Fantasy Farewell to Kings: Elide’s Tale

[Jodyguru]

Leona put a hand on Eli’s shoulder. “If you also blame yourself, no explanation will help him. Right now everyone is too emotional to speak on this rationally.”

Tess appeared through the brush and looked to the two of them.
“Hey, everyone got cool heads now? I think we should start heading East. Dominion won’t be able to follow us much farther than the valley.”

 

[A Play On Words]

She sighed and nodded. "If we must, so be it."

 

[Jodyguru]

The four of them started trecking through a watery forest. Winter had his horse loaded with the group’s things and lead it by the reigns. Tess was ahead stabbing the water to make sure it was safe crossing.

Tess lifted a snake with her stick and tossed it across in a 10 foot arc away.

Leona was holding her robe in her hand so it didn’t get wet.

 

[A Play On Words]

Elide's magic swirled around her hands like fire. She trudged through the water with a sigh. She missed Bart more then she had ever though was possible. The one man she loved was taken from her.

 

[Jodyguru]

Tess hooted and splashed the water with her foot.
“Well shoot! I didn’t think summer was this rainy. That’s what happens when you spend all year up in the vale. It’s gonna be funny heading back home. Haven’t been this Far East since before the war started.”

 

[A Play On Words]

She chuckled quietly, "I-It is quite nice out here."

 

[Jodyguru]

Winter chimed in. “So, did you find your parents up on that hill?”

Tess shook her head. “All I found was old machines and some dead flowers.”

Leona lifted her eyes towards the woman. “I was in the south hills with the youth ministry a year ago. We buried some bones, spread holy water and prayed.”

Tess felt a surge of emotions. She wanted to hug the girl in half. “I-I appreciate the sentiment. I didn’t see any bones there, so I’m obliged to believe that.”

Winter let out a breath and trudged forward.

 

[A Play On Words]

"Once we get Bart back, I want to take him to go see my village and meet my family." Elide said quietly. "I-I haven't seen them for almost a year now, and I-I think he would like to meet them..."

 

[Jodyguru]

Leona smiled at Eli. “I’m sure he will.”

“Yeah! After the mud slides, I’m sure he’ll love to meet em.” Tess thought back to that time and reflected on that cool spring air.

“What about your family, Leona? Won’t they be ashamed to hear their daughter is a fugitive?” Winter snickered.

“Oh, hmm... yes, for awhile. I think my father will understand.” Leona’s smile disappeared.

 

[A Play On Words]

"Quiet Winter. There's no need for your harsh comments." She hissed, gently placing a hand on her shoulder. "I bet they're mighty proud of you." She smiled at her

 

[Jodyguru]

Leona shook her head at Eli. “No, it’s alright. He made me realize that I should send them a letter.” Then she leaned in to whisper. “Don’t give him the satisfaction.”

“Well hell, my parents fought under Roderick’s flag.” Tess injected. “They’d be proud to hear me helping Dominion outlaws.”

“Dogs of the old king... probably similar lot that killed my parents. Bart told me they wore red tabards.” Winter sneered.

 

[A Play On Words]

Elide simply nodded, an idea forming in her head as she did. It was a hell of a stupid one and could get her killed, but it would save Bart and protect everyone else she loved.

 

[Jodyguru]

The idea wouldn’t work in her present state. She needed a lot more power than she currently wielded to carry it out.

Suddenly Winter yelped out loud. He felt something wrap around his legs, and yanked him into the water. He was pulled several feet away and then hung upside down with his coat upturned. A horrible hiss emerged from the swamp. A pair of lizard folk appeared in the water and attacked with spears. Tess pulled a sword and attacked one of them. Leona’s hands glowed and she booned Eli with guidance, aiding her next action.

 

[A Play On Words]

Part of Elide wanted her to just leave Winter hanging there, but she knew she couldn't. Elide took a deep breath before reaching inside of herself. She felt the magic pulse through her bones. She let it take over once more.

 

[Jodyguru]

“Oh shit!” Winter called out. “Everybody run!” He pulled a knife out and started slashing at the thick vines. In the distance, a bulbous head surrounded by thick vines started shambling into view. It opened a mouth of red stinging pustules and aimed to eat Winter. The vines pulled, and he started being dragged towards its mouth.

The connection to her demon spirit was strong and invigorating. Elide’s human body collapsed into Leona’s hands. She knew what was coming.

Tess clashed blades again and again. Her own attack missed the vile creature. One of the lizard folk was coming for Leona and Eli, neither could defend themselves at present.

 

[A Play On Words]

The demon grinned a wicked grin, knowing that Elide gave it freedom. It roared before leaping at the beast, sinking it's claws into the flesh. It then leaped at the vines gripping winter. It's sharp claws sliced the limbs from the body.

 

[Jodyguru]

Leona grunted from the blast of power as the demon emerged and slaughtered the lizard, before shooting upwards to attack the monstrosity.

Winter fell suddenly and landed in the bog with a splash. He shook off the severed limb and crawled up the muddy slope to get back on his feet.

Tess lost concentration for a moment while she witnessed this power. The lizard man gripped his spear and delivered a rush of stabs to the Druid. Tess fell backwards, then transformed into a snake, leaving a small trail of blood in the water but swam away with ease.

The monstrous plant released a pink mist from its mouth and surrounded itself with it. Getting closer, the demon was getting painful burning sensations from the floating spores.

 

[A Play On Words]

The demon roared, Elide's body twitched, reacting to the pain. The demon hissed and leaped at the nearest lizard man and gleefully removed it's head from it's shoulders. It then turned towards the main creature and leaped at it once again, cutting limb from limb.

 

[Jodyguru]

When it started slashing limbs, the monster lured the demon in with false limbs, then once it started cutting those, it grabbed with its attached limbs and started constricting. It lashed the demon against a tree with a great slam.

Winter watched the fight go down, then looked to see Leona carrying the unconscious Eli. He put it together pretty quick. The bard drew his shortbow and knocked an arrow. He had to aim carefully.

“Here Winter!” Leona called out and hit him with her guidance boon. He felt steady and his breath calm. He fired his shot, which soared and ripped through one of the limbs binding Eli’s demon.

Tess reshaped herself behind the lizard man and grappled him with his own spear, putting it against his neck and strangling him while getting a knife and shoving it into the monster’s body.

 

[A Play On Words]

The demon roared as it was squeezed, Eli's breathing started to slow. Once the arrow was fired it freed itself, Elide's breathing returning at a normal rate. It leaped towards the monster's eyes, sinking the claws into whatever it could find.

 

[Jodyguru]

The monster gushed with viscous yellow fluid, and tearing at it caused it to roar in pain. The lizard men were defeated, and it didn’t take much to finish off the plant monster once the demon started tearing it to shreds.

Eli’s skin was turning red and irritated. The red gas was effecting her physical body as well as the demon.

“Hey, tell her to call it back!” Winter called and waded over to Leona and Eli. “We have to get going now!”

Tess ran over. “Is she okay? She doesn’t look good.”

Leona stammered. “Uh, wake up please, Elide.”

 

[A Play On Words]

The demon slowly walked back towards Elide's body. It inspected some of her wounds before letting out a satisfied 'hmph'. It then turned to Leona. The demon gently placed it's forehead to her's. We will be fine. Keep her alive please. You know what we have to do. If we don't return in two days, kill her. The demon spoke to her in a gentle and soothing tone, it long serrated claws gently pet the back of her head.

 

[Jodyguru]

Leona’s eyes watered with fear and confusion. “K-kill her? What are you saying? Come back to Eli right now! You aren’t going anywhere without us!”

Tess looked confused. “Leona, what’s it saying?”

“This summon is Eli, or the other way around... but she’s telling me to keep her body safe.”

Winter grunted. “I knew she was ugly on the inside, but damn.”

Tess hit him in the shoulder. “Can she survive that long outside her own body?”

“No idea... but Eli, if you’re going to save Bart all on your own, then I...I won’t be your friend anymore!” She pouted. “This isn’t just about you and Bart. People care about you! You can’t just throw that away. Bart would die inside if you kill yourself trying to help!”

 

[A Play On Words]

The monster stared down at the body, Eli's voice screaming inside it's head begging it to stop and just return. Then give me her body. We have unfinished business. She does not have a say within my matters. It's voice was a little more harsh now as it reached for its host.

 

[Jodyguru]

Leona pulled away. “You... you’re her demon! You don’t get to decide!” The girl cried.

The azure blade wriggled out of Eli’s sheath and shot itself into the air.

“its wrestling control from Eli! Use me to slay it if it won’t return willingly. It’ll kill her!”

The sword landed in Leona’s open hand. She held it shakily but rose to her feet.

Winter and Tess grabbed the demon by both arms and struggled to keep hold of it.
“Return to her now, or face destruction, beast!” Tess hollered. The gleaming azure blade was aimed at the demon’s chest. The demon would surely see the abyssal energy radiate from this blade that cuts spirits. It was its true weakness.