and overextended himself. With a swift flourish Dj wound up behind the Captain and slashed at the back of the leg. He was rewarded with a cry of shock and a lovely crimson river.
The Captain staggered back trying to gauge the damage. However Dj pressed his advantage. The crippled Captain was too slow to react in time as Dj's sword bit deep into his neck, severing all ability to speak. As Dj pulled the blade free the Captain tried to talk, but his effort was met with an irregular gurgle as well as that glorious red froth that spilled down the front of his armor.
"You must be slipping Dj" a familiar voice came from the recesses of the shadows.
"Titan, why aren't you with Uncle and the others?" he tried not to sound surprised.
"I thought that my help would be needed here" he replied.
"Thanks, but this was family matters, and now it is finished. So we can rejoin the others" Dj answered coolly.
Titan walked around Dj to look at the slain Captain, "Not your best work" he snickered.
Dj began to head out of the tent. As he pulled back the flap and looked out at his compatriots he heard the venomous words, "I was right; this was for too much for the Captain to handle. My help was needed."
The Captain's sword erupted from Dj's chest spraying his life's blood over his compatriots. He stared down at the blade in disbelief. "Don't worry; the rest of the guild will join you in the mists soon." Dj turned around to look into Titan's face. Titan spat in Dj's face and then melded into the shadows before he disappeared completely. Dj slumped to his knees. Eko ran up and caught Dj before he fell to the ground. Dj's lightless eyes gazed into Eko's.
"I'm sorry, I hope you can forgive me" and with that Dj entered the realm of the Mists.
Far off in eastern Kourna Uncle was making his assault plans for the Mahnkelon Waterworks. A powerful presence filled the room. "Ah Balthazar, to what do I owe this honor? The only time you've appeared to me is when you introduced me to Dj and pressed him into my service. I take it this isn't something I'll want to hear?" Uncle spoke his mind.
"I'm afraid so" boomed the powerful avatar. "It pains me to say this but Dj is dead."
"What?" Uncle was speechless for a moment. "How in the hell could you let this happen?" he roared with surprised anger at the avatar.
"You over step your bounds old man. Don't you dare question the workings of the Gods. We do what we please and are not subject to your worldly powers and dictations" growled the avatar.
Uncle slammed his fist into his war table. "Be gone from my presence!" he shouted with a slight quiver in his voice.
"I will let that go since you're so upset about this, but never speak to me like that again; or you will join Dj in the Mists" Balthazar left with his threat hanging heavy in the air.
