Orc Bait - Chapter 6 - Part 2

Chapter 6 - Part 2

We were taken to a place nearby. A large area on top of the white stone rubble that had been flattened and cleared. I could see the moons reflecting in the large pool of water that encircled the small island we were on. The orc camp was beyond it, where I could see many torches burning among the scores of crudely organized tents. The dark slopes of the crater beyond that rose up high and surrounded us. It was like a huge barrier, closing off the outside world, and trapping me inside this madness.

The flat area of stone was like a large open stage, with a hill of stone rubble directly behind us that rose up several times my height. In the moonlight, I could see the large red summoning circle on the pale stone floor, several feet wide. Scores of barbaric orc warriors and archers surrounded us. I noticed that they were being careful to avoid the painted circle.

Aerowyn was dragged over to a thick wooden post rising from the ground near the circle. She struggled and protested as the orcs tied her to it, lewdly groping and teasing her as they did. Sierra came and took the satchel from me. I had no choice but to give it up, and concede defeat. I saw her scarred lips give me a conceited smile under her shadowy hood, before she turned and walked away.

Yurag kicked the back of my knees, making me kneel, as he stood over me with his blade still drawn. "You lucky Dru Mabrotnosh not want to kill you, Ushutar Kurv."

"Because she will have the power to enslave me. Just like she will have the power to enslave you...Urdanog. Do you really trust her?"

"I do not. but if she tries, she will find me a difficult slave."

"I think you underestimate her."

"We will see who underestimates who."

Sierra put the satchel down in the middle of circle, then stood back. "Esta ettular nar," she called out as she raised her hands. The satchel suddenly burst into flames and burned brightly. The orcs all quickly turned, some of them grunted in surprise and raised their weapons defensively. When the bright orange flames died down, the red demon heartstone was there sitting in the grey ashes. I could feel its unworldly malevolent influence once again.

Sierra turned back to us. "Thank you, once again, for your assistance, Urdanog. I can handle these two now. Would you please have your men clear the summoning area."

Yurag stepped forward, and then nodded to her. "Bi Kurrauz!" He called out loudly. The orcs all stopped and looked at him, then started to leave the area. The tall half-orc stood there for a few moments, looking down at Sierra, who still had her face hidden in shadow within her hood. He just grunted before turning and walking off.

"I'm going out to patrol perimeter. Bugrash, you in charge while I'm gone. Don't go far." He lowered his voice, but I could still pick up what he said with my acute hearing, "Keep an eye on Mabrotnosh...and the Kurv."

I got to my feet again, and stood before the corrupted sorceress. She stood between me and the demonic stone. No doubt if I tried anything, she would quickly incapacitate me with her magic. I looked over at Aerowyn, struggling against her bonds. She wouldn't be able to back me up either.

"You're still trying to figure out how you can stop this, aren't you, Rohme? You still haven't accepted that you can't."

"You can't prepare for every possible outcome."

"Still have something up your sleeve? I doubt it."

"Maybe Yurag does."

She let out a croaky laugh, "I don't think that crass brute is capable of doing anything that will surprise me."

Then I heard something behind me, and turned. It was a whooshing, flapping sound.

"Hear something, Rohme?" asked Sierra. I listened as it got louder. The sound was familiar. Then the flapping stopped, and I heard skittering across stone. I then saw movement on the towering pile of rubble behind us. A large silhouette crawled up and sat near the top of the pile, looking down on us. I could make out the large pointed ears on its head, and glowing eyes. I couldn't believe what I was seeing.

"Oh, there he is," said Sierra.

"No...I killed it." I crushed the beast's head into paste. There was no way it could have survived.

"The stone didn't let him die. And he can magically regenerate. Now the stone is calling to him again."

The Felder let out a loud shriek and spread its leathery wings wide, making it look huge. Then it leaped from the pile of rubble and flapped down toward us. I took a few steps back as the big black beast rapidly beat its wings and brought its weight down on strong legs on the ground nearby. It moved its head around, surveying the area around us, then looked at me with fiery yellow eyes. It let out another shriek. I reached for the sap balls in a pouch in my leathers. Would I have to fight the accursed thing again?

Sierra walked up to it, holding up her hand. "Calm down, boy. She won't harm you again. She will join us soon." She stroked her hand over its broad furry chest, which seemed to calm the restless beast.

"You better keep that hell-spawned monster away from me, or I will harm it again!"

Sierra turned to me, "Hell-spawned monster? Oh, Rohme, Don't you even know who this is? Don't you recognize a former lover?"

I was confused. I stared hard at the Felder, and then I gasped in horror. "Strafe?!"

Sierra nodded, "Yes. The heartstone affected us all in different ways. It deemed to give our strapping swordsman this bestial form. Unfortunately, devout Miss Cordelia couldn't cope with the demonic influence, and went insane. I had to kill her. But I rather like Strafe this way, he serves me well."

I watched on as she scratched behind the black monster's ear. The Felder still looked at me. I didn't want to believe what she was telling me, but I did. I could see the faint resemblance to Strafe now. The creature had his large solid build, though its facial features had been warped into something far more inhuman, with large pointed ears, large fangs and blank yellow eyes.

"It is a hell-spawned monster, and so are you. That thing isn't Strafe, just like you're not Sierra."

"We are all not what we once were. The world will not be as it is now. Change is inevitable, Rohme. Stop fighting, and embrace it!"

The Felder then lumbered toward me. I quickly pulled one of Aerowyn's flash-bang balls from my leathers and got ready to throw it at the beast's head. Sierra made a gesture, and my arm was suddenly stuck in the air. I growled as I struggled against the invisible force that held me. The Felder got closer and I growled and swung my free fist. It stopped just out of my reach. It then stooped its black head forward and I could see its nostrils flaring as it sniffed at the air.

Sierra stepped forward as well, "He doesn't want to harm you. I think he remembers you as a mate." She let out a soft cackling laugh. "Yes. You can make it up to him for the murder attempt. It'll keep you occupied while I carry out my ritual, and it will be quite an experience to bring about the end of your life as a mortal."

"You can't be serious." I said, glowering.

"You're going to enjoy it as much as he will. I'll see to that." She made another gesture, and my other arm was held by an invisible force. The force pushed me to my knees the forced me to the ground to lay on my back.

"Ngaagh, let me go, you evil bitch!" I struggled against the magical bonds with all I had. It didn't feel like anything was holding my arms, but they wouldn't budge from their position. I could only feel the strain in my muscles and joints as I pulled.

Sierra peeled open my fingers and took the flash-bang from me. Then she stroked her rough hand along my cheek. It moved down to my chest and started pulling at the straps to open my leathers. I could do nothing but seethe as my large round breasts were freed, and poked out from my open leather jerkin. Her hands moved over them, groping at the firm flesh.

The Felder was still close by, sniffing the air and calmly watching Sierra with its soulless yellow eyes. I stared coldly at the black beast. How much of Strafe was still in there? Sierra's hands had moved down and started undoing my leather pants. "No!" I protested as I struggled against her. The invisible magic bonds still didn't budge.

"Stop fighting," said Sierra. She held me firmly as she untied the pants. "...Embrace it!"

"Just leave me alone, you cunt!"

She looked into my eyes and pushed her thumb into my lips. I just scowled as she smiled at me. "I'm excited, Rohme. I want you to be excited too." She reached down and slipped my dirty leather pants down with one pull. My brown thighs, bare crotch and dark bush were exposed. I struggled against her, but she managed to get my pants completely off, past my boots. The evil sorceress didn't waste any time moving her hand up to cup my bare crotch. I could feel her fingers running through my curly pubic hair, and then forcibly rubbing along my slit.

I growled and struggled against my magic bonds. The Felder got closer and continued to sniff. I could smell the wet blood still on its face, and see it glistening in the moonlight. I growled loudly, feeling frustrated at my helplessness, more than afraid. Sierra still rubbed her fingers along my slit. I spat at her and growled angrily. The Felder growled in response.

"He's excited," said Sierra, smiling.

The black beast moved its head down, sniffing along my prone body. Sierra stepped back as he stooped down in front of me. I could feel its hot breath on my bare skin around my crotch. Then I felt the rough warm tongue run up my thigh, leaving a wet trail along my skin. It sent a vivid tingling sensation through my body, making me gasp and writhe in my bonds.

I looked down and saw the beast's black head in front of my dark furry mound. Then its tongue came up and fervently rubbed along my nether lips. I grit my teeth as the hot moist tongue started lapping at my cunt. The firm stimulation felt good. It didn't take long for my pussy to begin to respond, becoming slick and receptive.

I looked up, Sierra was still watching me from beneath her shadowy hood. Aerowyn was also calmly watching from where she was bound to the stake, several paces away. I steadied my breathing, and bit my lip, resisting the urge to let out moans and squeals as the bestial tongue fervently worked my pulsing drooling cunt.

I heard Sierra chuckling in front of me. "You always did enjoy a good tongue lashing, my sexy ranger. Don't hold back now, I want you to enjoy it."

"Ungh...Go to Hell!"

"No, I'm going to bring Hell here tonight."

I endured the humiliating crude cunnalingus from the beast for a while longer, as my pussy throbbed and tingled. Then the Felder drew itself up again. My eyes were drawn down to the large erect phallus poking up from the monster's groin. It certainly didn't look human, the thick leathery shaft rose up between two large round furry testicles. The pink rounded head had a broad cleft that leaked a clear fluid.

The Felder brought its head down and began licking around the head and along the length of the shaft. Sierra chuckled, "He IS excited. It will be your last fuck as a mortal, Rohme. I want to make it special for you. I will have you joined with him."

I shook my head, "No!" But Sierra soon started reciting her familiar incantation. I felt the magical power wash over my body. I collapsed on the ground as I was released from my invisible bonds. Heat began to rise deep within me. I felt very strange, something primal and beastial was being awakened within me. There was another heart beating in my chest, it thumped strongly over my own rapidly beating heart. Slowly, the two heartbeats fell in sinc.

I could feel the strong lust, the hunger and the deep-seeded animosity within me. I could feel the pressure of the throbbing organ jutting from my groin. I needed to mate, nothing else mattered.

The big black beast loomed over me. I growled at him as I picked myself up off the ground. He growled back as he got hold of me, gripping me tightly with his large clawed hands so that I couldn't get away. My heart was still thumping strongly. My pussy and cock were throbbing and aching for release.

I needed it badly, but I wasn't going to make it easy for him. I cried out and struggled against my big strong mate as he turned me around. He put his weight on top of me, forcing me to my knees on the hard stone ground. Once again, his large hands grasped me tightly, his claws digging into my leathers. I growled loudly as he raised my rear and shuffled up behind me. I could feel his bristly fur brushing on my skin as he got me into position to mount me.

I could still feel the engorged member, jutting out from my groin. He brought it forward and the bulbous head rubbed against smooth skin. I could feel it on my skin and on the firm glans. It made me shudder with anticipation. The beast bucked forward and rubbed its hefty phallus along the smooth skin of my ass several more times. It let out a frustrated roar as it tried to poke the cock into me.

I groaned back and tried to raise my ass as much as I could. It was difficult with his weight on top of me and the firm grasp he had on me. We both badly needed that cock inside me. Finally, it prodded into my wet puffy slit and thrust forward. We both cried out in unison as we felt my cunt open up and the big member penetrate deeply.

The Felder grunted and started giving hard thrusts, each one penetrating me more deeply. I felt the bulging cockhead fervently rub at my tender flesh, and the soft warm pussy gripping my hard cock tightly at the same time. It was painful. It was blissful. It was intense. I was quickly losing myself to the primal carnal act, becoming aware of little else.

My mate started pumping his hefty organ harder and deeper. He was grunting loudly. I was moaning and gasping as we feverishly copulated on the stone floor. It was like nothing I had experienced before, giving in to my primal instincts and the potent sensation of the two organs fervently grinding into each other. I found myself gasping for breath as the steady pulse of pleasure emanated through me.

I could feel the pressure in my rigid cock steadily building. The male began thrusting into me with even more urgency. I pushed my ass back to meet each deep stroke. We were hungry for the release. We growled and grunted as we energetically fucked to reach that critical point.

Before I knew it, the blissful pressure was reaching its peak. We both screamed out in unison. I felt the large testicles tighten and the bulky organ begin to throb powerfully in its tight sheath. Hot fluid erupted from the wildly pulsing member. The excessive pleasurable release emanating from my lower body was overwhelming. I gasped for breath as my senses faded and I found my head spinning out of control...

---

The large bearded man came at me, yelling and swinging his big iron axe. I stepped back as the wide blade whooshed past my face. Then I came forward and met his next swing with my huge two-handed broadsword. There was a loud clang, and I used my immense strength to knock the weapon aside. I quickly raised my sword high and slashed it down sinking it deep into my opponent's chest. He let out a gargled scream as he dropped to the ground.

I turned to see another rough-looking man aiming a crossbow right at me. An arrow slammed into his groin and he let out a blood-curdling scream. I rushed forward and swung my blade wide. His screaming stopped as his head was separated from his body, which fell limply to the ground.

I lowered my broadsword as I got my breath back. I was standing on a dirt road in a remote area, with a field of long grass and a scattering of trees in view. The long snow-capped mountain range could be seen in the distance. There were several bodies on the ground around me, hacked apart and struck with arrows.

Two large caravans were nearby, lead by horses, which whinnied and stomped about nervously. There was also around a dozen dwarves, male and female, all chained to the one of the caravans. They all had their eyes fixed on me.

I approached them. They looked tiny as they look up at me. Some of them were cowering, but one broad red-haired male stared at me intensely. I raised my sword and some of the dwarves cried out in fright. I brought the blade down and broke the chain they were all linked to, that was attached to the caravan.

"There you go, you hairy little rock runts." I said in a deep voice. "You're free. Loot the bodies and caravans to help you on your way. They won't be needing their stuff any more."

"Thank you, Ser Knight," said one of the females, with long brown braids and large breasts.

"Heh. I'm no knight. Not any more."

"Oh, disgraced, are ye?" said the red-haired one.

"Nah, it's the other way around. My Lord disgraced me. I don't kill for nobles any more."

"I aint ever had a human help me without asking for sumfin' in return," he said, gruffly.

"We do want something," came a female voice behind me. I looked around at the voluptuous ranger approaching us with her longbow in hand. "If you happen to come across any slavers again, we want you to tell them what happened to these guys."

"Hmmph," grumbled the red haired dwarf.

"Thank you," said an older dwarf. "Who are you people?"

I stretched out and slid my broadsword into its sheath on my back. "I'm Strafe the swordsman. And this beautiful lady with the deadly aim is Rohme the ranger. Now, good day, rock runts. Go and make the most of your freedom."

I turned to Rohme, "Damn, girl, that was brutal. Right in the clappers."

She gave me a sexy smile, "I don't know about you, but killing scumbags always gets me hot and bothered."

I stepped forward and got hold of her large breast with my big hand. "You do know about me."

She winked at me, "Yeah, I know all about you, Bonehead." She brushed her hand over the hard steel armor on my chest. Damn, I hated that armor. I squatted down and she came forward and pressed her lips into mine. We fervently rubbed our tongues against each other in a lusty drawn-out kiss. I loved the way she was softly moaning and gently biting at my bottom lip. My hand moved down behind her and forcibly groped at her round leather-clad ass.

My engorged cock began to strain against the steel codpiece. I pulled away from her soft hot lips. Then I grabbed her, and pushed her back against the caravan. Her hands moved down to start unstrapping the codpiece. She did know about me, she knew my cock was aching to be freed. I brushed my fingers through her soft dark hair.

She smiled as she pulled the codpiece away and got my hefty erection out of my cotton underpants. I groaned with pleasure as she wrapped her hand around my big black cock and gave it a squeeze. I moved my hands to her chest and began pulling at the leather jerkin. I wanted to free those amazing tits as well.

"Easy, Tiger. I don't want you breaking the straps again." She let go of my cock, and I could still feel it throbbing strongly. Then she brushed my hands aside and quickly opened up the front of her jerkin and pulled out her heaving breasts. I fucking loved them, large and full, with smooth nut-brown skin and large brown nipples. I was quick to get hold of them and gleefully grope and fondle them. My cock pulsed even more.

Her breathing got heavier and she hummed with pleasure as I felt her up. Her hand found my cock again and began stroking it forcefully, making me groan with pleasure. She looked up at me, and I could see the lust in her dark brown eyes, "Fuck me," she moaned. I grinned and nodded.

I let go of her and she began quickly pulling down her leather pants, exposing her lovely dark bush. I turned her around and she leaned up against the side of the caravan, pushing her curvaceous brown ass out to me. I slipped my hand up between her thighs, and she shuddered. My fingers rubbed along her soft cunt and it felt very hot and wet. My hard cock throbbed and jerked, it ached to get inside her.

I shuffled forward and got into position behind her. My hard cock pressed up between her smooth thighs. I got hold of it and pressed the fat head into her eager cunt. I couldn't hold back, I pushed forward and split her tight slit open and sunk my rigid member into her warm hugging pussy. I thrust my way in deep, and we both let out a loud pleasurable moan.

I gripped her bare ass and pulled back, before I got into a steady fucking motion. Her pussy felt so good around my thrusting member. It was soaking wet and I was ploughing deep into her body at a rhythmic pace.

She continued to moan and gasp as I slapped my big black cock into her. I reached forward and cupped my hands around her ample tits. She was pushing her ass back with each thrust, driving me deeper. I looked around and there were a few hairy dwarves just standing there, gawking. I didn't care. I was sure that they were jealous, as they watched me get it on with this hot human.

Rohme slipped her hand down and was rubbing herself as I continued to bang her from behind. She gasped and let out more blissful moans. It sounded so damn sexy. I pressed her hard nipples between my fingers as I squeezed at the firm flesh. Her tight hugging pussy seemed to get even wetter and her juices splattered out, as my cock rammed into her.

The pleasure was building in my thrusting member. I groaned and gasped as I pushed it in deep. I was heading for climax, and I was yearning for the gratifying release. Rohme moved forward and my cock slipped out from her wet cunt's hugging grip. She knew I was getting close. She turned to me, her face was hot and sweaty and she had a look of wild lust in her eyes.

She dropped to her knees and took firm hold of my rigid wet organ. She moved her pretty face to it and gave the head a lick before opening her lips and sinking it into her mouth. She stroked and sucked and fondled my balls. I felt euphoric. The pressure was rapidly building in my throbbing cock. Soon I couldn't hold back any more.

I took a deep breath and began groaning loudly as my cock pulsed wildly. Rohme quickly pulled my cock from her mouth and aimed it down at her chest. The organ erupted with intense pulsing pleasure as my pearly white cum spurted onto her large brown boobs. She continued to stroke me and I groaned as more cum spurt out onto her smooth skin. I caught my breath as the pleasurable orgasm subsided.

Rohme brought her face forward again and rubbed her tongue over my sensitive glans. She stood up again, smiling at me. I looked at thick white cum trickling down her large bare breasts. It was a wonderful sight. I stooped down and kissed her, pressing my lips firmly against hers. Her hand rubbed at my gradually softening member.

I slowly pulled away from her and stroked my hand through her damp hair. "Damn, Rohme. You are an amazing woman...I swear, as long I live, I won't let anything happen to you." She then gave me the most beautiful smile...

---

My pussy was soaking wet and sore. I was laying on the hard stone ground. I slowly opened my eyes. The big black beast was stirring next to me. It let out some confused grunts as it picked itself up off the ground. I was confused and disoriented. What had just happened?

I had been linked with the Felder, and somehow, I was drawn into Strafe's memories. It was just like when I was linked with Aerowyn last night. Wow, I was a great fuck.

"Esta liaval id habara." Sierra was over by the summoning circle, holding up a ceremonial dagger and chanting. She had started the ritual. I was glad to see that Aerowyn was still all right, still bound to the wooden stake. She looked over at us as the black beast stood, and I sat up. I moved my hand down to my tender crotch, it was wet and sticky from the copulation.

The Felder lumbered toward the sorceress, growling. Seirra stopped chanting and turned to it. "Oh, you're awake again. Was the linked sex that good, that it made you pass out?"

The beast just continued to move toward her.

"Just stay there and guard the ranger for me, boy." she commanded. But it wasn't listening to her. It continued to growl aggressively. "What are you doing? What's wrong with you?" I could hear the fear creeping into her voice.

The Felder suddenly lunged at her, and she let out a squeal. I could see it bowl into her and knock her to the ground. Sierra was desperately trying to fight the creature off as it let out its loud growls and shrieks. It slashed and bit at her in a frenzied attack.

Aerowyn gasped and looked over at me, and I wondered what was going on too. Was there still part of Strafe in there? Did the mind link awaken him? And now he was defending me? I didn't have the time to contemplate it. I knew that I needed to seize the opportunity.

I quickly got to my feet and ran for the heartstone in the center of the summoning circle. Sierra was still crying out and struggling against the Felder. I saw her plunge her dagger into the side of the creature's face. It raised its head and let out a mighty scream. The sorceress winced as she crawled out from under the black monster.

"Esta ettular nar," she called out. The Felder was suddenly engulfed in bright orange flames, and screamed out again. I clenched my teeth as the sharp pain hit my ears. The beast thrashed about wildly as it burned. Agonized screams, and the smell of smoke and cooked meat filled the air.

I clutched the heartstone in my hand. The potent unnatural rage was trying to take hold of me again. I approached Sierra, who was still on the ground. "Rohme--" she started, looking up at me wide-eyed.

"Why couldn't you touch the fucking stone, Sierra?" I said, as I strode past the large burning beast, getting closer.

She tried to scurry back, looking genuinely scared. "No, Rohme, you mustn't! You don't know what you're doing!" She suddenly threw a bolt of bright blue magic, but I held out the heartstone and it dissipated in front of me. I lunged forward and hunched over her, getting hold of her robes. She tried to fight me off, but I wasn't letting go. I ripped open the front of her robes and then pressed the heartstone into her scarred chest.

"NOOOO!" she screamed. A powerful force suddenly threw me backwards. I hit the ground hard, and it knocked the wind out of me. I quickly sat back up, and saw the sorceress thrashing about wildly, trying to pry the stone from her chest. The stone seemed stuck to her, I could see red tendrils spreading out from it and boring into her body. She screamed out in agony.

"Rohme, set me free!" said Aerowyn nearby.

I looked up at her, "Again?" I got to my feet and rubbed my bare ass, which had taken a hard knock. Sierra was still screaming and thrashing about as I moved over to the motionless burning Felder and drew the dagger from its head. I then went behind Aerowyn and began cutting at the ropes.

"What's happening to her?" I asked.

"I'm not sure, it looks like the heartstone is trying to take hold of her, and she's fighting against it."

I cut the last of the ropes and set the witch free. "What happens if she loses?"

"Nadoht!" came a yell behind us. I quickly turned to see five orcs standing up on the edge of the stone stage. All the commotion didn't go unnoticed. I bowled into Aerowyn and knocked her to the ground as arrows were fired our way. I looked up and saw three of the orcs notching their arrows again, while another one charged at us.

I recognized him, with his black mohawk and dark leather armor. It was the one who I had first faced when Yurag had me fighting naked in the mud. His name was Smutol, I recalled. He ran at me, with his sword raised high, shouting, "More blood!" As he got close, he swung the sword down at me. I swiftly ducked and pivoted, dodging the blow. I slashed my dagger and cut through his neck. He let out a gargled cry as he hit the ground.

It was exactly what happened when I fought him before. He didn't learn. What an offensive moron!

Bugrash was charging at me. I had fought him as well, and knew that he was a much more formidable opponent. He was much larger, clad in steel plate mail. His helm was open and only his ugly dark-green face was exposed. He was strong and fast and his defense was extremely difficult to breach. I formulated a plan of attack in my head.

As he got close, holding his sword out in front of him, I quickly tossed the dagger at his head. The blade sunk into his eye, up to the hilt. I saw the shocked look on his face as he fell back, crashing to the ground. I was surprised that it had worked, too.

I looked over at the three orc archers. They were all meekly struggling against thick thorny vines that had come through the stones. They no longer appeared to be a threat. I looked at Aerowyn and she smiled at me, "Nice throw." Thankfully, the heartstone was no longer preventing her from casting.

Sierra still fought against the demonic stone nearby. I could see a lot of movement about the crater, and hear yelling and horns being blown. The orcs were on alert. Shit! There were dozens more of them heading our way.

I knelt down and picked up Bugrash's longsword. Then I rushed over to the orc archers, who were quickly dying from the witch's poison. I knelt at the edge of the stage and surveyed the moon-lit area. Orcs were scrambling from all directions, it was fortunate that we were surrounded by water, or we would quickly be swamped. There was only one dilapidated stone bridge across, and the orcs were converging there, hurriedly making their way across.

Some of the more lightly-armored orcs began wading across the pool. Archers were setting up along the water's edge. I would be within their range, but they would also be within mine. I set down the blade and grabbed one of the orc bows. It wasn't my finely-crafted elven longbow, but it was good to have my weapon of choice in my hands again. I dragged a quiver over to my feet and notched an arrow.

I raised the bow, took aim at an archer across the water and loosed. It fell short. The weapon certainly wasn't as good as mine. I quickly notched another arrow and adjusted my aim. The second arrow hit its mark, and the orc archer dropped. There was yelling along the waters edge, and several other archers took aim.

A bunch of arrows flew through the night air in my direction. I couldn't see if any were coming right at me in the night sky, but a couple of them deflected off an invisible shield. Aerowyn settled next to me. "Oh shit! Do we have to fight them all off?"

"There's no running now. I just hope we've done enough to stop Sierra."

Aerowyn picked up an arrow and licked the steel arrowhead. "I said it before--we make a good team. We'll kill all those smelly orcs." She handed me the arrow. "Poisoned, you don't need to hit vitals."

I fired the arrow off, and hit another archer. Aerowyn continued to hand me arrows and I fired them off continuously, bringing down orc after orc. There was brief pause before she handed me another and I took my eyes off the crater to look at her. She waved her hand over the arrowhead and it glowed briefly. Then she carefully handed it to me, "The bridge."

I saw that the stream of orcs were making it across. I took aim at the bridge and loosed. The arrow hit and a mass of thick thorny vines burst from the crumbled stonework. several orc were thrown off, and into the water, others screamed out as they were tangled up in the vines. Aerowyn let out a gleeful laugh, "hehehe, that is a wonderful method of delivering my spells."

"Arrow!" I said impatiently, holding my hand out. That would slow them down on the bridge, but the orcs were still coming. It was an unstoppable tide, we couldn't hold them back. I shot at others who were wading through the water. I saw the orcs on the bridge hack at the vines and clamber past them. I continued to let off shot after shot, taking down as many as I could.

The water in front of me began to bubble and tumble. I saw that there were shamans on the other side, casting their magic. I fired on them, but the arrow was deflected off a magic shield, just like the one Aerowyn had protecting us. I decided not to waste any more arrows on them. The water splashed about turbulently as the mud rose up and broke the surface in a line that ran to the other side. The damn mages were making their own bridge.

Now orcs were making it onto the island. I worked to stay calm as I took them out, but they were getting closer. "I can cast Poison Fog," said Aerowyn. Her voice sounded a little shaky. "It will slow and weaken them, but it'll reduce your visibility too."

"Do it!!" I said, as I let off another shot. Aerowyn stood up next to me, and I heard her take a deep breath. Then I saw the air around us begin to turn green. The fog quickly got thicker around us. There were more confused shouts coming from the orcs as they were swallowed up by the opaque mist. I let off a final shot, taking down an advancing orc, before I put the bow down and picked up the steel longsword.

Aerowyn looked scared as she turned to me, "We can fall back into the dungeon."

"No...we keep fighting!"

The green fog was thick below us. The shouting and clambering of the orc horde was getting louder. Then I heard loud groaning behind us. Sierra stumbled forward. Her hood had come down and I could see her hideously scarred face was contorted with pain. The heartstone was firmly attached to her chest with its red tendrils running into her body. The cursed stone appeared to be throbbing steadily, like a beating heart.

She got to the center of the summoning circle and collapsed to her knees. Aerowyn and I cautiously approached. "You...stupid Bitch!" Sierra slurred angrily. "I was going to create something amazing...The greatest civilization ever. But your actions have allowed a Demon Lord into this world. He will bring nothing but death and destruction. I can not hold him back any longer." She looked up, and into my eyes, "It's all your fault, Rohme!"

I was shocked, and just stood there, gawking.

"A Demon Lord!" gasped Aerowyn. "How can we stop him?"

"You...caaaaaan't!!" She threw her head back and screamed as the heartstone glowed and pulsed. Then her whole body was convulsing wildly. The red tendrils spread out even further, running all over her body. Her arms and legs were suddenly growing out in bursts, and she let out even more agonized screams. Large red spikes began tearing out through her skin.

Behind us, several orcs had reached the stage area, and were climbing up the stones. They were as shocked as we were, when the hulking, demonic monster raised itself in front of us. Its face seemed to be covered in the same blood-red stone and large red horns grew out of each side of its head. The eyes were blank and glowing yellow, like the Felder. It towered over us, and must have been nine or ten feet tall.

The demonic monster raised its bulky spiked arms and looked up at the twin moons. It spoke with a booming unnatural voice, "I AM HERE! YOU WILL WATCH AS I DESTROY ALL YOU HAVE CREATED!!" It looked down at us. Its diabolical gaze felt like it was piercing my soul, and made me shudder. My heart was pounding rapidly, and cold sweat ran from my forehead. "I AM LORD LORCA. KNEEL BEFORE ME, MORTALS."

Aerowyn looked at me wide-eyed, she looked as terrified as I felt. I looked at the orcs behind us, they clutched their weapons nervously, and seemed unsure of what to do. Then one of the leaders knelt down, and soon the rest followed. The monster looked at me, "KNEEL!"

I gripped the sword in my shaking hand and calmed my nerves enough to speak. "No...You...You shouldn't be here. Go back to Hell!" It was the moment I stood up to a Demon Lord. I just wish I was wearing pants.

The demon let out a low growl. He raised his leg and then slammed it down. A powerful force hit me and I found myself flying backwards through the air. My mind was reeling in terror. There was big splash as my body struck water. I was completely submerged and frantically kicked and thrashed about. My head broke the surface and I gasped for breath. I swam to edge of the pool and crawled out onto the mud on my hands and knees, still gasping. My body ached all over.

I looked at the dead orc next to me, with an arrow through his chest. Then there was splashing nearby, someone else was struggling in the water. "Aerowyn!" I winced as I got up and went over to her. I waded through the water and helped pull her out. We both collapsed in the mud. "Are you okay?" I asked.

"Nggh...Go back to Hell? How did you think he would respond to that?"

"I think I made a big mistake."

"Yeah...What do we do now?"

I considered an answer, and then I heard a loud rumbling ahead of us. On the island in the center, the white stones began rising up into the air and floating about. "What the Hell...?!" The stones began settling in an ordered formation, stacking on top of each other. "It looks like he's rebuilding the tower. Why would he--" I became aware of movement behind us.

I stood up, and Aerowyn slowly raised herself beside me. There were dozens of orcs approaching, all brandishing their weapons threateningly. My adrenaline surged, and I clenched my fists. Bad time to be unarmed again.

"Oh Hell!" said Aerowyn. Was this it? Was this where death would finally claim me? I was ready to go down fighting.

There was more splashing in the water behind us. The advancing orcs gasped and grunted in surprise, and I turned my head. Something was emerging from the water, a humanoid form. It glimmered in the moonlight as it floated above the surface. It looked like the water had taken a voluptuous female form. She was beautiful.

"Goddess!" exclaimed Aerowyn. "Mara has come to save us!"

I shook my head, "That's not a Goddess. That's a water elemental."

The elemental raised her arms above her head and the water in the pool rose several feet. Then she lowered her arms and it was like an giant invisible boulder plunged into the pool. The big wave came right at us and I was suddenly being swept away, tumbling and rolling in the rushing water.

Continued in Chapter 6 - part 3

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