I frantically searched for Mei as the debris rain cleared. Checking her name on my interface showed she had lost a great deal of health, but she was still with us somewhere. I focused on her and called out through runic magick.
"Mei! Are you okay?"
No response.
"Mei! If you can hear me please say something!"
The empty silence stung my ears.
I prayed to the Celestials to steel me against the dread and unease that washed over me. My disarrayed soldiers needed a rallying cry. This was our chance for a last push to take down this cursed creature.
A quick scan gave me hope that it might now be on its last stand.
- - - - - - - - - - - - {TARGET} - - - - - - - - - - - -
[ASTERYITH] (ARCHDEMON)
[HEALTH]: (1852 / 25000) | [STAMINA]: (237 / 800) | [MAGICKA]: (2750 / 2800)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
I frantically searched my mind for the right thing to say. Whatever I said could be my last words. I glanced at Hailey, who was already looking at me. Her presence calmed my racing heart.
The soldiers had gathered around us, looking to the both of us expectantly. My voice was hoarse and my hands shook nervously, but I steeled myself.
"I won't let our history fade away like we were never here, I refuse to be forgotten! Soldiers of the Republic, rise up and hear your Empress! You are the true descendants of a great Empire. This is the Land of the Light, this monster of darkness cannot be allowed to defile our homeland. We are reborn in the flames of the Vanixian Phoenix. I do not fear Death!"
I thrust my sword into the air, its dark crimson flames surged violently. Hailey came to stand behind me and raised up her staff to meet my blade. The fiery ethereal wings flared brightly, amplified in the light of the sun.
"We are the children of the Light! We defend against the dark abyss because it is our duty! For the Empire, for our Empress, for the Crimson Blade!
Her soft and girlish voice had been stowed away, in its place a stoic tone had risen up. Golden light spilled out of the oval gem-egg atop her staff.
"Shining light, shield us in all directions! In hands divine, embolden our life, Fortitude!"
Her final words, crescendoed loudly, echoing against the stones. The golden light spilled out over every member of the raid.
» YOU ARE AFFECTED BY FORTITUDE
In response the haggard remnants shouted back,
"For the Empire!"
"Fight for the Crimson Blade!"
Steel clashed against steel as the three remaining guardians slapped their swords against their shields in a rhythmic drumming.
BANG. BANG. BANG.
Soldiers formed up behind them in a long V formation.
"Push this darkspawn into the light, let it face the judgment of a mighty Empire. Forward into battle! Charge!"
I let out a primal yell and sprinted through the light to meet our foe. The demon screeched a deafening cry in response, shaking the foundation of the castle.
My blade sliced across its legs, forcing it to jump back in defense. As it found its footing, the entire arsenal of our raid came down upon it. Spears struck from behind as swords slashed at its sides.
The gauntlet of weaponry forced it to face me, or risk an attack of opportunity from my fiery blade if it tried to retaliate against my soldiers.
Asteryith's body lowered, and lunged forwards towards me in a wild charge.
I stepped back just in time to avoid a long arm rip past me. The rush of air nearly knocked me off balance. I brought my sword up quickly, anticipating the other arm which slashed at me a moment later.
Swinging the blade outwards I made contact with the demon's claws, parrying the attack by deflecting the massive hand away.
The demon jumped back before I could counter with a riposting BLADE SLASH.
Dark purple flames leered at me from across the hall. The looming figure heaved in the shadowy mists.
Its stamina must be reaching a critical point.
A high pitched screech cried out from the demon, but I maintained my composure.
No way I'm letting you get the better of me with some cheap tricks.
Asteryith dipped downwards to ready itself for another charge. In a blur, its legs kicked back and jagged claws bore down on me.
I held my blade out in front to brace for impact.
Gripping the long handle with my left hand, and pushing my right palm against the blade, I readied myself for the attack.
The demon's large body slammed into me with terrifying force.
My heels slid back against the blood encrusted stones.
I leaned into my sword, desperate to stay on my feet. I had been pushed a few feet back into the light, now a fair distance from the demon's reach. It turned away from me, towards one of the flanking groups. I couldn't let the beast harm my people.
I won't let this bastard go! I'll stop you right here.
No more of my soldiers would die to the foul monster.
I lunged forward at the Archdemon, quickly closing the gap between us—but it was ready for me—I had misjudged its attack.
This was a trick… And I fell for it in my blood rage.
A whirlwind of claws slashed through the room, striking me in the side. I was lifted off the ground. The air in my lungs rushed out and a hot sensation spread through my chest.
My body stopped rising abruptly, as the attack's momentum reached its peak.
I craned my head down. A large claw was protruding from my abdomen. The scythe-like appendage had caused immense damage to my breastplate, cracking the metal plate from the impact.
Unable to gasp for breath, my chest spasmed. I tasted the sourness of blood in the back of my throat.
Shit.
The Archdemon flung its arm out, and I slid free from impalement. My body rag-dolled across the floor. I tumbled over loose stones, finally coming to rest just under a pillar bordering the entryway to the hall.
I tried to lift an arm to push myself over, but shock was starting to set in and my body betrayed me. My muscles were set ablaze in pain.
"No!—Airis!"
Hailey's voice cracked as she cried out.
The sound of metal clapping hard against stone echoed in my ears as she sprinted towards me.
My body jostled as she lifted me to rest on her lap. Her arm cradled my head against her chest. A stream of tears flooded down her face onto my cheeks.
Sobs shook her body violently.
"N-No, no, no! You have to stay with me. Keep your eyes open, please!"
Her free hand was already building up a tremendous amount of energy around it. She began to cast a healing spell, taking the extra time to use one of its more complex incantations.
"Blessed and divine light, lend me your strength. Through me, channel the goodwill of your power, envelop me in the golden flame and deliver them from harm. Healing Grace!"
The intensity of the golden aura that followed was enough to blind someone if they looked directly at it. Powerful golden waves of healing magick flowed through me.
"The bleeding is stopping. You'll be okay. You're going to be okay. You have to be okay."
I groaned weakly as the excruciating pain abated.
I tried to tell her that I was going to be okay, that she shouldn't worry—but no words escaped my open mouth.
Hailey gently brushed a hand across my cheek. Her voice trembled as she spoke.
"Don't try to talk, just rest. Everything is going to be okay." A choppy sigh escaped from her. "I'm terrified of ending up alone… I-I don't know what I'll do if I lose you. So you have to stay with me."
She brushed the hair away from my face.
Unsteady and out of focus, I could see her panicked expression. The corners of her lips twitched as she fought back the urge to break down.
My adrenaline was crashing, lightheaded-ness was setting in quickly.
With my every effort I tried to speak, but my voice failed me once more. All I could do was gasp weakly at her. My hand reached up and caressed her face.
My strength gave out, the blood loss had taken its final toll. I watched the monsters' final points of health drain out on the mist projection. The light flickered as the display reached the black, and the projection faded away.
A piercing screech reached my ears, the final defiant cry of the Archdemon, Asteryith. At the very least, I would take solace in knowing that the demon met its end in these final moments. In death, its hold over this city was shattered.
My people would be safe here. Hailey would lead them. Out of the ashes of a shattered empire, my prayer was for them to be born anew, like the symbol of my family's empire.
Rise up, my phoenixes.
My eyes closed and I was enveloped in an impenetrable blackness. My body drifted away, and with it: time stopped…