The six ran hurriedly through the streets of New Krayan, bodies pushed well past their limits as the weight of the day thus far had begun to bare down on them. Watching as the guard engaged on multiple fronts with the hound like creatures, Starstorm yelled up to Leona who was seemingly running in the direction of the church “Leona, where are you taking us, what are we to do?” she asked, causing the paladin to turn and look at the other five.

Opening her mouth to speak Leona found the words lost as she began to look around herself, ‘She’s got a point… where are we going…’ she thought for a moment, taking passing glances at the crowds before directing her eyes back to her fellows. “I… I…” she shook her head “I’m not sure, I just…” she turned to look further down the road, recognizing this as one of the paths that she’d take during patrols. “I guess I’m going to the church…” she muttered

“We guessed that, but why?” Wrathtail asked, moving up closer to Leona.

Before anyone could share an answer a boyish scream came from the direction of the church, and not just any voice “Daniel…” Leona spoke softly as her eyes turned to pinpricks. She began to feel hot, tense at the thought her young ward was in danger. Her facial features turned back into one of unfettered anger as she began back into motion.

Taking Leona’s action as a sign they began to follow suit, now looking to defend the source of the scream as well as whoever else needed it. The six entered the scene, with Leona being the first, watching as the young boy, set in a breastplate and awkwardly wielding a small shield and shortsword, reeled back in pain as one of the monsters sank it’s fangs deep into his right arm, small rivulets of blood falling down to his elbow.

Forsaking her shield and sword, Leona charged at the monster, screaming intelligibly once again as she grabbed it from behind, pushing her full weight on top of it, squeezing until it let go of the squire before straddling it, laying her gauntlets into it’s muzzle again and again before grabbing it’s by the top and bottom of the jaw, pushing both halves apart until a satisfying crunch was heard, prompting her to let go before it disappeared into nothingness like the rest.

Looking up, Leona saw the boy, now on his arse as he held his arm tightly. Looking past that she saw a woman and her daughter, huddled together behind him. Suddenly her rage subsided, and a tingle of pride touched her heart as she smiled. “You did well Daniel.” she praised, prompting the boy to smile widely, awkwardly blushing.

“Oh, that, it was nothing…” he spoke modestly, rubbing the back of his neck. Though the ones he had saved wouldn’t think the same as the little girl, much younger then he, latched onto his side.

“You’re the greatest!” she shouted snuggling into his side “When I grow up I wanna marry a brave knight just like you!” she said in the most adorable way she could muster, causing the boy to blush even harder.

“Thank you so much, both of you.” the mother thanked, bowing to her rescuers.

The other five made it to Leona’s side, Sprinkles immediately moving close to Daniel, latching onto his wounded arm “Ah’ll ‘ave this patched up’n ‘o tahm.” she said.

“Miss, are you alright?” Starstorm asked to the mother who just nodded her head “Good, we’re here to help,”

“Yeah, get to the church and…” Wrathtail began, interrupted the moment the church was brought up

“Are you crazy? The church is overrun with those things and… worse…” she spoke fearfully, shaking a bit at the thought.

“The church is overrun? How, when did this happen?!” Starstorm asked in a panic

“It’s true, the beasts came from out of nowhere, literally, a… a pillar of light just appeared and suddenly we were overrun, we got as many people out as we could, but…” Daniel answered, despair clearly on his face as he looked at the ground in shame

Placing a comforting hand on his shoulder, Leona tilted the boys head up “You did more than I could have hoped for.” she smiled, causing his confidence, and blush, to return in force. “You look better, can you lift your sword up again?” nodding Daniel raised his blade and shield before standing “Good, you watch these two and avoid combat if possible, me and my friends are taking the church back.” she said with a tone of determination as she stood as well.

“You’ll be needing this then.” Salina handed her her shield and sword.

Accepting her arms, she turned to the rest “Do we have any objections?” the party shook their head “Good, if we can hold down the church and stop these monsters from piling through we should be able to use it as a sanctuary for the wounded and weak.”

“That sounds all well and dandy, but how do yall reckon we pull this off? We’re barely in fightin’ condition as is.” Jessebelle pointed out, arms crossed.

“Starstorm?” Leona turned to the wizard.

Taken aback by the latest group of stares, the poor girl gaped “M-me? Why me?”

“Eramac seemed to have a lot of faith in you, and if what we’ve been told is true about the Stormbringer, then his apprentice should be just as quick witted.” Leona spoke matter of factly, arms also crossed

“I’m no apprentice, not his personal apprentice anyway, I was just another student…” she spoke unsure of herself

“She’s got nothin’ and neither do you, ah reckon this is just a suicide mission.” The gunslinger spoke almost tauntingly

“Maybe, maybe not…” Wrathtail spoke, kneeling down and beginning to draw a square into the dirt. “Look here, if what I remember of the church is correct it’s separated into basically three sections, the main area of worship, the left wing where the church keeps it’s library and where they keep the sick and wounded, as well as the right wing where they keep the living quarters for other initiates, sisters and what not.”

“Don’t forget upstairs where the grand cleric, head priests and more important pieces and documents stay.” Leona pointed out

“Right, now, from what we know these monster, individually, are about as threatening as Brenda’s beef stew, so if we separate them…” Wrathtail went on, interrupted by Starstorm

“They’ll be weakened because they can’t swarm us!” she shouted, coming to a revelation

“Exactly, and though the entrance to the main lobby is pretty open, I come to understand the wings are nothing but narrow halls and cramped spaces.” Wrathtail smirked as she finished drawing the rest of the building, placing X’s where she assumed the more cramped parts of the building were.

“Yes, but how do we get in? As far as I’m aware there’s no way in, and the windows are too high up.” Starstorm pointed out

“Damn, you’re right…” Wrathtail bit her thumb in frustration

“The larder!” Leona shouted, kneeling down and beginning to draw near the left wing “You almost forget the kitchen, underneath that is our larder and there’s an outside entrance to it.”

“And you’re forgetting about what the squire said, there’s a pillar where these things are coming through. Likely a gate spell, or something like it. If that’s the case then we could get in and place them in a choke point, but if there’s a nigh endless amount of them, then we’ll surely be outnumbered, no matter how sound our strategy.” Starstorm, barer of bad news, added.

“Then we need to take out the portal, yes? If I could get in unnoticed, I could try and disable it if at all possible.” Selina offered, drawing a spiteful glare from Leona

“Even if we are to trust someone like you, how do we know you’re even equipped to handle such a task, this isn’t a simple lock with which you can pick, it’s magic, and I doubt you have the knowledge to handle it.” Leona remarked scornfully.

Starstorm hummed in thought “I could help her I suppose, but I’m not sure how I’d get in from anywhere else, there’s no way I’m climbing so high and there’s no telling how they’ve got the front door, surely it’s protected.”

“Are these beasts even capable of somethin’ like that?” Jessebelle asked

“Maybe not, but their master is I’m sure of it. Besides, I’m not exactly the sneakiest sort, I doubt I could get in unnoticed, and if we are caught, there’s no way we can fight them all.” Starstorm ended

“A distraction, me, Jessebelle and Sprinkles,” Leona’s nose scrunched at the bards peculiar name “Could make our way in through the larder, while you and Selina could sneak in through the windows, taking Wrathtail for support if things go awry.”

‘Gee, splitting the party already… we’re doomed…’ Starstorm’s player thought worriedly.

Mulling it over, Wrathtail smiled “I think that’ll have to do, once we finish taking care of the portal or whatever, we can rejoin the fighting, flanking them and clearing them out.”

Sprinkle interjected “But ya ‘eard the lass, there’s somthin’ a tad scarier in there, from what they said.”

“We can’t worry about that now, we just have to hope it’s moved on or doesn’t notice.” Leona added with a sigh “No, this has to be it…”

“We’ve been talking for a while now anyways, if we waste anymore time this entire plan could be pointless.” Starstorm said with finality.

“Then it’s settled, me, Leona and Sprinkles’ll head to the larder, you guy wait about five to ten minutes before makin’ yer move.” Jessebelle agreed, pulling her gun to check her ammo before giving the chamber a spin and holstering it..

“And as for getting me over?” Starstorm asked, prompting Salina to smile

“I’ve an idea deary, just you wait and see.” she said with a sinister tone.

Leona gave her sword arm a few good rolls “Good, we start now.” before walking off, the others turning to give each other a passing glance as they broke off to begin the plan.

-----

Making their way to the larder, Leona, Jessebelle and Sprinkle began their part of the plan as Leona pulled open the wooden doors that lead down into the depths of the building. Taking the lead the paladin walked down cautiously, perking her ears as she slowly tread downward, the creaking of the wooden stair complimenting the steadily darkening interior as her companions followed close by.

Reaching the bottom the Paladin scanned the area currently lit by a single torch that hung besides the ladder that lead up into the kitchen. Looking, Leona noticed one of the hounds patrolling the basement, thankfully not noticing her. Leona, preparing to move in, was stopped by Sprinkles and Jessebelle who took the lead instead. Sprinkles pulled her whip, inching her way to the beast while Jessebelle pulled her pillow from her bag, slowly making her way as well.

Once in range, Jessebelle turned to Sprinkles and nodded, causing the bard to lash out, coiling the weapon around the creature maw, preventing it from alerting it’s fellow monsters over head before Jessebelle ran up beside it, shoving the pillow to it’s skull, followed by the barrel of the revolver before pulling the trigger. As the suppressed noise of the weapon died down the creature fell limp with a whimper before fading into smoky darkness.

Satisfied they went relatively unnoticed, the two turned to Leona, waving her over after making sure the larder was secure “Nothin’ but bags, barrels and boxes” Jessebelle pointed out. Once all signs of the creatures was deemed not present, Leona began her ascent into the kitchen from the ladder, with the other two climbing after her

Finding the kitchen fortunately empty of the enemy, Leona motioned for the other two to follow. The kitchen was as you’d expect, stone stoves, shelves and counters lined the wall complete with an assortment of pots and utensils mixed in with a variety of foodstuffs all about. Finding the door straight ahead Leona moved over, slowly pulling it open. Looking out into the hallway she noticed it too was devoid of anything besides the few torches and long stretches of rug that was always present, at least as far a she was aware. To the left of her position was the infirmary which, as she recalled, was housing a part of the city that recently had fallen ill just a few days ago, to her right the library where most initiates were to study and learn in the name of the church and dead ahead was the main hall where Daniel had described the pillar of magic he’d seen before escaping..

Slowly inhaling Leona brought her shield up, turning to her compatriots with a nod, before banging her sword against it, yelling “I am the sword of Mia Morey, come and face me now or flee like the cowardly dogs you are!”

As she continued to make noise, one of the beasts poked it’s head from where the infirmary was, a petite, feminine human arm caught between it’s fangs, blood dripping gently down onto the marble flooring below it. Operating on pure reflex Jessebelle pulled her gun and let a single bullet through it’s head, dropping it immediately with a loud bang. Soon, more and more began to pile out of the various doors, coming from all sides. “This is it, we either fight and win back the church, or we die here.”

With a grunt, the three agreed and readied themselves for the worst…

-----

At the sound of a bang, the three woman who had been halted at the other end of the church began to move. Selina, having been holding her grappling hook, tossed it up, was given a clinking sound in return before pulling on it roughly. Satisfied she began to climb up followed by Wrathtail, who turned to the Wizard that stared up in trepidation

“Come on,” the woman said annoyed “Don’t tell me you’re afraid of heights.”

“Not afraid per say, just careful of them.” she replied with a nervous grin

“Quiet you two, no need to make their distraction vain, yes? Now, I can get her up here, so just hurry.” Salina scolded.

Accepting the rogues words, Wrathtail followed up to the ledge, and that’s when they were met with a problem. “Er, how do we break this without making noise?”

“Leave that to a master.” Selina smiled as she quickly began to pull out a long string, several large sheets of parchment and a bottle of some strange colored liquid. Opening the liquid she pulled out a heavy paint brush, dipping it into the jar before lathering a portion of the window with it, happy with the coat she stuck the center of the string to it before layering over it with the parchment. Giving it a few moments she pulled out a small cushion and a hammer, handing the string ends to Wrathtail, before placing the cushion over the window and bashing against the window. She did this for about a minute until a good, wide circle was made with enough room for the girls to get through no problem. Putting her tools away she then turned to Wrathtail “Gently pull the strings if you would,” following her command, Wrathtail did just that as the glass was pulled out, completely stuck to the wall of parchment. Taking the parchment and glass Selina set it to the side of the ledge before pulling out one more piece of parchment, scrawling something on it before crumpling it up and tossing it to Starstorm.

As Wrathtail watched the rogue in action, she stared on in blind infatuation, thinking ‘Has she always been this hot…’ before watching the woman toss the paper down.

Bopped by the paper, Twilight quickly picked it up and read it. Nodding, she quickly picked her end of the rope up and tied it tightly around herself. Tugging to let the others know they began to pull her up. Once up, they then eased the Wizard down the other side before rehooking the grapple so they could follow.

Now on the ground they became well aware of the tower like mass of energy that stood in between the pews of the church. Looking around, the rogue made sure the area was safe, ducking behind a pillar as another batch of hounds ran opposite of them from the energy, surely to where the other half of the group was. Seeing no more of the beasts, she waved the other two over.

As Starstorm walked, she failed to see the holy book beneath her, half way slipping on it as Wrathtail caught her in her arms. Hearing a soft growl from around one of the nearby pillars Selina pulled one of her dagger, hurriedly throwing it in the direction of the noise just as one of the beasts poked it’s head out, catching it in the skull, causing it to fall over dead. ‘Ok, I admit, that was without a doubt, as my friend Rainbow would put it, awesome.’ the player squealed internally at her latest series of amazing acts.

Now together, and truly alone, the three ran over to the portal. “Now to get this disabled.” Selina spoke, eyes falling over it.

Waving her hands, Starstorm conjured a spell before pulling away after a few seconds of study “This things being anchored by something else in the room,” she stated “Wrathtail, help me find it.” Wrathtail nodded and the two began to walk over the area. Moments later Starstorm called to the others and ran over to the head of the room, standing behind the podium where the grand cleric would do her services “Look here.” she said as she pointed just inside of it to a glowing white rune.

“I see, stand back girls, this isn’t just a mere cantrip we’ve got here, if I mess this up…” she gulped, looking back at the portal then to the rune again “Well, the backlash would be… unpleasant.” she said as the other two began to back off. Taking her knife out, the woman began to look over the rune, looking for the tiniest of flickers or pulses. Taking nothing to chance, she spent the better part of the last three minutes in heated concentration before she finally lifted her knife to it, tapping against the etchings. Inhaling and exhaling, the woman made the cut and was greeted not with her immediate death at the hands of a massive arcane explosion, but instead with the sound of fading magic as the portal swirled out of existence.

“Holy shit, we’re still here!” Wrathtail quietly announced as Selina stood, dusting herself off.

“Of course, I am rather good at what I do after all.” the woman replied, a cocky grin forming over her face.

“No time for patting yourself on the back now,” Starstorm said, looking over in the direction of her friends.

“Yeah I can pat you wherever you like later, now, we’ve got a church to finish retaking.” Wrathtail said with a devious smirk.

-----

How many was it now, ten… twenty? Leona had lost count of the beasts she’d downed in the heat of battle. Though Wrathtail’s idea was working, the beasts were definitely in a choke point, Leona had taken more than a few wounds over her now bite riddled body. The pink haired woman behind her had long ran out of spells and Jessebelle was doing all she could to thin the numbers out behind the one that was currently trying to maim her.

Jessebelle watched as the paladin began to falter, bobbing wearily as her strength was rapidly being drained from her. Seeing an opening the beast before Leona had lunged, being cut off inches away from the paladins throat by a bullet that exploded out the other side in a spray of black.

Lifting herself up just in time to block the next attack, Leona swung wearily at her next opponent, missing completely as she did.

“Just a bit longer, ahm sure the others are on their way.” Jessebelle ensured, but the paladin didn’t seem to notice or care.

Sprinkles cracked her whip against the next creature, wrapping around one of it’s legs before pulling it down, prompting the large woman near it to thrust down into it’s neck.

Just as the next came to take it’s turn it’s head peered into the distance behind it as a yelp cut through the snarls and growls of the others. Down the hall were the other three, Selina had just snuck up behind one of the beasts, pulling it up by what felt like it’s fur before cutting it’s neck, followed by Wrathtail who dragged her blade against the ground, causing a spray of sparks as she pulled right up the middle of the next.

Emboldened by the well timed reinforcements, Leona caught her second wind as bore the hilt of her blade down into the skull of the next, splitting it quite loudly before she lifted her leg up to kick it right in the jaw, causing it to fly back a bit before disappearing.

The six, slowly but surely continued to cut their way through the rest, thinning the horde with due haste. Upon slaying the last Leona fell to a knee, blade in the ground as she panted violently.

Strolling up to Leona’s side, Jessebelle offered her a vial of red liquid “Drank, it’s safe ah swear.”

Nodding she took the potion from Jessebelle, looking to it before looking to Wrathtail who had managed to tear most of her robe and leg flesh through the fight. Stumbling over Leona shoved the potion in Wrathtail’s face, who simply took it with a confused look as Leona fell over onto the ground with a crash.

Shaking her head, Jessebelle sighed, grabbing the woman by the wrists “Someone get her ankles.” she commanded as Selina did just that as the two dragged her into the main hall.

Making a quick realization, Starstorm turned to Sprinkles who was starting to jot down something into a journal “Hey, the infirmary's nearby right? The church surely has curatives, let’s go and find them.” with a smile and nod Sprinkles lead the wizard into the hospital room.

Opening the door eagerly her smile quickly turned into look of shocked horror as the mangled, half eaten corpses of the sick now lined every inch of the overturned room. Unable to face the horror for another moment she pulled the door shut, turning her back to it, now gazing at the ground with wide, unsettled eyes.

Noticing this, Selina walked over “It’s ok dear, you two go tend to the rest, I’ll look.” she smiled, causing the shaken bard to nod halfheartedly before her an Starstorm walked off

-----

Few moment had passed as Sprinkles finished applying bandages to the wounded Leona. Just then, Selina returned, a small bag at her hips that wasn’t there before. “I found a small stash as it were.” she smiled and set the bag down on a pew and started passing out the potions

“You checked them, right?” Starstorm asked, replied to by a shaking head. Taking a moment to weave a spell, Starstorm quickly identified them before assuring the others to their safety.

Taking one of the potions, Selina walked to the unconscious paladin, pressing the vial to her lips before letting the liquid flow smoothly down her throat. Moments passed as the paladin coughed, choking slightly before opening her eyes. “You really ought to take better care of yourself.” Selina smiled at her

Looking around, Leona noticed everyone holding onto the vials, as well as the familiar bag that was now sitting on a pew “You stole these.” she said weakly.

Selina frowned, as did the others “I’m sure your friends here would agree that us not dying trying to take their church back counts as a time it’s perfectly alright to steal a few things.” she replied, getting a grunt in return.

Suddenly, sense returned to Leona as she bolted up “What are you doing!” she shouted “This is no time to be sitting around, we’ve taken the church,” she began to bark orders, straining her tired body to do so “Wrathtail, go get Daniel and bring him and the girls here, Starstorm and Sprinkles, you two block the larder so nothing can get in, Salina, Jessebelle, you two…” Leona hesitated for a moment, balling her fist in an attempt to withhold her anger as it faded into a somber sigh “you two… go clean out the infirmary.”

Accepting the orders, they began to spread out until a deep chuckle came from nearby as, from behind the doors behind the podium, emerged a large, black beast, easily three times the size of the others, whose eyes shone with an intelligence that betrayed what they knew so far. The flickering, shadowy form slowly stepped forward as the women pulled themselves back into fighting positions.

“Oh, you won’t be doing any of that, no, indeed not… in fact, I think it’s here you die.” the maw of the beast turned into a toothy smile, his massive form slowly but confidently baring down onto the position of his prey...

Author's Note

Herro, it's been a short while but here it is, the next chap. Remember, like, fav, follow, whatever it is you do to express you like me. And if you hate me then die *dum dum dum* nah, actually if you don't like me I hope you get a paper cut :P anyways, if you see any major errors you let me know and, uh, if you have criticisms let me know, I like improving mmk, and remember to thank my dude http://www.fimfiction.net/user/Breakfateschain becuase he's bee very helpful