The Newlyweds

As soon as Liv’s presence clicked in Fuu’s mind, she turned to look at her recent mate. The armored Gnolls had turned to see the Shaman and were in the process of spreading out to look for the attacker. Gruul was already moving. The first elite was too distracted to notice the spear until it entered his exposed throat. As Gruul forced the elite’s body down to the ground to dig the spear in deeper, the other two closed in on him.

Fuu closed the distance, the blade of her staff shining in the slowly dimming light as it sliced through the air and through the neck of the second elite. Gruul grabbed a hold of the last elite that was trying to dig its claws into Gruul’s now gray, stone skin. Fuu saw a dart fall out of Gruul’s back as the pair struggled. “Becky.” Fuu’s voice was as awed as it was when she realized Liv was there.

Before Fuu could clear her head herself, it was forcibly cleared by the entrance of the final Bravo. The dimming light was suddenly overpowered as Emmaline entered the fight. Dusk turned to midday for a moment as Emmaline landed like a comet, sending several nearby Gnolls sprawling. The great arc of fire slammed down over an entire line of Gnolls that had been forming the ritual circle. Some were able to get out of the way, while others were engulfed.

“Emmaline!” Fuu immediately ran toward the flames before the flames even settled on their targets. The heat was intense but Emmaline was not safe. She stood in the open surrounded by small flames that had found something to catch onto. Her skin was burning but did not blacken. Even as she stood there coated in flames, the Gnolls came for her.

The closest died from a shot before Fuu reached him, but she kept moving to skewer the next one. As she turned to find new targets, she found Gruul throwing another Gnoll onto the burning pile. The Gnoll crushed one of his fellows who was still writhing and rolling to put out the flames that had caught on his fur.

Fuu moved up to knock back a Gnoll going for Gruul’s back. His skin was back to flesh, whatever small dose Becky had hit him with having quickly been depleted. Liv and Becky were still hidden, Emmaline was safe behind her and Gruul. The Gnolls were now leaderless and bloodied. Fuu gripped her staff as she watched the rest of the tribe close in on them.