The Citadel

They had left the room and was now once again out in the open making there way down a path towards there destination. The rocky terrain and ruined structures made for some minor obstacles every now and then but at least they where protected from most of the harsh winds that howled above them. Flurry Heart was also feeling a lot more confident now after having her magic restored and with the bridge within sight she had a feeling that things might work out fine. They continued forward at a steady pace but still keeping an eye out for danger. Soon enough the pair arrived at the bridge making them leave the cover the ruins of the city provided against the strong gusts of wind. Flurry had to put a hand up to keep sand and dust from hitting her face while Zyzix looked mostly unfazed. The bridge itself was wide and perhaps a hundred meters long, it was made of stone with twisted and gnarled statues lining the edges. It was hard to make out any real details on them since they had likely been sandblasted of long ago.

Not wanting to waste time she began to cross the bridge, walking along the railing to try to keep out of the wind as much as possible she couldn't help her curiosity to look over the edge. It was hard to describe what was down there other then a giant swirling red vortex with bolts of lightning jumping across it every now and then. And all the different amounts of magical energies that radiated from that chaos almost caused her pain, it was like holding a hand over hot coals. She pulled her head back over the railing and continued forward and eventually reaching the other side.

She passed under a huge arch opening and entered a courtyard of sort surrounded by high walls sheltering it from most of the winds. The ground was all solid rock with eight large obelisks made from the blackest stone Flurry had ever seen. They silently levitated in two rows leading up to a giant metal doors full of carved figures that could only be the entrance to the citadel. As she made her way towards the door her eyes drifted upwards following the massive structure as it rose into the sky with dark red clouds circling around its many towers.

"We are making good progress princess." Zyzix said pleased.

"That's good to know, but how do we get in?" Flurry replied looking at the massive metal doors before them.

"There is no need for you to worry about it, leave that to me." the wisp replied and flew of to one of the obelisks.

Flurry Heart stayed by the door and let Zyzix do her work, she started to look around a bit and eventually her gaze moved upwards again and started thinking.

"Hey Zyzix, you said that the portal thingy was at the top of the tower right?" she called out to orb flying around the floating stones.

"Indeed I did." the response sounded like her companion was right next to her which took her a little off guard.

"Then why don't we just fly up there?"

Flurry figured that they could save a lot of time that way and wondered why they hadn't done so in the first place. Sure it might be a little rough flying in those harsh winds but she could manage that.

"I would advise against flying so close to the citadel princess." Zyzix stated calmly.

"Why is that?" it was a bit frustrating that her suggestion was dismissed so quickly.

"It is dangerous." came the short answer.

She huffed in annoyance crossed her arms and turned towards the door again, and with nothing else to do but wait her eyes started to wander. She had a glance over her clothes and fur and really noticed how dirty she had become and with some minor rips and tears on her skirt and shirt. She hated being dirty so she tried to dust herself off as best she could but some of the grime stubbornly remained. Having lost the battle against the dirt Flurry Heart decided to see if her partner was any closer to opening the door. She could see the little orb flying circles around the obelisks causing strange symbols to appear when she touch them and the disappear when she goes away. Flurry was just about to call out to her partner when her eyes notices something moving on the bridge. Turning her head towards it to have a better look her heart skipped a beat, making its way across was the hooded creature from before its robe flailing wildly in the wind.

Swallowing hard Flurry drew her sword and gathered all the courage she could muster and mentally prepared to defend herself if it attacked.

"Hey, We got company!" she shouted out alerting her companion.

Zyzix stopped what she was doing and quickly noticed the creature entering the courtyard. "Curses, it must have sensed the shift in magic when I began unlocking the door." she grumbled irritated before flying over to where Flurry Heart stood.

"Are you certain you want to battle the souleater?" the wisp questioned when she saw Flurry's defensive stance.

"No, but I have to try." she replied in a shaky voice.

"Then be very careful, I would prefer to not be consumed." Zyzix voice was serious and almost a little threatening, she then flew into the sword probably for safety.

The thing was only a few meters away now and close enough for Flurry to really see its features. Dry gray leathery skin covered its long skinny arms which ended in large bony hands with clawlike fingers. The rest of its body was covered in tattered robes and a metal mask over its face with gashes in it that revealed a single red glow which Flurry figured must be the creatures eye. As the tall imposing figure moved closer still Flurry began to walk backwards in a circle to keep it out of reach, she kept her guard up and eyes locked on it and made sure to not back into a corner. Like a hungry wolf the thing continued to move against her but she kept it at a distance with her backwards walking and sword pointing forward. For several minutes this little dance went on, only interrupted when the souleater stopped moving for a second before it tried to get closer again. A bead of cold sweat ran down Flurry's face, all she really wanted to do was to get as far away from this nightmare as she could but if she turned to run this thing would surely attack her in the back.

Suddenly the creature stopped and just regarded her it didn't move even if she did, almost as if it was trying to figure out a new tactic. It was eerie how it just stood there quietly looking at her even as she took a few steeps back. Flurry let out a breath that she was holding and just as she did the thing lunged at her like a snake. She manage to dodge it by just a hair and barely had she landed before the next attack came and this time it manage to tear a piece from her skirt. Flurry Heart was really scared by now but when the third attack came she swung her weapon while avoiding the charge and succeeded in cutting two fingers of one of its hands. This gave her time to regain her footing and catch her breath as the souleater inspected the damage.

"What are you waiting for? destroy it before it comes again!" Zyzix shouted.

Flurry Heart didn't reply but did as instructed and moved in for an attack, she trusted her sword forward aiming for the center of its body. Just as the blade was going to connect it moved with unnatural speed grabbing her sword arm and lifting her into the air. Pain ran trough her arm as it was squeezed hard but thinking fast she casts a short range teleport and manage to escape its hold on her arm. She flapped her wings as she appeared behind its head and swiftly made a swing with her weapon trying to decapitate it. But the souleater quickly turned its head her way causing her to hit the metal mask leaving a long scratch on it. Cursing a little for missing her mark she proceeded to flap her wings in order to gain some momentum and attack from a different angle. The enemy was tough and fast but with adrenaline running high Flurry Heart started to believe that she had a chance at winning. She had manage to connect a few strikes already so as long as she didn't get hit in return she would be fine.

She made a dive towards her opponents back trying to get a good hit in. But the creature was ready for her as it turned around and summoned forth a huge two handed sword that looked like it was made of bone and swung it at her. Not having time to dodge it incoming attack she just barely manage to create a protective bubble around herself with her magic. As the large weapon made contact with a loud crack it knocked her out of the air and rolled several meters over the floor. Dazed and in pain Flurry got up to her hoofs as fast as she could and assumed a defensive stance again. That strike had so much strength behind it and had she not gotten her shield up she would with out a doubt been in two pieces now.

"You seem to have angered it, do you still believe that you can beat this foe?" Zyzix said in a concerned voice.

"I don't know, maybe." Flurry panted.

"perhaps a change of tactics." the wisp continued.

"Any suggestions?" she asked as she took to the air again to stay out of range from the approaching enemy.

"Try attacking it at range with magic, I am sure you got some spells you can use."

Flurry Heart didn't have a lot of options when it came to offensive magic but attacking from a distance would reduce the chance of her getting cut in half by that huge sword. She flew around at a decent speed trying to keep her movements hard to read before swooping in and shooting a magic blast from her horn. The light blue projectile hit her opponent right in the face only for it to barley react to the assault.

"You will have to do better then a concussive spell against a foe like that princess." Zyzix remarked dryly.

Flurry frowned at her companions comment as she rose a bit higher into the air to avoid getting to close to the enemy. Having failed her first spell and pretty much exhausted her arsenal of projectile magic she needed to improvise. Thinking quickly she flew down closer to the ground and gathered some good sized rocks with her magic grip levitating them behind her as she went in for an other attack. As she approached her target she launched the rocks at the creature who swiftly put up its sword to block them like she hoped it would. Flurry did a flying roll over its guard and struck it in the head with her own weapon, there was a loud clang as she once again hit the metal face mask. A small smirk grazed her lips when she looked back and saw the souleater wobble slightly from her attack.

But her joy was yet again short lived as when she was about to go for another strike the creatures hands lit up with a crimson glow. A second later it trusted its hands forward and several bolts blood red lightning shot forth and just barley missing her. Trying not to panic as she dodged and weaved to avoid all the lightning the thing shot at her, dust and pebbles flew all over the place as every missed strike carved grooves in the ground and walls.

"This is getting to dangerous we should fall back!" Zyzix shouted.

"I won't argue against that!" Flurry shouted back in half panicked tone.

She did a sharp turn and flapped her wings hard as she flew straight up at high speed readying herself for the strong winds that would hit her as soon as she got over the wall. Flurry didn't stop her ascent even after the attacks stopped and the gusts increased she kept on rising higher.

"We should land before we get noticed." Zyzix warned.

"Noticed by what?" Flurry shouted over the wind.

Just then a deafening howl that sounded like warped whale song came from behind them.

"That." Zyzix's voice was very calm despite the terrible sound.

Flurry Heart turned her head to see only for her eyes to almost pop out of her skull at sight of the massive maw that emerged from the clouds.