The Inner Gambit of Darkness - Continued

Ryan had Samehada burst into surrounding water and had Sou'ounga out covered in Lava, "Don't ask how I even managed to do this." He muttered as he prepared to fight off more than an army.

Nuala summoned her sword and let her darkness swirl around her, ready to strike.

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"I see," Celeste said. "We don't have to talk about it if you'd rather not. I can tell it's a difficult memory and I know I'm just a stranger."

"YOUR TIME OF DYING HAS COME, MORTALS." that violent demonic voice from earlier boomed.

The first wave of Darkbornes closed in on them. Steven took out the demons running at him from all sides with graceful sword strikes.

Nuala's formless darkness twisted into numerous threads and screeched at the Darkbornes and pierced through them, destroying them.

"I'll be honest Celeste, I find it easy to trust you." Galenus said "Your aura, it feels.... pleasant."

He sighed and took a deep breath. "You see, the night I left the Novafaita valley, my father went into one of his rages, that combined with the amount of alcohol he consumed. Anyway, he was attacking me and I fought back, but only in self defence. There I discovered I had the ability to use fire, I tried to use it to escape, but I lost control of it and... killed my father."

More Darkbornes leapt down onto the cracked floor through holes in the ceiling. Their numbers were limitless. Steven kept cutting down incoming demons, keeping an eye on the incapacitated jester as well.

Ryan whirled a lava twister towards a group with Sou'unga while Slamming Samehada against the ground, the latter attack caused a foward spike out spout towards another group.

Dane swam onto dry land and let the sunlight hit his face. He coughed water out of his lungs and sat up from the water's edge.

"So will you tell me who you are now?" he coughed.

Celeste looked at him sadly for a moment and then suddenly wrapped her arm around his neck and hugged him. She couldn't help feeling sorry for him and didn't know what else to say. She realised what she was doing and separated from him.

"That must be so hard to live with..." she said.

(Hey, Groc, can you jump over to the chat room for a quick sec?)

Galenus tensed up when he was hugged by Celeste, but realxed and returned it. This was the first time he had actually had a conversation with someone of the opposite gender, let alone hugged by one.

Celeste just gave Galenus a friendly, reassuring smile.

Galenus tried to return it, but he felt himself blush a little and turned his head away to hide it, feeling almost shameful.

Celeste noticed Galenus trying to hide his blush. "It's okay," she said. "Sorry if I put you in an awkward place..."

"No, no, Its okay." Galenus said "It's just, you're the first woman I've spoken to, well, had a civilised conversation with."

"Oh," Celeste said, surprised. "I see..."

Galenus looked out the cave and saw that it was getting dark "It's getting late, do you have anywhere to stay? Or friends or something nearby?"

"There's a whole group of us at hot spring on Death Mountain," Celeste said and then suddenly got an idea. "Oh! You should come with me and meet them!"

"Celeste has been gone for a while now..." Deserax said quietly. Dalikos had gotten out a while ago and was training near the center of the village. Ilene was inside a near hotel reading a few books.

Galenus nodded and help Celeste up. "Are you able to walk?"

The ceiling rumbled as a fleshy stalk burst through and allowed multiple Fleshbornes to enter the chamber. Now the hordes of flesh and darkness were running all at once to the intruders. Steven prepared for this next wave.

"It hurts a little, but once I get moving I'll be fine," Celeste said.

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Nuala got into a stance and held her sword at the ready. As the enemies neared, she slashed forcefully and disappeared out of harm's way. She reapeared in front of another crowd of Fleshbornes and lashed out relentlessly.

"Here, let me help you." Galenus said, offering his arm for balance.

A Darkborne Alpha charged into the room towards Steven, who leapt over it and stabbed one sword into its head. The burly demon turned around and roared before charging again. Steven's fighting speed was lost for he was now only fighting with one sword against incoming demons. He rolled out of the way and hacked at its feet before turning to face more lesser demons.

"Thank you," Celeste said, taking Galenus' arm. She pointed to the path that lead to where everyone else was. "Just up there."

Ryan slammed Samehada out against more hordes, Loki charged his Bisento spear through Fleshebornes.