Like Kelara

You went forward and tried to follow her words. You looked at the northern side and saw that camp managed to form some sort of defense with a halfling you met earlier commanding them, but there were maybe two dozens of them. You knew that they will die no matter what. And then you saw them, helping create a barricade that everyone knew was meant to fall.

You heart skipped a beat.

Kelara and Layla stood among would-be defenders, preparing to take first impact of an enemy that was charging right at the camp.

You squeezed through the last few people, and jumped over the broken bench only to land next to someone. You looked at her face and recalled that she is the cow girl you met some time ago, she made a direct proposition to you.

"Hey!" You touched her arm. She wasn't moving. She didn't look good, her horn was broken and she had multiple bruises all over her body.

You pressed your two fingers to her neck, her massive bust only slightly interrupting you in that work. You had no idea if you could detect anything, she wasn't a human after all, but you did. A strong pulse was there. She was just ****.

You looked around and saw a cup filled with unknown substance. It had a stench of ****, but it had to do. You splashed it all over her face while shaking her arms.

"Wh... what?" She said while opening her eyes.

"Get up, and run!" You pointed at a direction you thought was safe. She supported herself on your arm and did what you asked her to do.

You passed a dozen more yards and finally got to close to the defenders.

"Layla, Kelara, what the hell are you doing in here?" You asked as you approached your friends.

They both turned to face you. Centaur girl with fear in her eyes, and spider just rushing at you and hugging.

"David, my dear. I'm so happy to see you! I couldn't find you anywhere so I'm helping here, you see? I'm helping! I'm helpful and we're going to kill some dedudes!"

"Yeah, I see, don't worry. But why are you here? Why didn't you escape?"

"I can't leave them." Kelara pierced the silence left by your question. "Sievers asked me for help. To cover the retreat of everyone else. I can't... I couldn't live knowing that I didn't do everything I could to save those people."

You didn't answer. You knew you could convince Layla to go with you without problems. But Kelara was something else. She still had her code and honour, so you doubted there was anything you could do or say. And leaving her was not an option.

"Then I'm staying as well."

You said stepping forward and forming a spear from your armour.

"No! You have to run. There is no way we can..." Kelara protested, but you silenced her with a sudden kiss planted on her mouth.

"Either we all run or we all stay. Doris is safe with... A new acquaintance."

Layla looked happy that you were there. Kelara gave you a nod, but her eyes were full of concern.

"We are full at the barricade, stay in the back, you will fill in if anyone drops." Halfling commander said bluntly. He was right. Bigger gaps were filled by Kelara and Layla, smaller ones had already everyone set up. Barricade was made from two carts dropped on the side, few broken benches, stools, chairs and lots of hope to live through the day. They got a cover from arrow and could take a few fair blows before falling down. But the situation was still hopeless.

You saw them approaching, picking up the pace. They were wearing armours in one colour, each of them had ash-like wings, each of them with horns and spikes.

Demons.

The situation doesn't look too hot, right?

Ishtar asked. Suddenly she materialised right in front your very eyes. You stuck out your hand, but she wasn't really there. She wanted you to see her, so she created this mental image inside your brain. Up until now you didn't know she could do that.

"No, it doesn't. I don't know how are we going to leave this place alive."

Well... I may have a solution to that. But it will require a sacrifice from you.

"What kind of sacrifice?" You asked and looked at your friends. You didn't want to lose any of them.

Just some of your blood.

"That doesn't seem like too high of a price."

And giving me a total control. For some time.

Her illusion got extremely close to you, only inches away from your eyes.

You had no idea what was she going to do and how. You could only hope for the best and prepare for the worst. But the worst was coming and you had about a minute till the imminent clash. But you knew it won't be any battle. In the brightest scenario they will rip your group apart while everyone else manages to escape.

You swallowed hard and answered, possibly dooming yourself and everyone around you.