"Crimson (chapter 3) - The Battle" by Samuel V. R. Joseph

The Tower is clearly visible once we have passed the Wall. Constructed entirely of obsidian, it rises from the ground like a hooked finger. Behind it lies the Easterwood, full of old, gnarled trees and twisted shadows. Some say that is where the Warlocks practice their alchymical arts. Between the Tower and the Wall, however, is nothing but a flat plain, and it is here that we make first contact with the enemy.

The ground starts to shake. Ahead of us a small hillock starts to sprout from the grass, as if something is burrowing up from underneath - suddenly it bursts in a shower of soil. In front of us rears a gigantic worm-like creature. It stretches out of the ground, fully twelve feet high. For a moment there is time to think that this must be one of the Warlocks' alchymical abominations; for a moment I notice the details of it: the slick wetness covering its scaly skin, its lack of eyes or ears or any other features except a mouth -

Then it opens that mouth. A shrill screaming noise fills the air. Though I cannot hear it directly, the vibrations themselves are enough to make my head ache. The effect on the Hunters, with their keen senses, is devastating. They shriek in agony, falling to the ground and covering their ears. In one swift stroke the Warlocks have incapacitated nearly half our army.

The Red King whirls to face us. "Kill the creature!" he shouts. "Quickly!"

The air around it begins to glow as we focus our energy, but something is wrong. That substance on its skin must somehow be protecting it from our fire!

The screaming continues. The Hunters have stopped moving. They lie motionless on the ground, blood streaming from their ravaged ears. I turn my attention back to the creature, calling on all my anger to destroy it. I can barely see it through the pulsating, shimmering heat haze. Still it resists us. The Warlocks have learnt well from their loss, but we, the arrogant victors, now stand on the verge of defeat.

Finally the noise stops, and the creature slumps to the ground with a loud thud. Faint wisps of steam rise from it, evidence that it was eventually cooked from the inside. The remainder of our army stands, shaken, around the fallen creature.

"Regroup!" the Red King orders. "We cannot turn back now. Be on your guard for any further surprises."

No sooner have the words left his mouth than a sudden blackness descends. What new sorcery is this? First they attack with sound, to destroy the Hunters. Is this how they plan to defeat us?

I create a small flame in my hand, to banish the darkness, but it barely makes an impact on the choking gloom. Close to me I can see the faint flickers of other Crimson attempting to do the same, but beyond that I can discern nothing.

Suddenly I hear a faint thumping sound, distant at first but growing steadily louder. A sudden rush of air breezes past me. I hear shouts all around, and flares of flame flicker in the shadows, but still, frustratingly, I can see nothing. What is happening?

A loud thud echoes from behind me, and I turn. Three dull blue eyes pierce the darkness, a vague suggestion of wings and a thick, scaly hide... Skyvians. Born in the Sky Caves of the north, where for months on end the sun does not shine, the Skyvians have no doubt adapted well to such low-light conditions. They have the distinct advantage here. This entire battle has been planned meticulously from the start! We don't stand a chance.

The creature lunges forward, but it is abruptly shoved to the side. A Crimson pins it to the ground. The Skyvian roars in pain as its flesh begins to boil, but another shape flits out of the gloom. The Crimson is lifted away, struggling vainly. The downed Skyvian continues to twitch for a moment, then lies still.

All around the battle rages, but it is a queer battle. I hear shouts and roars, the gush of flame and the flap of wings, but all I see are shadowy shapes wrestling in the darkness. I stumble forward, utterly disoriented. A sudden, sharp pain lances through my shoulder. I feel myself lifted off the ground. Below me there is a sudden flare of brilliance, so bright it seems to tear away the crushing blackness, but after a moment it fades. The Red King. He is dead. What little shred of hope I had is now gone. With the Red King defeated it is only a matter of time before the battle is over. Everything feels almost surreal now, as I am borne through the darkness. I barely feel anything as the claws tear through my flesh, ripping out of my shoulder, and I fall.

I fall forever, unable to see the ground...