[b]Kvatch, directly outside the Oblivion gate[/b] [hr] Uzka had felled two more Clannfear with her mighty axe, but there were still more! These beasts simply wouldn't give in. Most animals would try to retreat after being wounded, but the strange reptiles she was fighting seemed almost single-minded, repeatedly trying to charge either at or through the line of defenders no matter how many arrows or lacerations they had sustained. What drove these creatures? Was something commanding them directly, and if so, what was their ultimate goal? So many questions, and Uzka had the answer to none of them. All she knew was that she needed to keep the beasts from reaching the refugees. "One broke through! Kill it before it reaches the camp!" A panicked guard's outstretched arm led Uzka to her target. One of the reptilian creatures had barreled through another defender and was charging down the hill. Dropping her axe and shield, the Orc hastily drew her bow from across her back and notched an arrow, letting it go when she was confident it would strike the target. A red-tailed blur shot through the air and found its mark in the flank of the charging Clannfear. Its gallop ended, but not its momentum, and the beast hit the ground like a sack of ebony. It skidded to a halt as another guard rushed over to deliver a killing blow. Disaster averted, though Uzka knew it was very much temporary as there were still more, but the rest were at least in front of the barricades and not behind them. Being rid of close range attackers, Uzka kept her bow drawn to assist any distant allies with their quarry. [hr] [b]Inside the Kvatch Oblivion gate Tower[/b] [hr] If nothing else, Daedra certainly knew how to outdo themselves. Orintur didn't think the demons' sense of decor could be any more morbid, yet what was before him shattered any notions of Daedra having limits on how grotesque they could possibly be. Stairs made of bone, floors made of a sickening amalgamation of flesh from possibly hundreds of victims, and fountains of what could only be blood. For what seemed like the first time, the Paladin experienced horror. True horror, and his anger was merely an extension of that horror. "Yes...let's." He said solemnly. Finding that his strength had returned, Orintur grasped his hammer solidly and strode into the room, were he was immediately beset by a blade-wielding, helmeted Dremora. "I will bathe in your BLOOD, WEAKLING!" "You will bathe in the searing light of Stendarr, demon!" This Dremora attacked more viciously than those Orintur fought previously, spurred on by the party's successful invasion of their Tower. Its swings were inaccurate but incredibly quick; Orintur's armor took multiple blows through sheer attrition. Eventually though, the foolish demon wore itself out, giving the Elf a perfect opportunity to counter. Striking it in the gut with his hammer, the Dremora keeled over, letting Orintur plant his hand on their back. A harmless gesture at first glance, but what one wouldn't be able to notice at a distance was the back of the Dremora's armor beginning to crack and fade. Standing back up straight, the demon called out mockingly. "Are you giving me a pat on the back for besting you, mortal? It is good that you see your efforts are FUTILE!" Charging with blade raised, the Dremora bellowed a war cry at Orintur, unaware of the Elf's schemes. Thrusting his shoulder forward unexpectedly, Orintur landed a solid blow into the demon's chest. Though not harmed, they had been dazed. Throwing his hammer down, he unleashed a flurry of punches that forced the Dremora to retreat backwards, away from the Altmer's strikes. Right as they were in position, Orintur let loose another shoulder charge into the demon's chest, sending them backwards with considerable force...into the spiked end of bone they were using as a stair step. Their weakened armor collapsed under the duress, letting the spike through into the Dremora's spine. Leaving them to gurgle blood-spattered curses at Orintur, the Paladin quickly retrieved his hammer and returned to the side of his companions.