The Druid - #5

The wait was intense. Each passing moment brought with it more worry as the stomps of the giant lumbering undead echoed louder in the air.

A grievous low moan thrummed across the shrinking miles, dragging with it the foul stench of decay. The trees shivered and anxious animals screeched and howled their fears.

"Death has reared its ugly face. Aid me great winds." The elf pointed at the looming giant approaching his grove. The creature's features could be made out vaguely under the light of the evening sun: A black mask of death void of everything but hatred and unbridled thirst for destruction.

A slight breeze began to blow through the land, steadily growing into a screaming gale. Flecks of tiny snow crept into the winds, lending a bone-biting chill to the forceful hurricane the druid had summoned.

He stood still as the stone guardians he had summoned forth from the earth, watching the hurricane turn into a snowstorm. The giant undead figure waded into the wall of whiteness, disappearing from view. But its echoing footsteps continued to drum upon the earth, though at a noticeably slower pace.

The elf druid sighed. He knew that the snowstorm would not be enough to stop the creature, but at least it would buy them some time. He looked up. Grey clouds were slowly gathering. Just a little bit more time.

Wild birds and beasts began to gather at the edge of the woods. Wolves sat and waited, necks scruffed and noses scrunched. Bears growled and dug into the ground with their huge claws. Snakes coiled in the trees hissed anticipation of the upcoming battle. Not a single animal from the woods had ignored the call of its guardian.

A slight grim smile crept into the elf druid's face. Now all that's left to hope for is that the winds and storms heeded his call just as well.

Another low moan reverberated in the air, louder and heavier this time. The elf felt a supernaturally cold, mind-numbing fear grip his heart. Tears trickled down his cheek as the steel set resolve in his eyes began to falter. The moan continued.

"May the lady's grace save us all." He whispered under his breath as he slowly backed away a step at a time. Fear threatened to overcome him, slowly building itself up into a torrent.

A familiar nudge upon his leg snapped him out of the creature's baleful spell.

He looked down into the eyes of his companion, and knelt by the wolf's side.

"Thank you dear friend. You've been like a brother to me. I fret that we may not be able to see another moon rise together after this battle is over. May we meet again in the lady's grove." He wrapped his arms around the wolf's neck in a warm embrace.

A low rumble shook the skies followed by the loud crack of lightning. The elf stood from the embrace, his cold steely resolve and unreadable iron mask returned to his features.

"Our lady's blessings have been granted upon us." He raised a hand and a series of loud booms and cracks shook the air as streaks of searing white lightning tore the dark storm clouds that had gathered overhead only to be swallowed back into the greyness.

The animals around him broke into cheers at the signs of the blessings that they had seen.

Now, they were ready.

#4<<