Chapter 5:Â A Mother's Wrath
"Your matron has arrived," announces the black maiden to a clawing Ba'srm still trying to release his head from the inquisitor's grasp. "Witness her glory, her magnificence, her radiance. Something you'll never be nor comprehend. Â Your pedigree wouldn't even be worthy of such a gift. All you've ever been is a mindless piece of flesh with no purpose," the maiden's voice alters to that of Malice ,strengthening his grip, crushing Ba'srm's skull exploding it into a gory display.
"Ba'srm!" Quick Shroud ducks back behind the concrete balcony avoiding the richocheting gunfire from below. "What is all this? What's that thing on the ship!"
"Perhaps that's what the they were after all along, all the missing prisoners, the experiments all leading up to....that thing," Mimori replies lighting another signalling flare. "This certainly complicates things, we need to secure the lift for retreat."
Ducking another exchange of fire, Quick Shroud gauges the stockyard perimeter, "If we're gonna get everyone to the lift, we have to deal with that vanguard barrier!"
Adjusting her trajectory, Mimori releases the screeching flare of an arrow into the air. Slowly descending, the flash illuminates the aura around the formation of automatons protecting the stasis cocoon. "I'm heading for the other landing pad tower, stay here and keep the heat on that barrier."
Nodding, Quick Shroud waves to the other balcony thaumaturges and archers to apply the pressure raining of bullets, magic and arrows conjoining together trying to break through.
Beyond the rubble of the crumbling palisade, the combatant numbers from all sides begin to thin, those remaining take refuge behind what cover they can find. With a whistle from the tank, the rebel shieldmates align together to form a phalanx beside and behind the tank providing defense for the spearmen and ranged ground forces.
"You sure you know how to drive this thing?" Majhala quips reaching over equipping herself with a magitek rifle from the rear gun rack. She waves to her support up top to provide cover fire as the formation solidifies.
"No but at least I can reach the peddles," the male highlander laughs back.
A familiar screech and flash spurns the pig-tailed lallafel's attention across the courtyard to the glowing vanguard shield. "There! Over there. New target!"
The grinding of metal gears and stomping feet reposition taking aim at one of the vanguards. "Where's the arming switch," the highlander fumbles.
Jumping down and kicking a lever, Majhala grins almost stumbling over the side of the cockpit from the recoil. "That one!", blowing and adjusting her bangs from her eyes.
Watching the gore drip from the golden claw, M'Haeli roars at her prey bleakly recognizing the golden armored quarry through her haze of hatred. The baby coos snug in her grasp showering her with a ticking mantra heightening her quickness. In almost a blink, she leaps from the ship leaving a large depression of metal. Aiming her momentum toward the prey, her flying kick knocks the flatfooted Daegon fifteen yalms with such force breaking through a thick concrete stockade wall.
Korvus yells to his master speeding through the wall oblivious to the panic of his fellow researches from canon fire bellowing across the courtyard, the incoming volley tearing into a corner vanguard destroying it instantly. Picking himself off the ground, Korvus looks above him the barrier flashing but still intact.
Reaching the remaining tower canopy, Mimori looks over the side toward the obliterated landing pad. Straggling enraged miqo'te leap over rubble and cover tackling soldiers over the cliff, falling to their deaths. A hiss comes from just over the side while the boom from the tank canon rings her ears. She looks over her shoulder to see the smoke coming from the barrier as well as noticing the flying golden projectile crashing through a wall. "Good fight each other," she thought redirecting her attention to the hissing miqo'te climbing over the railing. Dodging a swipe she retracts an arrow from her quiver and uses it to stab her assailant in the eye and ramming it through it's head punching it back over the side. Jumping over to the large spotlight she turns it toward the glistening magical barrier lighting the way for her allies.
"The power!" the maiden laughs slowly picking itself off the ground. "I haven't had a challenge worthy enough in such a long time," he boasts, unlatching the clasp of the white cloak letting it fall to the ground. "You'll kneel soon enough!" M'haeli hisses back at his threat entering a defensive stance braced for impact, the careening inquisitor disappears. Smelling the air, she turns just in time absorbing the shoulder charge knocking her back twenty yalms into the wreckage. Thundering electrical bolts follow aimed at her position.
"It's still up! Aim for another!" Majhala orders firing off another shot into a makeshift bunker of troops.
"Not sure how many rounds we have left. Recharged, hold on!" the highlander pilot warns. He releases the lever letting another round off shattering yet another target.
"Now's the time, head to the lift! Go go," Majhala raises her rifle ordering the unit forward. Repelling down from their posts, the rear ranged support run behind the phalanx hunkering down behind closely interlocked tower shields.
"Caernus!" Korvus screamed in desperation when the second vanguard exploded, the glimmering bubble slowly fading. Other researchers panic exiting their protective barrier trying to reach the lower level stockade double doors only to be shot down and entombed in large shards of ice from above.
Deviating his attention to the last fragments of the flickering barrier, the inquisitor snaps his fingers triggering the override of the other two vanguards to meet him toward the center of the courtyard. One picks up the stasis coccoon while the other increases it's pace veering off to meet the approaching tank and contingent of rebelling prisoners. A large group of soldiers jump over their bunker walls joining in to support the golem.
"The override? No, your grace, please." Korvus scrambles from the ground using a piece of vanguard scrap to provide cover. He sprints toward the stockade doors though with arrows penetrating into his right shoulder and flank, he makes it underneath the overhang falling over fainting from the pain.
Quick Shroud immediately hand signals for the ranged support to make their way toward the lift, "Secure the stockade perimeter and use those crates over there to build a wall around the lift. Stay here and coordinate, I'm heading to the tower." The hyur archer nods and relays the orders jumping onto the stack of crates motioning others to follow.
"This thing have another gear besides adamantoise? I don't feel like becoming a vanguard pancake," she aims into the rushing group of soldiers a shot hitting a knee. "Split formation and engage!" The phalanx dissolves into two groups arcing out and advancing giving the constructs ample room to duel.
Adrenalin kicking in, the highlander starts pumping his legs and feet on the pedals, "Hang on." Lurching forward, the pumping of pistons and steam pour the sluggishness fading into jolt of momentum surprising both drivers.
"Are we recharged?" glancing to her allies running beside them.
Shaking his head negatively, the driver toggles another lever accelerating the walker. The vanguard party growing ever closer, Majhala shuffles inside the seat searching for some sort of fastening harness "I hope you know what you're." Popping her head back up she squeeks as the highlander grabs her collar tossing her out the vehicle into a patch of small junipers. "Give my regards to Gundobald, friend."
Engaging in full throttle, he could hear the war chants of his brethren behind cheering him on. "Brrriiiinggg it!!!", he yells gritting through his teeth releasing the flame thrower upon clashing into vanguard. Frantic cries of soldiers dodge the tangled pile of flaming barreling metal with scrap projecting every which way. The heap of metal on metal crashinto a wall, the highlander falls out of the flipped cockpit coughing blood looking up at the clouds circling the red hued moon. A smile etched over his face as the last breaths of air leave his body "Glorius."
Fidgeting with the last impacting arrow in her quiver Mimori's ears perk up at the sound of the baby crying near the ship where the miqo'te landed. Quick Shroud arrives at the tower in a huff, "The lift is secure... for now. What about those three?"
"We came here to end this and that's what I intend to do," she replied readjusting the tension on her shortbow.Â
"Can't we just let them both annihilate each other and get off this rock?" he sighs exasperated slumping over his back against the tower wall.
"You know that's not what's going to happen, he's after the baby," her gaze narrowing down at the vanguard approaching with the strange contraption. "Look closer."
Mouthing the word baby in puzzlement Quick Shroud winces looking over the ledge. "So we're going after the kid?"
"Precisely but we have to be extremely careful. Like any mother, her wrath will conflagrate ten fold when separated her from her newborn. It could spell doom for us both." she warns adjusting the last silencing trigger on her impact arrow placing it next to an arsenal of quivers and extra arrows.
Fetching an sparking wand from his belt, Quick Shroud evaluates the three potential foes below first gauging the vanguard. "I'm gonna need your battle requiem for this. You think you can sustain it?"
Hands on her hips with an incredulous raised eyebrow, she smirks and starts arranging the other quivers next to her. Unhinging the latch to the tower's spiral stair, the hellsguard begins the descent toward the landing pad. "Quick Shroud," she pauses until their eyes meet. "Lets finish this." Returning her warm smile with one of his own he nods and heads toward the bottom.
Hearing the empowering melody from Mimori's battle voice from above, Quick Shroud gingerly exits the door making sure he isn't spotted by any other adversaries then skirts around the edge of the tower until the trio come into view. "Bring the rain Mimori."
Ignoring the chaos behind him, Daegon's demonic visage instructs the other vanguard to set the cocoon down facing the cratered torn metal surrounding the miqo'te shielding her child. "You and your offspring have always belonged to me, owe your very existence to me," he muses carefully unfolding the mother's arms revealing the child gently taking it from her bossom and carrying it over to the blue glowing light from the opened hatch of the stasis coccoon. "I will have my army and you'll shall be at the core of it. The White Raven's seventh legion shall become even more powerful, the Black Wolf be damned." Pulsating flames and embers from the child's tail bob to and fro mesmerizing the inquisitor laying the babe down and strapping the babe within. "Now whatever shall we do with your mother."
Closing the hatch, Daegon can feel tingling sensation of a requiem altering the air around him. Scanning to find the source he then sees the small figure atop the tower chanting and rapidly plucking a raised bow. A debilitating shower of death ensues striking both the cocoon, vanguard and the inquisitor hampering their movements. Charged particles amass when the hellsguard appears from behind the tower using the full potential of the requiem and the barrage in conjunction enhancing his thunderous incantation.
"Intercept!" Daegon commands the construct; however, the interjection of multiple empowered lightning blasts prevents them from advancing. The vanguard falls over in a heap of electrical disarray while the inquisitor doubles over motionless.
"Go now! Get the child," she yells to Quick Shroud. Picking up the last remaining quiver Mimori jumps down the stairs bounding out the door to meet her friend.
"Right, no problem" his mind trembles. Arriving at the cocoon he opens the hatch, unsnapping the restraints. The roegadyn picks up the child only to find the flaming tail licking at his vulnerable robes slowly catching fire. He runs over to meet Mimori gently placing the child on the ground, patting and rolling himself over to put out the flames. "That tail!" he chides. The baby lets out a deafening wail fearful without the familiar embrace of it's mother.
M'Haeli's brief bout with unconsciousness comes to an end with the desperate cry from her baby. Daegon stumbles to stand angrily evoking a series of incantations, holy blinding light circling over him. Gazing at the concentration of light, Mimori releases her last impacting arrow lodging it into one of the yes of the demon mask bringing the summoning to an abrupt halt. Backpedaling unable to switch his mask, the inquisitor claws at the arrow trying to break it loose unaware of who he was backing into.
She greeted her foe with a leaping vicious backhanded swipe decapitating the three faced helmet from it's neck leaving a spinning mechanism spilling black ichor. Rage blistering in her veins, she rips an arm off the creature with more ooze and sparks spurting out. Finally dealing the deathblow, she thrusts her claw into the emblazoned ruby and gold chest plate tearing half of it off, tubes and black hoses dripping out of the cavity. Caernus nan Daegon collapses onto his back continously sputtering ooze and spark.
Quick Shroud finishes patting out the flames confused by the helmet skipping by. Turning around he witnesses the rest of the exchange. Kneeling toward the mewling babe he reaches for his dagger hovering over it. Mimori releases a pair of arrows as M'Haeli leaps into Quick Shroud swiping and tearing his arm from his body, throwing his large frame yalms away as if it were a mere paperweight. A quiet calm suddenly comes upon her then, the burning rage slowly being quenched, draining away. She looks to her feet to see the severed tail of her son flashing and flickering it's last embers, the conduit waning and the peace of sanity slowly returning only to be met with another arrow to her chest.
Running over to her injured friend, Mimori tries to aleve his pain with what minor healing she can muster. Not understanding what was happening she then reaims her bow at the kneeling mother cradling and caressing her child. M'Haeli knew she did not have much longer with the loss of the rejuvenating conduit. She slowly tears off a piece of her clothing creating a small turnicate to stop the babe's bleeding tail.
"Shhh. Shhhush now, mother's here," she coos, blood from her wounds still leaking from her chest. She bursts into tears, sniffling when the silver haired lallafel steps into view. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry."
Unsure of how to react Mimori advances slowly still ready to release her arrow if need be. "It was him wasn't it," she points with her bow over to the corpse of the inquisitor.
M'Haeli nods sobbing, "He's the one that did this to us. We were nothing more than a project, said our blood would revive long lost power from ages ago. I never understood any of it." she coughs small tricklings of blood spitting it from her mouth. "He called us Eohji, the flame tails or whatever. I never knew that this would be the outcome. Please...." her voice growing ever weaker. "Please take him away from here, far away so he knows nothing about this place and what happened here." She hugs him tightly, her grip waning while taking off her tribal necklace wrapping it around her son handing the babe over to the lallafel.
"What name have you chosen for him?" Mimori whispers kneeling closely to her. After her question leaved her mouth the miqo'te mother slumps over to the ground coughing another breath of blood. Her shaking hand clenches Mimori's a smile brimming upon her face as her son's name leaves her dying lips.
"B'jaern."
TBC Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
"Your matron has arrived," announces the black maiden to a clawing Ba'srm still trying to release his head from the inquisitor's grasp. "Witness her glory, her magnificence, her radiance. Something you'll never be nor comprehend. Â Your pedigree wouldn't even be worthy of such a gift. All you've ever been is a mindless piece of flesh with no purpose," the maiden's voice alters to that of Malice ,strengthening his grip, crushing Ba'srm's skull exploding it into a gory display.
"Ba'srm!" Quick Shroud ducks back behind the concrete balcony avoiding the richocheting gunfire from below. "What is all this? What's that thing on the ship!"
"Perhaps that's what the they were after all along, all the missing prisoners, the experiments all leading up to....that thing," Mimori replies lighting another signalling flare. "This certainly complicates things, we need to secure the lift for retreat."
Ducking another exchange of fire, Quick Shroud gauges the stockyard perimeter, "If we're gonna get everyone to the lift, we have to deal with that vanguard barrier!"
Adjusting her trajectory, Mimori releases the screeching flare of an arrow into the air. Slowly descending, the flash illuminates the aura around the formation of automatons protecting the stasis cocoon. "I'm heading for the other landing pad tower, stay here and keep the heat on that barrier."
Nodding, Quick Shroud waves to the other balcony thaumaturges and archers to apply the pressure raining of bullets, magic and arrows conjoining together trying to break through.
* * * * * *
Beyond the rubble of the crumbling palisade, the combatant numbers from all sides begin to thin, those remaining take refuge behind what cover they can find. With a whistle from the tank, the rebel shieldmates align together to form a phalanx beside and behind the tank providing defense for the spearmen and ranged ground forces.
"You sure you know how to drive this thing?" Majhala quips reaching over equipping herself with a magitek rifle from the rear gun rack. She waves to her support up top to provide cover fire as the formation solidifies.
"No but at least I can reach the peddles," the male highlander laughs back.
A familiar screech and flash spurns the pig-tailed lallafel's attention across the courtyard to the glowing vanguard shield. "There! Over there. New target!"
The grinding of metal gears and stomping feet reposition taking aim at one of the vanguards. "Where's the arming switch," the highlander fumbles.
Jumping down and kicking a lever, Majhala grins almost stumbling over the side of the cockpit from the recoil. "That one!", blowing and adjusting her bangs from her eyes.
* * * * * *
Watching the gore drip from the golden claw, M'Haeli roars at her prey bleakly recognizing the golden armored quarry through her haze of hatred. The baby coos snug in her grasp showering her with a ticking mantra heightening her quickness. In almost a blink, she leaps from the ship leaving a large depression of metal. Aiming her momentum toward the prey, her flying kick knocks the flatfooted Daegon fifteen yalms with such force breaking through a thick concrete stockade wall.
Korvus yells to his master speeding through the wall oblivious to the panic of his fellow researches from canon fire bellowing across the courtyard, the incoming volley tearing into a corner vanguard destroying it instantly. Picking himself off the ground, Korvus looks above him the barrier flashing but still intact.
Reaching the remaining tower canopy, Mimori looks over the side toward the obliterated landing pad. Straggling enraged miqo'te leap over rubble and cover tackling soldiers over the cliff, falling to their deaths. A hiss comes from just over the side while the boom from the tank canon rings her ears. She looks over her shoulder to see the smoke coming from the barrier as well as noticing the flying golden projectile crashing through a wall. "Good fight each other," she thought redirecting her attention to the hissing miqo'te climbing over the railing. Dodging a swipe she retracts an arrow from her quiver and uses it to stab her assailant in the eye and ramming it through it's head punching it back over the side. Jumping over to the large spotlight she turns it toward the glistening magical barrier lighting the way for her allies.
* * * * * *
"The power!" the maiden laughs slowly picking itself off the ground. "I haven't had a challenge worthy enough in such a long time," he boasts, unlatching the clasp of the white cloak letting it fall to the ground. "You'll kneel soon enough!" M'haeli hisses back at his threat entering a defensive stance braced for impact, the careening inquisitor disappears. Smelling the air, she turns just in time absorbing the shoulder charge knocking her back twenty yalms into the wreckage. Thundering electrical bolts follow aimed at her position.
* * * * * *
"It's still up! Aim for another!" Majhala orders firing off another shot into a makeshift bunker of troops.
"Not sure how many rounds we have left. Recharged, hold on!" the highlander pilot warns. He releases the lever letting another round off shattering yet another target.
"Now's the time, head to the lift! Go go," Majhala raises her rifle ordering the unit forward. Repelling down from their posts, the rear ranged support run behind the phalanx hunkering down behind closely interlocked tower shields.
* * * * * *
"Caernus!" Korvus screamed in desperation when the second vanguard exploded, the glimmering bubble slowly fading. Other researchers panic exiting their protective barrier trying to reach the lower level stockade double doors only to be shot down and entombed in large shards of ice from above.
Deviating his attention to the last fragments of the flickering barrier, the inquisitor snaps his fingers triggering the override of the other two vanguards to meet him toward the center of the courtyard. One picks up the stasis coccoon while the other increases it's pace veering off to meet the approaching tank and contingent of rebelling prisoners. A large group of soldiers jump over their bunker walls joining in to support the golem.
"The override? No, your grace, please." Korvus scrambles from the ground using a piece of vanguard scrap to provide cover. He sprints toward the stockade doors though with arrows penetrating into his right shoulder and flank, he makes it underneath the overhang falling over fainting from the pain.
* * * * * *
Quick Shroud immediately hand signals for the ranged support to make their way toward the lift, "Secure the stockade perimeter and use those crates over there to build a wall around the lift. Stay here and coordinate, I'm heading to the tower." The hyur archer nods and relays the orders jumping onto the stack of crates motioning others to follow.
* * * * * *
"This thing have another gear besides adamantoise? I don't feel like becoming a vanguard pancake," she aims into the rushing group of soldiers a shot hitting a knee. "Split formation and engage!" The phalanx dissolves into two groups arcing out and advancing giving the constructs ample room to duel.
Adrenalin kicking in, the highlander starts pumping his legs and feet on the pedals, "Hang on." Lurching forward, the pumping of pistons and steam pour the sluggishness fading into jolt of momentum surprising both drivers.
"Are we recharged?" glancing to her allies running beside them.
Shaking his head negatively, the driver toggles another lever accelerating the walker. The vanguard party growing ever closer, Majhala shuffles inside the seat searching for some sort of fastening harness "I hope you know what you're." Popping her head back up she squeeks as the highlander grabs her collar tossing her out the vehicle into a patch of small junipers. "Give my regards to Gundobald, friend."
Engaging in full throttle, he could hear the war chants of his brethren behind cheering him on. "Brrriiiinggg it!!!", he yells gritting through his teeth releasing the flame thrower upon clashing into vanguard. Frantic cries of soldiers dodge the tangled pile of flaming barreling metal with scrap projecting every which way. The heap of metal on metal crashinto a wall, the highlander falls out of the flipped cockpit coughing blood looking up at the clouds circling the red hued moon. A smile etched over his face as the last breaths of air leave his body "Glorius."
* * * * * *
Fidgeting with the last impacting arrow in her quiver Mimori's ears perk up at the sound of the baby crying near the ship where the miqo'te landed. Quick Shroud arrives at the tower in a huff, "The lift is secure... for now. What about those three?"
"We came here to end this and that's what I intend to do," she replied readjusting the tension on her shortbow.Â
"Can't we just let them both annihilate each other and get off this rock?" he sighs exasperated slumping over his back against the tower wall.
"You know that's not what's going to happen, he's after the baby," her gaze narrowing down at the vanguard approaching with the strange contraption. "Look closer."
Mouthing the word baby in puzzlement Quick Shroud winces looking over the ledge. "So we're going after the kid?"
"Precisely but we have to be extremely careful. Like any mother, her wrath will conflagrate ten fold when separated her from her newborn. It could spell doom for us both." she warns adjusting the last silencing trigger on her impact arrow placing it next to an arsenal of quivers and extra arrows.
Fetching an sparking wand from his belt, Quick Shroud evaluates the three potential foes below first gauging the vanguard. "I'm gonna need your battle requiem for this. You think you can sustain it?"
Hands on her hips with an incredulous raised eyebrow, she smirks and starts arranging the other quivers next to her. Unhinging the latch to the tower's spiral stair, the hellsguard begins the descent toward the landing pad. "Quick Shroud," she pauses until their eyes meet. "Lets finish this." Returning her warm smile with one of his own he nods and heads toward the bottom.
Hearing the empowering melody from Mimori's battle voice from above, Quick Shroud gingerly exits the door making sure he isn't spotted by any other adversaries then skirts around the edge of the tower until the trio come into view. "Bring the rain Mimori."
* * * * * *
Ignoring the chaos behind him, Daegon's demonic visage instructs the other vanguard to set the cocoon down facing the cratered torn metal surrounding the miqo'te shielding her child. "You and your offspring have always belonged to me, owe your very existence to me," he muses carefully unfolding the mother's arms revealing the child gently taking it from her bossom and carrying it over to the blue glowing light from the opened hatch of the stasis coccoon. "I will have my army and you'll shall be at the core of it. The White Raven's seventh legion shall become even more powerful, the Black Wolf be damned." Pulsating flames and embers from the child's tail bob to and fro mesmerizing the inquisitor laying the babe down and strapping the babe within. "Now whatever shall we do with your mother."
Closing the hatch, Daegon can feel tingling sensation of a requiem altering the air around him. Scanning to find the source he then sees the small figure atop the tower chanting and rapidly plucking a raised bow. A debilitating shower of death ensues striking both the cocoon, vanguard and the inquisitor hampering their movements. Charged particles amass when the hellsguard appears from behind the tower using the full potential of the requiem and the barrage in conjunction enhancing his thunderous incantation.
"Intercept!" Daegon commands the construct; however, the interjection of multiple empowered lightning blasts prevents them from advancing. The vanguard falls over in a heap of electrical disarray while the inquisitor doubles over motionless.
"Go now! Get the child," she yells to Quick Shroud. Picking up the last remaining quiver Mimori jumps down the stairs bounding out the door to meet her friend.
"Right, no problem" his mind trembles. Arriving at the cocoon he opens the hatch, unsnapping the restraints. The roegadyn picks up the child only to find the flaming tail licking at his vulnerable robes slowly catching fire. He runs over to meet Mimori gently placing the child on the ground, patting and rolling himself over to put out the flames. "That tail!" he chides. The baby lets out a deafening wail fearful without the familiar embrace of it's mother.
M'Haeli's brief bout with unconsciousness comes to an end with the desperate cry from her baby. Daegon stumbles to stand angrily evoking a series of incantations, holy blinding light circling over him. Gazing at the concentration of light, Mimori releases her last impacting arrow lodging it into one of the yes of the demon mask bringing the summoning to an abrupt halt. Backpedaling unable to switch his mask, the inquisitor claws at the arrow trying to break it loose unaware of who he was backing into.
She greeted her foe with a leaping vicious backhanded swipe decapitating the three faced helmet from it's neck leaving a spinning mechanism spilling black ichor. Rage blistering in her veins, she rips an arm off the creature with more ooze and sparks spurting out. Finally dealing the deathblow, she thrusts her claw into the emblazoned ruby and gold chest plate tearing half of it off, tubes and black hoses dripping out of the cavity. Caernus nan Daegon collapses onto his back continously sputtering ooze and spark.
Quick Shroud finishes patting out the flames confused by the helmet skipping by. Turning around he witnesses the rest of the exchange. Kneeling toward the mewling babe he reaches for his dagger hovering over it. Mimori releases a pair of arrows as M'Haeli leaps into Quick Shroud swiping and tearing his arm from his body, throwing his large frame yalms away as if it were a mere paperweight. A quiet calm suddenly comes upon her then, the burning rage slowly being quenched, draining away. She looks to her feet to see the severed tail of her son flashing and flickering it's last embers, the conduit waning and the peace of sanity slowly returning only to be met with another arrow to her chest.
Running over to her injured friend, Mimori tries to aleve his pain with what minor healing she can muster. Not understanding what was happening she then reaims her bow at the kneeling mother cradling and caressing her child. M'Haeli knew she did not have much longer with the loss of the rejuvenating conduit. She slowly tears off a piece of her clothing creating a small turnicate to stop the babe's bleeding tail.
"Shhh. Shhhush now, mother's here," she coos, blood from her wounds still leaking from her chest. She bursts into tears, sniffling when the silver haired lallafel steps into view. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry."
Unsure of how to react Mimori advances slowly still ready to release her arrow if need be. "It was him wasn't it," she points with her bow over to the corpse of the inquisitor.
M'Haeli nods sobbing, "He's the one that did this to us. We were nothing more than a project, said our blood would revive long lost power from ages ago. I never understood any of it." she coughs small tricklings of blood spitting it from her mouth. "He called us Eohji, the flame tails or whatever. I never knew that this would be the outcome. Please...." her voice growing ever weaker. "Please take him away from here, far away so he knows nothing about this place and what happened here." She hugs him tightly, her grip waning while taking off her tribal necklace wrapping it around her son handing the babe over to the lallafel.
"What name have you chosen for him?" Mimori whispers kneeling closely to her. After her question leaved her mouth the miqo'te mother slumps over to the ground coughing another breath of blood. Her shaking hand clenches Mimori's a smile brimming upon her face as her son's name leaves her dying lips.
"B'jaern."
TBC Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
