Ultimate Assassin Saga: Escape

"I will go first." Acheron told them, and when no one said anything against it, he nodded his head. Then, he walked up to the very foot of the cliff and he leaped into the air. He landed easily on the ledge of the opening and he stared into the pure darkness of the caverns beyond. He reached out with his aura to see if he could sense anything, but there wasn't anything in the immediate vicinity. He could in fact sense that there was someone within the cavern, but they were deep within the cavern and wouldn't sense him right away.

He looked over the edge and watched as the Elf prepared himself. Then, he leaped into the air and landed on the ledge, but he nearly overbalanced and fell back. The Chaos Demon reached out and grabbed his tunic quickly, pulling him into the cavern. The Elf nodded his head in thanks and he took the rolled up vines from his waist, unrolling them. They'd cut some vines for the trees before they'd come because they knew that the Amazon would need help climbing and they couldn't waste any time with waiting for him to climb up the sheer face of the cliff to the entrance of the caverns.

Then, the Elf threw the vine rope over the edge and the Command Assassin watched as it unfurled down the sheer cliff. Tide grabbed the vines in his hands and he pulled on it a couple of times. Then, he put one foot on the rock face and he began to climb. The Command Assassin looked over and noticed that the Elf was having difficulties holding up the heavy Human. His muscles were straining and he looked like he was going to give out any second now. He would have to hold on for several more minutes and he didn't think the Elf could do so. To take that stress off of him, the Command Assassin reached out and grabbed the vine with one hand, and when the Elf looked at him, he nodded his head to the man.

Gareth released the vine and took a couple of steps back, allowing him to bare the full brunt of the weight. He didn't have a problem holding on and he looked over the edge at the man climbing. It was taking him a little longer than planned, but he was just over halfway up the cliff and they had plenty of time. He was a warrior after all, not a Spy or a mountaineer. Not very many people were skilled in cliff climbing and the only reason that he knew how to do it was because of the massive Dalkian campaigns that he'd lead. Otherwise, he wouldn't know how to do it either.

The Wood Elf moved to the darkness and he rested his hand on the hilt of his shortsword. It was obvious that he was going to watch their backs while they waited for the Amazon to get to the top and he was glad for that. After all, he couldn't fight off attackers with one hand and still manage to keep the Amazon from falling from the cliff. A fall at this distance would kill the man and he didn't want the man to die. Not only was he necessary to this mission, he was also a friend and he didn't take to well to losing his friends.

After agonizingly slow minutes, the Amazon finally crested the cliff and stepped into the dark entrance to the cavern. The man grunted as his boots touched rocky ground and was pulled inside. The Command Assassin dropped the rope of vines next to the entrance and he knew that they would need them when leaving. They would simply leave the same way that they'd come out, though when they left it would be a lot easier. After all, all their enemies would be dead and they wouldn't have to worry about them attacking the small group while they were trying to leave.

"I can't see a damn thing." Tide said in a quiet voice, but it still echoed down the caverns. Anyone that might've been nearby would've heard his voice, but no one was anywhere close to where they were. The Chaos Demon could look around and see perfectly. He was fairly certain that the Wood Elf at his side could see as well, but not nearly as well as him. However, Tide was a Human and Humans were very well known for their dull senses, especially their sense of sight.

"I'll rectify that right now." Acheron replied and he drew magic into his left hand. Then, a small globe of golden light appeared in his palm and it floated up into the air. It floated higher and higher until it touched the roof. The moment it touched the roof, it exploded and created light all throughout the caverns in the cliff. Even the cavern where the enemy resided would be illuminated, and because of that, he would know that they were there, but that mattered little. They couldn't do anything about it, so there was no reason to worry about it now and all they could do was push on.

The Chaos Demon lowered his hand and he eyed his allies. The Wood Elf stared at him, his dark eyes steady and gleaming with battle readiness. He turned his head and stared upon the Human with him. The Amazon was also steady eyed and there seemed to be a glee of sorts in his eyes as if he relished the thought of doing battle with these creatures and that was a definite possibility. After all, both peoples had been plagued for months by these creatures and to have it end would be equal to success for them. It could even bring them fame among their people, though he doubted either one of them wanted that.

Taking a deep breath, the Command Assassin turned to look down the cavern and he took a step, listening to the silence of his steps in the dank cavern as he moved swiftly down the halls. However, he knew better than to go into an unknown place and not be prepared. That was why he had one hand on his broadsword and another filled with magic, ready to pull on his power to defend himself if necessary which he was sure that he would need to when the opportunity presented itself. His two allies moved with him, walking slightly behind him, but both of them were equally as quiet and equally as cautious as he was.

Acheron reached out with his aura and searched the caverns beyond for any sign of the enemy. Just as he was drawing his aura back, he felt dozens of them coming from two sides and coming right for where they were. He said nothing to his allies and instead drew his broadsword. He noted that the walls were carved with some sort of strange runes in a language that he didn't recognize, but he didn't care about any of that. The decorations of the enemies hideout were inconsequential to him and he was certain that they meant nothing. What could they mean?

The cavern walls were wide and spacious, plenty of room for a battle so that wouldn't be a problem. Then, he heard the sound of another sword being drawn and he knew from the sound that it had to be Tide's greatsword. Then, he heard another, lighter sword being drawn and he knew that it was Gareth's shortsword. It would seem that his two allies trusted him, even if they didn't know what was coming. That was comforting to him and he liked that they had such trust in a man that they barely knew. In a man who's race was one of deceivers, murderers, and all around bad lifeforms.

The Chaos Demon held out his free hand and signaled to them to spread out. He heard their boot steps and he knew that they had followed his order without hesitation. He felt the auras growing closer and by now he could hear the shuffling footsteps of the Minions that were approaching. At the last second, he leaped forward with his broadsword held over his head and he brought it down on the first skull of the Red Devil that came from the other cavern. He heard his two allies go forth to flank the other cavern and take care of the Minions that would pour out of it so he didn't worry about watching his own back.

Each Minion that came from the cavern he was guarding was cut down as soon as they came out and they were unable to push through. When he had the time, he turned his head and watched his two allies combating the other Minions that were coming from the other side. They were doing just as well as him and not one of the Minions had gotten through because of their working together. He turned his head back to his own cavern that he was suppose to be protecting and he raised his sword, blocking the attack of a Red Devil. Knocking its scythe aside, he brought his blade back and he decapitated the beast.

After only a few more short minutes, the cavern that he was guarding was empty, save for the corpses of the Minions that he'd slain. He turned around and watched as his two allies cut down the last of their Minions as well. Both of their bodies and their blades were covered in the thick crimson blood of the Minions, but neither seemed to notice. In fact, it seemed that both men were relishing in the battle and perhaps that would be enough to unite them and bring them closer together. Their love of battle.

"Which way should we go? This place is like a maze." Gareth said, his voice echoing off of the halls of the caverns, but he didn't seem to worried about it. He shouldn't be worried about it now. After all, the leader of these creatures had already summoned them and sent them after the invading party. It was obvious the man knew that they were there and were coming for him. It would seem that the enemy would do anything that he could and throw anything that he could at them to repel them. However, they weren't going to be repelled. They were going to remain stubborn, and no matter how many Minions they sent at them, they would persevere through them.

They WOULD be victorious, no matter what.

"Follow me. I can sense the enemy and I will lead us right to them." Acheron replied almost instantly, his tone filled with fervency and confidence of his own abilities. The Elf and the Amazon shared a look. Then, the two men looked at him, and almost as one, they nodded once to him. It was obvious that they were willing to follow and believe in him. After all, he'd gotten them this close and there was no reason for them to doubt him so late in the game.

The Chaos Demon turned away from them and he faced the tunnel that he'd just been fighting his Minions. Then, he began to walk, stepping over the bodies of the slain creatures and showing them no sympathy. They were mindless creatures that only sought the death of others and to serve their Master. They could not be reasoned with and they could not be talked down. You either fought them to the death or you fell under their scythes, it was that simple. He heard the sound of boot steps behind him and he smiled to himself, knowing that they were following after him.

The Command Assassin reached out once again with his aura, but he could not sense anything except for the enemy. As he continued to walk down the tunnels in the cavern, he could smell the air growing more and more fresh. That was odd to him considering that they were deep within a tunnel system within a cliff and that lead him to one single conclusion that made any sense: they were growing closer to the water of the waterfall. Obviously, the tunnels had been carved out even behind the water of the waterfall, and if there was ever a break in the waterfall, any Amazons looking would've been able to see the enemy.

Acheron stopped and he narrowed his eyes. He could sense magic deep within the tunnels and he was certain what was happening. More of the Minions were being summoned and enslaved. He sneered and he got moving again, planning on meeting the creatures in front of the Master of the Minions. He wanted to look into the Demon's eyes when he slayed the last of his creatures and knew that his blade would be meeting his throat next. However, he had to get to the other Demon first and do just that or it would nothing more than another promise. He never went back on the vows that he made if he could help it, but this was just a promise. However, he did vow that after this day, the Amazons and the Wood Elves of the High Forest would no longer be plagued by the Minions.

Suddenly, he felt magic behind them and his eyes widened. He whirled around and he saw several silvery portals in the tunnels beyond. Out of each portal came a Minion each, and by the time the last of the portals were done, there were hundreds of different Minions in front of them, racing at them with their scythes held high. Cursing under his breath, the Chaos Demon darted forward and held his sword down by his leg as he raced forward, his blade only coming up to slice the head from one Minion when it got to close.

He heard a twang noise, and shortly there after that, Minions began to fall one after another with arrows protruding from either their skulls or their chests. He knew that this was the handy work of Gareth and he wasn't likely to hit the Chaos Demon at all. If there was one thing that Wood Elves were well renowned for, it was being the best damned archers on the Mortal Plane and it was reputed that they never made a mistake. Because of his magicked quiver, he would never run out of arrows and he could continue to strike down the Minions from long range for as long as they came. The Chaos Demon wouldn't merely step back and let him do that all alone though. This was his battle to and he was going to fight it.

The Command Assassin spun and blocked the attack of one of the Sand Devils, knocking the blade aside. Then, he spun and slashed the creatures throat. Just as quickly as he did that, he sank his blade up to the hilt in the stomach of another Minion and kicked it off of the blade. Then, he spun again and slashed deep into the chest of another Red Devil, watching as the creature fell back in death. He sensed movement behind him and he sent a foot up, kicking one of the Blue Devils in the stomach. With the Blue Devil bent over at the waist, he turned and brought his sword down on the back of its head, cleaving it in two diagonally.

Acheron turned again and his hand shot out, closing his large hand around the skull of one of the Blue Devils. Then, he applied a lot of his strength and the skull crushed into pieces, blood running through his fingers. He whirled around and landed a left hook to the face of leaping Red Devil, sending the creature slamming into the cavern wall, tearing into its flesh. He knew that the strength of his punch had been enough to crush the Minion's body to pieces and the creature wouldn't be getting up. He whirled around once more, and the moment that he did, he saw a arrow plunge into the gut of one of the Sand Devils, sending it stumbling backwards. With the creature taken by surprise, he would have the jump on it and he leaped forward, plunging his blade through its chest.

He turned his head again and he saw that Tide had entered the fray with joy. His greatsword was whirling and dancing like a much smaller blade through the ranks of the Minions, slicing them to pieces. He was awed by Tide's skill with such a large, cumbersome blade and he stood still for a moment, watching him work. His blade was like a work of art as he easily knocked aside the scythe of a Blue Devil and slashed the creatures throat, blood spraying from the wound, its head only attached to its body by one small strand of flesh.

Realizing that he was standing still, the Chaos Demon tightened his grip on his broadsword and he set to work once again. The constant barrage of arrows along with the two men and their blades had cut down their numbers considerably to only a little more than a dozen, maybe twenty of them. He didn't want to waste any of his magic so he decided to finish this battle with just his sword, and with that thought in mind, he leaped into the air with both hands around the hilt of his broadsword which was lifted above his head.

The Command Assassin brought his sword down on the skull of another Minion, slicing it in two. The moment his boots touched the ground, he lifted his sword and slashed another Minion at half, separating its legs from its body at the hips. He twirled his blade in circles as he spun forward and he slashed a Sand Devils arm off. As it was crying out in pain of its severed limb, he brought up his broadsword and plunged it through the bottom of its jaw, up into its brain. The creature was silenced in its pain, and when he drew his sword free of its skull, it fell to the ground, dead.

Turning, Acheron noted that the last of the Minions had just fallen to the arrow of the Wood Elf. He held his blood soaked broadsword down by his leg and waited for the other two to regroup with him. The Amazon Prince looked around, and noting that there were no more enemies to fight, he looked disappointed. When he turned to look at the Wood Elf, he saw a look of indifference in his eyes as he lowered his bow and nodded his head to him. Then, the three of them came together in the middle of the tunnel and he reached out with his aura once again, seeing which way he needed to go.

Finding where they needed to go, the Chaos Demon turned and made his way down the tunnel off to the right. As he walked, he could smell the fresher scent of water and he hear the sound of water crashing against a hard surface. It was obviously the waterfall and that let him know that they were getting closer. However, he didn't know just how close they were and that was beginning to bother him greatly. Just how deep would they have to journey into these tunnels to find the enemy and put an end to him? Would it take them days or just hours? How many more battles could they fight and sustain themselves with without being too weak to take on their mutual enemy?

Those were all questions that he was asking himself and they were all questions that he could find no answer to.

Just as they rounded another corner, the Command Assassin sensed another presence, but he had no time to react or warn the others. He didn't have time to do anything. The being dropped down behind him and between his two allies. He turned just in time to see the black skinned beast - definitely not a Minion - leaped into the air and landed a roundhouse kick the side of the Elf's skull, sending him flying. He crashed into the tunnel wall and slumped to the ground, unconscious with blood leaking from the corners of his mouth. He lifted his broadsword and readied himself to run the creature through, but the black skinned creature turned to eye him, his blood red eyes glowing with glee.

"Your fight isn't with me, Demon. Your fight is with the Master of the Minions." the creature - a Shade - told him in a guttural voice and he hesitated. He had never hesitated in his life, but for some reason, he did now. It must have something to do with his new softening lifestyle and he worried about that. Growing soft could get him killed and he couldn't afford to grow soft at this time. Then, he watched the Shade wink at him and smile, showing off his teeth. "No, your friend here is the one I will be fighting. After all, why waste energy on fighting with me when you can face the Minion Master with more stamina than if you fought a battle with me?"

"The beast is right. Go, I can handle this creature. Kill the summoner of those monsters and put an end to this whole thing." Tide told him in a stern and sure voice. It was his confidence that made him lower his blood soaked broadsword and take into consideration what he was saying. What his companion and the Shade was saying was true. He could ill afford every ounce of the stamina and power that he was losing when he was going to have to face another Upper Flight Demon. "That bastard will have my sister and you need to save her."

Those words drew the Command Assassin from his reverie and he nodded his head. He didn't want to leave the man alone with the Shade, but he knew that the Guard Captain was powerful. He could handle the Shade with little issue, of that he held no doubt. However, Shades were well known for their agility and trickery to win battles. He knew that he couldn't worry about that thought. What the Guard Captain had said was true. He needed to kill the summoner of the Minions so he could end the problem that plagued the Amazon and Wood Elf villages. It was also the only way that he was going to save Twister from the man and return her safely.