[center][h1][color=de8f4e]Isana[/color][/h1][/center][hr][hr]
[color=lightgray]
Isana had a companion by her side, and that made all the difference.

Two of her friends lied dead already, buried two years ago. Another had split from her group at the beginning of the counter-attack. All archers, whether soldiers, mercenaries or adventurers had been stationed at cliffsides, the rooftops, the towers. Any and all vantage points had been claimed. Long ranged personnel were their most reliable means of felling the damned flying monsters. Without their support, the ships and the main army would be torn apart from above.

When they had said their farewells, they knew it would be for the last time.

[color=white]“Dead or alive,”[/color] Vivian had pulled her into a tight hug. A forced grin stretched her features, a hint of bloodthirstiness in her gaze. A common expression since Amy had been slain.

[color=de8f4e]“See you on the other side,”[/color] 
[color=white]"See you on the other side."[/color]

Isana and Eustace had echoed the greeting. Morbid, sure, but it suited wartime.

How many hours had passed since then?

Her throat was scraped raw, her lungs chock-full of smog, it felt as if she had been forced to inhale a volcano’s belching breath. She was tired to the marrow, but she had to keep squeezing her body for those last few drops of energy. Her muscles were strained beyond their limits, but she had to keep pushing. 

Night had fallen, a veil over the ever-burning, sullen glow of the unquenchable fires. Isana flitted across the rooftops, scanning the alleyways for stray monsters. Three others patrolled beneath, Eustace one of them. They were one of the parties assigned to secure the pathways branching off from the main streets. They were to cull the straggles as much as they were to bite at the monster army’s flank. To protect their Royal Guards while thinning enemy lines from the sides.

At the approach of a group of orcs, she whistled to signal her allies, who were not far behind. An enemy’s beady eyes peered up in her direction, but she had already hidden behind a chimney. Quick and silent as a spider, she scuttered down the shingles. Upon reaching the gutter, she swung over, fingers grasping at the metal edge before she soundlessly dropped to the ground, breaking her fall with a roll. She dashed towards the enemy’s unprotected back, the clang of metal on metal so loud they did not hear her approach. 

She aimed fast and true, stabbed an orc between two ribs. Her short sword pierced straight through its heart, felling the foe before it could as much as wheeze. She withdrew her blade, pivoting in time to deflect another orc’s club. With her free hand, she unsheathed a dagger. She stepped in, cut open its belly, and yanked out its guts. It roared, yet she danced away from its raging strikes, nimbly outmaneuvering the injured enemy. A slash at its ankle tripped it, and a final stab to its neck put it out of its misery.

When she looked up, her allies had already taken care of the others. A total of six orcs lay dead at the party’s feet.

Good.

Another monster unit down. Who knew how many more to go?

[color=white]“HAhahaha! That’s how it’s done!”[/color] That was Raoul, a boisterous youth who couldn’t count more than twenty years. He was almost as lightly armoured as Isana, but wielded a huge jagged cleaver. She guessed he had lifted the weapon right off a monster’s corpse.

Was it because of his youth that he was so spirited? Or was he forcing it, as desperate to cling to hope as Isana was?

Mary rolled her eyes. She was the other adventurer who had joined up with her and Eustace when those unaffiliated with the military were reshuffled according to the battle plan. She must have looted her weapon too, for it was one of those ‘katanas’ Isa had heard of. Her metal armour was as dented as Eustace’s. If she wasn’t much mistaken, this was the woman who Miles had started getting close to before he had died.

[color=white]“HEY! There’s more down there! Blocked by a corpse! Easy prey,”[/color] Raoul crowed as he discovered a new group of enemies down another sidestreet.

This was no time to reminisce, clearly. She met Eustace’s gaze, a tired smile crinkling the corners of his eyes, though his lips couldn’t manage a proper one. Isana returned the gesture with a knowing nod.

Then, they were off. Onwards and onwards, for there was no turning back.

They were on the edge of a precipice. They all knew it, even if no one said it. Because the moment they looked back, the moment they gave in to fear and despair, it would be all over. So, they would push. 

Push. Kill. Advance. 

For every inch gained, they shed gallons of blood. Yet if they lost so much as one, they might all perish.

There was no turning back.[/color]