Void Fight - pt 3

Back over on the battlefield, the war for Colsentia was in full swing. Stelciar of all sizes and backgrounds were united as one, using all their strength against the void monsters descending from the sky. The battle had been going on for some time now, and while the creatures’ numbers were beginning to dwindle on the ground, it would be foolish to believe the fight was over so soon.

Ky’ria landed on a cold patch of dirt, where the inky mist was so thick it tinted her paws black. Most of the fighters she saw were catching a breath, healing their friends, or rallying the troops in preparation for wave two. She trotted over towards one group of stelciar that was taking the pause to regroup themselves, and the leader turned towards her with a grizzly huff.

“The damn things don’t stop coming, do they? It’s gonna be a while before these things get the hint not to mess with us.” He looked down at Ky’ria with a piercing black gaze. “What are you doing here? Didn’t they tell the grunts to take shelter outta here?”

“N-no,” she replied, not realizing how tall the leader towered over her, “I’m here to help. This is my home too, and I want to fight for it!”

His eyes softened, as if taken by surprise, and he let out a hardened chuckle. “Well then, friend, you’ve come to the right place. The name’s Arcturus, it’s a pleasure to call ya an ally out here. It won’t be long before another round of these suckers come through, so get ready.” He nodded his head towards a large chest, and Ky’ria hurried towards it. Opening it up, it was full of massive crystalline weapons like axes and hammers.

“The best way to take down these ones is knowing your own brute force,” Arcturus said as he readied an axe of his own. The blade was a brilliant blue like a diamond and as big as Ky’ria’s head. “Sharp claws, blade wings, and just being plain big are the best allies to a powerful weapon. Stay close, and think fast!”

As if on cue, the void cloud above roared in agony and darkened even further. It shrank inwards as more creatures - significantly larger and more powerful - emerged outwards from it. Arrows flew, but a single arrow couldn’t take them down like the ones that had come before. It was clear that stronger measures would be needed to take them down, so Ky’ria followed Arcturus’ move and grabbed a large obsidian axe out of the chest.

“I’m ready!” Ky’ria called out. Arcturus stood impressed and took a readying stance on her side as the monsters zoomed towards the ground. He didn’t even wait for a battle call from his comrades before he leaped into action, jumping and swinging at the first void monster that dared to come close. Slashing his claws, beating his wings, and cracking his axe downwards, he wrestled it onto the ground where it poofed into inky darkness.

Ky’ria drew an uncertain breath and followed his lead, dashing forward and flaring her wings for size and strength. She jumped at another void monster and swung her axe around hoping to make a hit. Its eyes locked in on her and it yowled in pain as it began to fall towards the ground. She smacked it with her tail for extra effect and dug in her back paws to brace for impact, and both stelciar and void collapsed to the ground. The monster, however, disappeared under her paws with a hiss.

“Not bad, kid!” Arcturus yelled from afar, grabbing his axe with his teeth to prepare for another attacker. Ky’ria ran to his side, not wanting to get caught alone in the open again. Another void monster that looked like a massive pile of goo landed in front of them and growled, flaring its tentacle-like limbs out to attack.

However, the two stelciar were ready this time. They nodded at each other and each took a side - Ky’ria to the left, Arcturus to the right - dodging the tentacles and looking for weak spots. Underneath the writhing mass was a grey-lavender eyeball that was pulsing like a heartbeat, and she cried out, “We need to hit it underneath!”

He took a few steps back and flared up his flames, prompting the void to turn its full attention to him. He flew up into the air and the monster reached upwards to try grabbing him; it was the moment Ky’ria needed. She rolled to the side and underneath the tentacles and jabbed the axe upwards with a yell. She didn’t even feel the blade connect, but like a popped bubble, the creature disappeared into mist all around them as Arcturus landed back on the ground. They both took a moment to breathe and admire their teamwork.

But it was only a moment before another creature took its place at all the wrong timing. Ky’ria barely had time to react to the sudden snarl behind her before Arcturus pushed her to the side and took the full impact of the hit.

“Arcturus!” she cried out, the wind blown out of her from the unexpected impact.

“Go! Save yourself kiddo, I can do this!” he shouted back. He was pinned underneath a crab-like void creature with his weapon knocked aside, doing his best to keep the goopy maw away from his face. One of his paws was feeling around on the ground for his axe, while the others were slashing at the exposed skin. As she picked herself up, another stelciar jumped into the fray to pull him out, and they both took down the monster together.

Ky’ria gave him a longing glance before turning away, neither of them having the time to thank each other or say farewells. It was more important than ever to fight the bigger, stronger monsters, whatever it took… they could figure out the kudos when it was all over. But now was the time to find new allies, stay healed up, and most importantly, FIGHT!