Splinterlands Fantasy Story and Music Contest // Week 29 - Rage of the Undying

Here it goes, my second post-untamed entry to this great contest. Hopy you like it... and Merry Christmas everyone!

Rage of the Undying

Before dawn, the Centauri archers were already in place. Rows and rows of sharp-eyed warriors, ready to face whoever had reached the large valley of harimun, the last strech of land before one of the main settlements of the centaurs.

Who or what was coming, no one knew. But there was no doubt the rumours an attack was coming were true. The three scouts that had left the village two days ago were still missing, and now... there they were: a swarm of mercenaries, and a few more mysterious beasts, had reached the eastern tip of the valley, and kept advancing.

Nearly at the same hour the fiend's army showed its face, a huge centaur began his jorney, praying to the Gods it wasn't too late. And on his back, a bearded man with a strange hat, hoped for the same. The news had arrived just moments ago, but as soon as they heard of the possible events happening near harimun, they knew were the evil forces they were surveilling, were going. And there was no time to waste. Even if for a centaur, that meant carrying someone.

It was quite unsual to a centaur to carry anyone, and normally the ones who tried to climb to a centaur's back would quickly (and painfully) regret the idea. But Kron wasn't an ordinary centaur, and Horadrium knew the importance of being granted the honour of riding with one of the Centauri leader.

“Kron, I know time urges, but I fear I won't survive the fall at the speed you're going”, were Horadrium's first words after the ride started. But Kron's response made it clear he wasn't slowing down.

“Well... then you know what to do: don't fall”.

The summoner had heard about the Centauri speed, although Kron was the only one he had actually met so far. But he never imagined something like that. Then again, he thought, not many centaurs have this size and strenght.

Meanwhile, the Centauri warriors witnessed as the forces from across the valley kept growing. It was still a mystery how come a force so big could have reached so far into Anumun unnoticed. But there they were... and they kept advancing.

Some of the younger centauri were starting to get impatient.

“Let's ride to them and show them what Lyverians are made of!”

But the elder ones were aprehensive. The experience told them over and over again that in battle, things are not always what they seem. The Centauri aim was know across all the splinters... and it was highly doubtfull that someone would face them unaware of their skill. So, the big question was: why there? Why not attack in the middle of the night, or in a different terrain? Why there, in an open valley, with sparse trees and rocks, without any kind of decent protection against their arrows? Sure, it was the nearest and easiest route to the centaur's settlement... but for a friend, nor a foe.

“Keep your positions. No one moves; just make sure your bows are ready if they reach halfway across the valley”.

It was around noon, when the valley's halfway was reached.

They were still far to lauch any kind of ranged attack. But the centauri arrows would reach them from that point.

They could see better what were they were facing now. Some were mercenaries: hobgoblins, dwarfs, all ready to sell their daggers and axes to whoever could afford them. But there were also stranger foes: tall figures in dark robes, and bodiless faces that seemed to hover a few inches from the ground.

Despite the frightening view, centaurs were brave. And it was time to fight.

“Ready.... aim... let them fly!!”

The first cloud of arrows flew swiftly.
And then surprise struck the archers.

Most arrows didn't met their targets.

Impossible! Was the elder's first thought.

A second round of arrows was fired, with the same result.

It became clear then, why did the enemy force was venturing through the valley. And the surprise gave way to fear.

Dark magic.

Something, or someone, was able to mess with the centaur's aim. And facing those numbers with sheer force, without their bows sharp as they used to be, was bound to be harder... and bloodier.

One of the elder's voice rose higher.

“Men, there's only us between them and our families. There are some among the enemy that are unfamiliar to us, and our lack of aim must be their doing. Target those first. Shoot all the arrows you can until we reach them, and when we do... may the Gods give us strength. Centauri... RIDE!”

And with a loud roar, the centauri rode to battle.

“It started.”

The summoner nodded. He had felt the energy too. There were probably an hour away still; Kron hadn't slowed the pace for even a bit, and Horadrium was amazed of how strong the centaur was.

“Maybe your people are enough to take care of them, and we can arrive to help them celebrate victory.”

Kron didn't answered. And he knew what worried him; or better, them. They both knew of these fiend's abilities, and no matter how strong centaurs were, their strenght was in their arrows. And there were fiends with strong armour as well.

The centaurs clashed against their enemy as hard as they could. The fallen enemies were far less than they expected. but still their first lines felt, as the centaurs rode past them, trampling whatever stood in their way. And then the real fight began.

When Kron and his rider reached the village, some of the injured were already arriving. Looks of surprise appeared all around, as the massive centaur stormed through the streets.

He stopped near the first injured.

“Kron! There's hope.”

“How are you holding them?” Horadrium was the first to speak.

“Badly. They're too strong, they keep advancing. And I don't know why, but we can't hit them as we were supposed to.”

Kron place a hand on his shoulder.

“We know. That's why I came. Make sure everyone is ready to leave if needed.” And proceeded to his rider. “I took you this far. You can help here and tend the wounded, this is my fight.”

Horadrium laughed, thow.

“You know what more I can do besides tending wounds. I'll ride to the battlefield, unless you throw me down halfay.”

Kron darted to the battlefield even before the summoner's last words.

The scenery was of terror, as they reached the valley. There was probably less than half the original centauri force still in battle, and the enemy seemed to be gaining the upper hand. A murmur was heard in the valley, as both centaurs and foes noticed Kron's arrival.

Horadrium jumped to the ground. And grasping his staff, his summonig started. Kron saw some of the foes immediatly going for them, but the summoner remained calm.

“Don't worry about me.” He said, as two huge stone golems rose from the ground. “Lead you people, and let you magic flow.”

Kron rushed to the heat of the battle. And the sight of their fallen friends made the rage that was bulding inside, flow.

A roar was heard throughout the valley, as Kron rose in strenght, and size. “The undying”, he heard someone mumbling, as with a single blow, took out the first foe that dared reach him. And with renewed strenght, the centaurs fought even harder. All around, creatures of Anumun answered the the summoner's calling, and soon centaurs, golems and elementals were fighting side by side.

As dusk settled, the battle was over. The few remaining enemy forces were fleeing, and were being chased by the centaurs.

Horadrium and Kron's eyes met, as the summoner aproached. The centaur bowed his head in respect. He knew part of that victory was due to the apparently fragile, bearded men.

“We did it, friend.” Horadrium bowed in return. “And your magic seems stronger than ever.”

Kron wanted to smile, but couldn't. They won, but with a heavy toll.

One thing he was sure, thow: he would find the one behind this attack.

And we would unleash his magic again.

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