User blog:Flamebiplane/Thunder Dome

Forjod walked along the trail with his three wives, Rix the Hellhound, Ikuna the Raiju, and Riza the Youko at his flanks. A team of four soldiers donned in steel armor wielding longswords and spears marched behind them. Forjod wore leather armor and had a kettle helmet on his head. He clutched a DRS morningstar in his right hand. Rix wore leather armor like her husband and held a one-handed DRS war hammer. Ikuna wore a dark blue kimono and didn't carry any weapons, feeling that her electricity and growth abilities would suffice. Riza wore gray robes and had a musket slung over her back. On her waist were a slew of health potions should anyone suffer any serious injuries.

The sun hung high in the sky as the group patrolled along the border of Valashin, one of Iosariga's neighboring countries that was mostly a Demon Realm, though not quite as the border of the country still looked normal with the flowing green grass and the blue sky. Mythria sent the group to this area because she felt it would be good experience for them and reports from the scouts in the area were that the Matriarchy presence was light, so combat may be unlikely. Forjod thought back to when he defended the factory and scoffed, though he did hope that he wouldn't have to do any fighting today. The patrol was supposed to last for several more hours and the weather was a nice warm temperature.

"Those rolling plains are beautiful," Riza commented, gazing across the fields.

"Shame they all gotta be subjugated into the Demon Realm soon," said Ikuna.

"You just love being a killjoy don't you?" Riza pouted at the Raiju.

"It's a job I'm damn good at," Ikuna said with a teasing smirk.

"Can't you two jokers go one day without acting like children?" Rix grunted.

"Hey, you're the biggest child here!" Ikuna taunted to Rix.

"Better seal that tongue before I rip it out Sparky," Rix threatened displaying her crimson claws at Ikuna who quietly snickered.

Forjod rolled his eyes as his three wives had another one of their moments of typical heated banter. He glanced behind him to see how the four soldiers assigned to them by the higher-ups were holding up. They didn't appear to be too bothered by the trio's bickering, though his ears did pick up one of them whisper to another, "This reminds me of my wife back home."

He found no need to call the trooper out and they just continued on their patrol.

By the time the three ladies' argument had simmered down they spotted another patrol coming in the opposite direction. It was a squad of six consisting of five human soldiers and a Lamia armed with a spear and wearing a spangenhelm.

Forjod called out to the other patrol, "Did you find anything interesting?"

A soldier standing next to the lamia who was quite tall waved to Forjod and said, "Just a cart full of hay and some Large Mice scampering about."

"Were they up to no good?" Forjod asked as the two squads neared each other.

"Seemed like they were just tending to farm duties. There's a barn just down the road," said the soldier.

Forjod nodded and soon the two patrols passed each other with several greetings exchanged primarily by the human soldiers.

The patrol proceeded further up the road and soon enough Forjod saw the aforementioned barn on the right side of the road. Hay bales rested along the field and three Large Mice were seen rolling one of them. Close by the rodent mamono was a young man with an average build dressed in a dingy white tunic and black stockings. He held a cat 'o nine tails in his hands and seemed to be watching the Large Mice like a hawk, but Forjod could see nothing in the setting that warranted any questioning.

He saw Riza staring at the farmer with an eyebrow raised, but she was quick to return her attention to the road.

They continued on past a few farmhouses, some of whom had their owners out on the porches either busying themselves with reading or just idly sitting in their chairs watching the day go by. One old woman rested in a white rocking chair and had a line of dolls seated on the windowsill behind her. Their buttoned eyes and stitched mouths gave them a creepy vibe, and Forjod was more than happy to be past that house faster than when they first came upon it.

Down the road was more grass and a few trees. Forjod kept his eyes peeled for any constructs that could be sneaking around, but couldn't find any. If there were, then he likely missed them. The Matriarchy had rodent-sized constructs in its ranks that were capable of stealth and scouting after all. A few birds fluttered from tree to tree tweeting their songs to potential mates. While Forjod kept his wits about him, he also appreciated the peace that was present. Not peace back home in the Demon Realm, but a natural peace.

Further on Forjod's eyes narrowed when he spotted a figure in the distance coming toward their patrol.

"Who is that?" Rix asked pointing to the approaching silhouette.

"I don't know, but keep on your guard," Forjod said as he held his weapon against his chest.

As the figure drew nearer, the group could make out that it was a woman in a green and white blouse with mucky blonde hair. Rix's nose could pick up a strong scent of sweat from the woman. When she was several feet from the patrol she stopped and bent over panting.

"You trying to run a marathon or something?" Ikuna asked the woman, causing Rix to scowl at the Raiju and flick her in the side of her head. Ikuna grumbles at Rix, but doesn't do anything as Forjod stepped toward the exhausted woman and asked, "Is everything alright ma'am?"

The woman peeked up at Forjod and said, "These…wooden things in the field attacked us! My boyfriend was seriously injured and is still at the house!  Please help him!  He's in the yellow farmhouse on the left!"

Forjod's mind immediately went to the Matriarchy's constructs and he asked the woman, "Did you see what the attackers looked like?"

"I didn't get a good look at them! I was running away!" the woman replied.

"Well damn, looks like it's time to go into hero mode," Ikuna said leading Rix to roll her eyes at the quote.

"We'll do what we can ma'am, just get yourself to safety," Forjod assured the woman who nodded and said, "Oh thank you!"

She took off running and the patrol made a hurried pace down the road toward the scene of the attack. Along the way Forjod heard Ikuna mutter to Rix, "Don't flick me like that again."

"Don't say anything stupid like that again," Rix said back.

"Come on folks double time it!" Forjod ordered, hoping to get Rix and Ikuna focused on something other than each other.

After a while they came upon the aforementioned yellow farmhouse. The wooden door hung wide open out front though the structure itself did not appear to have any damage. Forjod turned to his squad and said, "Ikuna, take two soldiers and watch the front. Rix, take the other men and guard the rear.  Riza, you're with me as we search the house."

Rix stepped toward her husband with a shocked expression and asked, "Hold on! Why can't I be by your side?"

Ikuna chuckled and suggested, "Probably because you whine too much."

"Want me to make you cry?" Rix asked shaking a fist at the snickering Raiju.

"Both of you knock it off! This is serious!" Forjod ordered as he began to drag Riza toward the farmhouse.

Rix was about to protest some more when Ikuna spoke, "You heard him Hound of Hell."

Not wanting to make a scene, the Hellhound grumbled at Ikuna and growled, "When we're finished with this, I'm going to find the biggest rock in this place and smash you over the head with it!"

"You and your threats Scorch!" Ikuna taunted before selecting two men and leading them to the front of the farmhouse.

Rix's eyes narrowed at Forjod sending a chill down his spine. She had made him shudder many times before, but so far he hadn't been able to overcome it. Rix was just that fearsome as was most of her kind. It did not help matters that Ikuna liked to shock him every now and then either.

"What the hell do you see in that annoying weasel?" Rix asked Forjod before she motioned for the other two men to follow her to the back of the farmhouse.

When both groups were in their respective positions Forjod just let out a heavy sigh and asked no one in particular, "Why can't you three just get along?"

"The road has been long and difficult honey," Riza responded with an apologetic smile.

Forjod just shook his head and stepped inside the house tailed by the Youko. The living room appeared neat and tidy with everything in proper order when Forjod noticed that the door at the rear had a latch over it. Tiny drops of blood trailed from the back door to a door within the upper staircase that was shut. Forjod walked up to the inner door and knocked calling out, "Hello? Is anyone in here?"

For a second there was nothing, then a voice from below shouting, "I'm down here!"

Forjod's eyes widened and he asked, "Are you alright sir?"

"No!" was the desperate reply.

Forjod tried the door and it was unlocked. He and Riza stepped in and looked down to see a room being illuminated by a dim orange glow. There were several wooden tables and chairs. The floor was entirely dirt but lying on that floor was a man with messy brown hair, a short beard, and wearing a dirty brown tunic who was clutching his right arm. He looked up at the two upstairs and pleaded, "Help me please!"

The duo descended to the man's position and he asked, "Hyori? Did she make it out?  Is she alright?"

Forjod, deducing that the man meant the terrified woman from earlier, nodded and said, "She was unhurt. She told us where you were."

A smile appeared on the man's face and he said, "Oh thank heavens!"

"What happened?" Riza asked the man.

"Hyori and I were roaming about our plot of land when we got attacked by these wooden beings. One of them struck me in the arm while we fled.  We made it inside this house and I locked the door behind us.  Told Hyori to get the hell away and I tried to lock myself in the basement, but in my haste I tripped and fell down the steps," the man explained.

Forjod glanced toward the staircase and back to the man.

Riza cupped her hands around the man's face and said, "We're going to take good care of you! What's your name?"

"Yakan," the man answered.

His eyes shifted up to Riza and he uttered, "You're married right?"

"Yup! This fox won't be stealing any fine lady's man!" Riza reassured Yakan who let out a sigh of relief.

Riza took out one of her health potions and said to Yakan, "Let's get you fixed up."

She held the potion close to the man's mouth. Yakan opened it, allowing the revitalizing liquid to cascade into his maw. The potion was half-empty when Riza lifted the potion away from Yakan who smacked his lips and said, "Ahh…that's the stuff. Thank you!"

Forjod could see the light return in Yakan's eyes as he stirred in his prone position and sat up. Yakan looked to Forjod who suggested, "You best leave and get to your girlfriend."

Yakan nodded and said, "Yeah, I'll do that."

He got to his feet and sped up the stairs. His footsteps became faint as he exited the house.

Both Forjod and Riza exchanged glances with each other until their attention snapped to the staircase at the sound of a crunch and Rix appeared at the top with a fearsome expression.

"Damn constructs are attacking! One of the men got taken out by an arrow!" the Hellhound called down.

"Come on!" Forjod muttered as he stood up and raced up the staircase with Riza tailing him.

They reached the main floor and Rix slammed the door shut behind them.

Forjod turned to the Hellhound and asked, "How many did you see!?"

"Some grunts and a few archers!" Rix replied as she gestured to the window that viewed the field at the back.

Forjod jogged to the window and looked to see the group of aforementioned non-mamono melee constructs advancing on the house with several archers providing ranged support. The constructs with the close quarter weapons had wooden skeletal bodies and flat crest-shaped heads with green gems for eyes. The artificial ranged units at the back had bodies similar to their brethren except that their heads were triangular with the tip pointing down and the gem eyes were embedded on the surface of the head in a way that would allow them to get a full view of their surroundings.

The unfortunate guard who suffered the fatal arrow strike was slumped beside the house. The other soldier was hiding behind a trough and Forjod could see that his left hand was injured. He appeared to be in a state of panic trying to figure out what to do.

"Did you tell Ikuna?" Forjod asked Rix.

"You were closer!" Rix responded.

"I'll tell her!" Riza volunteered as she made her way to the front of the house where Ikuna and her entourage were stationed.

Forjod rolled his eyes at Rix, frustrated that his wives' animosity toward each other was already impeding their ability to set up a hopefully stable defense against the incoming wave of constructs.

He pointed out the window at the group of enemies and said, "We can't let them cross into Valashin!"

"You don't have to tell me twice!" Rix said as she smacked the head of her war hammer into her paw and asked, "So what do we do? Rush out there and tear them apart?"

"No no! Their archers will likely cut us down and there could be more of them out there!  This house is the best defense we've got right now!" Forjod replied.

Rix frowned at her husband's answer, but she nodded and said, "I could take them on myself, but alright."

Riza returned with Ikuna who asked with a smirk, "So what do you want me to do now that we're being attacked?"

Forjod tapped his chin, nervousness welling up within him. He worried that he may screw up this battle royally, but he gulped and said, "You and the two men stay out front and make sure none of the constructs get around this house!"

"Got it honey," Ikuna said before leaving back out front.

"Riza, get your ass upstairs so you can see those wooden bastards more easily!" Rix ordered.

"On it!" Riza said as she equipped her musket and bolted upstairs.

Forjod turned his attention to the rear and saw the melee constructs closing in. He yelled to the wounded soldier, "Selm! Get in here!"

The soldier known as Selm nodded at Forjod and scrambled toward the house. Rix lifted the latch and flung open the door just as Selm arrived and threw himself inside. The Hellhound then shut the door and slammed the latch back over it just mere seconds before an arrow pierced the door and the head got stuck just inches above the bar.

"A blasted arrow grazed my hand!" Selm stated as he clutched his longsword in his right hand.

A shot rang out from upstairs and Forjod could see one of the archer constructs lose a piece of its head. It jolted wildly from the impact and almost lost its balance. Another archer aimed its short bow at the window and released the arrow. The projectile streaked through the air and punched through the window, whizzing past Forjod's shoulder and striking the wall behind him.

"Damn!" Forjod yelped at the close miss.

Another arrow zipped through, but Forjod was able to duck under it in time.

There was a second pop of the musket, but the dusty impact was on the dirt next to one of the archers. Two of the constructs armed with maces ran ahead of the group and charged toward the door. Forjod held out his left hand and a swirling ball of air formed in it. He could feel the wind spin faster and faster until it was ready and he hurled it out of the window at the two constructs that were the closest. The ball of wind collided with them and the strong current sent them twirling through the air several feet away. They landed on their backs and one of them dropped their weapon.

The other constructs continued their advance with support from the archers, arrows puncturing the house around the window. The damaged archer from earlier had its left arm snap off as a result of a third round from Riza's musket. With its arm gone the archer's ability to launch arrows at Forjod and his allies was effectively neutralized. There were still the other archers to contend with and the threat of being struck by an arrow was still present. Forjod knew that this house was the only barricade against the enemy and for them to break through would possibly spell disaster.

The two constructs that were knocked down by Forjod's wind attack earlier were getting back to their feet with the dropped mace being recovered.

Another arrow entered the house and thankfully did not hit anybody.

"We can't just stay here while they make us their pincushions!" Rix shouted, growing increasingly agitated that she was not in direct combat with the artificial foot soldiers. Granted, Forjod was well aware that Rix was a powerhouse, but even an impressive physical body like hers could only take so many arrows and other strong blows.

"It's what we've got against them out there! Besides, there could be others out there!" Forjod stated without taking his eyes off of the enemy.

A fourth shot from the firearm upstairs splintered the wooden torso of another archer and sent it to the ground.

"You're doing great Riza!" Forjod complimented as the melee units finally reached the house.

One of them armed with a scimitar attempted to climb in through the window, but Forjod was quick to bash it over the head with his morningstar, breaking off a wooden chunk and followed up with a second that smashed both the wood and the gem that had not fallen away from the first strike. The construct fell limp on the windowsill and Forjod lifted it by the torso, allowing it to fall back outside just as heavy thumping was heard at the door.

"You wooden stickmen are uninvited!" Rix shouted as she stormed toward the door and threw up the latch which broke off the arrowhead causing Forjod to cry, "Rix, what are you doing!?"

The Hellhound did not answer, flinging open the door electing to face the two home invaders head on. One of them attempted to slice at Rix with its longsword, but the blade slapped against the doorframe. Rix slammed her fist into its torso and it was launched away from the house and into the dirt with visible damage. She then smashed the other construct in the side of its head with her war hammer, destroying both the crest and the gems and causing it to slide down into the doorframe motionless.

She used her foot to push the wreckage out as the other construct was getting back up. Just then, an arrow sailed toward Rix and grazed her side, the leather protecting her from any bodily damage had it penetrated.

"Screw you!" Rix shrieked with an incendiary fury as the construct she punched away earlier bolted toward her and leaped, going for an airborne thrust. She sidestepped the attack and wrapped her free claws around the torso of her opponent. With her strength, she snapped the wooden body in half and allowed the lower part to clatter to the floor. Rix then punched the construct in its face, destroying one of the gems before dropping it onto the floor and finishing it off with a stomp.

"Shut the damn door!" Forjod shouted to his wife who snorted in response before she slammed the door shut and brought the latch back down.

There was another pop of the musket, but Forjod did not see any of the attacking constructs get hit.

He prepared another wind ball, but a close miss from an arrow forced him to use his morningstar on another construct that was trying to enter through the window. A swift blow was landed on the leg, breaking the joints and causing it to tumble back out of the window.

"Riza! You need to deal with those archers!" Forjod yelled upstairs.

There was no answer, but Forjod was certain that she heard him.

He heard the musket fire off again and saw one of the archer's short bows break in half. His head turned at the sound of heavy pounding on the door, a sign that they were once again trying to force their way into the home. Rix stood at the ready as the latch struggled to keep the door in place. Forjod turned to Selm and asked, "How are you feeling soldier?"

"I don't think I can hold up a weapon," Selm moaned as he displayed his injured hand.

"Go downstairs then, it's too dangerous up here!" Forjod ordered.

Selm complied and raced through the door leading down to the basement.

Arrows continued to strike the home and enter through the window though Forjod and Rix made sure to stay clear of that exposed area.

Another crack of the musket and Forjod saw another archer lose a portion of its head and watched it fall on its side.

The archer that had its bow destroyed dashed for the window and leaped through it like a jaguar. It landed prone on its chest and one swift blow to the head by Forjod's morningstar was enough to put it out of commission.

Slamming continued at the door, but Rix was not moving to open it again. The construct that suffered the damage to its leg was trying to pull itself in through the window, but intervention by Rix resulted in its head being smashed into pieces of wood and shattered gem. With a huff, the Hellhound returned to the door.

Forjod's heart jumped at the unexpected clap of thunder and heard Riza scream. His eyes darted toward the upward staircase and he shouted with his heart racing, "Everything okay Riza!?"

"Shock Deer!" Riza responded, "One of them took a shot at me!"

"How many!?" Rix called upstairs.

"I saw two!" Riza shouted back downstairs.

The sight of blue lightning at the window indicated that there were indeed Shock Deer present.

"I can't get a clear shot!" Riza cried.

"If she can't shoot anything then we're sitting ducks in here!" Rix snapped as pieces of the door began to break off and the metal head of an axe blade could be seen. Rix pointed to the intrusive weapon and shouted, "They're starting to break through!"

"More constructs are coming!" Riza screamed.

As Forjod dwelled on the severity of the situation he felt the floor beneath him shake and heard thumping from the side of the house. He knew at once who it was and sure enough the giant form of Ikuna appeared, using her feet to crush any constructs that were within her shadow. Forjod watched from the window as the Raiju who was roughly the size of a house kicked away an archer before she turned her attention to the two Shock Deer that were in the field. Their wooden frames resembled those of deer with green gem eyes and metallic antlers.

A sphere of bright white electricity formed in between one of their antlers before it was fired on Ikuna, the projectile fizzling off of her with no effect.

Ikuna chuckled and said, "That tickled."

She swung her foot at the two Shock Deer. One of them managed to leap out of the way, but the other wasn't as fortunate and was struck in the torso. Its busted form flew through the air and crash landed into a heap of wood. Its head was still intact though, and it was able to unleash a bolt of lightning at the house before it was obliterated by a stomp from Ikuna.

Riza could be heard shrieking however, and Forjod raced upstairs to see what happened. The Youko was lying on the floor with much of her robes singed along with a few of her tails. A few of the health potions had shattered and her musket was on the floor destroyed.

"Oh no! No no no!" Forjod cried as he rushed to Riza's side.

The Youko groaned and replied, "That…damn shocker…got me!"

"Easy easy easy!" Forjod muttered as he grabbed an unbroken health potion from her waist and placed it over her mouth. Riza parted her lips and the liquid streamed into her mouth like a waterfall.

She stirred as she felt her body rejuvenate from the healing fluid and said, "It still stings."

"It'll take a moment for the pain to go away," Forjod replied as he turned to the window to see Ikuna with the other Shock Deer in her hands. Its frame bent and fractured as Ikuna crushed it and it was soon another pile of wood on the ground.

Forjod rushed to the window and called out to Ikuna, "Anymore constructs coming?"

Ikuna scanned the area for a moment before responding with, "None that I can see. Looks like we dealt with a small scouting party!"

"You sure?" Forjod called out to Ikuna.

"No more moving wood," Ikuna replied.

"Keep watch! We need to make sure that Riza's okay!" Forjod ordered.

"You got it dear," Ikuna replied with a wink.

Rix appeared at the doorway to the room and let out a disappointed sigh saying, "Damn it. I was hoping for some fox meat."

"I'm so sorry Rixadalones," Riza muttered to Rix with a snide grin, causing the Hellhound to snarl in annoyance at the pronunciation of her full name.

"There's still a chance to make it if you'd like," Rix offered with a tiny smile.

"I'd rather not be roasting on a spit anytime soon dear," Riza replied with a cough.

The Youko stretched her arms and said, "The pain's starting to go away."

"Most unfortunate," Rix muttered with an eye roll.

"Ladies ladies, please stop fighting," Forjod requested.

A pair of yells then sounded from outside, yells that belonged to two people that Forjod was very familiar with.

He walked over to the window where Ikuna was shrinking back to her regular form and sure enough Violet Greenslade the dragon landed in front of the Raiju in her true form. Footsteps echoed on the roof quickly followed by Ume Greenslade the Kakuen swinging into the room through the window with her scimitar secured in its sheath.

Ume wiped the sweat from her forehead and said, "Heard there were constructs in this area so we came to help! Looks like you already took care of them though!"

"You missed all the fun Ume," Rix replied with a toothy grin.

"There's always more to be had," Ume said with an optimistic smile.

The Kakuen made her way to the window and gazed across the field, "What a damn shame. Violet was looking forward to making firewood."

"It was a small scout party according to Ikuna," said Forjod.

"Sounds like the Matriarchy's probing the border for weaknesses," Ume assumed, "If they had a small wooden critter with them it's probably still watching this place. May be a good idea to have Violet scorch the surrounding area to weed out any spies."

As Violet transformed into her mamono form Forjod raised a finger toward Ume and said, "I don't think the homeowners will like that."

"Yeah, and this is war pal. In war you gotta fight to win, deny the enemy the advantage wherever they can get it," said Ume.

"I understand that, but the people living in this house may need to use this land," Forjod stated.

"Land that is soon to become part of a Demon Realm," said Ume.

Before Forjod could protest further Rix spoke up asking, "So will we be heading back out on patrol because we took a loss and have a wounded man down in the basement?"

"There are reinforcements headed this way so your squad will get replenished soon," Ume explained.

"More hours of patrol…great," Forjod muttered, prompting Ume to wiggle her finger at him and say, "General's orders buddy. I was in that room with you when she gave them."

"I think I can stand now," Riza said as she struggled to her feet, the healing potion fixing up most of her injuries.

"Hey Ume! We gonna be taking flight soon?" Violet called up from outside.

"As soon as this place gets reinforced it's back to the skies!" Ume replied with excitement.

Rix walked up to Forjod and placed a paw on his shoulder saying, "If those wooden dolls try to push their luck again, this time I won't be hiding in a house."

"I hope we don't have another moment like that," Forjod said as he embraced the Hellhound.

Riza joined in the hug much to Rix's annoyance, but the ashen canine did not raise a fuss about it.

Forjod noticed Ikuna standing in the doorway and with a smile motioned for her to come join the group hug which she gladly obliged.

Some time later two squads of men and mamono arrived at the house along with several healers. The corpse was wrapped up and carried off while Selm was healed of his injury and a fresh soldier filled Forjod's squad. With everything squared away, Forjod, his three wives, and the soldiers exited the house and continued their patrol route.

Down the road Forjod looked to his right and saw the influence of the Demon Realm creeping across the land, soon to claim the rest of Valashin. He pondered about the citizens of the country and wondered if all of them were truly alright with their home becoming a Demon Realm. Forjod could not say for sure, but he hoped that most of them would be willing to accept the new change. At the same time, he wondered how long the Radicals and the Order will continue to fight along with the new faction that appeared to hate the both of them.

Until then, all he could do was continue on with his life and hope for the best.