Painting the town red!

The group all head outside and head straight toward the wandering undead.

The undead hear the collective footsteps and turn their heads before bearing their teeth and snarling.

A few of the undead run straight toward the group and are quickly cut down by John, Kyuala and Mordroe. The rest of undead are seemingly smarter as they spread out to avoid immediately getting cut in half. Just then, the undead **** charge forward simultaneously, trying to weed out the group but it doesn't work.

The soldiers all slice and thrust their weapons, acting as one cohesive unit rather than spread out men trying to survive. The undead's numbers and speed are nothing compared to the well oiled machine that is the group.

As the undead are quickly losing their numbers advantage, they get a little more **** and animalistic. One of the undead charges before leaping forward only to meet the sharp edge of Radvar's axe which stops said undead in the air as the axe splits its skull.

One by one, the undead are cut down and the area is soon cleared of the beasts.

The group all take a breath, taking a moment of reprieve as Johtun says, "Nothing is more dangerous than a unified squadron. Now, let's show Imoga that numbers don't equal victory".

The group all cheer as they get ready to split up. Johtun, Mordroe and Terra head to John's team as Johtun says, "Alright, we've got our plans. We get the signal fire going and you find that undead whore and end this nightmare".

"We will. Keep yourselves safe, we still got mead to drink" John says.

Johtun nods with a smile as he and Mordroe head back to the guards meanwhile John, Kyuala, Radvar, Amilia and Terra all group up.

"Okay, we know what we need to do but we also need to keep an eye out for any survivors. We also need to look for Daffy, Cidal, Parlo and Lani. Now, we've lost too many good people, I don't want to lose anymore so no splitting up unless absolutely necessary and we have to keep our heads on a swivel at all times, understood?".

The others all agree without hesitation.

"Alright, let's go kill that rotting cunt".

The group set off as they see Johtun and Mordroe's group do the same.

As they're walking, Kyuala gets beside John and says, "When did you turn into a captain?".

"Well, let's just say a little angel gave me some advice".

Kyuala looks at him confused while John simply smirks as they continue walking forth.

---

BACK IN TOWN:

Cidal, Nartoko and Daffy finally get down to street level and are looking around, trying to find any sort of life that isn't trying to kill them.

They skulk around in the alleyways and shadows as they continue their search but no luck.

"Okay, wits the plan here?" Daffy asks.

"We try to find any survivors and then we try to stop Imoga" Cidal responds.

Nartoko then asks, "And where do you suggest we start to find any survivors? If there are any that is".

Just as Nartoko finishes his question, the trio hear the scattering of feet coming toward them. They quickly fall back into the shadows as they try to see who or what the footsteps belong to.

As the footsteps get closer, they begin to hear a voice, "Over here! We can hide for the moment!".

The footsteps get closer to the alleyway where the trio reside so Nartoko decides to peek around the corner and see none other than Captain Parlo and a solider beside him.

Nartoko then calls out to the duo, "Hey! Parlo! Over here!".

Parlo and his soldier see Nartoko and immediately rush over to him.

"Nartoko! Holy fuck, you're alive!" Parlo says as the duo join the trio.

"Not for lack of trying on Imoga's behalf that's for sure" Cidal comments with Nartoko adding, "Yes, let's just say that the southern gate is a no-go zone".

The young guard with Parlo then asks, "So how are we getting out of here?".

The other four look amongst themselves before Nartoko say, "We're not going anywhere son. It is our duty to fight for Reduna'z Gaze until our last breath".

"Look around! There's no Reduna'z Gaze left to fight for! We've got undead bastards swarming the streets! We've lost most of our men! Look at what happened to Johtun, he's probably de-".

"Enough!" Parlo commands.

The guard stops, stunned from Parlo's sudden outburst. Parlo on the other hand looks the young man dead in the eyes before saying, "I understand you're scared private... hell, I am too but we are still the protectors of the people of this town. Now, we still have breath in our lungs, our weapons are still sharp, our bodies still work... so we have a chance to make this right. Sure, we could just run and survive another few months, maybe a year... but that would be a year spent in constant fear knowing the undead will devour everyone and everything in their way until all is lost. We have a choice to make right here and now... We may run and abandon every principle we have... Or we fight, we stay and we hunt down Imoga and put an end to this chaos! Not only for us or Reduna'zriam, but for the world! So... will you fight with us?".

The guard is so conflicted, pondering duty over his life but Parlo's words do what they were intended to do and inspires the young guard. The young guard is now inspired by Parlo and so he responds, "For Reduna'z Gaze".

Parlo smiles as he gives the soldier a friendly pat on the shoulder. The group now all ready to try and take the fight to Imoga.

Parlo is the next to speak as he asks, "So, how do we get to Imoga in the first place?".

"I think we need tae find John and the others. No way they'll let some rotten fuckfaces take them doon" Daffy suggests.

"Where would we start? We have no reason to believe that the northern gate is any better off than the rest".

Cidal's question is wondered by everyone but they're interrupted as they hear voices coming toward them.

"Damn the gods! The fairy can't have gotten out of town! I want her found, now!".

The angry voice of Imoga rings throughout the alleyway the group are hiding in. Meanwhile, as the echo fades, her footsteps get fainter as she walks away.

"The fairy! Lani's alive! We have to find her! She and John are always together!" Daffy says with hope.

"Again, we don't know where to start. They could be anywhere" Parlo retorts.

As he does, Cidal remembers something from earlier that Lani said to him and Terra, "The Kauldron! Lani said that's where we were to meet up if we were overrun".

Nartoko then finally speaks up by saying, "Luckily for all of you, I know exactly how to get there from anywhere in town. Now, let's go get a drink".

The group wait a moment, scouting out the street to make sure the coast is clear and after confirming that it is, they make their way to the Kreaky Kauldron.

---

MEANWHILE:

John and his group are moving through the streets, cutting down any undead that come into their path.

As Kyuala digs her axe out of the corpse of a fresh kill, Terra says to the others, "We need to get to the Kauldron, anybody still around should have made their way there".

"Good idea elf, we can finally get a drink" Radvar says.

Kyuala shakes her head before commenting, "I swear, all that boy does is think about getting drunk".

"We can get as drunk as we want after we kill Imoga, for now... we find any survivors and take the fight to the scaly bitch" John says as the group turn the corner to head down the road toward the Kauldron.

"Or if that fails, there's probably a never ending bar up in H'nod's Land" Amilia says, being the pessimistic anchor that she always is.

A few more minutes of walking pass as the group finally get to the Kauldron.

The song of swinging metal and tearing flesh ring out as the group clear out a few loose undead. Kyuala then looks in the window before saying, "Good, my place is untouched, hopefully someone made it back".

The group head to the door and all in, weapons at the ready just in case. After searching around for a few minutes, the group reconvene back at the bar.

"Anything?" Kyuala asks.

"Nothing upstairs, we checked every room" John replies as he and Radvar take a seat.

John looks down at the bar, obviously distraught and Kyuala sees it, "Hey, we're going to find Lani okay?".

Just then, the door is opened and immediately the group whip around with weapons drawn. As they look, they're surprised as they see a familiar face.

"I knew yous wid be here!".

Daffy runs over and immediately hugs John's legs which earns a chuckle from John who replies, "We're glad you're safe Daffy, you too Cidal".

"It is good to see you all too, I hope you've had better luck than us".

"We managed to clear the west and eastern gates but it was too late" Kyuala comments.

"You're not the only ones, we had the southern gate secure until that cow Imoga and her merry band of shit lickers showed up".

John is quick to respond to Nartoko's words as he frantically asks, "You saw Imoga? Did she have a fairy with her?!".

"No, she didn't lad".

John sighs, looking to the floor again as his face is coated in fear for his friend however Daffy speaks up by saying, "But she's looking for her, that means Lani's still alive!".

John's expressions changes once more, "We need to find her as soon as possible!".

"Wait, how'd you know she's looking for Lani?" Kyuala asks.

Parlo is the one to answer by saying, "We were hiding in an alley when we heard her talk about finding the fairy".

Radvar then asks, "Why would Imoga want Lani?".

"I believe I know why" Cidal says before continuing, "Imoga is incredibly powerful as we already know however her power is currently limited due to her blood magic literally killing her vessel... but ... if she was able to trap and brainwash Lani, she would be able to raise the dead and control her new army from anywhere in the world with just a thought".

The group are horrified at this revelation but after hearing this, Amilia asks, "Why go to the trouble of brainwashing her? Why doesn't she just kill Wings and, y'know, bring her back to life?".

"Fairies lose their magic when they die. It acts as a sort of signal for the other fairies to follow so they can find the fallen and take their bodies back to their realm" Terra explains.

"So what's the plan?" The young guard asks.

The group all look amongst each other, waiting for someone else to speak but eventually John takes the reigns by saying, "First, we find our friend. Imoga wants her so we need to do everything we can to make sure that doesn't happen. Next, we look for the wicked bitch of the west and wait for Johtun and Mordroe to light up the signal flare, then... we kill the queen".

The group is silent for a moment but then a laugh emanates from Nartoko. He chuckles as he leans back in his chair, grinning ear-to-ear before eventually calming down, "Ahhh... the way he laid out the plan... you'd think he was the commander".

Nartoko chuckles a little more before saying, "Alright son" Nartoko then stands up and walks over to John, "You made the plan, i'll follow your lead".

Nartoko extends his hand toward John and in one swift movement, John takes the extended hand and shakes it.

Parlo and the young guard look at one another for a brief moment before Parlo says, "We'll follow your lead John".

Everyone then nods as Daffy looks up to John and gives him friendly pat on his leg.

"Thank you... all of you" John says, earning him some more nods.

John then takes a moment before continuing, "Okay, first, Lani. We know she's still around somewhere in town cause Imoga is looking for her but we have no clue where. Now, I only know of two places that Lani would go to hide and that's here and Talyisha's... so, I think we check there first".

John then has a thought which causes his expression to change which everyone notices and so Terra asks, "What's wrong?".

"Before Imoga hit me with her blast, Sylus was right beside Lani and I... so i'm thinking that maybe.. just maybe.. Lani could be with him".

"So what do we do?" Amilia simply asks.

John sighs, "I don't know. I want to find her but I don't want to split us up, especially now".

John goes silent again but that's when Kyuala walks up beside him, "I know you don't want to.. but if we want to get her back.. we have to".

John sighs once more before saying, "Fine, but we have to be careful about it. Now, since Tally's place is more in town than Sylus' store, they'll need more muscle. Nartoko, you fine with leading that squad?".

Nartoko laughs, "It'd be my pleasure, commander".

"Okay good, we'll practically be in the same groups as before but Radvar, you'll go with Nartoko and Daffy comes with us".

The two agree as they head to their respective squads.

John then continues, "Alright, once we've searched our places, we regroup back here and plan our next step, got it?".

Everyone agrees with the plan and they all group up at the door.

John then says to Nartoko, "Stay safe".

"You too lad" Nartoko replies just before the groups walk outside.