Maple and Katholes were going at it, trying hard to have Shira relent and stop fighting. Both friends knew that they had no chance of beating this behemoth, but hoped that they could at least attempt to sway her to stop fighting by facing her in combat for as long as they could. Shira, however, didn’t seem to slow down, even when marks of battle started to adorn her pelt, showcasing that she had sustained a few heavy blows already. Yet Shira, of course, wasn’t the only one who had gotten roughed up. Katholes was breathing heavily, his sides hurting and lungs burning.
He brushed a paw over his left eye, needing to help himself clear his vision, as Shira had gotten him good above his left brow.
Maple was flying overhead, digging her claws into the large Haedian at any chance she could, followed closely behind by her jaws.
Varos was watching with pure horror as his friends fought valiantly, getting more and more injured. He knew he needed to do something, and as such went to cook a few “health potions,” which were more dish than magical ointment, but still did the same thing.
“You are getting slower,” noted Shira with a devilish grin on her face, directly addressing Katholes. Maple didn’t stop attacking while they talked, but that didn’t seem to bother Shira, as she didn’t even protect herself.
Katholes knew that this was no use. They had tried hard to hide how they were doing physically, but it had been years since they had been required to call upon the knowledge of their past life as an assassin. They had to up the ante or have someone else fight for them, but who would?
They asked themselves a thousand questions, their mind going in circles as they only ever managed to arrive at the solution that they needed to face Shira, yet they knew they’d fail. It was a frustrating position to be in for the puller, and Shira knew this, delighting in his struggle to maintain a facade of him doing better than he actually was.
That was when a familiar voice rang out again — “Stop this, this is insanity!” Cailu, the guide who had allowed them to progress as far as they had.
Katholes smiled as they heard the approaching footfalls of Cailu. “Leave them alone,” said Cailu, trying to plead with Shira, yet all of them knew it would be a futile effort.
Maple stayed high above the madness that was unfolding on the ground, her wings beating steadily as she swooped down to drive her claws into Shira again and again. Yet she couldn’t deny that the relentless blows of Shira had started to take a toll on her too. Still, she knew that she couldn’t show weakness. After all, she had to support Katholes, and every swing by Shira directed at her meant that it was a strike she couldn’t direct at Katholes.
Cailu had thrown themself at Shira, joining the fray to drive the mad, blood-hungry leader of the Order clan back.
“I didn’t think you’d show your face, Cailu. Why are you protecting these outsiders? You surely know what this means, right?” Cailu shot a pained look over their shoulder at the trio of friends, noticing Varos’s worried face peeking out of a cave high above from a cave in the wall.
“No, this isn’t a fight anymore, Shira, this is madness. Please. Listen,” asked Cailu, their face showing compassion and sadness, which only helped to further anger Shira.
“You have no power in my realm.” A claw struck out at Cailu. “You will either face me or leave this place now and leave these three to my judgment.” Cailu sighed, knowing they had no other choice. “Fine. We will do things your way,” said their Haedian guide, begrudgingly answering violence with violence. “No, Cailu!” yelled Varos, hurriedly trying to speed up the cooking process of his healing meals so that he could at least help in this way.
Katholes stumbled back, barely able to keep his balance as his legs shook under him, threatening to give out. His wounds had been mounting, and he was holding on merely out of pure spite. “She’s too strong,” he admitted begrudgingly, pulling himself away from the battlefield with his last ounce of strength before he allowed himself to fall back, catching his breath as he watched Cailu and Maple still steadfastly facing Shira.
High above, Varos watched from the rocky ledge, his heart racing, panicked as he took in what was happening down below. Part of him wanted to help his friends, protect them, and drive this aggressor back so that they would listen to his friends, but there was something even greater in his heart that caused him to freeze — pure and utter terror. There had been something in the eyes of this Haedian that made it very clear to Varos that they wouldn’t stand a chance if he faced her. Perhaps they’d even need to pay with their lives.
He was scared. He didn’t like not being there for his friends, but he also knew that he couldn’t help them at all. Not like this. Claws dug into the rocks below his paws as he cursed himself for his cowardice, especially as he had seen how bravely Katholes had fought and with how much conviction Cailu and Maple were still fighting. Yet he also knew that if he were down there fighting with his friends, Maple wouldn’t be able to concentrate on facing Shira, as she would be too worried to keep an eye out for him.
“Come on, Cailu,” whispered Katholes quietly, hoping that Cailu would be able to turn the tide for them as he knew he wasn’t able to fight any longer. “I know you can do this,” said Katholes louder this time, which Cailu was able to hear, still involved in a clash of fangs, claws, and antlers.
When the two broke apart, crimson could be seen on both Shira and Cailu, both of their breathing turning more labored.
Maple had remained steadfast at Cailu’s side, helping drive Shira back by providing aerial support. Slowly but surely they were whittling away at the looming presence of Shira. Katholes smiled and then rested his head, knowing he needed it. Varos watched from above, finally yelling out words of encouragement to his friends down below. “Kick Shira’s bum! I believe in you all!” said the small chaser, his voice thundering outward and cascading across the walls of the cavern. Even if he couldn't help them physically in the battle, they could at least cheer their friends on.
