Alyssa rolled quickly to her feet and shook off the sudden appearance of Groma’kul. She stumbled backwards as four more oversized gnolls appeared.

Elite Gnoll Vanguard, Lvl 12*

The Gnoll Vanguards brought their tower shields up in a solid shield wall and levelled wicked looking iron spears at her party. These gnolls were well armed and armored with full iron breastplates, leather shoulder guards and small metal skull caps that left room for their ears to stick out. Hatred burned in their eyes as they violently bared their teeth.

“This ain’t good.” She muttered.

“This fucking sucks!” Greg vocalized exactly what she was really thinking.

A ball of ice streaked between Alyssa and Greg and smashed into the shield wall. It exploded with force and the gnolls absorbed the attack on their combined shields. They stomped forward in coordination, the sound of their feet clomping on the ground in unison.

“Fuck these assholes!” Carly screamed and lobbed another ball of ice over their heads. It exploded in the air and showered them with shards of ice. The gnoll shield wall stumbled which was cue for Lulu and Greg to spring into motion.

As they charged forward an arrow streaked by and smashed into the middle of the gnoll formation with a massive explosion. The gnoll shield line stumbled back further then Lulu smashed in from the side and sent the first two tumbling as Greg smashed into the opposite flank with a fury. Alyssa slipped into the shadows and began to stalk the slowly breaking formation of the vanguard. More arrows and shards of ice flew at the formation.

The Lieutenant swung out at Lulu who dodged back and snarled in anger. He stepped in and brought his massive axe down. Alyssa’s heart sank as the axe seemed to move in slow motion. Just before it made contact a green barrier of magic sprung up. The axe sank into the barrier which spent the majority of its energy, Lulu was sent tumbling across the street, beaten but alive.

Alyssa moved in on the closest vanguard and took a swipe at its ankles attempting to land a Cripple. She was shocked when the gnoll spun and caught the attack on his shield then counter attacked with a spear attack that only caught wisps of shadow as she quickly retreated. Greg took the opportunity to land a savage blow on the gnolls back. Blood splattered the ground and the Vanguard spun his shield back and smashed Greg square in the face.

“FUCK!” He screamed as he straightened his nose. Green energy settled over his person and he shook off the pain and charged back in smashing shield to shield and coming to a stand still. A fellow Vanguard moved to skewer Greg on its spear and missed as an arrow appeared from its elbow. The gnoll hissed in pain and another arrow appeared at an angle in it’s leg pinning it in place. Alyssa seized the opportunity and moved through the shadows and swung her sword through its neck. This one was unable to block the attack and quickly bled out.

Unfortunately for Alyssa the formation of vanguards was still rather tight and she caught a shield strike to her back that sent her sprawling out of the shadows. Greg intercepted the spear aimed for her back and paid for it with a gash across his back from the first vanguard they attacked who had since recovered its footing.

“NANDI! CARLY! PICK ONE AND KEEP IT BUSY!” Alyssa called out as she scrambled to her feet. Healing energy landed on her and Greg as they violently danced around the remaining three gnoll vanguards. Lulu continued trading feints with the Lieutenant and kept him busy on her own. Anytime the Lieutenant would move to assist his vanguard Lulu would dive in to nip at his heels, he would in turn swipe wildly with his heavy axe, and Lulu would back off and snarl violently at him. He couldn’t land a hit on her, but she couldn’t get a good piece of him either.

An explosive arrow smashed the shield of gnoll that took his eyes off the duo for a second. It barked something that sounded like a curse in a weird guttural barking language. Then it charged forward with it’s smoking shield raised in front of it. Before it made it five steps a wall of ice sprung up in front of it. It crumpled, shoulder first into the wall and pitched it’s face into the dirt.

Alyssa saw the easy target and sprinted across the space between them with the intent of striking it with Deep Wounds. One of the vanguard that was harrying Greg broke off and intercepted her with a spear attack that slid across the top of her thigh. She hissed through her teeth and brought a sword down on the still extended haft of the spear and shattered it. The gnoll that attempted to skewer her leg looked in surprise at the broken spear and she tumbled forward and brought one of her swords down through the ribs of the gnoll that had crumpled into the ice wall. It squealed in pain and she turned to catch the broken spear gnolls shield across the side of her face.

She tumbled backwards over the gnoll she had just skewered with her feet kicking up into the air as her back and shoulders smacked the cement. Oxygen vacated her lungs before she realized what had happened. Nandi and Carly were on point and began to pelt the spearless vanguard with a variety of projectiles. An arrow caught it in the shoulder and it stumbled back and raised its shield. A pillar of ice appeared from under its feet and launched it into the air. As it tumbled back to the earth a glowing yellow arrow exploded through the soft tissue in its neck. A fist sized hole appeared in the wake of that attack and the gnoll dropped to the ground with a boneless thump, dead before it hit the ground.

“Now that was a bloody good shot!” Nandi congratulated herself.

Carly grunted and shot off smaller shards of ice at the remaining two standing fighters. Greg sparred evenly with the last Vanguard and Lulu barked and nipped dangerously with the Lieutenant. A wave of healing energy spread out from their healer and Alyssa gasped as the air reentered her lungs and she rolled off the awkward tangle of gnoll limbs. She noticed the one she had skewered was still breathing so she quickly brought a sword edge across its neck and it bled out at her feet. Greg managed to finally break past the final vanguard's shield defense and sink the axe he pilfered from the first battle in its chest. It’s shield tumbled to the ground and brought the now free hand up to grasp the axe. Greg grabbed the half with both hands then kicked hard and wrenched it free from the vanguards chest. An arrow from Nandi shot through the spray of blood and newly opened wound in its chest to pierce its heart and it fell over backwards dead.

“Guards are down, now for the big fuck.” Carly stated.

Alyssa finally took her first good look at the Lieutenant since the fight started. He stood a foot taller than the vanguard gnolls, which would put him just under Karls new height. He didn’t wear a helmet though a patch covered his left eye and a wicked scar extended at an angle from each side of said patch. He wore essentially the same armor configuration as the vanguards minus the tower shields and spears. He carried a large two handed steel axe with a flat hammer head on the opposite side of the blade, which served as both counter weight and weapon when needed. A small ball of metal on the opposite end of the haft finished the balance of the weapon, which she was certain could be used to devastating effect if the need arose. Each of his hands had three thick clawed fingers and a thumb, and light leather bracers extended up his tightly muscled forearms. He saw that the party had finished off his vanguard and decided he was having none of it.

He made a swing for Lulu’s muzzle with the blade of the axe, Alyssa could see that he hadn’t put all his strength into the attack. Lulu of course dodged back and then dove back in head first to snap at his arms, which were now spinning in a complete circle. As Lulu was about to snap down on his shoulder the hammer side of the weapon smashed into Lulu’s flank and she tumbled across the street, yelping in pain. Then the Lieutenant shot into the air and brought the ball end of his weapon down on the ground as he landed between them. A shockwave like the one before knocked Alyssa to her rear. She looked down from her back and saw that everyone else had been laid flat except for Greg which now had one of the larger intact tower shields he had used to brace himself.

Greg recovered from the initial attack and slid forward with a skill charged axe attack that clanged loudly against the Lieutenants breast plate. “FUUUUUUCK YOU!” Now inside the Slayers guard he took another quick swipe with his axe that also bounced off the stubborn breastplate. The Lieutenant steadied his grip on the massive axe, stepped back and flicked the ball end up into Gregs stomach. Greg flinched back from the blow and managed to raise his newly acquired tower shield up to deflect a quick axe attack and then he stumbled back out of reach.

Groma’kul smiled, sensing the kill, and charged forward. A wall of ice sprung up as his axe came down and sent shards of ice in all directions, barely slowing the attack but giving Greg just enough time to slip out of its path. Alyssa took the opportunity to rake his ankles but stumbled when the ball of his weapon caught her full in the mouth. Her head rocked back and teeth and blood flew through the air and she saw stars. The gnoll laughed as she stumbled backwards and Greg managed to sweep in and cut a groove in the Lieutenants arm. Then was pushed back again by the Slayers furious series of attacks. Arrows and Ice Bolts flew that were summarily shrugged off with a chuckle.

“He can see me in the shadows!” Alyssa managed to cough out.

“Bloke wants to laugh at my arrows, try this one!” Nandi drew an arrow back that began to swirl with blue energy. The Lieutenant narrowed its one eye to warily consider her. Before it could make a decision the arrow streaked forth leaving a blue glowing after trail and exploded through its shoulder. It yowled in rage and another blue arrow punched through low in its stomach. It stepped back and began to spin its weapon blade flat in front of it and deflected two more mana infused arrows.

Lulu managed to recover from her last failed attack and dove in to get a hold of his leg and yanked hard. The gnoll rolled to the ground and swung its axe into Lulu’s flank. Her thick fur and hide absorbed most of the impact but it still broke the skin and blood flowed freely from the wound. She limped away before another attack could land. A pillar of ice shot out at the same time and slammed into the Slayers back and slid him across the street a dozen feet past Alyssa and Greg who chased his tumbling form to keep the pressure on. Alyssa looked back for a moment and saw Carly collapse on her butt and hands heaving huge breaths. She seems to be spent, I need something to keep this guy under control, Garfield.

“You gained level 15 during the fight to get here, you have a new ability that might help.”

She pulled up her ability list and saw the new skill in question, Swarming Shadows: Shadows swarm the target and hold it in place for 5 seconds.

That’ll work.

Groma’kul had already gained his feet when they reached him and he looked absolutely pissed. He roared into the air and his body seemed to briefly glow red as he began spinning his weapon over his head. He swung his axe rapidly at Greg who hastily brought his shield up and nearly buckled under the strengthened attack. Alyssa activated her new skill as he reached back to drop another mighty two handed blow on Greg.

Shadowy tendrils instantly shot up and wrapped themselves around the Slayers ankles, wrists and neck. His single red eye focused all of its hatred on Alyssa and she smiled as she faded into the shadows and appeared instantly behind him. “CRIPPLE!” she murmured and swung at the back of both of his knees and was satisfied to see the tendons snap and blood pour to the ground. He was still restrained so she took the opportunity to slash across his lower back with DEEP WOUNDS and opened up two long wounds that bled profusely. Then the shadow tendrils snapped and he brought the ball end of his weapon into Alyssa’s gut and sent her sprawling backwards in the street again.

The same attack had a similar effect on Greg as he was stopped short on the blade of the axe and had to back up to avoid a fatal cut. She watched Nandi draw and fire another mana infused arrow that plunged through the Lieutenants chest. She reached into her quiver and came up wanting.

“FUCK! I’M BLOODY OUT!” She pawed around for any arrow and watched in horror as the Groma’Kul smashed back Greg with the hammer side of his axe in what was a clear wind up to a bigger attack. Which was now clearly meant to finish off Alyssa who was still stunned from the last blow she caught and was sprawled in the street helpless. Power surged down the length of the blade as it reached the apex of the swing and began to descend. I’m going to die right now! FUCK!

Stunned: 2s…...

Alyssa noticed for the first time she could see the duration of status effects. Too late for that bit of information. She thought sourly as the blade continued its descent. Carly managed to gather more mana from her sitting position and flung a couple of feeble ice shards into her executioners back and were completely ignored by the murderous monster.

Stunned: 1s……

Too late… She closed her eyes as the blade dropped on her and felt the steaming heat of blood across her face. She blinked her eyes open and realized she hadn’t been killed outright from the attack. What she saw confused her. Another body stood in front of her and had blocked the attack. She looked around still confused. That ain’t right, she thought as her eyes landed on his shield and axe which were on the ground at his feet. She focused on his unmoving body as it stood there and then on where the Slayers axe had landed directly between his feet.

Stun effect removed.

She couldn’t move though. She could only watch in horror as Greg’s body slowly split from left shoulder to crotch, quickly spilling his internal organs on the ground at her feet. The two halves of Greg made a noisy wet sound, like the sound of water balloons hitting concrete, as they smacked the street.

“GREG! FUCK!” Nandi, Carly and the unnamed Healer cried out in unison. Nandi never stopped searching corpses for an arrow as the now cackling as he stalked forward to finish his work with Alyssa.

Alyssa allowed herself to sink into the shadows in a panic and was surprised to find herself smashed back into the cement, the stun effect holding her in place. The massive gnoll said something to her in its guttural language then brought his axe up and then down. Alyssa managed to shift sideways. Rather than being split in two like Greg, the axe landed across her right shoulder and severed it cleanly. She started at the blade of the axe in shock noticing the blemishes and scratches that peppered its surface. The pain didn’t come until Groma’kul raised the axe and her blood began to flow freely.

She watched her HP plummet and faintly heard the cries of her compatriots as she bled out on the ground. Her vision began to dim for a second then she felt the shock of her healers healing magic being dumped into here fighting furiously for her life. She gasped and coughed, then slumped as the stream of healing energies cut off. She saw Carly try to summon another large attack then collapse before the energy could coalesce and blood poured from her nose. Over drew her mana?

Alyssa’s vision dimmed again and it felt like the noise of battle was fading at the same time. As unconsciousness took her she thought she heard the sound of gunfire close by, but couldn’t be sure. I wonder if Karl is proud of me? That was her last thought as the world fully faded into blackness.