by A Uscila
Her position remained uncompromised - as each and every single arrow that managed to hit a target, was automatically a critical hit. Add that to hitting a vital spot - and a few of the wounded and exhausted soldiers fell over into an early grave within the first few shots.
Quite surprising how accurate the ranged vixen was - considering that those below were a distance away. Let alone hitting a vital spot - it should have been a relief if an arrow flew on target to begin with. Yet without missing a single one - Willow dispatched five soldiers already. Killing three with a single shot. If Wail would have seen any of it - without a doubt resentful words like “cheater” would be flying about in the air.
Either way - enjoying the little fun, Willow let loose each arrow with a mixture of excitement, joy and wide smiles. Her very expressions revealing a series of successful attempts. Yet at one point - the excitement seemed to die down, as annoyance slowly creeped back into her lovely features.
“Notice already, you idiot…” - a small whisper left her lips after another released arrow. Bow-string relaxing once released from between delicate fingers.
Seeing as the situation below kept on getting exceedingly desperate - anxiety slowly taking over the stealthy ranger’s thought-process. Her decided upon plan seemingly relying too much on outside help. Or more like outside perception - which the target of Willow’s hate seemed to be sorely lacking.
Swinging that blade of his left and right - Bob seemed too preoccupied with his own barbaric stupidity to care about the situation around. As his own men were already being completely pulverized.
Their exhausted limbs barely able to lift up a weapon in defense - let alone attack. Voices no longer echoing back towards the taunts that befell their ranks. Ragged breaths and shaking limbs. A few more moments and the yellow ambushers were about to finish it up. Their cavalry gathering up for a quick charge to smash through the defenders from the left.
As Willow was about to lose hope - Bob finally seemed to react in some, unique to him, way.
As he slew another fellow - reckless enough to challenge the barricade of death, his head started darting around in strained observation. Stopping for a visibly longer while towards Willow’s significantly parted right flank. Seems like Bob finally noticed how thinned out the ranks on the right were - only a ragged bunch of yellows present to contain those on the defense. That or he might have noticed the lack of ranged offense from the same direction - seeing as arrows flew at him only from the left. Most likely though - his brute senses finally gave into the pressure and decided to break through and escape. Either way - Willow was satisfied enough that Bob decided to do something. Which just so happened to coincide with her own prepared path.
“Right! To the right! We’re breaking out!” - With a shout, loud enough to wake a grizzly from winter hibernation - Bob roared, signaling his fellow bandit with a wide swing. Randomly swinging a sword hand was never a good idea - since the swing ended with the weapon getting stuck in a collarbone of a nearby foe. Unlucky fellow seemed to pick the wrong time to charge in - as death gripped him in a series of violent convulsions and large spills of blood. Poor bastard.
That sudden order did seem to reignite hope for those defending, as their limbs found strength to move. This sudden change in battle caught the yellows unawares - thus the breakthrough went by surprisingly easily. With a new gust of strength - the bandits practically rolled over the line of encirclement. Simply butchering those in their way - the fact that only a bare eight yellows were present on the right serving as quite the help towards it.
Still - the feat did deserve some praise, as even Willow seemed high in spirit after observing what went about. She quickly took out a number of arrows - from a bag that hung from her waist. Arrows that were thrice as large as the bag itself - a comic sight. She should consider showbiz.
With resupplied ammunition - the sly vixen started losing arrows at those pursuing with double the speed, yet with barely lowered accuracy. Slowing down their advance remarkably - as those key figures at the very front found themselves with an arrow in the knee.
Their cavalry - which served as the biggest threat were unable to pursue those fleeing. Their path - barred by foot soldiers from their own side. Displaying heated desperation - the infantry chased after their escaping prey. Slipping and tripping over their own dead numerous times - obstructing traffic. Making the objective practically unachievable under these circumstance.
Due to a probable change of heart - the yellow cavalry did not trample their own men this time. Instead - they decided to go around and strike the fleeing foe from the flanks. Their priorities changed quite quickly though - once another target popped into clear view.
Bob, who got left behind due to his own clumsy nature - finally managed to rip his weapon free. Just in time as well, since a few vengeful individuals were already upon his rear. Quite the homosexual choice, yet seemingly a faulty one - as Bob did not seem unaware of their presence. With a sudden twist of the waist and a powerful sideway swing - both the attackers were fatally wounded. Their entrails spilling out from gaping gashes. A few more hacks and stabs - and the two were about to join their comrades in death’s clingy embrace. Bodies convulsing in pre-death.
Cut off, surrounded and beset on all sides - it seemed like the brave hero was about to meet his end. Even Willow couldn’t do anything to help - though she surprisingly wanted to. Not because she cared for the man, oh no. It’s all for her own sake - considering that she was the one who needed to inform Wail of what went about. By now, she knew perfectly well how deep the mage’s greed ran. Willow shuddered to think what kind of a reaction she’d witness after giving him the grim news. A caravan lost, Bob dead. As well as most of his sent men. For a few moments the vixen considered bailing on this newfound companionship, yet the feeling of possible regret kept holding her back. Most likely - all of this would pay back eventually. One way or another. Hopefully.
Thus, with nerves of steel - arrows were once again loosed without mercy, supporting those who fled to safety. A bare seven men. Exhausted and bloodied - chased by projectiles and a few persistent yellow ambushers.
At the very corner of her vision - Willow could see Bob’s desperate struggle. As he struck down another man, two javelins piercing his turned back - forcing the man to his knees. Witnessing the fall of a man as resilient as him, wasn’t the easiest thing. No matter how unfortunate the odds.
What a way to go though. A carcass filled field, ground soaked in blood and entrails - and a single man smack in the middle of it all. Surrounded by yellow wearing soldiers both on foot and a-horse. Black smoke steadily rising from his gaping wounds - the peeking out fletching’s catching fire as if his body itself generated immeasurable heat...
“What the…?” - A rhetoric question escaped Willow’s lips in a barely audible whisper, as she realized that something was definitely outside the usual norms. That was no way for a human to go out. Unless he was actually a walking furnace.
Bob did not seem bent on going out though - oh no. His trusted blade pulsed even more brightly - a deep red that seemed to illuminate the surroundings in an ominous atmosphere. Muscles puffing-up as if struck by some insane allergic reaction. Something was definitely wrong - it was as if that blockhead had an allergy for wood and metal.
Either way, gapping - Willow observed as Bob’s whole body started swelling up. Worn steel plates digging into his bursting flesh, only to pop out in pieces once the straps couldn’t hold any longer. Malformed, muscles bulging in unnatural vigor, skin gaining an unhealthy black tan. She could have sworn that a number of variously shaped thorns were growing out of the left side of his back.
Still. Willow had to admit - his face did improve. Now it was a disfigured blob of uneven flesh, two blazing red lights peeking out from within - accompanied by a vicious scowl of surprisingly herbivore nature. Not a single sharp tooth in sight.
Quite the sight - without a doubt. A number of the surrounding men either stepped back or had a
n expression of surprise surpassing that of the ranged vixen’s. Not all of them stood there waiting for who knows what though - as a few of their cavalry charged in to dispatch this demonic fiend.
They turned their horses and urged them to make haste - drawing steel in preparation for a fatal strike. Though only one of them was brave enough to actually engage that creature in melee - while the remaining two chose to pick a safer choice of combat. They took a fresh javelin from their emptying quivers and let them loose after a brief time of aim.
Failing to hit a foe as tall as a horsed man, would have been quite a feat. Thus the javelins struck true - lodging themselves deep in the flesh of that abomination. Black steaming liquid spilled from the new wounds, while the foreign objects soon caught fire and for all the effect, all it seemed to do, was anger the abomination – as it turned to face the brave assault with unmatched ferocity.
With remarkable speed - the beast-of-a-man leapt towards the approaching foes, rending the first of theirs from head to toe. Wielding his sword like it was one-handed - Bob struck the sword-wielding rider with an over-head strike. Such force and speed did the blow carry that the poor bastard ended up cut apart together with his very own steed. Blood and gore spilling upon the ground - leaving the two remaining companions completely stunned. Their steeds rearing up in pure terror - throwing the two out of their saddles.
Without a doubt - these events brought unimaginable horror and panic to the ranks of all those that remained. It also helped the remaining seven bandits flee - as no one seemed to care about their existence anymore.
Willow was no exception - unable to look away from what was taking place, she even forgot to pepper the enemy lines with projectiles.
Due to a sudden surge of bravery or panic - one could not tell, but every single yellow-dressed man close enough - suddenly charged at this new threat. Screaming and roaring as if their very souls were threatened - spit, snot and tears running down their dirtied and blood splattered faces.
Yet all of it proved futile against the pure horror of what Bob had become. With a nerve crushing roar - he turned on the remaining horseless riders - cleaving them apart with split-second swings. Dispatching flesh and bone alike with equal ease. Patiently giving enough attention to those dumb enough to attack him during the activity. Once that was done and over with - he turned towards the numerous wagons that stood unmanned and charged at them as if they insulted his mother. Seemingly, completely ignorant of the various projectiles that came at him with renewed desperation. Hopeful of putting an end to this horror from a safe distance.
Those that were in the way of Bob’s newfound abominable strength - were torn apart as if they were no more a threat than a newborn babe. With such speed did he race along the battlefield - that bare seconds away from the point of departure - Bob was already near the very first wagon.
Sounds of splintering wood and the spilling of valuables filled the air - as Bob cut the man-made contraption to pieces, turning to do the same to the remaining ones.
Blood trailed behind the abomination - dark smoke rising from him and the wounds that littered his body. Engulfing the whole of him in a black shell. Making it hard to see the outlines of the body. Giving a hard time for individuals with ranged weapons to hit their marks.
Still, no matter how gruesome of a beast Bob turned into - he was still outnumbered. Even with his remarkable speed - he could not hope to outrun a horse. Which the remaining cavalry were betting on - as ten were upon him. Ten remaining horsed ambushers - their ranks thinned out quite a bit by now.
Yet, even though Bob was slower than the four legged animals - he was stronger and of a bigger build. Quite a weird thing to boast about.
Before striking down another wagon - he made an unexpected twist and rammed his shoulder into the nearest horse - knocking its broken body back into the non-existent formation that followed behind. Since they were in a rush - all ten of the riders traveled in a straight, tightly gathered line. With their very first member being knocked right back into the formation - pure chaos ensured. Horses reared and dashed to the sides, throwing a handful of men down from their backs. While the three that were on the very forefront of the charge ended up knocked down and squeezed under the broken remains of their comrade and his steed.
As if that wasn’t enough - Bob quickly dashed at those still a-horse, cutting apart limbs. Intent on disabling the panicking riders completely.
Some horses managed to escape - but not a single rider did. Those that were crushed to death under their own steeds had it good. Since those that seemingly got away with a few bruises or a broken limb - were cut apart in a flurry of blows. Red flashed and severed limbs flew about like some twisted circus act, disfigured and mutilated bodies left behind in the wake of this massacre.
No longer threatened by the chasing cavalry - Bob resumed his vendetta against the inanimate wagons. Seemingly ignorant of the remaining foot soldiers who were brave enough to actually pursue this abomination. This terror of battle. Their ragged breaths giving away their undeniable exhaustion. Streams of sweat washing away both mud, ash and blood from their faces.
Without much hardship - all the remaining wagons ended up equally dismantled as Bob did not stop until this peculiar quest was done and over with.
A barely audible smack echoed from the right roadside once Bob was done - as Willow struck her forehead in a familiar manner. Unconsciously mimicking the mannerisms of her accomplice - who luckily, was not present to witness it and threaten to sue her for using his “copyrighted” material.
Seeing how unstoppable Bob was - the sly ranger couldn’t help but be amazed at his stupidity. Barely a third of the enemy forces remained - and their morale was definitely not at its highest. If she’d join in on the fun - they would have most likely won the melee. She’d escape from the dreadful task of bringing the bad news to Wail. Everything would have worked out. Heck - Wail would actually be quite happy after finding out the fashionable change in Bob.
But no. That fellow just had to ruin that hope as well - since transporting the goods without actual wagons was now completely impossible.
Willow was about to put Bob down herself - as she aimed an arrow at him but managed to eventually regain control of rampart emotions - in a favorable twist for the rampaging giant. Willow bit her lip in frustration - she could only observe as Bob seemed to resume the carnage.
With a ferocious roar and perhaps a series of words that were simply unintelligible and hard to discern from simple growls - he charged at the remaining soldiers.
During the charge - his oversized bare feet seemed to catch poor footing on the blood soaked ground. Which resulted in an unexpected and completely ridiculous series of events.
As the lumbering abomination slipped and fell face forward onto the ground - he managed to get skewered by an unmanned sword that were lying harmlessly on the ground. As if that wasn’t enough - he only stopped when his bloated and twitching body slid towards the approaching soldiers. Like some gift - delivered right on their doorstep. No matter how surprised the soldiers were - they could not simply ignore these favorable circumstances. Every single one - shouting as if to ward of their own inner fears, started hacking this creature of hell to pieces. With sword and spear - their very lives depending on the combined effort. Which it was.
Bob wasn’t about to go down quietly though - as he growled in anger, rising like a volcanic eruption. Seemingly unfazed by all the relentless attacks - sword rearing to cut apart everyone in range. As if that wasn’t enough - his unarmed hand joined in on the bloodshed. It flew towards the nearest soldier - grabbing him by the head and lifting the poor fella off the ground like a child. Muffled screams echoing, and limbs flailing about in complete and utter panic - the caught pest was slowly crushed to a pulp. His last drops of life being drained out together with the blood that left his crushed upper body. Limbs finally losing strength and dangling helplessly.
With horror - those remaining could only look upon the dreadful
display - unable to change their comrade’s fate. Let alone their own. Lost, they looked upon this reaper of men, a seemingly unstoppable force of muscle and black smoke. Most of their attacks all but ceased.
An immeasurable amount of wounds littered Bob’s body, judging by the amount of smoke that kept on rising - engulfing the whole physique of this monstrosity. No amount of damage seemed to work. No amount of bravery seemed to hold. All was laid bare and hopeless before this godless abomination.
Yet - before every single one of those attacking could fall to their knees in complete resignation regarding their own lives - a miracle took place.
As smoke kept on escaping Bob’s body with constantly increasing magnitude - his body became visibly unstable. Chunks of flesh started to fall out, bit by bit - with increasing speed each time Bob tried to continue his assault. Unnoticing or uncaring - regarding what went on with his own body.
Soon enough - the last bits of strength finally gave out. Muscles leaving bone bare and finally giving way under the sheer mass of the upper body. Slowly, the lumbering abomination crumbled - a surprised gargle slipping through clenched teeth. Thus, those yellow wearing soldiers that managed to survive could only stare with amazement - unable to believe their stroke of good fortune. Unable to comprehend the eventual end of their engagement. With gaping stares - they stood there motionless, until their most horrific encounter ever slowly melted into a puddle of revolting liquids. Black smoke continuously rising from it - as even that - eventually evaporated. Leaving not a trace of the abomination that was present here mere minutes before.
Willow too, could not believe her eyes. At one point she thought they would finally emerge victorious. Yet here it was - an end that she hoped to avoid. No treasure. No Bob. A heavy sigh escaped her heaving chest - as Willow rubbed her forehead once more. Seemingly tired and stressed.
Whoever said that life would be much easier in Virtual Reality was an idiot.
Chapter 32