Pain - The End (Part IV), by Coil

Published: Dec 12 2007

With a scream of rage Coil blasted the robed one he was fighting across the room with a bolt of black energy. The man flew across the chamber, his flight only stopped by a thick and sturdy wall. As he ran he saw Archanis turn, and a sword appeared through his stomach. As he began to fall, the children charged his opponent, biting clawing and kicking. His chyld waved him on as he knelt, drawing the blade from his gut. Kelkin had taken her foe, and his own, and fought with animal like rage. Kelkin was immune to the wounds covering his body as he fought, mindlessly throwing spells and thrusts to drive them back from his sire. Even in battle, Sandorra was plying his craft. The robed one he fought was covered from head to foot in his own blood, as Sandorra nicked and cut him, draining his blood, weakening his body. Elgas stood behind a rank of his thralls, his white one slashing and blasting at them as he sent out spells to slay his foe.

The Elder had taken the strongest foe of them all. They countered each others blades on shield and tang of sword. Their spells dissolved against each others wards. He raced across the room, vaulting over Kelkin and his fight. He landed next to Pentamere. She was unconscious and bleeding freely. He cracked open his wrist, propping her mouth open to allow the blood to flow in. She stirred weakly as his blood mixed with hers. He poured what strength he could into it. Pentamere's wound was still bleeding. The scent of blood was all around, and it covered the floors around them. Using magic that he hardly practiced, he uttered a few words while still dripping blood into her mouth. Globules of blood gathered together across the room, flying towards them. As it passed his templar it covered them, seeping into their wounds, healing and mending. When the cloud of blood reached him, it cascaded down upon them, closing Pentamere's throat. She sat up gasping, meeting his gaze. There were only three of the seven remaining. They had gathered together near the window. The Elder stood next to Kelkin and Sandorra. She turned to the worshipers of Diamante saying,

"Your fight is over, leave this temple now, I shall deal with these three."

He slipped his arms around her, lifting her to his chest. He looked to his chyld who was being assisted to stand by Elgas. Nodding at the Elder, he led his forces out the door. Before they reached it, the High Priestess spoke one last time,

"Release the children from your thrall mage."

She glared at Archanis icily.

"Their work for you has been done."

He nodded to his chyld, who with reluctance muttered a few words. The children all collapse to the ground, fast asleep.

"They will remember nothing of this night."

Archanis grumbled as he pushed out the door. Pentamere looked up at him, from his arms. Her mind was inside his.

"Let us return you home Heart Render, for the Queen so ordered it."

The six stepped from the chamber, into the hallway, and slipped away into the night.