Despite a painful peace having reigned between them ever since the culmination of the war between the Empire and the Principality, there are a few, if any, Misti Hawar that are willing to dwell within the walls of Nievtra for any meaningful amount of time. Most especially, except for when a dignitary is obligated by custom to do so, they remain outside of the inner quarters of the city, nearest to the palace and the temple, the truest source of their discomfort. The low hum that fills the air is quite pleasant to most. However, to a Misti Hawar, it is a reminder of the inhibition on their freedom that the magic stored within them contains.
—From the twenty first entry of the epistolary travel journal of Kayuktuk the Landlocked
Trai
As Ashlani's trap was triggered, the magic that Trai was struggling against faded and broke. She threw her head back and shrieked in exultation as the tide of battle shifted. Instead of fighting to maintain fires all along the borders of the wall, the Zaaktif immediately washed all of the shadow magic away. Those torches which had been extinguished by shadow rekindled as the Misti Hawar found themselves trapped on the walls with the Zaaktif's magic dispelling their own.
"Victory by fang and blood!" she shouted as she threw herself at the nearest enemy. The Misti Hawar were physically more threatening than the humans that she could remember from when she was only a hatchling, but they couldn't compare to her, a Khatif. The only creature, beyond some of the Keel, that still sent shivers down her spine was the bloodpriestess. Though a part of her wanted to insist that it was just because she had been a child when she faced her, Trai knew that she would still be hard pressed to fight against Ana. The actions she'd taken as a foolhardy child had served the swarm, and she did not regret them. Even so, it was only due to the sharp-fingered Moonchild's mercy that she and the rest of the swarm had survived.
She didn't think any longer about that, instead allowing her mind to clear of anything other than this fight.
Instead of just sparring, fighting, or honing her skills, she could finally indulge in a real fight and its inevitable conclusion: death. The ultimate expression of victory was to kill those fools incapable of winning themselves, even if she became the losing fool herself. A part of her wished for some magic so that she could use to hold back their shadowy attempts at escape, but she had yet to find a way to do so. As such, she welcomed Ashlani's assistance in dispelling the shadows that protected Misti Hawar from her claws.
Shadows puffed into mist and disappeared as the beasts' sole advantage was rent away. Then, Trai heard the voice that continued to grow louder.
Kill them all. Destroy those who threaten your home. Drive them from the mountains. Drive them from the face of the planet. Destroy them all.
"You don't have to tell me twice," she replied, unsure if she said so verbally or just replied in her mind. Her smile grew wider as she stepped forward and punched her clause into one of the coward's chest. She felt its heartbeat there, and she grinned as she flexed her fingers, effectively killing the creature as she tossed it carelessly inside of the border of her home. After all, there was no reason to waste the food.
He moved forward, blitzing from one of the powerless, confused beasts to the next. That presence, that voice that pushed her to rip and tear until there was nothing left but the blood of her enemies and victory in her heart disappeared, but the influence remained, regardless of if she continued to hear the voice. The need to overwhelm, to conquer, and to kill those who stood before her, continued to grow in her by the day, shaping her into what she considered to be a weapon.
The original Wisterl, she felt, would understand her. Instead, she was alone and without another to truly understand her. So, she was just happy being pointed at the next thing to kill. And now, there was so much killing to do.
Without the shadows bolstering their speed and strength, the Misti Hawar were strong and desperate. Their paws, tipped with claws that could pierce through scales, were certainly the making of a creature that had the ability to hunt the keelish. However, that was only with the added advantage of their magic. Now, they couldn't compare to the assembled body of Saharliard, ravenous, furious, and finally free to take revenge.
In just a few short seconds, she was able to reap lives and clear her portion of the wall. In a moment of clarity, Trai looked around and could see that, on the rest of the wall, most of the same thing was happening as well. A part of her attention turned back to the center of the city, wondering how the Zaaktif was. Then, she refocused on being able to let loose.
***
Ashlani
In the beginning, the plan went perfectly. My magic pulsed out from me and resonated with every one of the ringing improvised bells that my people wielded. A constant thrum of song filled the air, and the shadows were pushed back. The dark of night remained, but with my expanded sense of perception, I could feel the deeper shadows, those that obscured all of my senses, be driven back. Regular darkness reigned once more, and though I did nothing physically, I mentally cheered at the turn of events. My plan would work.
Then, something nearly physical fought back, something that smashed against my magic in a different way from the weaker influence of any of my mortal foes. My mind shook in the presence of this enemy and I tasted blood as I tried to stand strong. An undefineable pressure made me bow my head, and my magic shuddered as it started to die. Shadows seemed to consume my vision, and I gasped out a breath. Sybil said something beside me, but I couldn't hear her.
Before my vision and magic could fade entirely, though, Nievtala's presence surrounded me and shoved off the pressure. I managed to take a deep breath and I roared as I pulsed my magic back away from me in defiance of what'd attacked me. The ringing filled the air once again, and I felt the force of my magic redouble on the walls, though it drained my sonilphon at a prodigious rate. I wouldn't be able to maintain the aura for long, but that didn't matter as I watched the crippled Misti Hawar be slaughtered on the walls. They seemed to believe my magic would disappear, but it didn't and they were cut down, the last few of their number retreating with wounds and well over half of their number dead on the walls.
The Great Hunter is unwilling to allow such destruction of his spawn and followers. I will ensure I continue to protect you.
Nievtala's voice cut through my thoughts, and I pulled my attention from what I'd been watching. I let my magic slip out of my control and listened closely as she continued speaking.
This war is going to come to a head very quickly. Be prepared, because the Great Hunter will be involved even more, now.
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