Necrophobia Read Online Free Page B

“We’ve got work to do.” The effort of preventing his fall alone was a test of will and endurance; a full-armoured marathon across the forest for both mind and body.
    “Can you walk?” Cynthia’s gaze flickered back towards them, as she struggled to maintain a defensive shield.
    “Don’t worry about me.” He eased himself forward steadying himself with his spear and lending his magic to Cynthia’s shield as they approached the battle. They formed an impenetrable spear line with the surviving Caelites. Each warrior cutting and stabbing their way through the undead lines; gaining ground with each step. Despite their resilience and unflinching nature the undead lacked the fine control over their movements they had in life and the tactics drilled into them by captains like Reiner’s nonstop shouting. Their magic unrefined and erratic — often burning themselves in the process as they failed to control the arcane energy lacing through their armour and fingertips. The battle continued for some time and not without casualties but the undead were finite in number the mortuaries below limited in size and capacity. Their enthralled human allies fought to the last despite the strength of will demonstrated by their Caelite enemies. Shards of ice and nausea-inducing waves of green energy faltered against the warriors of the god of storms and skies. The vast quantities of magical energy discharge in such a concentrated area soon reached unsafe levels — the air around them distorted and crackled with nascent energy threatening an explosive release. The shimmering air drew hairs on end and static sparked between metal; a sense of foreboding was palpable. Undaunted Reiner and his allies pushed on and regrouped with Knight-Commander Rhae. Lead by their commander their purge became nigh-unstoppable clearing room by room, corridor by corridor with overwhelming efficiency. The fighting continued for over an hour before simmering down.
     
    Reiner and the other captains stood to attention as Knight-Commander Rhae entered the desecrated library. The shelves once filled with religious texts, historical accounts, weapon maintenance and strategy and magical lore lay ravaged by intense fighting. Books strewn across the floor and the charred remains of shelves burned by wayward lightning spoke of a fierce battle. Knight-Commander Amelia Rhae watched her captains with a weary face; her intricate and beautiful armour dented and tarnished by flecks of blood. Reiner though tall himself always felt small in her presence; they were of almost equal height but she radiated an aura of dignity and honour he couldn’t hope to match. Her deep-brown hair tied back into a bun, with the odd errant strands of hair falling loose. Her green eyes lingered on the crowd and a slight frown crossed her face.
    “No sign of Captain Carmine? Or Captain Falkner?” She asked.
    “Carmine was killed ma’am. Taken by surprise during the opening attack.” Captain Laelia Remus replied, her own eyes unfocused and searching into the distance. “Then he came back and…”
    “I understand.” Amelia offered a sympathetic flicker of a smile. “And Captain Falkner?”
    There was another pause.
    “Haven’t seen him in hours, Commander.” Captain Olivia Stavros replied after considerable thought. She looked between the others captains but they all shook their heads.
    “Very well.” Amelia paused, looking at the ceiling but she continued. “The Temple is safe and I have you all to thank for that, you’ve won a difficult victory and at a high cost. But our fight is not yet over. The village of Caelholm is swarmed with undead and it seems there’s a disturbance up in the burial grounds. I suspect this fruitless and wasteful attack is a feint designed to keep us busy. I will not play by their rules.”
    A murmur of agreement passed through the room. They gained nothing by throwing away lives and resources attacking the heavily defended stronghold. He’d wondered