Introduction
Welcome back to Maledicturs Terra. This is a Chain Story between myself and @lex-zaiya, meaning that we each write the parts alternatively.
If you have not read Maledictus Terra Book 1: Mortis Custos yet, it starts HERE at Part 1 and ends at Part 101 HERE. At the end of the Part 101 post you will find links to all 101 Parts!
The previous part by @lex-zaiya can be found HERE.
Part 51
The party sprang forward in a lurching run through the mud and muck. Magna realized with disgust that it was not all water, there were bits and pieces of detritus mixed in with the mud of the pathway that she did not really want to think about too much.
It was clear that more than a few times, someone or something was violently ripped apart in these streets.
They can part wooden hovels broken down and empty seeming except that any time they slowed down, these buildings would begin to shake and snarls and screeches would be heard.
The sunlight was following Lucien, who danced nimbly from rooftop to rooftop. Magna realized that she recognized the scent of his powers. His magic had a surprisingly gentle smell, like that of a refined parlour in a nobleman or noblewoman's estate. Lavender, sandlewood and another gently spiced smell led her eventually to lead the group.
She directed her bestial uncle whenever they lost sight of the Lifedrinker and then they would see him again, grey cloak whipping in the air.
The party was heading towards a place that had better-looking houses made of stone and timber. Before they could reach it however, there was an archway across the road that blotted out the sun.
Into this, the Hunger streamed. Magna realized that this was what the link between herself and her Uncle called them and she felt both pity and hatred for these beings.
Loping on all fours, humanoid but devoid of humanity. All that remained was a savage lust for the blood and vitality that came with live prey. But they were NOT prey. This was a sentiment that Magna and Sebastian shared.
Magna dropped to the ground behind Sebastian, leaving her brother on his shoulders. She sprinted behind the bestial King, he sword drawn to protect his flanks. Sebastian closed a hand each around the faces of two of the feral creatures, ripping their heads clean off and he was through to the other side of the arch. Magna followed closely and raked her sword through the shoulder and stomach of one of the beasts, charging through the hole that Sebastian had made.
A flash of purple light to her side warded off a lunging predator. Derric had slashed at the Lifedrinker with his claws, not wanting to bite into their corrupted flesh. The two of them cleared the arch.
The Blazeknights came after hacking and slicing. Their progress was slower and the press of bodies coming through the buildings on either side of the archway became more intense.
Anna lost her footing and went down in the shadow. She still fought to keep teeth from finding flesh but there were at least three of the creatures on her. Leopold turned to defend her but was thrust off his feet by the Lifedrinkers.
It seemed nearly certain that the Knights would be bit, teeth flashed down towards exposed flesh in the gaps in the armor they had opened. the Lifedrinkers stopped dead as though they had hit an invisible barrier.
Magna and the others stood in the waning sunlight, Sebastian did not want to lose track of Lucien but Magna nearly ran back.
Just then Mortis strode from the waning sunlight into the archway. He had removed his helmet and the revenant's desiccated head grinned at the Lifedrinkers without humor.
With one hand, he flicked his sword across the Lifedrinkers who had pinned the Knights down and then another he raised one Lifedrinker towards his face. There was no life-force that the Lifedrinker wanted in the revenant, his animation stemming from the oath-magics.
Beyond this the revenant had something else about him that they did not understand or like. The Lifedrinker he had picked up cowered and tried to break free. Mortis bit into its neck and shoulder and tore a massive strip of meat from it. The Lifedrinker shrieked and slumped.
Chewing loudly, the Revenant took his sword in both hands and slashed into the sky, a flash of energy erupted from the blade incinerating the archway. There were no falling debris.
Magna tried to smell Mortis' magic but the usual smell was absent.
"Let's go!" Sebastian roared. "I can see the castle!"
The Blazeknights had ran to Magna and the rest and they set off after Lucien again. Magna glanced behind her to see Mortis stalking purposefully, being left behind but the Lifedrinkers had retreated, fearing to approach the malignant knight.
The party was safe. For now.
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Mortis Custos
Sanguifex
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