Time of the Necromancer: Chapter 24

Norian soldiers were nothing like their sanctum counterparts when it came to martial prowess. Each soldier fought with a discipline ferocity that was a sight to behold. From their sword swings to shield placement and positioning that only drilling since the day they were born could have instilled into them. There was no camaraderie of the Sanctum. You were as useful as you individually brought to the kingdom.

But all of those years of training fell away entirely against an army of the dead that didn’t care if you were trained from birth or had just picked up a sword that day. They spread out through the front gate flooding the streets and every house they could get to. The streets and the homes were all made of the same white stone with lamp posts set up at various corners.

The first line of defense had hastily created a shield wall of iron and magic in the streets of the city and for a few moments, they were able to hold them back. But they simply didn’t have the numbers to hold them before they were overwhelmed. The order to retreat was given soon afterward.

Ryze and their group road into the city after a bit of a delay. They didn’t want to get swept into the thick of the fighting. Instead, they took their time trailing behind, picking off stragglers and getting their bearings.

When Coal crossed over, her feet clopped across the ground, and Ryze looked around grimly. Soldiers littered the ground intermingled with peasants. Norian’s overestimating the abilities of their army, or underestimating the power of their enemy. Which it was it got regular people killed.

Alison urged Blaze forward slowly but as she looked around she was back in Varuct. Watching the demons tear through the people of the city and her soon to be master rescuing them with an entourage of the undead. Shaking her head though she forced herself to be in the present.

“We’ve never been to the capital have we?” Alistair asked looking around them before settling on his sister. All of the carnage dejected him and he had a hard time focusing on any of it or even their next move. “We always wanted to avoid this as much as we could.”

“We did. And now here we are trying to help them,” she made a face. She felt exhausted and she assumed it was because of all the magic that she had done. “Though we’re not sure that’s what we’re going to be doing.”

Orion walked along the street hand resting on their gun. They hip fired at the zombies they passed, making sure to burn away heads from their bodies and crushing the remains.“So, we’re here. What now?”

Ryze looked with his glowing eye toward the citadel. “The Great Leader is there. That’s where we need to get before Greed and the other Ouroboros.”

“Speaking of,” Orion pointed toward the gate with their gun. “What the hell was that?”

“That big zombie?” Ryza asked. “No idea. You know more about the Ouroboros than me brother.”

Ryze was already shaking his head, “I’ve never seen that before.” But as he looked at the zombies on the ground he saw a faint glow among them fade like smoke. He got off Coal and walked toward one and touched it with the blade of his shovel. It spasmed in response to the necromantic energy before going still again and turning to dust.

“What was that?” Alistair mumbled.

“At the very least it’s trouble,” Ryze said waving his hand through the dust. When he touched it he felt winded as if he’d just run for a few minutes. Jerking his hand back he leaned on his shovel for a moment.

“Brother have you noticed?” Ryza asked.

“I have. But I don’t know what it is.”

“Is this what Greed does?”

He shook his head, “Not even close. This is new.”

“So another one then,” Ryza said looking toward the citadel. “I’ll have many questions for them.”

 Ryze spurred Coal forward and darted down the street, the others on his heels. As they traveled the number of zombies they encountered increased from one to two to half a dozen and more. They also got more aggressive in their attempts to slow them down. They did their best to dispatch them along the way weapons cleaving through undead flesh but it was becoming a fool’s errand for the long term.

Alistair swung his bloodied great sword around cleaving zombies in half. He turned in Eaergo’s saddle at the echoing of fighting and shouts. This wasn’t the first time he’d heard fighting but whenever he got close it was always too late to make a difference. But this time he could see them.

They had cordoned themselves together in a large house. The windows had been broken open and there were soldiers stationed within firing into the masses. However, a man in robes approached thrusting his hands forward and firing balls of fire. The door was barred and some spears were thrusting through when they could get a good hit.

For a moment he turned Eaergo to offer his aid to them but the horse didn’t budge. He grunted at Alistair and Alistair frowned hard. Eaergo was a horse that had seen many battles. So if he didn’t believe he should go there, he didn’t. And it was a good thing he did because without warning the entire building came down in a heap.

He leaned back in the saddle trying to see through the smoke for any survivors. A shape started to walk out of it and he started to say something but paused once he got a better look at them. Dressed in a black robe that covered their entire body and a hood deep enough to hide their face.  They were clapping enthusiastically and finally pointed at Alistair.

“Is that a blood sword?” they asked. “Thought only those Cersians had those.”

Staring at this stranger he felt the same way he’d felt looking at Lust. He knew they were one of the Ouroboros and leaned back in the saddle pointing his sword at them. “Which one are you?” he asked carefully.

“What?”

“You’re one of the Ouroboros. You defiled Her corpse. I want to know which one you are before I kill you.”

“Ooo scary,” they held up both their palms. “I just wanted to say hi. But you can call me Greed if you want.”

“Greed,” Alistair nodded slowly and looked at Eaergo. The horse chuffed at him and then they charged forward. This time the horse was in agreement with his rider’s wishes. Bringing the sword back he brought it down on the necromancer. Greed stepped to the side deftly avoiding the swing.

Pulling on the reins they swerved around as Eaergo reared back. Balancing on his back hooves he came down trying to stomp on Greed. Greed jumped back as the hooves crashed into the ground. Greed looked up and then brought both hands together catching the downswing from Alistair’s sword between their hands.

Alistair grunted and felt the muscles in his arm grow and flex beneath his shirt. He gripped the handle of the sword tighter and lifted Greed off the ground. He then flexed and swung. Greed let go too late and flew into the rubble of the house they had just been brought down.

Groaning Greed picked through the bricks and got to their feet, brushing the dust off their coat. “I think I got a little greedy with you. Let me take it slow.” He raised his hand and clenched it into a fist. The bricks started to shift and fall away as soldiers picked themselves out of the rubble.

Their sunken eyes focused on Alistair and he backed up in the saddle. The soldiers picked up their swords and spears and started advancing toward him in formation. Shields out, spears slotted through a small gap in them. But what really caught his attention was the mage that stood up beside Greed.

It waved its arms around slowly and Alistair felt the magic course through the air as it channeled a spell. Eyes wide he pulled on Eaergo’s reins and retreated away. They barely made it down the street when one of the buildings exploded in fire. Looking up he managed to evade most of the flaming stones and they slid into the main street.

Looking over his shoulder his eyes went wide and he slid out of the saddle, clutching it tightly as a spear sailed over his head. Looking from between Eaergo’s legs he saw the zombies sprinting toward them. Sliding off the saddle he detached himself from it and rolled to his feet.

Taking the sword, he cut his hand and thrust it forward. The blood leaped forward and hardened into a wide shield. Arrows slammed into the shield cracking it but didn’t pierce it. Lowering the shield, he brought the sword around as the soldiers finally caught up.

Two jumped forward thrusting their spears at him. He stepped forward and crouched low, the weapons going over his head. Steadying himself he swung hard and cleaved both zombies in half, their armor and flesh no match for the sharpened edge. Another soldier came up from behind them both and bashed his face with its shield. Stumbling backward dazed he brought the blood shield back to life as the spear came.

It shattered the shield in one go and he stumbled backward catching himself. Turning the sword around he lunged at the zombie stabbing it through the chest. He brought the sword up quickly as a shield for the ball of fire that slammed into him.

Eaergo grabbed him by the back of his shirt and dragged him back to his feet. He chuffed at him and Alistair nodded, “I know. I’m being sloppy.” Another pair of soldiers approached with the mage behind them. “That one needs to be dealt with first or else I’m going to be in trouble.”

Before the spell could finish Alistair jumped onto Eaergo’s back. Making sure he could balance properly he narrowed his eyes focusing on the mage. Leaning forward he threw the sword like a spear. It spiraled, whistling through the air and skewered the chest of the mage. It pinned the zombie to the ground, the spell that it tried to cast going awry.

Plopping back into the saddle they trampled over the zombies aiming to get back his sword. He looked past and saw Greed sitting on the rubble, arms folded but watching intently. Yanking the sword free from the zombie Alistair pointed them toward the necromancer when Eaergo halted them.

“What now?” he asked frustrated. Eaergo turned one pale eye onto him. “What?”

Greed however watched him closely and asked, “You know you never asked an obvious question. Why am I here entertaining you when I could be up there taking the great leader?”

Alistair blinked but they had a point and he looked toward the citadel. “Why aren’t you there?”

“My partner isn’t someone I want to stay too close to. Not great for my health you know?” they waved to themselves and chuckled. “Maintaining this figure is already hard enough without Sloth causing trouble.”

Letting out a noise of frustration Alistair pointed toward the tower and Eaergo nodded breaking into a sprint. Alistair loosely heard Greed laughing as he went.

They closed the distance between them and the citadel quickly. A lot of buildings had been destroyed along the way and many zombies were dead too. It was like a war of attrition and the Ouroboros knew that they couldn’t lose it. All the Norians could do was sacrifice their buildings and slow them down.

Riding around another pile of rubble and turning a sharp corner he could see the citadel standing tall its gleaming black metal catching the light. He had a couple dozen blocks before a spectral hand appeared in front of him blocking the path. Eaergo reared back and Alistair held on tight.

 “Took you long enough to show up,” Ryza said staring at him. Ryze was sitting cross legged on the ground Coal nearby. Both necromancers had glowing eyes though Ryze seemed to be meditating. Orion and his sister were missing.

“What are you doing out here? We need to get to the citadel, right?” Alistair asked but Ryza shook her head.

“No can do. We’re not getting anywhere near the Citadel right now,” she motioned to the ground. A line had been created through it that stretched all the way across the street.

“Why? What happened? Where’s my sister?” he asked coming closer. Getting off Eaergo’s back he stood beside her and looked at Ryze confused. Blaze walked over to him and touched his head lightly. “Glad to see you too. I know I missed a lot but I ran into some trouble.”

“Oh? You hear that Shriek? There’s more trouble in the city,” she scratched the head of the rat lightly from her shoulder. “The reason we can’t progress is because there’s a magic field surrounding the Citadel. Stand inside it and you’ll get turned to dust. Dead or alive. Doesn’t matter.”

“What?” Alistair looked over his shoulder at the space and then the line in the ground. “Who set it up?”

“No one. Or rather it wasn’t cast,” Ryza held her hand out and watched Shriek scurry from her shoulder to her hand. “My brother and I believe it’s the Ouroboros.”

“Sloth,” Alistair corrected. “That’s what Greed said. And I guess that’s why they decided to hang back instead of go to the citadel.”

“Greed’s here?” Ryza asked. “Ryze won’t like that.”

“I don’t but what else is new,” Ryze opened his eyes as he got to his feet. Snatching his shovel out of the ground he looked toward the citadel again. “I didn’t think Sloth could do this though. We’re not getting through this anytime soon.”

“What happened to my sister?” Alistair asked again. The fact that both had avoided it put a pit of worry in his stomach. “Did something happen to her?”

“No. She and Orion are doing recon. Seeing how far this field goes around the citadel,” Ryze dragged his shovel through the ground and pointed at a dead soldier. It got back to its feet and lumbered forward. Under his command, it walked over the line in the ground.

It managed to keep walking for a few minutes but then it started to stumble forward. It tried to take another step and then its leg disintegrated and it collapsed to the ground. It continued to try to crawl forward but other parts of its body fell away until it was ash in the air. Ryze clucked his tongue and shook his head.

“Well we found some good news,” Alison said as she and Orion came around a destroyed building. Neither of them looked worse for wear which was a relief for him. One of Alison’s eyes had turned to Penny’s and he imagined that it was to see the field.

When Alison joined them, she and Alistair hugged each other quickly, “You had us worried.” She said to him and then looked toward the citadel. “The field is weaker toward the back of the tower. Maybe whatever is causing it is closer to this side.”

“We could try to enter from the back,” Orion suggested. “But if the field moves, we’d risk getting trapped in it. It’s a shit position no matter what. There’s also the other issue.”

“What other issue?” Ryza asked.

“The majority of the horde has moved onto that side of the city. It’s being held back pretty well by the Norians,” Orion said. “And I think reinforcements have been called. The Ouroboros would likely abandon this place once they get the Great Leader and then Noria will clean up. But getting there isn’t going to be easy. Or even worth it.”

“All we can do is go back then,” Alistair said. “We tried to get here before them but we failed. And there’s no way that we can get in there, let alone protecting the Great Leader without risking our lives.”

“Retreat is what I would recommend honestly,” The five of them all turned and glared as Greed approached them. “Sloth was a good choice for this mission. I’m just here to make sure he’s gonna do the job right which seems like it.”

Flipping his shovel around Ryze pointed it at Greed and glared, “You’re bold to come back here Greed.”

“Whoa scary threat there Ryze,” they laughed but looked at Ryza and whistled. “Huh. Hadn’t thought the long-lost daughter would be anywhere near this stuff. I’d call it an honor but.” they shrugged. “I came to visit you because well. I think this is really adorable.”

“What are you talking about?” Ryza asked scowling.

“You know this whole thing of trying to slow us down or stop us,” they waved their hand back and forth. “Yada yada. It’s a fool’s errand. Pride is going to have everything she needs and then we’re going to finish what we started. Finish off Noria, the Sanctum and take it all. It’s gonna be sweet.”

“We’ll stop you,” Alison said glaring at him. “Don’t underestimate us.”

Greed stared at her and began to say something but paused, “Huh. You. You’re someone interesting. Both of you.”

That took her aback but Ryza stepped in and tapped her shovel against the ground. Swinging it forward the hands of the spirit manifested beside Greed and grabbed hold of them. “You’re kinda annoying you know that?”

Greed laughed looking down at the hands and something glowed under the hood, “I’ve heard that before.” The hands dissipated to Ryza’s surprise. “Anyway. I just wanted to meet you all. See what’s what. And I couldn’t not see Ryze again. I was interested in you last time. Too bad I can’t see if you’re stronger than before. No time to play.”

They waved one hand at them and then walked away. They motioned around them and slowly brought some of the dead back to life until they had a nice entourage. They watched Greed go until they disappeared and then looked back and forth at one another.

Ryze scowled but slid his shovel against his back. “As much as I hate to admit it. He’s right. We need to regroup at the Free City. I need. Need to think. The Great Leader is gone and so is the Queen of Cerise. The Speaker is likely gone too. It may be too late to stop our mother.”