Orc Bait - Chapter 6 - Part 3

Chapter 6 - Part 3

I managed to gasp for breath, and found myself sliding along the muddy ground as the water receded. There were many orc bodies all around, that were washed away with me. What the hell was happening? Where did that water elemental come from? I saw a sword laying in the mud near me, and crawled over to grab it.

"Rohme!" Aerowyn stumbled over to me, her red hair and soaking wet mage robes were clinging to her slender body. The orcs around us were groaning and slowly picking themselves up from the muddy ground. The elemental hadn't harmed them at all, it just seemed to wet them. I looked about in bewilderment.

And then the wind began to sweep through the crater. It was a chilly, icy wind. Unnaturally cold. It had to have been magic in origin. It sent a chill right through me. "Hold on," said the half-elf as she wrapped her arms around me. And then the wind stopped blowing. No, I could hear it howling even louder and see it blowing around us, white specks of snow streaked past. Aerowyn was shielding us from it.

I still shivered uncontrollably as the temperature plummeted. I hugged Aerowyn tightly. She brought her face up to mine and began kissing me. I tried to stop my teeth from clattering as I kissed her back. At least this may help get my mind off the biting cold. It did more than that. I could feel the blissful warmth rising within me. I wanted to think that it was my passions being ignited, but it must have also been her magic.

My arousal was building as we passionately kissed. The magical blizzard was howling around us. I ran my fingers through her cold wet hair. Her hand moved down and rubbed over my bare thigh, and then slid up to my groin. I moaned around her soft lips as she teased my pussy.

I barely noticed the blizzard dying down as we made out in the mud. Our warm wet bodies pressed tightly together. Aerowyn's tight little body, her soft warm lips, her delicate fingers rubbing around my soft wet folds, all felt amazing. I was losing myself in the moment.

Aerowyn gave me another tender kiss, then looked around. She breathed heavily, and her pretty youthful face had a rosy tint. "He's here. He came to help us."

I knew who she was talking about, "Your father."

She nodded, smiling. I didn't want to let her go, I just wanted to keep holding on to her like that. But we reluctantly let go of each other and stood up. The dimly lit crater had been transformed. We were standing in a circular patch of mud, but there was a white snowfield all around us. The orcs had disappeared, and the tents and torches of their camp were no longer there. It was like all trace of them had been blown away.

Delicate flakes of snow still drifted through the air. The pool of water in the center of the crater had frozen and the white stone tower rose up from the island. It was like we had been transported somewhere else. The scene was quite beautiful and serene. But fucking cold, I shivered and bemoaned the fact that I was half naked.

"Aerowyn!" We looked up and there was someone floating down from the night sky.

"Father. Thank the Goddess."

"Are you all right, my daughter?"

"Yes, we're all right. Just cold and wet."

The elven wizard gracefully drifted down to the snow next to us. He was wearing a loose-fitting blue tunic over silver chainmail, or perhaps it was mythril. An ornate silver helm sat over his long white hair. He was also wearing several pendants and rings that looked magical. He came forward and hugged Aerowyn. "I am glad I am not too late."

"Did you bring an army, Locien?" I asked, hopefully.

He looked at me. "Greetings Rohme Walker...Where are your pants?"

My face went hot, and I shifted as my hands covered my exposed pussy. I nodded toward the island in the center of the crater.

"I brought a unit of the King's knights, and two wizards," said the elf.

"You call that an army?" said Aerowyn, scowling at him.

"I call it the best I could do."

"There's a Demon Lord, Father."

"In what form?"

"Big and scary. The artifact of power has taken possession of a vessel. He called himself Lorca."

"That is indeed dire news. Perhaps we have come too late after all," he said, grimly.

I became aware of footsteps crunching in the snow. I turned and raised my sword. A robed figure soon came jogging out through the darkness. I could hear them puffing loudly. "Rohme the Ranger," gasped a familiar voice.

"Duane!" I lowered my sword and came forward to greet him. The wizard stopped in front of me as he caught his breath. I stepped forward and put my arm around him, embracing my dear friend. "That water elemental was yours, wasn't it?"

He hugged me back, "Gah, you're freezing. Yes, but it was Locien's idea. I came as soon as I got your message. The trip was a nightmare, I went through so many teleportation circles, my stomach is still reeling. I'm so glad to see you're all right." He stepped back and raised an eyebrow, "Where are your pants?"

"Lost." I pointed my sword over to the tower. "We have an unrestrained Demon Lord bent on destroying the world."

Duane let out a gasp, "Oh Hell!"

"He said that he wants to destroy everything, but he has rebuilt the tower," I added.

Locien looked over at the tower, "If he is making efforts to build defenses, that may mean his is not yet at full power. We can not waste any time. We must stop him now." He stepped forward and pulled a large blue stone from a pouch at his waist and placed it in the snow. "Stand back please."

He placed his hands in front of him and started chanting an incantation. The stone was soon rippling with bright sparks of raw energy. I shielded my eyes as there was a bright flash and a loud zapping sound. When I looked again, there were several figures standing there. My attention was immediately drawn to the five huge hulking figures, standing eight feet tall, made of grey stone with numerous glowing red runes. Stone golems, just like the ones I faced at Kabore's Tower.

And standing amongst them was Kabore himself. The human wizard was tall and round, with regal maroon mage robes and a long grey beard. There were also twelve human men in full steel plate mail, holding large swords. They were the King's knights, like I had seen at the castle in Ulrich. They were a welcome sight. The men all looked around the dark snowy crater, seemingly woozy and disoriented from the teleportation.

One of the knights turned and studied the others, who quickly regained their composure and stood to attention. He then stepped forward, "We all here and accountable, Master Locien, what are your orders?"

The wizard pointed to the tower, "We're to breach that structure and eliminate the Demon Lord inside, Ser Holdan. At all costs."

"Demon Lord! Oh Hell!"

I looked over at Kabore, who was examining his golems. They stood motionless, ready for his commands. "It is good to see you here, Master Kabore."

He nodded to me, "And you, Miss Walker...Where are your--"

"My pants are gone," I said, annoyed.

He looked over at Aerowyn and grimaced, "Accursed Witch! You attacked me without provocation, Imprisoned me, and took my home. I will see you pay for your crimes!"

"You shouldn't have the tower if you're too weak to defend it, decrepit old windbag!" responded Aerowyn.

Duane also scowled at her, "Locien explained how you were on our side. But I still don't trust you, witch. Do anything to harm Rohme again, and I will see that you get that one way trip to Hell."

Aerowyn pointed at him accusingly, "That man raped me, Father."

"SILENCE!" yelled Locien. We all stared at him. I don't think any of us had heard him raise his voice before. "Stop your bickering. We all MUST work together. Everything is at stake. Do you understand?!"

The crater had fallen deathly quiet. There was a sudden crashing sound and Aerowyn let out a shriek. I turned to see that a hand had burst out from the snow and grabbed her leg. She was roughly pulled to the ground. The snow-covered orc rose up and raised the long dagger threateningly. I reacted quickly, lunging forward and swinging my sword, slicing through the orc's arm, the severed hand and blade fell into the snow. It continued to come at Aerowyn, climbing on top of her and baring its sharp fangs. It was deathly pale, with glowing yellow eyes. I brought my blade down and stabbed it into the creatures head.

It dropped on top of Aerowyn and she groaned as she pushed it off of her. She looked up at me wide-eyed, gasping for breath.

"Seven Hells!" cried out Duane. I looked up, there was movement all around us. The orcs were rising up from the snow, glaring at us with their blank eyes and hissing threateningly.

"Make your way to the tower!" called out Locien.

I offered Aerowyn my hand, and helped her up. "Stay close to me."

There was suddenly a hell of a lot of noise and activity happening all around me. I could hear the Knight Captain yelling orders to his men, and the clinking of their steel armor as they moved. The wizards were incanting and casting their magic. There was the heavy footfalls of the golems as they sprung into action. A couple of the orcish creatures charged at me with their weapons raised, as more of them continued to rise from the snow.

Thick vines burst from the ground and entangled one of the charging orcs, bringing him down. I sidestepped and parried as the other got close and swung at me. The brute continued its frenzied attack. Despite looking half frozen, it was fast and strong. I continued to block the powerful strikes. Aerowyn threw a magic bolt into its chest, sending it stumbling back. I quickly lunged forward and knocked his sword aside, the brute yelled and I stabbed my sword through its gaping mouth. It fell back into the snow.

The other orc was still struggling against the magical vines. I rushed forward and hacked my sword through its neck, partially decapitating it and making it collapse. I quickly ducked as an axe was swung at my head. I roared as I came back up and dragged my blade through the big orcs abdomen, making his blood spray through the air.

There were orcs all around us. Many of them had arrows sticking out of them that I knew I had fired. How many times did I need to kill the ugly bastards? I could hear the clash of steel on steel, grunting and groaning, anguished cries and yelling as the knights battled the raging brutes. I saw a hulking stone golem charge into a group of orc fighters, who frantically hacked at its hard stone body. Locien was floating through the air, throwing down blue bolts, and drawing a lot of arrow fire, which deflected from his magical shield.

Half a dozen wiry little goblins suddenly appeared from nowhere. I could see that they had small bows and were lining me up. Aerowyn dashed forward and the projectiles bounced off her shield. She threw forward her green bolts and knocked the ugly runts away, one by one. Another orc charged at me, and our swords clashed as I fought him off. I stabbed my blade through his head, dropping him to the ground.

I could see that the others were fighting their way toward the center of the crater. "Aerowyn, come on!" I called out. I started running, fighting off demonic orcs as we went, the fuckers were everywhere. One of the knights lay on the ground ahead, it looked like his torso had been hacked open with an axe, and his blood spread out in the snow. There were several dead orc bodies around him. I ran past them.

Ahead, I could see the flat frozen pool, with the bright moons reflecting off the thick layer of ice. Orcish shamans were battling it out with the wizards nearby, bombarding each other with their powerful magics. A thunderous explosion came from their direction, making duck down and swear.

I saw the water elemental floating over the pool again, only now she appeared to be solid, made of ice. Arrows struck her and fine powdery ice sprayed through the air. She threw forth a shower of icy shards, which ripped into a group of orcish archers, bringing them down. Nice work, Duane.

Another orc was charging at me. I couldn't believe it--it was Smutol, with blank glowing eyes. He had his sword raised high, "Characters must die!" he screamed, as he brought the sword down at me. I swiftly ducked and pivoted, dodging the blow. I swung my sword and lopped off his head. He just didn't learn. What a fucking idiot!

I heard a loud painful cry and looked over to the west. There were four knights at the entrance of the bridge, desperately trying to hold off a horde of advancing orcs. They were being swamped, there was no way they would survive the assault. I gripped my sword and sprinted toward them.

The orc turned to me as I approached and raised its axe. But it was far too slow, my blade swiftly cut through its neck. I quickly slashed at the next orc. And then I got into a frenzy, barely thinking about my actions and relying on my fighting instincts. My moves smoothly flowed into one another as I dodged and deflected any attacks that came my way, and ran my blade through any orc flesh that I could reach.

As the orcs fell around me, the knights were emboldened, and pressed their attack. Green missiles and thorny vines also assaulted the demonic brutes as Aerowyn provided her support. Soon the number of standing orcs were dwindling. The last orc came at me, howling loudly. I knocked his blade aside and cut him down.

I lowered my sword and stood there amongst the scores of dead orcs, panting heavily as I got my breath back. One of the knights lay dead, with his arm hacked off. The remaining three stared at me with astonishment. I could see that two of them were wounded and bleeding, they dropped to the ground.

Aerowyn came up behind me, and I turned to her. "Heal them," I said. She nodded and walked over to the one who was groaning and clutching his side, which was bleeding out.

"Thank you," said the one who was still standing.

Not too far away, the mage battle still raged on. There were more orcs coming across the ice, from the central island. I saw two of the stone golems run out onto the ice toward them. A few of the knights were following them out there. The lead golem stopped running and slid along the ice until it came to a stop. It slammed its fists down and the orcs in front of it cried out as the large crack formed underneath them and several of them fell into the freezing water below.

The other golem reached down where the crack had formed and pulled up a huge chunk of ice. It tossed the large ice block into a group of orcs, bowling a few of them over. The horde still charged forward, roaring loudly. Then there was the sound of clanging metal. as they clashed with the golems and knights.

"Look out!" cried out the nearby knight. I suddenly heard movement behind me and swiftly dove to the side. The huge furry body streaked past, and dashed out onto the icy pool. I sat up and watched it rapidly move away from me. It was a big grey warg, and it had a rider. The large muscular figure swung the heavy battle axe, hacking a knight apart as the beast ran past. I knew right away that it was Yurag.

The warg stopped running, and skidded across the ice. I saw the half-orc launch himself off the beast, right at a stone golem. He brought the axe down hard and there was a loud crash. Yurag roared as he dislodged the axe and leaped off the golem. The big stone body crashed to the ground and slipped through the ice, sinking into the water.

Straight away, Yurag was running toward the second golem. The big stone monster pulled up another large chunk of ice and threw it. Yurag swung the axe in front of him and it shattered into a shower of icy rocks, sparkling in the moonlight. I heard the half-orc roar loudly as he got near. The golem swung its huge stone arm, Yurag ducked under it, sliding on his knees and swinging the axe. It connected with the broad stony leg with a loud crash, and the golem toppled over.

The half-orc was struggling to come to a stop on the slippery ice and run back at his opponent. As he got close again, the golem raised its arm to strike, but the swinging axe hit it, smashing it to pieces. Yurag raised the heavy axe and yelled as he brought it down again and again, hacking the big stone body apart.

I could see the knights coming at the raging half-orc. Oh shit! I began sprinting toward them, yelling out for them to stop, but they couldn't hear me over the chaos. I almost lost my footing when I got onto the ice. I kept running straight toward Yurag. Ahead, I could hear the pained cries, and see the knights falling as Yurag swung his huge battle-axe about with surprising speed.

Then the demonic orcs had reached him. I heard Yurag let out a yell of surprise as they attacked, swarming about him. He fought them off, swinging his battle-axe about wildly. I had reached a couple of the orcs and slashed at them with my sword, dropping them to the ground.

I looked up to see an orc jump on Yurag's back and bite into his neck. He yelled out and reached up and grabbed his hair and threw him onto the ground. Then promptly stomped onto his head, crushing it into the ice. "RAAAAAGH! Why do you attack your Urdanog?!" He yelled.

"Yurag!!" I called out.

He turned to me. "Ushutar Kurv...I can see your cunt."

"The Demon Lord Lorca has enslaved your clansmen. Help us to destroy him."

"I do not help humans and elves. I crush them!"

"Stop being a fucking mindless savage. Look at what's going on here. He threatens us all. We have to work together to stop him."

"I have to do nothing. I will kill you, and then I will kill Demon Lord." He slammed the battle-axe down so that was wedged in the ice. He then drew the longsword on his back. I held my sword up in front of me. To be honest, I was fucking terrified, even more than when I stood before Lorca, but I wasn't going to show it.

Yurag roared as he charged at me with his sword raised. I launched myself forward to meet him, and our blades clashed with tremendous force. He immediately pressed his attack, with fast powerful strikes. I was forced back as I struggled to parry the blows.

I became aware that there was a gaping hole in the ice right behind me. The big half-orc continued his frenzied attack, trying to force me back into it. I wheeled around him and struggled to keep my footing on the slippery surface. Yurag took advantage of this, and hacked his blade down at me repeatedly. I barely managed to block his powerful strikes as I stumbled back.

He came forward, and then stumbled over the body of an orc. I instinctively pointed my blade out in front of me. It stabbed into the flesh of his arm. He growled loudly as I regained my footing. I quickly ducked under a wide arcing slash and then I went on the offensive, with a series of swift strikes aimed at his head and body. He ignored his wounded arm and skillfully parried my blows, shrugging them off like they were nothing.

I lunged forward with a vertical slash. He met it with his blade and forced it aside, then his boot shot forward and kicked me hard in the chest, knocking me back. I slipped in the ice and hit the ground. Then I hurriedly rolled to the side, as the big blade came down at me. I was quickly trying to get up again when the big hand grabbed me and pulled me down. His large fist and sword hilt slammed into my head, causing an explosion of pain, and sending me into a daze.

He pulled me up by my leathers. I no longer had a sword in my hand, I knew that I was in great peril. "Drew my blood again, Kurv," he growled. I could smell his foul breath, and could see his ugly face right in front of me. His hand shot up between my legs. I squealed as he roughly forced his fingers up into my cunt. "You were good fuck. But I let you live long enough!"

Hot anger surged through me as the brute violated me again. I brought my head forward and clamped my teeth down on his nose. He yelled out in pain as I bit as hard as I could. I pulled back and the skin tore as I ripped the nose from his face. His fingers quickly pulled out of me. I brought my knee up and it slammed hard into his balls. He screamed out again and lost his grip on me. I scurried back and spat out the torn skin and cartilage. I had the taste of his blood in my mouth.

Yurag raised himself and let out a thunderous roar. Blood streamed from the gaping hole in his face. I had stumbled back into the body of a fallen knight. His large sword lay next to him. Then the enraged half-orc was charging at me. I grabbed the sword and launched myself forward. He swung his sword at me in a wide arc. I dropped low under the slash and spun the blade around as I passed him.

I heard him hit the ground. When I turned, I saw that his leg had been severed under the knee, and was bleeding out onto the ice. Yurag growled, and I was surprised to see him raise himself up again, balancing on the one foot. He grit his bloody teeth and raised his sword in front of him. "Come on, gruiuk!"

I didn't need to approach him. I could play it safe and just let him bleed out. But I needed to finish it. I cautiously approached him with my sword raised. I had no doubt that he still dangerous. I surged forward and struck out at him. He was still able to skillfully parry my strikes, though I noticed he was getting slower. I tried to take advantage of the fact he was standing on one leg, and get him off balance.

Then his other hand shot forward and threw the powdery ice into my face. I cried out in surprise and momentarily couldn't see. I quickly lurched back, but he had launched himself forward and I felt the fierce sting of the blade slicing into my upper arm, making me cry out and drop my weapon. Then a hand grabbed my leg and yanked it hard, bringing me to the ground. I struggled to get away, but Yurag was crawling on top of me. I desperately reached for my weapon with my good arm.

I could see Yurag's growling blood-soaked face, the murderous rage in his dark eyes. He raised his sword, ready to stab it down into me. My hand found a large chunk of ice and I swiftly swung it into his head. The blow knocked him off of me. I rolled over on top of him. The ice in my hand had broken apart and was now a long sharp shard. I raised it above his head, but he put his arms up and got hold of it.

I was trying to force it down into him, but he was resisting. It was a battle of strength, which he would normally win, but his strength was rapidly fading as he lost blood. "Nggaah...Fuuuck...you...Kurv!" he cursed.

"You'll never fuck again, bastard!" I roared as I rammed the ice shard down into his eye, stabbing it deep into his head. He let out a last gargled groan as his hand clawed at my face. Then his arms dropped limply. I had finally killed the bastard.

I rolled off of him and gasped and winced as I got my breath back. I looked down at my bleeding arm and put my hand over the deep gash. I grit my teeth and groaned as I put pressure on it. "Motherfucker!" I cursed. Why couldn't the ugly brute just listen to reason and fight with us?

My bare ass was freezing on the ice. I groaned as shakily picked myself up and got to my knees. The crater had become eerily calm after the short, but intense battle. I could see plenty of bodies on the ice around me and further away in the snow. Some distance away, I could see one of the stone golems, with only one arm, still skirmishing with several orcs.

I couldn't see the wizards. Had they made it to the tower? I needed to get there too. I shakily got to my feet, but my head was spinning and I stumbled back down to my hands and knees. I cried out in pain as I put weight on my wounded arm.

"Rohme!" I looked over to see Aerowyn running across the ice toward me. She stopped when she got close and slid along the slippery surface, almost tumbling over. "You're hurt!"

I nodded over at Yurag, with the chunk of ice still lodged in his head. "Not as much as him."

She knelt down beside me and pulled my bloody hand away from the wound. Fresh blood ran out of the gash and down my arm. I was feeling woozy again, I could feel my heart thumping in my chest. "That looks nasty," she said as she waved her hand over it and began her magic healing.

"Where are the others?" I asked. A loud explosion sounded from the tower in the center, answering my question. "Just stop the bleeding. We need to get over there."

Aerowyn just nodded and concentrated on her task. Soon I pushed her away. "That will do." My sword arm still hurt like hell and wasn't fully healed, but I could use it. I stood up and staggered, still feeling light-headed.

"Rohme, are you sure you're all right?"

"Come on!" I called, as I started running toward the tower.

---

We reached the small island. I saw a huge gaping hole in the base of the tower, where it had been breached. I could hear exploding magical power and loud crashing within. "Damn it, they should have waited for us!" We ran for the hole and entered the newly rebuilt structure. We ran down the wide corridor, the center chamber was ahead of us.

It was a large open circular room, with several corridors leading into it. There was no ceiling, the tower rose several storeys above us, a huge stone cylinder, and the moons shone down through the open roof. A few dead knights were strewn about on the floor. I was surprised to see Sierra's red summoning circle on the stone floor in the center. Duane was there, standing before it and chanting. He poured a vial of red blood onto the ground. The loud booms could be heard from the corridors to the north-east.

"Duane, what's happening?" I called out.

He turned to me, "Stand back, Rohme. We're attempting to trap the demon, just like we did back in Ulrich." Then I could hear the booming getting louder. There were heavy footsteps, rapidly approaching us. I gripped the longsword in my hand and felt the potent stinging of my wound. I worked to steady my breathing and calm my nerves, as I waited.

Then Locien flew out from the eastern corridor. Bright red blasts shot after him. The hulking Demon Lord soon emerged, lumbering after him and roaring furiously. He chased the elven wizard out into the center of the chamber. Locien turned and threw out bright blue blasts from his hands. Thick ice formed around the demon's red spiky body. It let out a thunderous roar and smashed its way through.

"Eka waise ebrithil,' called out Duane. Lorca was standing in the summoning circle. Could Duane really command it? I could only stand and watch, and pray to the Gods that it would work. The Demon Lord looked down at Duane. I could clearly see that the summoner was terrified, but he raised his hands and called out, "Sitja mor'amr eom eka."

The Demon Lord bared his pointed teeth. "PATHETIC WORM! YOU THINK YOU CAN COMMAND ME?! NO ONE COMMANDS ME HERE!!" He lunged forward and kicked the wizard, sending him through the air at great speed, and down one of the corridors.

"DUANE!" I yelled out. Locien began blasting away at the Demon again. Lorca waved his hand and a bright red explosion hit the flying elf, knocking him to the ground. The Demon Lord quickly lurched forward and grabbed the wizard.

"NO!" cried out Aerowyn, rushing forward. I ran after her.

Locien cried out as the huge demon lifted him. The large red hand wrapped around the elf's head and promptly crushed it, send blood splattering through the air. He then dropped the lifeless body to the ground. "FATHER!" screamed Aerowyn. Then green thorny vines ripped out from the stony ground. They were larger and more numerous than I had seen before. They quickly wrapped around big demon, tangling him and pulling him down.

Lorca let out another thunderous roar. He swung his powerful arms and the vines stretched and ripped, but more vines quickly wrapped themselves around the limbs again. The Demon Lord growled and strained against the magical vines, but they had him well entangled.

I knew that I had to take advantage of this, and somehow, I wasn't afraid. I was determined to destroy this motherfucker. Perhaps this was my destiny after all. I rushed forward with my sword raised. The monster's arm broke free again and came at me, but I swung my sword hard and it clashed with the spiky limb, sending a shockwave right through me. Thick vines promptly wrapped around it again, pulling it back.

Lorca let out another thunderous roar. I could see the heartstone pulsing on his chest. This was it, I may only get one shot. I raised the sword and then swung it down hard. The blade struck the heartstone, and then...it deflected off the hard surface. Oh fuck!

Lorca's hand ripped forward again and got hold of me. I cried out in terror. The Demon Lord lurched forward, pulling free of the vines. Then he tossed me away. I barely registered flying through the air, or my body slamming hard into the stone wall, before I blacked out briefly.

My adrenaline must have been surging, because I quickly got to my feet, and I couldn't feel any pain. I gripped my sword, which was somehow still in my hand, and I stepped forward to face the Demon Lord again.

"Rohme! NO!" screamed Aerowyn as she rushed toward me.

"I'm okay," I called to her. I was shocked when she ran right through me. I slowly turned around and saw Aerowyn cradling my lifeless body in her arms. "Oh no!" I said in disbelief.

I was dead.

Aerowyn sobbed loudly as she held my broken body. She looked up to the heavens, tears streaming down her face. "NOOOOO!....Why do you do this to me again?!" She dropped her head and continued sobbing. "No...Rohme...I love you...so strong...so good...you're everything that I could never be."

I just stood there, dumbfounded. Looking down at the distraught woman. Tears welled in my eyes and rolled down my face. "I...I love you too, Aerowyn."

Aerowyn looked up again, "Why?! She was the one who was supposed to stop this. Why did you take her?...Fuck you, Gods!"

The Demon Lord stepped up behind her and let out a low laugh. "HEHEHE, YESSS, FUCK THE GODS! NOW YOU SEE, LITTLE ONE, THE GODS CARE NOT FOR YOUR SUFFERING. YOU MORTALS WORSHIP THEM, DEVOTE YOUR MISERABLE LIVES TO THEM, LOVE THEM. BUT YOU ARE NOTHING TO THEM. WHAT A PATHETIC EXISTENCE."

Aerowyn just knelt there, hunched over, with her head down as he spoke.

"I WILL END YOUR MORTAL SUFFERING. YOU CAN JOIN HER NOW."

Aerowyn carefully put my body down on the ground, then stood. She turned to face the Demon Lord. Her eyes were puffy and red and wet with tears, but she stared intently into his eyes. "Why do you even battle us, Demon? Why did you rebuild this tower? Surely a powerful overlord like you could annihilate us all in a single blow."

"PERHAPS I FIND IT AMUSING."

"Or perhaps you are not so strong here. I think your vessel is holding you back. You have been extending your power to keep her alive for the last six years, haven't you?"

He raised his spiked fist over her head threateningly, but Aerowyn didn't flinch. "I CAN CRUSH YOU EASILY ENOUGH, MORTAL."

"And throw away a much more suitable vessel?"

He lowered his fist, "DO YOU OFFER YOURSELF TO ME, LITTLE ONE?"

"You are right, the Gods don't give a damn about us. I've tried to serve them well, but they only reward me with suffering. I hate the Gods, and I hate this world. I want to take part in world's destruction!"

"Aerowyn...no!" I said, as I looked on. But I knew she couldn't hear me.

Lorca gave her a broad sinister smile. "I CAN SENSE THE TRUTH IN YOUR WORDS, MORTAL. AND I FEEL MUCH ANGER IN YOU...I LIKE IT. YESSS...A POISON WITCH. I WILL SPREAD MY POISONS ACROSS THE LAND, AND CAUSE ENDLESS SUFFERING."

Aerowyn squealed as his hand came forward and grabbed her. He got hold of her green robes and tore them open, exposing her pert pale breasts. His hand then moved to his chest. Lorca growled as he pulled the heartstone away, the long red tendrils violently ripped from his body. Then he pushed it into Aerowyns chest. She screamed out in agony as the tendrils violently bored into her body.

I could just watch on helplessly, "No...Aerowyn! It wasn't supposed to happen like this!"

Lorca's huge body collapsed onto the ground. Aerowyn continued to scream out in agony, as red spikes tore out through her skin. "DON'T FIGHT ME...SUBMIT!" she cried out. She dropped to the ground and started convulsing. Why did I have to witness this? I was sinking into a pit of despair. She suddenly fell still. The heartstone throbbed steadily on her chest.

Then I saw Aerowyn standing over the body. She looked at me wide-eyed. "Rohme!" She rushed forward and wrapped her arms around me. It seemed we could touch. I grabbed her face and looked into her eyes, "What in the seven Hells are you doing Aerowyn?!"

She looked down at her grotesquely altered body, which now belonged to Lorca, "Watch."

Lorca sat up, his eyes were glowing brightly, "YESSS, THIS IS A SUPERIOR VESSEL. I CAN FEEL MY POWER GROW." Then I could see a thin line of blood run from his nose. He brought his hand up and touched his face, and then looked at the blood on the finger. More blood began running from his nose. "NO...WHAT IS THIS?"

He cried out in pain, and blood began flowing from his eyes, like crimson tears. His ears were also bleeding. "WITCH! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?! GAAAAAGH!"

I looked on in amazement. That was a good question--what had she done? Aerowyn pointed down near my body. The small empty tube lay on the ground. It was the pitch-black vial I had seen her with earlier. "I've spent decades developing what is, by far, the most powerful poison ever made. The only poison capable of killing me."

Lorca was still crying out and thrashing about. His skin was red with blood that flowed from every orifice. "RAAAAGH! TREATOROUS WITCH!...YOU CAN'T KILL ME!...GNGGH....I COMMAND DEATH!"

"He's right," came another voice.

I looked up and gasped, "Cordelia!"

The blonde cleric smiled at me. She was dressed in a flowing white robe, and looked every bit as beautiful as I remembered. "Wonderful to see you again, Rohme." She looked down at the ailing Demon Lord, "Good work, Aerowyn. Your poison has severely weakened him. He is drawing on all his power to keep his vessel alive. Someone needs to finish him off."

"There is no one left." I said, sadly.

"Which is why Felora will grant you resurrection."

I stood there for a moment, just staring blankly. "Resurrection?"

"Yes, Rohme. You will live."

"Can't he allow us all to live?"

"No, he can't."

Aerowyn turned to me, grinning, "It's okay, Rohme. This is your destiny."

I wrapped my arms around her and hugged her tightly. Tears streamed down my face. "No. This is not what I want. I can't do it again...I can't be left alone...I can't!"

Cordelia gave me a serene look, "But, Rohme...you won't be alone." She nodded down. I looked down and could see a faint pulsing light in my gut. I didn't understand. And then I realized that it was in my womb. Holy shit! "Your son also has an important destiny. Take good care of him."

Aerowyn looked into my eyes and smiled, "Oh, wow! you're going to be a mother...I'll always watch over him. I promise."

I held her tightly, "I don't want to lose you. Not now."

"I know," she breathed. She pressed herself into me, and tears rolled down her cheek.

"I'm sorry, Rohme, but this can't wait any longer. You have to go back," said Cordelia. "It's time to say goodbye." And then three other figures appeared next to her--a white-haired elf, a large dark-skinned fighter, and dark-haired beauty. Locien, Strafe and Sierra.

"Father!" said Aerowyn excitedly. She tore away from me and rushed over to hug him.

"I am so very proud of you, Aerowyn," he said, as he wrapped his arms tightly around her. "We will take this journey together." He nodded to me, "May good fortune accompany you, and the Gods watch over you, Rohme Walker."

I stared at Sierra, my mouth agape. She looked so radiantly beautiful. She gave me her wonderful smile, and then came forward and hugged me. I put my arms around her and hugged her back. "I'm proud of you, Rohme. And thank you. I have always known that you were special. You're the greatest hero I have ever known."

More tears rolled down my face, "I missed you so much."

"I will always love you, my beautiful ranger."

Strafe smiled down at me, "You did good, girl."

"And you, Bonehead." I said as I wrapped my arms around his broad torso. "Thanks for the help."

"Thank you...and good luck. If your son has inherited your stubbornness, you're gunna need it."

I pulled away and smiled. Cordelia came forward, "It's time to go," she said, before planting a soft kiss on my cheek.

"Wait!" called Aerowyn. She came back over and grabbed me, before pressing her lips into mine and kissing me forcibly. I kissed her back, and felt the warm tingling all over. The strong feelings of love were tainted with deep sadness. I closed my eyes and was swept up in the moment.

When I opened my eyes again, I was laying on the hard stone floor. Aerowyn was gone. I slowly sat up and rubbed my head. Welcome back to the living. I rubbed my belly, and there's another life in there, I still didn't know what to make of that.

The howling scream nearby reminded me that I had a job to do. I picked myself up off the ground and grabbed my sword. The Demon Lord Lorca was still writhing on the ground in a pool of blood. He looked like a blood-covered, hideously deformed Aerowyn. I approached him and he looked up at me with blank glowing eyes that cried blood. "NAAAAGH...YOU!...HOW CAN IT BE?"

"It looks like you don't command death, Asshole." I stepped forward and he lashed out at me. I swiftly swung the blade and cut off his arm. Then I brought it down and hacked off the other. I then stabbed the blade down hard into his head and the sword was lodged there. Lorca still screamed, convulsed and bled out. I planted my foot on his chest and got hold of the weakly throbbing heartstone.

I growled as I pulled with all I had. I suddenly fell back on my ass as the stone ripped out of his chest. The tendrils lashed out at my arm. I quickly tossed the stone aside, on to the ground. The spikey blood-covered body fell still. I stood up again and went over and spat on the stone. "Not so big and scary now, are you, motherfucker?"

There was a crashing sound behind me and I jumped. I spun around and saw a robed figure there. He must have leant on the crumbled stone pillar and knocked it over. "Duane!" I called out, excitedly. "So that's why you didn't show up to say goodbye."

"What?" he said, blinking at me. "Rohme, thank goodness you're still alive."

"And you, I thought you were dead."

"Yes...that wasn't pleasant. Lucky I had a healing potion with me." He looked around the large chamber, taking in all the dead bodies, and the heartstone sitting on the ground. "And you won?"

I nodded, "At great cost."

"Yes, it was always going to be at great cost," he said sadly.

"I need your help with something."

Duane opened up an Azraelus Gate and I tossed the accursed stone through the portal, back into Hell where it belonged. As the gate closed back up again, it finally dawned on me that it was all over. The total destruction of the world had been stopped, and it was all thanks to the sacrifice of one crazy red-headed witch, who I had come so close to killing. I missed her already.

Duane smiled at me, "Come on, I'll help you find your pants."

---

There was one thing that would often occupy my thoughts after those events--Was it really our destiny? Were things always going to turn out the way they did? Or was it like Aerowyn said to me in that gloomy dungeon--True heroes forge their own destiny, no matter what Gods and Devils have planned? Or did we just get incredibly lucky?

This time, I wasn't left wondering why I was still alive, or why I had to go though so much shit. I saw the reason for it every day, in my beautiful child. Was it true that he had an important destiny? It didn't matter to me at all. I loved him all the same. And I was immensely proud of him.

As it turned out, Aerol the half-orc would become a legend. But that's a different story entirely...

The End

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