Our attack failed. We were pushed back far past the inside borders of Gladren. In a matter of days, the war had migrated from the fields of Hynix to the main sanctuary of Gladren.
The battle is never-ending. I cut down one Elsan and another takes its place. Blood stains the stone floor and walls around me. The sanctuary walls rise up almost thirty feet before bending into arching beams that stretch to connect the walls. Even now the Hynix creatures with wings fight angels, twisting throughout the beams like they are threading yarn.
Rank after rank of Elsan soldiers spill like waves into the sanctuary. Out from the black and brown, glints of an angel's silver armor can be seen, but it's rare. We will be overpowered.
Will the leaders of Elsan really allow this? Even though we are a threat, will they really wipe us out?
I cut down my opponent and spread my wings, lifting myself into the air to get a better look at the approaching ranks. The black and brown spreads through the grey and silver like mud in clear water. While I'm hovering fifteen feet from the fighting, a winged Hynix dweller sees me and charges. He's mostly human, and has large feathered wings resembling an eagle's. In his hands he wields a long halberd.
Uh oh.
I block his attack with my spear, then shove the shaft of my weapon into his rib cage. I hear bones breaking but don't wait long enough to make sure. As he's doubled over in pain, I bring the blade of my spear along the bones holding his left wing and hear another loud crack. The wing crumples, and, with a cry of pain, the creature falls into the chaos below.
I focus again on the oncoming army and notice a dark navy in the midst of the dull colors. It's a man, from the looks of it, wearing a long robe. A tall hood hides his face. I watch as he comes next to what I believe is one of the Elsan generals. He leans close to say something to him, and the general nods.
Something is wrong.
The hooded man continues walking. He weaves easily through the crowd, and no angel or Elsan dares to try to touch him or strike him down. As he gets closer to me, I notice there is the smallest of smiles on his face, a calm smile. Maybe, even, a sad smile.
He stops and looks around at everything. His eyes pass over me, meet mine for a moment, then continue grazing the battle. I fly closer to the wall, away from most of the fighting, and continue to watch him, perplexed by his calm actions. Finally, he raises a hand and pushes his hood back. Shaggy black hair spills over his shoulders, framing a tanned face and deep blue eyes.
Then, he speaks.
"Angels!" He shouts, "Creatures of Gladren!"
The noise around the sanctuary becomes hushed as the opposing forces actually stop fighting to hear the man speak.
"You know who we are," he says, "We are Hynix, and we are Elsan. Our worlds and yours have lived in peace for thousands of years! That bond was strained when you began to threaten us, and broke when you attacked and raided two villages in Hynix. "
He looks around again, as if he's trying to meet the gaze of every angel in the room. His eyes hold little malice.
"You are a threat we can't afford to have!" he shouts, "We hope that we can again gain your trust, and you ours. But for now, we must quiet the threat that stands before us."
He raises a hand. As he does, the sleeve of his navy robe slides down to his elbow. Hanging from a silver cord wrapped a few times around his wrist is a dark blue, sphere shaped gem.
No.
"I am the High Mage, Airon!" the man shouts, "and I'm sorry to have to do this to you."
I try to rise up into the air, try to get away, but one of the Elsan soldiers near me hits me with the shaft of his ax, slamming me into the wall. I open my eyes and see the Mage's hand wrapped around the gem, his eyes shut. I even think I saw a tear slide down his cheek. Brilliant blue light fills my vision.
Then everything fades into black.
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