Fantasy Unlikely Partners

[Tharivle]

"They do know what happened, I called them. But as far as tracking, it will take time. The demon was able to fly and has a very big lead, so we will be joining the search not the hunt." Chris replied. He seemed rather cheerful considering the circumstances. But it was a nice day, the sun was shining and there was hardly a cloud in the blue sky.
They were about half way to the service station when they heard a clap of thunder. Chris looked in the direction of the sound and far off in the distance was a thunderstorm. "Interesting. We were not suppose to get rain today." It was still sunny above them when they pulled into the rundown old station and parked in the back, but the storm had gotten closer and was heading roughly towards the grove. Chris parked, popped the trunk, let Rex out and grabbed his couple bags. One bag was clothes and the other was filled with guns and ammo. Chris waited for Ilaria to collect her bag then he closed and locked the trunk. He nodded to her then lead the way around to the side of the building where they would take the flight over to the grove. As he passed the door he shouted in, "Hey is there an old guy in there that can help us out." There was silence for a second and Chris kept walking. The door to the shop flew open and out came the little old man that ran the place, "Who you calling old boy. I could run laps around you and that dog with my eyes closed." The old man started to follow Chris grumbling and appearing upset, but when he noticed Ilaria he straitened up and smiled at her, "Good afternoon miss."

 

[Flutterby]

Ilaria nodded quietly, and followed his gaze over to the approaching storm. "Looks like a pretty big one." She said softly, noting the height and speed of the clouds.
She hopped out behind him and carried her own bags, smiling back at the old man. "Hello again," She greeted him, giving him a nod. "You'd think Chris here would be smart enough to stay on your good side." Her comment was light and playful, even though there was a feeling of unease creeping over her, giving her goosebumps on her skin.

 

[Tharivle]

The old man smiled and nodded but said nothing. Once around the side of the building Chris loaded his bags into an old crate that had four rope from the corners tied together to make a handle at the top, he motioned for her to do the same. Once she did the clerk didn't even wait he just started summoning the eagle. It appeared and grabbed the crate and sored away. Then Rex went, just like he did the time before. Then Chris said, "Are you ready? You are next."

 

[Flutterby]

Ilaria went along with the process, and gave Chris a nod when he asked. This time, she was prepared for the gut-wrenching feeling, but it didn't make it any better. She still needed to take a moment to put her hands on her knees and take a few deep breaths. It was somewhat less horrible, but not much. She figured Golden Flame members must go through some kind of training to be so used to the feeling.

 

[Tharivle]

Chris landed next to Ilaria and wile she was recovering he collected their bags and set hers down by her. Once she was ready he said, "First we need to claim a spot to sleep. If we don't hurry all the good ones will be taken." Chris said with a smile. He led the way through the woods to the main part but instead of going towards the buildings he instead headed off to the outside of the grove. They skirted the main street and then passed one of the big willows and there was an assortment of personal bags around it, belongings of about 20 people. "Nope this one if full." Chris continued walking then explained. "In addition to protection, the willows will also curl their braches into hammocks for people to sleep in, should people wish to stay the night and don't have a home here. The big ones will take 20 people max and the medium ones will take 10 people, and the little ones on the edge will take 2." Chris continued to the far side of the grove and they passed one of the medium willows and it looked to have about 5, but Chris continued on. "Personally I like the small willows the best, because they are smaller their branches are a little more comfy. And they are younger so they will have a tendency to talk/play more if you wanted." Chris lead on to the side of the grove and just as they could almost start to see the edge of the woods they came upon one of the small willows. There were no personal belonging under it so Chris smiled and approached. "This one of my favorite. Most of the trees are 'male' but she is not, I find her company much more agreeable than most of the others." Chris whispered as if he was trying not to let anybody hear his last commit. (The trees of the grove don't reproduce as male and female, but they are identified as such by how their voices sound. If it is a male voice then it is a boy, female voice then it is a girl.)
The willow in front of them stirred and a light sweet voice could be heard. "No need to be bashful Chris. Everybody knows that I'm your favorite."
Chris smiled and blushed ever so slightly, "It is nice to see you too. May we stay with you during the nights?"
"Of course you can, but first I think introductions are in order. Who is this beautiful young lady you have with you?

 

[Flutterby]

Ilaria drew in a final breath and then stood, picking up her bag and following him quickly. As usual, she walked alongside and listened silently to his explanation. She found herself glad that they were headed to the smaller trees, with less people hanging about in the branches. Ari gave him a glance, when he mentioned the gender of the tree, curious about the significance of it.
He got another glance at the coy response of the tree, and she raised an eyebrow at his blush. But she didn't comment, and turned to introduce herself.
"My name is Ilaria," She responded, "I'm a moon child, but a friend. I'd be honored to stay with you." Ari shifted her bag in her hand, and glanced at Chris again.

 

[Tharivle]

"Hmmm, Set your things at my trunk and when the time comes to sleep I will make a bed for you." The tree seemed to like her and was very polite and sweet. Chris set his things down, "Thank you." he said to the tree. "Lets go, we need to join everybody else in the great hall."
Chris lead the way to the great hall, and it was packed inside. And just like the last time it was rambunctious. The crowed was deafening, for it was about twice as big as it was the last time they visited. Chris stood in the doorway scanning the room and then he pulled the first person he saw aside and asked, "Do you know where Felix and Seth are, I need to talk to them?"
The man replied, "I believe they are with the rest of the elders having a meeting with the Sun Tree." Chris nodded and the man went back to what he was doing.
Chris turned around and walked outside. "If they are in a meeting with the Sun Tree then this is worse than I thought." He said to Ilaria as he started for the middle of the grove.

 

[Flutterby]

Ilaria smiled a little, and quickly set down her things at the base of the tree. "Thank you," She said softly, and then quickly followed after Chris.
The sound in the Great Hall hit her like a wall, and her forehead creased as her ears struggled to adjust to the volume. But it didn't seem to matter, because after a very short exchange, Chris had turned and walked out again. She caught just a few words of the conversation, but as she jogged lightly to catch up with him, she asked, "If they're meeting with the Sun Tree, is it okay to interrupt them?"

 

[Tharivle]

"Yes..." Chris was not convincing when he answered, "We can interrupt because we are the ones with the information. Unless they know something we don't."
As they approached the line of small trees which signified the clearing that the Sun Tree, it was then they noticed an armored eagle perched above the entrance to the clearing. They recognized it as Felix's companion. As Chris got to the entrance he stopped and looked up at the eagle. "Could you tell Felix that we are here and ask if it ok for us to come in?" The eagle had had its head sideways and was staring at Chris with one eye, but after he finished talking it stretched out its wings and nodded at him. Then it hopped off the wall of trees and took flight with two powerful beats of its wings. Once it was out of view Chris explained. "From start to 200 years people and their companions can pick up on each others feelings, and the companions can understand speech, but they can't talk. From 200 to 500 the pairs can talk to one another, but the companions can't talk out loud. From 500 on up the companions gain the ability to talk, which is why Seth's raccoon can talk, and why I could talk to and have the eagle relay a message to Felix."
As Chris finished talking the eagle returned and perched where it was before. "Nod or shake?" Chris asked. The eagle nodded slowly a few times, and Chris lead the way past the massive bird into the clearing. Like before the clearing was filled with a flickering golden light from the tree in the middle. There was 6 people huddled in a semicircle next to the tree. Felix and Seth were there and two other men and two women. The four unfamiliar people that were there were dressed from different places and times. Felix waved them over as they approached.
The group separated to make room for Chris and Ilaria. Felix spoke first, "Thank you for coming back Chris and Ilaria. You told me that the translation that Seth gave you was stolen, and that it is now possible that there is a demon with a shard and the means to utilize its power to its fullest?"
Chris was silent for a second, "That is correct. Mile 7 was attacked and in the issuing struggle between the three of us and the demon, it got away with the translation."
"Do we know which spirit shard is under the control of this demon?" asked one of the women there.
"I believe it is the spirit of the sea.... I can hear the cries of my ocean sister... And those cries grow louder..." The tree in front of them grew brighter and moved with the words, then went still and dimmer once they ended.
"There was an odd storm front coming in, and heading directly for the grove as we came in." Chris said.
Felix looked alarmed. "The Sea Spirit had significant power over the weather, it is logical to assume that one imbrued with its strength would have similar powers. Prepare the grove for an assault." Everyone started moving towards the exit at a brisk walk. then Felix added, "Chris, Kay wanted to see you. Something about your special ammo."
"Thank you, I'll go get ready." Chris replied. Then he turned and followed the others to the exit. Then to just Ilaria he said, "Sorry you didn't get to talk at all, but there is a good chance that there will be an attack soon, and it will be a little more powerful than that first one. Also these guys aren't big on blame, so they are not mad at you, so no need to try to talk out of anything."

 

[Flutterby]

Ilaria gave a small, humorless chuckle at his answer, and waited patiently through his explanations and the return of the eagle. When she entered the Sun Tree's clearing, she hung behind Chris a little, silently waiting to be berated for being careless with such a dangerous piece of information.
A small, surprised look crossed her face when the Sun Spirit identified the sea shard as the one under threat. Was that why she had been drawn to Mullbrook, the proximity of the sea shard, with its special bond to the moon?
She followed Chris out gratefully, and gave a small shake of her head. "I'd rather be silent than have my idiocy talked about." She muttered, glancing at Seth and Felix's backs as they walked away. She looked over at Chris, and asked, rather bluntly, "Who is Kay?"
Anything to forget about the fact that she had endangered the entire globe.

 

[Tharivle]

Chris was walking briskly back toward the main strip, but slowed to explain after she asked her question. "Kay is our blacksmith." He replied just as bluntly. "She is highly skilled and her forge is equipped to make anything. A wile back I asked her to make me ammo for my WW II rifle, but I wanted ammo that was infused with golden flame, much like the same way she makes swords and armor with magical properties. I hope this is her giving me my first batch..." Chris sounded excited and once he was done explaining he started walking a little quicker.
They came onto the main path and made their way to the forge, where there was a group of people huddled around the wide open entrance, all talking and asking questions. Through the muddled crowd one could hear an occasional strike of a hammer but it was obvious that whoever was trying to work was being smothered with questions. "ALLRIGHT THAT IS ENOUPH!!!" The frustrated voice cut through the crowd and made it fall silent. "I know you all want something but I am just one little person. I'm good at what I do but what I do can't be rushed." There was a pause, then in a softer voice, "I promise to get to everyone but for now just drop off requests in the box and I'll get to them when I can." The crowd started dissipating and some people dropped pieces of paper in a box on the outside of the building. Chris waited till everybody was out of the way before inching forward. "Is it safe to enter?" He asked wearily. The small women had her back to them and turned around quickly with a frustrated look, but when she saw it was Chris her shoulders relaxed and she smiled. "For you, always... It is nice to see a face that is a friend, not just a customer."
Kay stood about 5 feet tall and had long brown hair that was pulled back in a tight ponytail. Slender build but solid. From the state of the forge and the racks of completed or in progress projects it was obvious that she was a skilled blacksmith despite her small size. She turned around and walked to the back workbench motioning for them to follow. "I want you to know that making a bullet is easy, but making bullets with power woven in is actually very tricky."
Chris smiled and replied, "Right but for the best blacksmith to take up this forge it was not hard at all."
She picked up a wooden box off the shelf and turned back, "Now flattery doesn't mean that you are going to get what you want."
"Right... But it doesn't hurt." Chris replied.
"True." Kay said as she handed him the box. She stood there patiently wile he took the box and opened it. Inside was filled with bullets for he old WW II rifle. They were normal in appearance other than the fact that they was kind of shimmering and rippling with golden light.
"Wow, these are great. And they are tested?" Chris asked.
"Now do you think I would give you something that didn't work? Shame on you." She said in a teasing tone.
Chris closed the box, smiled and said, "Thank you."
"You are welcome." She said with a smile, "And who might this be?" She said before turning to Ilaria and smiling.

 

[Flutterby]

Ilaria gave a slow nod, as if the idea of magic bullets sounded ridiculous to her. That wasn't it, she just found it odd that he happened to be hanging on to such an old gun still.
She hung back, allowing the crowd to disperse and for Chris to greet the woman before even approaching the forge. As they spoke, she ignored their playful banter with a blank expression. The corner of her mouth twitched, like the flick of an ear from an irritated cat, but otherwise there was no show of emotion on her face during their interaction. There was something getting under her skin, but she refused to think about it.
When Kay turned to acknowledge her, Ilaria's expression was reserved, and her tone was cool when she introduced herself. "Ilaria," She said softly, resisting the urge to glance at Chris. "Friend from Mullbrook, I'm the local Moon Child." She didn't offer any other information, but did give the woman a small smile.

 

[Tharivle]

Kay listened patiently as Ilaria spoke but she perked up at the words Moon Child. "Moon Child?" Kay smiled a bit, "Do you have armor yet?" and before Ilaria could answer Kay turned around and disappeared into a back room, that was full of armor and weapon racks. She came back just a few seconds later and was holding a chain shirt. It was white and studded with small diamonds. It had a lace collar and inner lining. The shirt was truly beautiful, and if it didn't tinkle as it moved like metal on metal dose, one might have mistaken it for a regular lavish shirt. "Now wile I would love to take the credit for this masterpiece I will say that I had some help. I had a master jeweler/spell weaver, as well as a Moon Child help me in the creation of a few of these." Kay held it out to Ilaria and continued, "The armor itself is magically resistant to any element attack, fire, lightning, cold, and so on. The magic holding the links together is very strong so for most cases one will only have to worry about crushing damage like maces, but it still is never a good idea to let an attack land." Kay waited for Ilaria to take the shirt before continuing. "The diamonds have been imbrued with melding magic. If you wear this under your clothes so it is touching your skin, it will change with you as you shapeshift. Once in a form other than your human form it will disappear, but its magical and material properties will transfer to whatever natural armor you have. So if you are a bird, arrows or bullets will bounce off your feathers. If you are a wolf, fire will ripple down your fur instead of burning it, and so on and so forth." Kay smiled widely, "Also it looks very nice and is super comfy."

 

[Flutterby]

"Uh.. no.." Ilaria said, but it was obvious it was a rhetorical question. Kay disappeared, and then reappeared with a beautiful white chainmail shirt. She listened with slightly narrowed eyes, seeming a little unsure of what was happening. She took the shirt, and ran her hand over the outside. It was cool to the touch, and she could almost feel the magic vibrating in between her palms.
"This.. is a piece of art," Ilaria said, glancing up at Kay. "I haven't seen something like this since.. since I was still in my first lifetime." She fingered the collar, and then nodded to Kay. "I'll try to return it without damage." This time, she returned the smile whole heartedly, feeling the annoyance in the back of her mind begin to fade.

 

[Tharivle]

Kay chuckled, "If you return it undamaged then you can't use it. They were made expressly to give out to Secondary's that were Moon Children. Keep it, and only bring it back if is damaged." Kay smiled one more time at the both of them then went back to work as if they were not still standing there.
"Thanks again." Chris said as he turned to leave. Kay waved a hand up in response but stayed focused on what she was doing.
Chris lead the way through he grove back towards the small willow where they left their things and asked, "Is there anything you need? For anything really? We have many crafters and vendors. You could get just about any kind of clothes or trinket. And we can go to the actual armory if you want to pick something out."

 

[Flutterby]

Ilaria smiled, and nodded. She watched her return to work for a moment, and then looked at Chris. It took him a moment to say goodbye, and then she followed him out of the forge.
"With an attack looming over our heads, I don't think now is the best time to go looking for tchotchkes." She commented something. "And I've got enough weaponry for now."
She could feel herself growing a little tired; it felt as if it was growing close to dinnertime. "Are you hungry? I haven't eaten since this morning?"

 

[Tharivle]

"Yes actually I am getting hungry, but first I'm going to stop by our stuff and get this new ammo in service." Chris walked with a lengthened stride as if he was excited. In a few short minutes they were back at the small willow where they had set their stuff. Chris walked straight for his weapon bag. He pulled out everything that was in the bag. In total he set out his police rifle and sidearm, a shotgun, and a few knives and other assorted handguns. Then there was a box in the bottom of the bag, and it was wrapped with a maroon cloth to keep the other things in the bag from denting/scratching the wood.
It was and old, handcrafted, dark brown wood with golden hinges and latches. The wood was polished to perfection, and had the sword and flame symbol of the Golden Flame carved into the top. Chris set the box down carefully on the ground and opened the latches with one easy motion. The box opened to reveal a U.S. Rifle, Caliber .30, M1. The wooden components of the weapon were all polished with the same care as the outside of the box, and the metal components were clean and shiny. The gun looked like it had been made the day before and then prepared it to be put on display. The M1 rested in a cutout in the box, like how a trumpet case holds a trumpet, the inside of the box was covered in soft a maroon cloth to prevent anything from being scratched. The shoulder strap was detached and rolled up, and it had its own little cutout in the case. There were 10 rectangle cutouts where clips for the gun were settled into. There was also another rolled up leather belt, one that would go around the waste. And there was a sheathed knife nestled in a long slit along the bottom. The box was clearly custom built to accommodate all the components and the gun itself.
Chris picked up the rifle and with practiced ease he pulled back the bolt and let the clip drop out, catching it with his right hand. The weapon was so clean and moved so freely that one couldn't hear the pieces of the gun moving and disconnecting over the sound of the birds and the wind. Chris checked the clip and with one blinding fast motion he loaded the clip back into the rifle and pushed the bolt forward and brought the gun up to aim wile he was on a knee where he was. His motion was so fast that if someone had been standing in front of him they could have been shot before they would have had time to do anything but twitch in response. Chris unloaded the weapon without firing and set it back in its case. He then proceeded to unload all the bullets from the clips and fill them with the new ammo that he got from Kay. His fingers moved with practiced ease and it only took him a couple minutes to take the bullets out of the 11 clips and replace them with the new ammo. Once all the clips were switched he picked up then unrolled the strap and connected it to the rifle. Then he started putting the clips in his WW II leather jacket. One wouldn't have known they were there until he started filling them, but there were 5 small pockets on each side, built into the inside of the jacket, and each clip fit perfectly into each pocket, with the eleventh clip in the rifle itself. Chris then picked up the belt and unrolled it. It wasn't a belt that would be used to old ones pants up. It had 80 little loops along the entirety of the belt save for a spot on the left hip. And each little loop held one bullet for the M1. Chris quickly took them out and filled the belt with the new ammo. Chris put the belt on over his jeans and pulled out the knife. It was a standard straight edge knife, it looked to be from WW II as well. Chris drew the knife and tested the sharpness with the tip of his thumb. He sheathed the blade and affixed the sheath to his left hip. There was just enouph space between the loops to accommodate the knife, as if the belt was built to have that particular blade there.
Chris collected all his other stuff and put them back in the bag, then closed the box and put it back in the bag. Chris picked up the rifle and stood as he slung it over his shoulder in a way that would allow him to draw and aim fast. He turned to Ilaria for the first time since he picked up his bag (about 10 minutes) and smiled. "You ready to go get some food?"

 

[Flutterby]

Ilaria watched Chris for a moment after they got back to the willow, noticing that his focus had turned almost entirely to the weaponry. She gave a small humph, and drifted around the edge of the willow's trunk as she pulled the white chainmail shift over her head. She wiggled out of her own shirt underneath it, and felt the weight settle over her chest. She expected it to be cold, but the shirt felt like it had been sitting in partial sun, matching the heat of her skin. It glimmered in the light from the Grove, and hummed against her core with imbued magic.
She took some time to get some of her own weaponry in order, strapping on a thigh holster and placing her more powerful handgun in it. It wouldn't do her much good if she chose to fight in an animal form, but it was nice to have it anyway. She pulled out her gloves, and slipped them into the tiny side pocket of her leggings.
Ilaria had drifted away from Chris a littler, standing near the edge of the willow's branches and looking out into the grove while she waited. She started, only slightly, when he asked her if she was ready.
"Don't have to ask me twice," She responded, and hurried to join him on the walk to the dining hall.
In the distance, thunder rumbled over the treetops.

 

[Tharivle]

As Ilaria approached him and said that she was ready Chris was about to turn but noticed the chain shirt that was now what she was wearing. "Wow..." Chris breathed the word out because he was stunned by how fantastic she looked in the diamond studded white chain shirt, with the way her silvery hair blended in with the lace collar and the shiny shirt. Chris then spoke up so she could hear, "You look beautiful.... Dose it fit well? "Chris waited for her to Join him from where she wandered a bit and started walking back to the great hall.
The grove was quieter than normal for this time of day. There should be birds chirping and the companions should be playing in the trees or of to the sides, but there was silence. They passed a few people that had gone back to their stuff to outfit themselves but it seemed that most people were already at the hall. Once they got to the hall it wasn't the rambunctious, loud, cheerful place that they had seen before. Those that needed or wanted food could get it because there were a few buffet tables out and there were dished in crates next to the tables. But instead of friendly tables scattered about, the hall had been arranged into long tables. People were talking but it was a dull buzz of conversation, one that a single person could yell over. As they entered the room and Chris lead the way directly to the food tables and Rex automatically went up the ramps to join all the other companions in the trees above. As Chris passed people he occasionally nodded or shook a hand, but there were no loud cheerful greetings like the first time they visited. A few people looked at Ilaria and complemented both her look/thanked her for being here to help. Chris got a little bit of food, enouph to fill his plate but it was not heaping. Once he had gotten his plate he waited for Ilaria to finish and lead the way to an open spot along the tables. In total there was about 300 people in the building, and all of them were dressed for a fight, weather they had on modern tactical gear or old time swords, shields and bows.

 

[Flutterby]

Ilaria stared back at his, surprise evident in the raise of her brows. "Um.. yes, I think it rather does.." She said quietly. She hesitated a moment, giving him a look up and down, and then reach up and pulled her hair up off her shoulders into a ponytail, before joining him and walking with him to the dining hall. She stayed close enough to bump hips with him more than once as they walked.
She could feel the tension, the way it dampened the Grove, and wondered how it wasn't getting under Chris's skin. She stuck close again, even though the hall was much less rowdy this time, greeting those that acknowledged her, and followed him along to sit after she had filled her plate.
"I wasn't a huge fan of the rowdiness, but I think this is worse." She said softly as she sat.

 

[Tharivle]

Before Chris could answer there was a clap of thunder... and it was very close. The torches that lined that walls dimmed ever so slightly, but then went back to normal a few seconds later. It was about 6:45, and even though the trees blocked out the majority of the sun it was darker than it should be. "I know, this is the first time I've seen the long tables out myself." As Chris finished responding to her Felix walked up in front of the buffet tables, and the few people there hurried to grab a few things and then found the nearest seats.
Felix waited a moment to let everybody sit down and be silent, for as people noticed him they fell silent and those around them did the same. Once everybody was quiet Felix addressed the crowd, "My friends, I have grave news. The demon Zareth approaches. Now it would take to long to explain how, and right now it doesn't matter... But he has found a way to singularly obtain the power of a fallen spirit, the Great Sea Spirit. And he is on our doorstep." The crowd broke out into murmurs as everyone tried to guess how this could have happened, but Felix continued and the crowd fell silent again. "The small willows have moved into groups of 5, and five of those groups have been pulled back to the middle line. Another 5 groups have positioned themselves where this storm will hit the border and the remaining 10 groups have equally spaced along the border." Felix paused again as Seth walked up to him and whispered something in his ear. "Masters and apprentices stay in the hall and wait for further orders. Council Masters take your positions. Nights and willing secondary's, come with me. It is time." Felix walked down the middle of the tables straight towards the door, as he walked about half of the people started standing, and in one big line they followed him out. Chris had been listening but also eating slowly, but at Felix's last orders Chris started wolfing down the rest of his food, in a hurry to finish before the back of the line of people leaving the hall got to him. "That is us if you are coming." The companions of all the people made their way outside as well, weather they flew over the heads of the people leaving or just ran down the ramps and joined their masters. Chris finished his food a few seconds before the parade of people past them and he stood and followed them out.

 

[Flutterby]

Ilaria paused in her eating, looking up in the direction of the sky. The darkness was unnerving, and the approaching storm held a sense of doom that she hadn't felt for a very, very long time.
She ate quickly, as Felix was speaking, with the feeling she may not have a whole lot of time to enjoy her meal. Her suspicion was confirmed with the end of the speech. She wolfed down the last few bites, and gave Chris a nod before standing to follow him. She tugged at the edge of the shirt, suddenly feeling a little nervous.

The thunder, and its accompanying clouds, rolled up the the edge of the Grove, and then seem to come to a standstill. As the line behind Felix drew toward the middle line, a massive clap of thunder sounded over the trees. As it did, a harsh bolt of lightning flashed from the sky to the pack of small willows.. and singed the 5 most central ones. It was clear that this was no ordinary storm.
From the woods, Zareth bellowed out a roar, and, before the Golden Flame had truly organized, dozens of demons came pouring out of the normal treeline.
There were dozens of them, all about the size of large dogs, in more forms than they could count. In moments, they would reach the smaller willows, and overrun them based on sheer numbers.

 

[Tharivle]

"Tanks, merge and take the sides! Air, hold back and wait. Everyone else, on me." Felix commanded with surety and decisiveness, he undid the slipknot that was holding his cape and let it fall to the ground. Then he drew his sword and shield. As Felix's command the small army started moving into four groups. Those with winged companions pulled to the back of the group. Those with smaller companions pulled to the middle, wile those with larger companions broke to the sides in equal groups. The willow that was hit with the lightning was dead, its trunk was split down the middle and it fell in two different directions. The other four that were around it he been burned badly on the sides that were facing the target willow. They had lost a few branches and their trunks were burned bad, but they planted their roots and held their ground wile the other 20 started slowly pulling back and spreading out.
The demons charged and the four damaged willows did noting but slow their advance. There branched were charred and brittle and broke when they tired to wrap the attackers in their vines. May of the demons had fire abilities of some sort and made shot work of the four willows that stayed to fight. The remaining willows were about 30 yards in front of the now formed line of golden flame members and they were spaced out into two rows of 5. "Advance." Felix commanded, and as a single group the golden flame started walking forward, and the remaining willows buried their roots and waited for the demons to get to them.

Chris had stayed with the middle group behind Felix. "Stay with me in the middle." Chris said to Ilaria. Chris did not merge, but Rex was there by his side. The group as a whole had spread out quite a bit, so nobody was bumping shoulders, and everybody had room to draw/make ready weapons. Chris pulled his rifle around and checked the gun as they starred advancing.

 

[Flutterby]

At the appearance of the demons, Ilaria disappeared with a soft burst of light, and was replaced with the same large panther she had chosen the last time they were at the grove.
She was a little disconcerted by the orders, not familiar with the names used. But it became clear rather quickly, as larger pairs moved on the flanks and flying pairs fell back. Chris made it clear that they were to stay in the middle, and she didn't object.

The demons responded in kind, sending larger members of their horde to the edges, but the majority of them pushed forward, straight toward the willows and Felix. When they reached the willows, the first wave of them sprung into the air, launching themselves into the willow's branches and started to try to rip them apart while clinging to the larger branches like monkeys. Some of them were monkeys.
The next wave seemed to take a pause, and then went straight for Felix, trying to pass the willows by mobbing and scrambling through.
A growl rippled in Ilaria's throat, and the fur along her panther-spine began to rise, as the Golden Flame line began to advance in earnest toward the rushing demons.

 

[Tharivle]

The willows were occupied with defending themselves and trying to stay standing. Because of that the second wave broke through the line easily. "Ready!" Everybody aimed whatever weapon they had. Chris brought up his rifle. "Fire!" The order came as the group of charging demons was about 15 yards away. Chris fired and everyone else did the same. There was a chorus of various gunfire, arrows, spears, and other small throwing weapons. Chris's shot hit a smaller demon in the chest, and the round shot all the way through the demon. There were burn marks where it had been hit and little flames came out the back as the built exited. The demon stopped in its tracks and clutched its chest before falling over. At that distance most people got in a second shot, depending on their weapons. Arrows and spears were effective as much as they would be on wild animals, because they were forged with magic laced into them, but most of the gunfire just bounced off the demons hides as they rushed at them. Chris's second shot hit a larger demon in the shoulder, slowing it and crippling the affected arm, but it kept coming. Many of the people then merged and ran forward the last few yards meeting the demons in hand to hand battle. Chris didn't merge but rather pulled the pin back to fire again. "Rex, stay with Ilaria. I will cover you both." Then the demons were upon them.