[RPG] [BT]First Encounter

[Chuong Huynh]

The allied forces awaited the coming onslaught upon the grassy field, rank
upon rank of infantry and companies of archer nervous for their first
encounter with Daimons. Annaej on her stallion paced back and forth infront
of her unit as a heavily armoured man approached. Although she could not see
his face behind the helmet, she knew who it was, it was just a feeling she
had. He nodded as he passed by to take command of the small raggedy unit
beside hers. She smiled back and took comfort in knowing that she had
finally found her brother and that he would be there to watch over her in
the oncoming battle.

Storms clouds formed in the distance blocking out the sun signaling the
approach of the Daimon army. The faint reddish hue that reflected off the
clouds grew deeper as a rumble in the distance was heard. The horses,
uneasy, reared and jostled the riders in their saddle but the steadfast
soldiers held their ground and clutched their weapons tighter. Their forms
grew in the distance, not unlike that of monsters, towering and jagged. But
unlike monsters their bodies were covered with patches of the fiery liquid
that birthed them. As they drew closer their vile stench became apparent.
The daimons shrieked a warcry which pierced the very soul of those on the
field as they charged into the defenders ranks.

In one fluid motion Annaej let the daimonic blade glide off her shield and
drove her sword into its underarm. As soon as she pulled her sword free, ten
halberds gutted the abomination and heaved it towards the rear ranks. The
daimons blood marred the very earth where it spilt and scared the flesh of
the defenders as many daimons fell in the initial wave. The second and third
knocked Annaej from her horse and the poor beast was swiftly torn apart by
fiery claws. A few brave souls plunged their halberds into the daimons
standing over Annaej giving her enough time to get back to her feet only to
get knocked down again by another blow. The human line was waivering, her
own unit was being pushed back by the daimons stepping over her. Only a few
units held their ground, now overrun by the daimon advance, fighting without
fear.

Annaej crawled along the muddied field, the once green grass now scorched
black and some still burning. She got closer to her brothers unit, now
surrounded by daimons but undaunted they fought with an unholy fervor.
Rotting limbs exposed from their battered armour and on some bony stumps
where limbs once existed, but so long as they could wield their weapon they
surged on. She rose slowly gazing in disbelief having only discovered that
she had fought along side what she sought to cleanse from the world.

Before she knew it she was back on the ground, this time Elenhir, propped up
on all fours looking down at her. His face flinched in agony. Annaej looked
down to see the blade protruding from his abdomen. No soon had she looked
back up to see his face sink and his hair flittering down from his scalp.
His skin wrinkled and peeled back revealing the rotting flesh underneath as
he broke into a maniacal laughter decaying into a muffled murmur then
silence. His bloodied corpse collapsed ontop of her, the unholy aura that
gave it life dissipated. The daimon gave another thrust and Annaej felt a
sharp pain followed by darkness.

Breathing deeply and clenching her sheets Annaej awoke petrified, staring
into the ceiling of her tent, half expecting it to be torn out from the
ground. But there was no reddish glow from the heavens, only the soft
moonlight. Regaining her composure Annaej reached for her sword and called
for the maid to help her with her armour. The sentries still in their post
but the first units were already preparing to move. The men were anxious as
they gathered their supplies. No doubt a clash with the daimons will be
different from anything they had ever seen but the allies had marshaled a
mighty army, one that can rival any through the history of the continent.
Annaej mounted her horse and lead her unit to join the column of Alluran
forces marching to Ardmore.
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