We Are All Guests Upon the Land [Coci/Théo & Kära/Mysa]

[Nina Heavenshield]

As her mother checked her armour for any shortcomings, Nina simply stood watching Coci with her big, blue eyes. How she wished she could just open her mouth and voice her love for her family, now more than ever. Still, she took heart in Coci's words uttered inside her head, and once she'd finished her inspection of Nina's armour, the girl threw her arms around the woman she admired so. They may not be related by blood, but she is the only mother she's ever known. "I love you too, mother. I won't let you down," she replied within Coci's mind.

She then turned to her father, whom she loved more than anyone or anything in the universe. He'd rescued her from non-existence on Umbara, taken her in with nothing but her well-being in mind, and raised her as his own. She owed so much to him, yet he would never ask for anything in return. That's the sort of man he was, plain and simple. As the two looked upon one another, Thurion's face grew sad moments before he held her in his arms. "My sweet Snowflake," he said, caressing the back of her head. "Father," she replied, pulling away from the embrace just so she could wipe away a wayward tear from his eye, and she beamed a warm smile at him. It had the desired effect on Thurion, causing him to smile back. Her lips then formed the words 'thank you' before she leaned forward to place a kiss upon his forehead, having to tip-toe in order to reach.

"Let's take back our home," she then said, determination etched on her face.

[member="Coci Heavenshield"]​

 

[Thyrian Hearthfire]

Location: The Eastern Gatehouse

With Kära in hand Thyrian made for the eastern section where he would take command of the clans stationed there. In his left peripheral the hordes of the undead formed up - an attempt to break their wills before breaking their bodies, as was often the case in warfare. He'd seen it many times fighting for the Sith Empire in the service of his former master; the whittling down of enemy morale through terror tactics and sheer brutality until they surrender without a fight. It would not work here, despite the overwhelming numbers of the attackers. He would fight to the end, if need be.

"Commander Dawnbringer," one of the chieftains greeted him. Thyrian looked at the man with confusion. "That's not my name," he replied. "It belongs to my father." The chieftain then lowered his head as a sign of submission. "Apologies, my lord. Might I ask, what do we call you?" Thyrian's gaze wandered over to Kära, then back to the chieftain. "Ashb--" He stopped himself from uttering that name. It did not belong to him any longer. It was the name of a Sith Lord who no longer existed.

Turning towards the Vinterbound army, he propped himself up on the rampart. "Hearthfire," he spoke. "You may call me 'Hearthfire'."

[member="Kära Vi'dreya"]​

 

[Thrand Hearthfire]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRLdhFVzqt4​

Location: The Main Gatehouse

His eyes scanning the battlefield before him, Thrand wondered if this is how old Beorlund the Usurper must've felt over a decade ago when he came knocking with half of Midvinter at his back, as well as a pair of Jedi to boot. Those lightsabers sure didn't hurt to have on his side. His head turned towards the west, easily making out his youngest from the rest with his shining armour and golden hair. Watching him interact with his family always managed to put a smile on his face, even now as they were under siege. His head then turned to the east and his firstborn; the armour Thyrian wore was obviously not of Valkyri craftmanship, making him stand out from any crowd. He'd seen Thurion lead soldiers in battle on more than a few occasions, while having yet to see Thyrian in action. Time for the future High King to prove his worth as a commander.

With greatsword in hand, Thrand turned to his troops, calling upon the attention of the entirety of Tháinbroek - the entirety of Midvinter. "Today is the day when we drive the darkness off our world - this poison to Valkyri peace and prosperity! You've come from every corner of this world to defend it from those who would seek to destroy it, and everything you hold dear along with it. I make a solemn vow to you as your King: I will fight for my home and hearth until the time comes when the High God Odiir himself beckons me to Beornskald! Will you join me, brothers and sisters?"

A deafening roar echoed across the surface of Midvinter along with the pounding of shields and clashing of steel the likes of which had never been heard before. Hundreds upon hundreds of thousands challenged the Vinterbound, who now sounded the charge. An untold number of undead rushed the walls, seemingly utilising the same tactics as was seen at Fafnersvik. "Archers," came the command followed by thousands of flaming arrows lighting up the sky, inflicting massive casualties upon the assailants who showed no signs of stopping. "Catapults," came the next command as enormous blocks of stone were flung through the air before crashing down upon the undead, sending bodyparts flying in every direction.

It didn't take long for the first wave of Vinterbound to reach the walls, however, and just like at Fafnersvik they began constructing 'human' ladders, bunching up into masses of corpses so as to let their comrades ascend the ramparts. Thurion noticed the same tactics and unleashed a torrent of kinetic energy at one of them, tossing their barely-held-together bodies across the battlefield below. Still, there were many more to go, and every second another was constructed. There was no way to avoid them breaching the walls - what was the most important was to disallowing them entry into the city itself. "Now - fight with me, Valkyri of Midvinter!" Thrand's voice carried over the sound of arrows and artillery, over men and women's battle cries and the bone-chilling wailing of the undead.

The first Vinterbound to scale the wall was quickly put down by the High King, splitting its body in half down the middle.

[member="Coci Heavenshield"] | [member="Kära Vi'dreya"]​

 

[Lief]

A horn in the distance drew her attention away before she felt satisfied; she did not want to leave the safety of the herd, but she could not live with the thought of her family stood atop the ramparts as they awaited their frozen enemy. She was prepared to leave then, with her pilgrimage only half completed, when something unexpected happened.

There was a voice within her mind, a foreign entity... Yet one she knew oh so well.

The voice of what could only be ascertained as a God, though in truth she knew it was Belawir - her brother's Guardian. Far be it for she to ignore the will of the Gods, her attention shifted once more as her hand fell to grasp at Théo's. For strength. For comfort.

Mimicking the bow, out of utmost respect, Mysa could hardly believe what she saw and heard in those few moments as the soon to be stag made his way toward them. Not quite fully grown, yet definitely not a fawn. Much like her brother.

Her anxieties began to show, however, as another horn sounded and the roaring of voices could be heard from the City just beyond the trees. They were late, and no doubt their family were beginning to worry. Guilt struck her in that instance, however one look at Théo's steadfast expression made that bubble away into nothingness.

It had been a blessing, this short journey to look upon the Gods.

One might even have cause to believe it was written in the stars.

[member="Théodred Heavenshield"]

 

[Lief]

Worrying would do no good.

Mysa hadn't been seen, and word of mouth was that she and young Théo had left before the horns had sounded... But to where no one could answer. She could feel her beloved's tension, and that of her best friend, and while she too internally fussed over their whereabouts she realized that distraction right now could lead to mistakes or worse.

She had always been one to compartmentalize, to focus on what was immediately important. While she adored her family, there would be no family to worry over if they did not win this day. Her hand fell upon her stomach, and for a moment she was overcome with a feeling of sickness. But she could not let it show.

She wouldn't.

Instead she took Thyrian's offered hand and walked confidently alongside him toward the ramparts. To the Eastern Gatehouse, was this the same route the children had taken? Would they emerge from the shadows at any moment, proclaiming their games and swiftly preparing for the oncoming battle?

Should children even be in battle?

Kära recalled in that moment one of her first times. It wasn't the first life she had ever taken, there on Metalorn, but it had been the first she had unintentionally taken. The first she had really felt, understood.

That furry little Ewok had haunted her for years after, in a literal and figurative sense.

She would not wish that on any, much less a child.

For that, part of her was grateful that they were not here... But if not here, then where? Had the Vinterbound found them?

She truly hoped not.

[member="Thyrian Hearthfire"]

 

[Théodred Heavenshield]

The sound of second horn echoed through the forest, the cry of war followed it. It was not that far away from them, the Vinterbound had arrived and began their assault on the Walls of Tháinbroek. His breath caught in his throat constricting it, making swallowing near impossible. The only real thing in this moment was Mysa, as his hand rested in hers for comfort and assurance, it had the desired effect for him as well as her, and he unfurled his fingers taking her hand firmer.

The pull, the desire to run to the battle very great for them both. He had sensed his mother’s searching for them, she had touched upon their aura’s both and knew but now the family would have attention only for one thing. They needed to be there!

Théo turned as if to leave, to pull Mysa into a destiny they are not yet ready for, or are they? At least no matter what happened they would be with their family. But, he stayed his ground.

“My Lord Belawir”, he begun uncertain of who he was actually speaking to. “Men have brought this upon themselves, and to Midvinter. It is a foe most evil that will consume everything and leave nothing. It is the failing of Men that we do these things, whether they squabble over the Seat the in Grand Hall, or this .. this evil that has descended upon our soil from a place far beyond the stars. Yet, Men can be magnificent, their lives etched with honour and valour, a courage that is fuelled by love of a home so ingrained in them that they are not at fault. Did the Gods of this fair land not create them so?”, he did pull Mysa but toward Belawir.

“We stand before you the sons and daughters of Midvinter, willing to give our lives for it and even face the horrible possibility that we might fail and become..”, he paused not wanting to think of the outcome. “But we will fight! For if we do not, all will be lost, every man, woman and child until no one is left, and what will the Vinterbound do then? They will not rest until every living creature is taken. There will be nothing for the Gods to rule over and Midvinter will perish”.

“Fight with us, My Lord Belawir. I ask you, no I beg you”, Théo fell to his knees looking into the black eyes of the royal Vhaanir standing proud before him and Mysa.

The Gods will remain untouched by this, even though as you say nothing will survive. Why would we help you?

“Because it is our failings that make us Perfect, because you created us”. Théo stood up, he could hear the slashing of swords, the battle had begun and already there had been death. A tear formed in his eye but he did not waver from the gaze of the Gods.

Wait here, I shall return with an answer.

Belawir turned his large body and walked into the thickness of the forest and vanished. Théo turned to Mysa unsure of what to say to her or even think, and as he did so he noticed the entire herd of Vhaanir had gone, the two of them alone.

[member="Mysa Snowstrider"]​

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

Location: Western Gatehouse

Retaking her place by Thurion's side, Coci turned her head to look upon his face, his profile. Set in determination crossed his face as the words of his father could be heard all along the walls, this sent a chill down her spine. The attack of the Vinterbound had began. Reluctantly, Coci let go of his hand and moved along the wall so they could use their abilities in unison and have as much spread of them to counter-attack as the undead bodies began to climb the wall.

Coci summon her force power, to strengthen her limbs and set her mind to the war, the pull of it strong in her now, so much so then the last time they faced this foe. Older, wiser and stronger. As the Undead scaled over the tops of their compatriots in unnatural speed, Coci leaned forward with both palms facing them, and sent a Waveform upon them, the ripple of wave like that of the oceans ever swelling motion hit them hard and sent them crashing to the ground. Some would not get up again, but others would and only joined by more of them. The tide of the Vinterbound seemed unending, as it came once more.

Her hand reached for the lightsaber clipped to her belt and she ignited the purple blade, the Vinterbound that reached the rampart she assaulted cutting them in two removing heads from their decaying bodies, already she is coated in the grime blackened blood, foul to the senses.

​

[member="Thurion Heavenshield"]​

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

Location: Western Gatehouse

As the Vinterbound inevitably reached the walls and began scaling them, Thurion looked to both his wife and daughter before unsheathing Snowfall. This act alone prompted a unified battle cry from the clans under his command, and as the first undead fell to his blade lightning struck and thunder rolled across the skies. Thurion turned to his men and pointed his sword to the dark clouds above. "We are not alone in this fight - the Gods themselves do battle against the darkness!"

More undead followed, leaping over the ramparts to engage them in melee. While still relatively easy to cut through, these ones wore armour of ancient Valkyri design far less decrepit than the rags commonly worn by the Vinterbound, as evidenced on Fafnersvik. It became obvious that these were the elite among the undead, larger and more powerful than their ragtag comrades, which meant the Vinterbound were throwing all they had at them - a good thing, as they meant to rid the world of undead once and for all. Having them all in one place means they can end it here in one decisive blow.

Upon turning around amidst all the chaos he spotting Nina engaged by a number of undead. She did well holding them off, her golden lightsaber cutting through armour and weapon alike. Still, some back-up wouldn't hurt. "Nina," he called out to her before tossing her his lightsaber, which reached the palm of her free hand with the aid of the Force. The next moment it lit up, blue mixing with yellow as she unleashed a flurry of strikes against her attackers, carving them to pieces.

[member="Coci Heavenshield"]​

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

The cutting sound of Snowfall rang above the noise of the battle as Thurion unsheathed his sword, the roar of the Valkyri gave pause to the fight if only for a moment, and Coci took to chance to look to her husband, Thurion is just warming up. She could feel it, the sudden rush of pride and power within him pulsing along their bond giving added strength to her resolve and igniting her blood. She could see Nina situation between them, fighting like Coci had never seen her before, her golden blade a blur with motion and she was amazing to behold. And now, with her father's lightsaber, so true and had seen more battles then she cared to think on, Nina rose about her strength and now in this moment we see the girl become a warrior.

A anguished yell behind Coci snapped her back to the present and she turned to see the Undead landing on the rampart, one had just taken life. Coci turned her back to her husband and Nina her arm raised and sent a blinding flash of white light to the undead.

They are disorientated yet still lash out in hope to connect with anything in their reach. So be it! Coci ran forward and allowed them to 'touch' the purple blade, pieces of rotting bodies fell from the rampart to the stone streets below them, heads removed, limbs still twitching as if wanting to crawl. Those Valkyri on the ground had to job of disposing of them with oil and fire, cleansing the streets little by little.

There is another rumbling of thunder, a flash of lightning streaks across the hellish sky, something is happening up in the heavens what be the cause of that, she did not know, but could it be possible .. ?

Coci finds herself surrounded, although she is able to keep them from her, the numbers are growing overwhelming .. it would only be a matter of time.

​

[member="Thurion Heavenshield"]​

 

[Thrand Hearthfire]

Location: Main Gatehouse

The battle had begun well and true now, with Vinterbound scaling the walls in rapid succession. The ramparts were quickly getting covered in muck and blood belonging to friend and foe alike. The stench was awful, but in the heat of battle one barely notices, as your body fill with fire and your mind becomes sharpened. "As Valkyri you either thrive at war, or you die. A lesser man would break in mere seconds. The strong endure." Such had been the words of his father, Threign Hammerfall - the greatest man he's ever known.

His mighty sword worked overtime atop the walls, chopping down undead like they were paper. Still, one could only keep up for so long before becoming overrun, and the hordes of darkness appeared infinite. It was imperative that they were contained to the walls and not allowed to scatter through the city. Gods know the devastation they would bring to the children and elderly - those who cannot defend themselves. The primary duty of the High King is to protect his people, is it not so?

Once he was granted a moment of respite, Thrand grabbed the ivory horn off a corpse at his feet and signalled for [member="Ærin Firebrand"] and her cavalry to sound the charge. The sound of the horn echoed across the battlefied, drowning out the loud yelling and clashing of steel. It seemed the Vinterbound did not agree with the blaring signal, as a black arrow soon pierced the horn and split it down the middle. Thrand chuckled and tossed its remains over the wall in an act of defiance before resuming his slaughtering of undead. Already he could hear the thundering of hooves in the distance...

[member="Kära Vi'dreya"]​

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

The creaking of the bow cracked in her ear as she pulled back on the string, the tension almost at breaking point and she raised the arrow high into the air. The arrow ablaze, a black curling whiff of smoke looked strange against the greenish sky as it opened up and flashing and booming around them all. The signal from Thrand sounded almost like music compared to the noise of the battle that raged before her, which curled a corner of her lips and peaked an eyebrow. "What is with men and want for blowing horns?", she spoke to no one.

Her lips pursed against the string, "Fire!", and the arrow released along with thousands of others that blanketed the sky, in a flaming red. The blanket of flaming arrows hit hard on the Vinterbound, dropping those that are not armoured and burning them until they finally would reach their deaths. The archers continued their volley of arrows until their quivers were empty, and when Aerin released her last, she threw her bow and quiver to the ground and unsheathed her sword, holding it aloft in the air.

"The Kings calls the Riders of Rildonmark, charge!", she yelled over the clamber of clashing swords, only to be met with a reply of war cry and the cavalry began to move at speed.

​

​

The sound of pounding hooves was deafening, and would put the fear of the Gods in any one's heart to hear it, but to see it? It is spectacular. The Vinterbound however, only saw them as death .. for them and so turned to face the charging horses. As the clash came, Aerin pushed Bronzewing forward, her sword held high and the horses mowed down the first line of Undead. The crushing hooves smashing bodies to pieces, swords slashing against the wall of decay and they started to make some head way into the numbers of the enemy.

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[member="Thrand Dawnbringer"]​

 

[Lief]

They were about to turn and leave when, out of nowhere, Théo began speaking to the hart he referred to as Belawir. Part of her worried that they did not have time, but that was overriden by the fact that she was curious... Curious and awed by the presence of the Gods. She knew that just beyond the trees her family were readying for the ensuing battle. She knew that she ought to join them.

But Théo sounded so sure of the path he was preparing to take that she had no choice but to stand by his side. She had set this into motion, and he was furthering it. They were quite the team at times.

Mysa remained silent throughout the entire exchange. It was not her place to interrupt their discussion, the context of which amazed her. Was he asking the Gods to fight alongside them? And here she thought he didn't believe.

Stepping closer to Belawir, her hand in Théo's, Mysa's attention was taken from the battle to the task at hand. The Vinterbound were a blight against the entirety of Midvinter, it was true. Would the rest of the beings, whether sentient or not, rise to the challenge alongside them?

Did the Gods command such a will to get involved?

Mysa had felt their interactions with her before, but it had always been subtle. The way the wind fell, whispers on the breeze, never anything direct... Just suggestions, affirmations. If they joined today, however, this would be a first. For her at least.

All at once her brother dropped into a kneel, and Mysa hastily joined him in the respectful motion. It didn't last long, the distant sound of battle rousing the both of them. Yet her brother stood strong, though she could sense his dismay.

Then, without warning, Belawir turned and left to convene with the others... Leaving the duo alone in the forest.

"Did that really just happen?" she whispered, her entire body trembling. Had they really just spoken with a God?

[member="Théodred Heavenshield"]

 

[Thyrian Hearthfire]

Location: Eastern Gatehouse

Igniting his crimson lightsaber as the first undead mindlessly leaped over the ramparts, Thyrian got his first good look at one up close; putrid, vile creatures. Even he found their mere existence an affront to all living beings. He made short of work of the walking corpse, slicing its head off in a clean swipe to the hum of his lightsaber. His eyes shifted to Kära as she too faced her first, watching her cut it down with ease. For but a moment his mind wandered to a time when she was but a girl, yet already a Sith Lord, and how even then she'd moved so gracefully on the field of battle. It still put him in a trance of sorts, but he was soon rudely interrupted by another Vinterbound soldier, coming at him with an axe raise above its head, howling like a madman.

Thyrian simply held out his hand and grabbed the creature by the throat, then proceeded to crush its neck until the head popped off, leaving its body limp and useless before tossing it off the side. "Foul thing," he snarled while wiping some of its blood off his face, immediately assaulted by its foul stench, yet remained seemingly unphased by it all. Peering over the side, he watched them ascend the wall via their man-made siege tower. Flames appeared in the palm of his hand moments before throwing a ball of fire at its base, causing the mass of bodies to quickly catch fire and scatter. "They burn easily," he told Kära at his side before swiftly cutting down another.

Once given pause, however, Thyrian contacted the Judgement sitting in orbit via comm-link. "Lieutenant, how are we doing?"

Watching the battle play out from afar, the former Imperial Star Destroyer and its crew were hard at work trying to decipher the whereabouts of this alleged Sith artifact determined to be the cause of this undead horde on Midvinter. "We're receiving coordinates now, my lord," the experienced lieutenant answered, having served under Thyrian and Kära before him since she was first granted ownership of the mighty vessel. "The energy signal is coming from..." There was a pause. "From where," Thyrian demanded an answer.

"Forgive me, my lord, but it seems the artifact is... right on top of your location."

Thyrian didn't question the lieutenant's words, and instead took to again gaze upon the hordes laying siege to the city all along the walls. Off in the distance he could make out his father leading his troops, and even further the blue and gold standard of his brother's family fluttered in the wind. It wasn't until he laid eyes on the next wave approaching the main gatehouse where his father fought valiantly that he saw it.

​

​

A hulking beast of a walking corpse lumbered toward the gate, easily twice the size of any Valkyri. Around his neck hung an amulet, still pristine after untold centuries. Thyrian quickly put two and two together and hailed Thurion over their comm-link. "Thurion! The main gate!" Without waiting for an answer he began fighting his way along the wall towards the main gatehouse where Thrand could be seen under constant assault by the undead.

About halfway there, he watched as the massive Vinterbound warrior reached the gatehouse, almost standing as tall as the wall itself. Rather than scaling it or break open the gate, it placed its palm against the sturdy stonework and remained there for a moment. Thyrian could feel it amassing its power as he kept struggling to reach the King. "Father!" he called out as loud as he could, and actually managed to catch Thrand's attention. The next moment, however, the entire gatehouse erupted into a massive explosion, sending bricks and mortar flying in all directions. Bodies were tossed like they were nothing, crushed beneath the rubble if they weren't outright killed by the fall itself. Thyrian got knocked to the ground by a piece of rock hitting him in the forehead, causing his vision to blur for a time as he struggled to get back on his feet, desperately looking down at the pile of rubble in hopes of finding his father.

[member="Coci Heavenshield"] | [member="Kära Vi'dreya"]​

 

[Théodred Heavenshield]

For a long moment, Théo could only stare into Mysa's ice blue eyes, he heard her words, her question but simply did not know how to answer her. He shook his head unsure, his mind unsure of what just happened, let along that they had possibly .. probably, spoken to the Gods themselves. Théo had talked to his father about them, both unclear as to their true existence but now...

He turned his gaze away from her needed to find a place to rest until the Vhaanir return, a large tree that had fallen hundreds of years ago lay upon the ground at the edge of the clearing, Théo guided Mysa to it by the hand, not wanting to let go of her, just in case she vanished too. Everything just seemed like in a dream, that he would wake up in his bed back in the Grand Hall and all would be well, he would sit up and laugh about the silliness of it all. But her warm hand in his told him different, they are very much living this.

A thick coating of snow covered the log, with his arm he scraped away the snow atop it to have a dry place for Mysa to sit if she wished, chivalry is not dead. He sat down himself and stared at the white snow by his feet. "I .. I am unsure", that was not true, "Yes I think we just spoken to Odiir himself, Helm maybe?", he turned to her as if she had the answer.

In this time, the sound of the raging battle seemed to have vanished, but now a cracking of thunder over head snapped him back to the present. He began to breath loud, heart pounding in his chest, the pull to run into battle growing stronger in his young Valkyri, a throw back to the anicents, and his blood wanted for the thrill of the fight. And his family, there in the midst of it all, he wanted to be with them as did Mysa but they had to wait. It was frustrating to say the least.

Théo shifted on the log turning to the side to take Mysa by the shoulders, "I don't know what just happened, but I know this. You and I will fight and we will bring glory to our family whether we live or die". Something moving in the trees caught his attention, looking over her shoulder, Théo could see what was coming toward them, his lips turned into a snarl.

A group of Vinterbound, ordered to scout the forest had found them. Théo stood up and unsheathed his sword, finally letting go of Mysa's hand, he moved back out into the clearing as they began to surrounding them both. "Stay close to me", he whispered to her, this eyes and force senses alert. "Lets not wait for them to come to us, lets gives these bastards the death they deserve".

Belawir, his lightsaber summon to his other hand, ignited with the hum of the white blade. Théo ran toward them, his mouth open to issue a war cry the likes unheard of from a young man.

​

​

[member="Mysa Snowstrider"] ​

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

Location: Western Gatehouse


As she kneels, her hand reached down to pick up a sword that had fallen from the hand of the Undead she had just killed. In the same motion, she pivoted arching the sword in a wide sweep to cut a Vinterbound in half, and even before it's body hit the floor of the rampart her lightsaber removed it's head. Her face covered in the decay of the blood and flesh, Coci stood up and grabbed the corner of her cloak to wipe her face and clear her physical vision. There is no time for hesitation, they still come in numbers uncountable, a continual wave of unnatural forces fueled by the darkside.

She could sense it, that sick corrupting consuming presence she had felt every time she stood in it's company. She dropped the fouled sword, raised her hand and sent a powerful force push to the wall of Undead as it hit, they flew into the air and crashed on the grounds below. This gave Nina and she a moment of reprieve, and just as she turned to look for Nina and Thurion, an explosion ripped the air sending shock wave through Tháinbroek.

Coci was knocked to her back on the rampart, only to scramble back on her feet to see the destruction of the main gate, her heart pounding she could not see Thrand. The voice of Thyrian called out over the noise, he needs his brother to go fight for the city there. "Go!", Coci shouted out to Thurion. Sensing his hesitation to leave both she and Nina behind to fight alone without him. "I love you", she could all but voice the words.

Running to Nina, Coci spun her on the spot by the shoulders, "We need to stay here, we cannot allow the Vinterbound to enter the city from the western gate. Your father needs to go and fight with his father and brother, we need to remain", as much as Coci wanted to join them, she knew it was impossible they simply could not leave the western gate unprotected. "I want to go with him too, but these are the choices we need to make above what we want, and do what we must". Her voice in Nima's mind would tremble.

"I have a plan, but I need you to watch my back. Will you do that for me?". She asked trying to keep Nina's focus on her. Coci could hear the Vinterbound regrouping below, her destruction of their wall only gave them enough time to set a plan but now they climbed the walls once more.

​

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[member="Thurion Heavenshield"]​

 

[Lief]

There wasn't much time to fully gauge what was happening before the first wave of Vinterbound made their way over the ramparts. She heard her beloved's lightsaber sing into ignition and reached for her own, stepping forward to activate it in one swift motion. A heavy thud could be heard as the dissected body of her foe slumped to the ground, surprising even her. She hadn't ever dismembered an opponent in such a way, utilizing a sai tok was unheard of even to the likes of her.

Still, it got the job done.

One glance over to her Phoenix was all she needed to feel the adrenaline rush with a very fierce need to protect her own. Her Phoenix and her Furry and all that encompassed their lives.

The stench of burning flesh was enough to inform her of Thyrian's immediate strategy, and she realized just how foolproof it might have been. Not only would burning the fiends hasten their demise, it would also stop them from arising once more.

Feeling the Force flow through her, Kära drew upon the burning desire, the necessity she held within to make it through this day, and allowed it to manifest outwardly in a volley of flames. Nowhere near as impressive as Thyrian's, but to him it was natural by now.

Kära had never been a duelist, nor must of a Force warrior... Her true forte lay within her mind. "Cover me" she said, to several of the seasoned warriors who were on the rampart with her and Thyrian.

Stepping back, the Umbaran closed her eyes and stretched out her senses in order to ensure that she wasn't about to be cut down by the undead ilk. Then her attention spread further, out against the battlefield itself to both friend and foe alike. Morale was raised in the Valkyri at her back, while the horde before her would begin to feel both doubt and intimidation in unison.

Working the two branches, and keeping them separate, was tiring. So much so that all of her focus was poured into it, and Kära became unaware of her immediate surroundings.

She did not hear what their orbital lieutenant had to say about the artifact, she did not sense the presence of her beloved vanish into the distance, or that of dear Thrand begin to dwindle. She was lost amidst a world of emotion and mentalism.

[member="Coci Heavenshield"] [member="Thyrian Hearthfire"]

 

[Lief]

She walked alongside Théo, hands tightly held, toward the log in silence, gratefully taking a seat while they waited for the Vhaanir to return... Provided they would return at all. She was anxious to return to her family at this point, she wanted to aid them in the battle which had already begun just beyond the trees. But patience may be fruitful in this case, and she wasn't willing to lose the support of the Gods by rushing off.

Théo tried to gauge the identity of the God they had spoken to, and for a moment she truly had to think. She wanted to believe it was Éar, but Belawir was not her Guardian... Nor was she a patron of battle. "Helm" she whispered, "though I feel Odiir all around us."

Perhaps that was religious superstition, perhaps it was only Mysa who felt that way concerning the Gods, but she had learned to read the subtleties in all things in order to detect them. Odiir circled them on the breeze, of that there was no doubt in her mind.

She didn't care if it sounded crazy to anyone else.

Silence fell over them, even the wind seemed to become muffled as they lay there amidst blankets of snow. It felt alien, a world away from the reality of what Midvinter was facing this day.

Only the feel of her brother's hands on her shoulders was enough to shake her back to reality. She was about to respond to his little speech, which had truly motivated her, when she heard him snarl and felt the air become even frostier if such a thing were possible.

They were here.

It took just a moment for Mysa to rise to her feet and stand alongside Théodred. One hand brushed to her belt where her lightsaber lay, but her fingers itched for something more substantial. Something borne of the land.

So it was that when her brother rushed forward Mysa joined him, the hand-and-half sword ringing free from its sheath. The battle cry roused a certain fiery spirit from within her core, a steadfast resolve to bring glory and triumph to her family. She joined him then, her own cry mixing almost perfectly with his.

And together they came upon their foes. The armies may have been far from them, but the battlefield had been brought to their sanctuary amidst the trees.

[member="Théodred Heavenshield"]

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

The numbers of the Undead that moved toward the Wall are beyond counting, they seem to reinforced with a strength they had not had in the past. Their will to destroy far greater and with it, a greater sense of application to the fight. The Riders of Rildonmark had cut down many of them, reducing the numbers that had assaulted the wall on the east and front gate, but there are more, as if springing up out of the ground itself. In a pause, Aerin looked around to her Riders, many had fallen and so too their horses, bodies lay in death .. for now. The carnage was horrific, the stench of rotting blood mixed with fresh, corrupted the ground. Her heart broke into a million pieces at the sight of it, how could it not?, Valkyri fight Valkyri under this terrible evil that has effected them.

The blast from the Wall, turned her head to the main gate, she could see the ripping gaping mouth of it yawning to allow entrance to the Vinterbound. They could not allow them to get in, it would mean the end of Tháinbroek .. the end of Midvinter. The cavalry horses are spent, their capacity of energy limited and it was time to let them go. Bronzewing had done her job. This was so very different to the battle for the throne.

Aerin jumped down off the mare, gathered her weapons before 'instructing' Bronzewing to leave through the force. When the Riders saw their commander dismount and ready to charge into battle on ground, so did they. Forming up behind her, the warriors of Rildonmark charged toward the main gate. Aerin could sense it, there was a touch on the minds of the warriors from somewhere. A lifting of the spirit onward to victory entered their minds, and she too could see the faulting in the steps of the Vinterbound. Aerin turned her head to the eastern wall, she could the white hair of the Lady of the Royal family standing atop the rampart. It was from her the flow of the force reached out to them and strengthen their resolve.

​

Aerin drew on this, pulling it to her to give strength not only to the mind but her body as well. And the Shieldmaiden of Midvinter, the King's Hand entered the battle on foot, sword gripped with solid purpose as she began to attack the Vinterbound without fear.

​

[member="Thrand Dawnbringer"] | [member="Kära Vi'dreya"]​

 

[Théodred Heavenshield]

Within one meter of the first Vinterbound, Théo dropped to the ground in a crouch position, his sword taking out the legs of the enemy and as the body began to fall, he stood and with a back handed strike took of it's head. There is no forgiveness in the swords forged on Midvinter, designed for one purpose only, to destroy bodies with ultimate results, there is not much forgiveness in a lightsaber either, the cut is just cleaner.

From the first strike, blood spilled on the virgin snow burning into it, before find ground and returning to star dust. But not before another would simply walk over it's fellow undead, not caring at all, nor did Théo at this point. With strong arm, force enhanced, blood infused with the song of ancients, he cut through them. He could sense Mysa close by, she is fighting with power and will, so changed is she from the person that once wanted nothing more then to aid the sick, not harm a soul which to him, was admirable but now, like he is she is a little older and has experienced life outside their cloistered environment, and learned hard lessons of reality. This aspect of their lives only just beginning.

Théo stumbled forward with the momentum of the strike to cut in half yet another one, his face flecked with black blood and gore. He shrugs of his fur that has keep the bite of the cold from his skin, allowing it to fall where it may, to reveal his black leather attire and to free up his swing. He feels a hand touch his shoulder, fingers like sharp nails dig into his flesh and a sickening sound issuing from it's throat like air being sucked threw clenched teeth.

Pushing the hilt of his sword forward reversing his grip and raising the blade parallel to his arm, Théo plunged his sword backward into the gut of the Vinterbound just as he felt the teeth touch his neck.

​

[member="Mysa Snowstrider"]​

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

Location: Heading for the Main Gatehouse

Thurion heard the voice of his older brother ringing through his earpiece, demanding his attention be drawn to the main gate. He was about to ask what was wrong, only to find he didn't have to; mere moments later a massive explosion had reduced the entire gatehouse to a pile of rubble, causing untold destruction upon the nearby buildings - fortunately left abandoned in preparation for the coming battle the night before. Thurion's heart sank at the realisation that his father had been at the epicenter of the explosion, and that he was nowhere to be seen.

Gazing across the great chasm, he saw Thyrian rise from getting knocked down by the blast. "Brother, are you alright?" he shouted across. The elder looked around him in his dazed state, still trying his damndest to find any trace of Thrand. "He's gone, Thurion. He's gone...!" Thurion too scanned the debris for any signs of their father, but so far nothing. "Thyrian. Thyrian! I need you to focus! We still have a battle to win." No answer came from Thyrian, now on his knees as he kept looking for his father among the ruins.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2cZlLrVP7E​

Meanwhile, the leader of the Vinterbound marched through the opening, shaking the earth with every step. With Thyrian out of commission for the time being, Thurion steeled himself before leaping down the chasm, planting both feet firmly in the ground as he faced the massive creature. "You shall not pass, hellspawn! This is our world!" As more undead began to pour through the breach in the wall, Thurion unleashed a powerful shockwave to send their bones flying back from where they came. It was but a temporary solution, as more soon followed.

"For the Bringer of Dawn," a voice then cried out from behind him, only to be joined by thousands more. The remainder of Thrand's forces had regrouped and now charged the undead head on, keeping them from reaching the city. This provided Thurion with the opportunity to focus on taking down the behemoth, however impossible it seemed. With Snowfall held aloft, he too charged the enemy alongside his Valkyri brethren, and as the large creature's sword clashed with his, lightning struck once more followed by the trembling of thunder. "Odiir," he cried out, feeling his blood boil with the heat of battle.

His bravado only lasted for so long, however, as the massive Vinterbound effortlessly knocked him off his feet, the Dark side of the Force granting it unimaginable strength. Thurion watched helplessly as it raised its mighty blade to strike him down, and it seemed that all was lost. Then, suddenly, the crimson blade of his brother's lightsaber pierced the behemoth's chest. "That's my brother, you piece of filth!" The creature let out an ear-shattering roar as it reached behind its back to grab hold of Thyrian only to toss him Thurion's way. Fortunately, Thyrian managed to control his landing and found himself stood beside his brother just as he got back up. "Let us end it together. For our father."

[member="Coci Heavenshield"] | [member="Kära Vi'dreya"]​