Be there or be (town) square

A FEW MINUTES LATER - REDUNA'Z SQUARE:

The group walk into what is considered the town square of Reduna'z Gaze. A large square with shops, a tavern, hostels and other places all round. The main feature of the square however is the large marble statue of a huge orc woman adorned with a leaf crown. A huge axe gripped in her right hand while draped in a cloak that goes over the left side of her body.

As John looks up at the statue, Kyuala stands beside him and explains, "That is Reduna'z, Goddess of Nature".

"It's weird, never thought I'd ever describe a statue as beautiful before".

Kyuala looks at John with a raised eyebrow, "Should I be worried about you trying to stick your sword in the revered statue of my people's goddess?".

John then smirks before replying, "Well, i'll definitely be sticking it in a goddess alright, just not of the statue variety".

John then gives Kyuala a sly wink which immediately causes the orc to blush as she says just above a whisper, "You big flirt".

John's smirk remains as he gives Kyuala a quick spank on her behind which earns a small yelp of surprise from the larger woman. Kyuala whips her head around to see John walking to the others as she feels her blushing cheeks get even more red.

"How's our preparations?" John asks.

"They're going well lad. We've got the pick of the lot here, empty buildings all around. It's a pity we didn't have a group of archers though" Nartoko replies as he looks at the buildings.

Parlo then adds, "We're currently setting up some traps between all the entrance routes. If it is a horde we end up dealing with, it'll make sure no more join the party".

"What about Imoga?".

"Then there's no way she's getting out alive" Parlo responds with a determined tone which gives John a much needed boost of confidence.

---

MEANWHILE:

As John is going over the plan with Parlo and Nartoko, Terra and Amilia are setting up the aforementioned traps.

Terra's staff lights up as she waves it over a part of the wall and a few seconds later, a rune forms on said wall. Amilia watches as said rune shows up and so she asks, "Hey ears, what does it do?".

"The rune?" Terra asks.

"No, the stick up Cidal's ass. Of course I meant the rune".

Terra let's out a single small chuckle before explaining, "The rune is essentially a magical trip wire. When it's tripped, it emanates a burst of blue flame and coats the tripper in said flame".

"Hold on... did you say... blue flame?".

"I did" Terra replies casually, "The spell is an old one, mostly used back when necromancers were a little more common but less powerful due to the limited studies about it. See, the rune is only triggered by the undead so we can run across it fine but Imoga's friends won't be following".

Amilia cocks her head, "Damn ears, that's pretty... cool".

Terra smiles, finally getting her first comment from the cat since they first met, "Thank you Amilia".

Terra goes back to setting up the traps which Amilia just watches on with interest. The cat looks on as Terra effortlessly casts the spell and embeds them onto the walls. As Amilia continues to watch on, an idea pops into her head and for some inexplicable reason... it seems like a good one.

Terra then begins to walk away to begin casting on another set of walls but before she gets too far, Amilia stops her.

"Hey ears...".

Terra stops and turns around, waiting for Amilia to continue.

"Listen... I know I don't have any magic or shit like that, but... could you... maybe... show me some spells? Uhh, later I mean".

Terra is surprised, expecting some sort of sexual joke or something to that decree but definitely not this. It takes her a moment to fully process what Amilia just asked of her but before she can get her answer out, Amilia begins to quickly ramble, "Uhh, I mean you don't have to, it was just a stupid idea anyway. I shou-".

"I'd be more than happy to".

Amilia's rambling stops upon hearing Terra's acceptance along with a sweet smile on the elf's face. Amilia isn't quite sure what to say so she just goes with, "Uhh, cool... okay... yeah.. thanks".

Terra continues her smile, watching the cat somehow blush beneath her fur as Amilia heads over to the planning group. Terra then goes back to placing traps on the wall as she softly chuckles to herself.

---

BACK AT THE GROUP:

As they're finishing up on showing almost everyone their positions, Amilia walks up, seemingly troubled by something.

"Ami, what's wrong?".

Amilia's gaze flicks up toward Kyuala, snapping out of her trance, "Huh? What?".

"Ye looked troubled fur, wits up?" Daffodil asks.

"Oh, nothing. Just thinking about how much to drink after we kill this slut" Amilia replies, earning a chuckle from Nartoko.

"Aye lass, been thinking the same myself but we can't focus on the victory before we've even fought. You must keep the happy thoughts however, it gives you something to fight for" Nartoko comments.

Amilia then jokingly salutes before sarcastically saying, "Sir, yes, sir".

Another chuckle comes from Nartoko as he lazily salutes back to the cat.

"Anyway, Amilia, you shall be beside Sylus. When the time comes, we may need your speed to strike when Imoga's back is turned" Parlo says.

"I still think I should be protecting a mage" Sylus grunts out.

Kyuala gives Sylus a smack on the shoulder which earns a pained grunt from the elder minotaur, "You're still wounded you old fool. The only thing you can protect right now is your breeches and even that's a stretch".

"If it were up to me, you'd be resting right now Sylus but we need every ounce of help we can get" John says.

"Ach, don't worry. As long as there's breath in my body, there's fight in this old boy yet".

There's some chuckles from the group as they savour the last few moments before their insane plan begins...

---

FIVE MINUTES LATER:

The town is almost completely devoid of life apart from two people,

John and Lani.

The duo stand in front of the statue of Reduna'z as they talk amongst themselves.

"Where's Manseer? We need Johtun and Mordroe's men".

"He'll get them, don't worry, we have this" Lani says, attempting to calm John's nerves.

"Yeah, yeah you're right. We need to have faith" John says as he takes a deep breath.

"Are you ready?" Lani asks with a little quiver of fear in her tone.

John takes one last deep breath before saying, "Do it".

Lani then nods her head before looking up to the sky and raising her hands. As she closes her eyes, the palms of her hands begin to glow a bright pink before a beam of light bursts into the sky.

The beam isn't stable however as it flickers while it breaches the still dark sky. Just then, two more beams to light, one green and one white connect with Lani's and stabilize it.

Lani then drops her hands as the beam continues on, "Okay, that should hopefully get her attention".

"It will. Now, go. You have to get to Kyuala".

Lani looks at John before saying, "I can't just leave you alone".

"Lani, if Imoga shows up and sees you, she will do everything she can to get to you. I can't allow her to do that, so please... go to Kyuala".

Lani bows her head, accepting John's point. She then quickly flies up to John, giving him a kiss on the cheek before saying, "You better stay safe".

John lets out a little chuckle, "If I wanted to stay safe, I wouldn't be the goat for the T-Rex".

Lani makes a confused face as she's unsure just what that's supposed to mean but she shakes it off before saying, "Good luck John".

John nods his head towards Lani before the latter flies off, heading over to Kyuala's position.

"Any sign she's coming?" Kyuala asks.

Lani looks toward John before saying, "She'll be here, lets just be ready for her".

---

MEANWHILE - SOMEWHERE IN REDUNA'Z GAZE:

Imoga is moving with personal troop of the undead alongside her reanimated daughter, heading toward the source of the smoke billowing into the sky.

"I swear, whoever lit that damn fire is going to burn in it's flame!".

Ivellise simply snarls as a reply which makes Imoga say, "Yes my dear daughter... you may feast on their entrails to your hearts content".

The group continue their march when suddenly, a bright pink light covers the area surrounding the undead troop.

"What in the nine hells?!" Imoga exclaims as she turns to examine the source. Her gaze is immediately brought to the sky where she sees a bright beam of pink light shooting up into the near-dawn sky.

The beam is then joined by two other beams of light, one white and green which attach themselves to the pink beam. Imoga simply stares in confusion for a moment before she realises what it means...

"The fairy!" Imoga exclaims, "HALT!".

The group all stop, turns toward Imoga who is staring into the sky still, "Forget the fire! We're heading toward the source of that light!".

Imoga begins to storm forward and the troop quickly follow behind as they march toward the source of the beams of light.

As Imoga and her troop storm away, one Manseer peeks his head out, seeing that Imoga has stopped her advance toward Johtun, Mordroe and their men. He then begins to move quicker as he realises what that means.

Manseer's feet pound against the cobblestone while he hears the loudening sounds flesh being sliced, roaring and shouting of soldiers.

The lone soldier turns the corner, sword in hand and immediately sees the last remnants of the undead **** being cut down by the guards.

A head is cut clean off of one of the beasts before it falls to the ground and rolls, the tongue aimlessly hanging from its mouth as it stops before one person,

Johtun.

The commander brings his sword up and slashes another before shouting, "Finish them off! Show them the strength of the living!".

The soldiers follow this rally cry and cut down the last of the walking corpses, sending them back to the dead forms.

Cheers from the soldiers ring out as they hold their weapons high with Mordroe being one of them but that's when he sees Manseer walk up.

"You there! You're one of Parlo's men aren't you?".

"Yes Captain! I am Manseer Aldright and I have news!".

Johtun joins the duo and asks, "Have they killed Imoga?".

"No sir. Imoga is going to them now, but we need your help" Manseer replies.

"By the gods!" Mordroe says as he looks up and sees the three beams of light before asking, "I suppose that's them?".

"I think so" Manseer says.

The celebration then turns to silence as the soldiers all gather with the trio, all staring at the beams of light illuminating the town.

The soldiers then all look towards Mordroe and Johtun, waiting for them to speak. The two leaders then share a look before Johtun begins to speak, "Alright men! This is it! The final push! We help slay the necromancer and this nightmare is finally over! Let us strike without fear! For Reduna'z!".

The men all cheer once more, raising their weapons in the air before the group begins to walk forward behind Parlo and Johtun. Manseer quickly catches up with the two, caught a little off guard by the sudden advance.

"Keep up son, for tonight, we dine in victory".

Manseer just looks at the determined Johtun and can't help but feel inspired as they walk forward to help the others.

---

BACK AT THE SQUARE:

Imoga, the undead Ivellise and the rest of her personal guard walk down the last street before getting to Reduna'z Square.

The group head turn the corner and immediately search around for the fairy but instead they see one person...

"You!" Imoga shouts.

John then replies, "Me" then concludes his words with a large shit-eating grin on his face.

Imoga then storms up toward John but stops just a few feet away before asking, "How?! How are you alive?!".

"Well....".