Revas Does A Thing on Innistrad Part 1

The eerie call became a violent screech all at once in a violent cacophony of calls as if the beasts that were their fellow townsfolk had become of one mind and purpose. The small group of refugees kept running into the thicket of the darkened tree-line, the Cathars at their heels screaming out in a fluster for them to ‘KEEP MOVING!’ as the horde of multi-limbed beasts lunged at them in a collective wave of blood, fury, and blades. Even as the panic filled breaths of the people filled the air around them, even as they got further away they could still hear the screams…by Avacyn the screams…

However, their plight was not over yet as the innocents ran for all they were worth as the scrabbling horde continued its advance. “ALL ARE ONE! BECOME US’MRAKUL, ALL’MRAKUL!” the chanting growing louder, deafening, maddening. The children of the group held tears down their face, their mothers carrying them in their arms, adding to the weeps as the men folk and young boys kept their strength, even as the world swirled around them…if the Cathars couldn’t halt the tide…what could they?

It was far too late to wonder at that point as the mutli-limbed monsters were upon them, sporting their former friends and family as a second skin, flopping flesh and added limbs acting as springs and giving the creatures inhuman speed as one shot out and caught the leg of a young woman! Sending the girl screaming in fear as the group slowed down collectively, even as the head of the pack screamed for them to move, “She’s already dead! RUN!” And it seemed that way as the swirl of colored appendages welcomed new meat to the host…

When a blast of light sent the Eldritch abominations skittering and on their heels, releasing the poor Maiden in an instant as inhuman screeches filled the air again as what appeared to be another Cathar turned the corner of a large tree trunk. He looked worn, his clothing shorn from his being as he’d be fighting for days now and with all fairness, he could have been. Rushing to the scrawling young woman’s side with blade drawn he’d quickly hoist her to her feet and examine her ankle, it looked bruised but, she could move on it as a steady push came from his hand. “All of you…” his voice was soothing, calm…as if…”Stay together and behind me…this shan’t take long.” He’d lift his blade as the spell he had cast began to fade as the Horde screeched once more in defiance and took aim at their latest target….

His thoughts filled with the memories of the chilled waters of the Northern Mountains, Tarkir’s steady streams accompanied by the shimmer snow fall above that placed itself upon bare flesh. It was a vivid memory, once from his many meditations at the behest of his fellow Monks…Snap back to reality as the first entity attacked him. He pitied these people, they were nothing more than hosts for a parasitic creature like this Eldrazi but, putting them down was a mercy at this point, their own lifeforce and mana tainted…so far gone.

Up he brought his blade, the natural curvature and design seething against the creature’s multi-limbed appendage as he sliced and left it reeling in pain as real damage was caused. Raising his Hedron –styled blade he had forged from his own mana-weaved Steel weapon, he began to carve a swathe through these creatures. For the first time in a long while, the crowd watched as a Cathar effortlessly protected them from the Horrors of Innistrad once more. The hope that had died out returned in a swell as the battle-worn man fought on. More of the creatures appearing as he’d lift his free hand and let loose a torrent of ice from his palm, sending the creatures into a cryogenic statues, forever frozen in time by his efforts.

The resounding SHATTER of broken bodies as his blade hit home adding in to the carnage but, more and more just kept streaming in…all he was doing was buying them space, time to flee and he knew this. In fact, he had planned on trimming their numbers just to add to the gap as his own body began to fail him. Even with the spells of rejuvenation fueling his motions, the wear of muscle and the striking blows that made it through were starting to take its toll. It all halted at once when a singular strike sent him head over-heels and careening back into a thick Oaken trunk as the Horde began to recollect itself again.

“I suppose it cannot be helped…” the magic user spoke out as up his hands went, his eyes clutching tightly as the storm clouds above came to his aid as the terrible rumble of thunder was heard. The Townsfolk dreading the rain of Innistrad, as at its harshest it could leave the body stripped of flesh! What came from the clouds however, was not rain nor lighting nor even thunder but, a living entity made of Storm clouds. Rumbling with a great cry of thunder as it would blanket the horde in a rolling wave of lighting as it threw itself against the crowds at the man’s whim as he’d turn his back upon his summoned creation and cry out, “Now is the time! Make to the shore!” the people did not hesitate as they began to move as the combat of living Storms and Horrid creatures continued behind them. Their Savior taking the back of the group, making sure the slowest of their number could stay with the main body of their efforts, even going so far as to bring down entire trees with quick strokes of his enchanted blade as wicked winds followed his motions and sheered ancient Oaks through and left a trail of mild destruction through his efforts, hoping and praying to whoever or whatever would listen that it was enough to help get these people to the safety of the Shoreline's defenses.

Even as the thrumming thunder of the Elemental kept the changed at bay, they had to keep their pace steady. Though now most of the group had become tired, the sheer adrenaline of fleeing their village had left them exhausted and he could sense it in their movements and faces. He’d take the group to a steady marching pace, keeping everyone moving as his gaze was always turning around to face the rear of their motions. For a while, no one said anything save for the whimpering cries of the women and children and the hushed tones of relief from the men-folk. He’d sheathe his blade finally as his long coat fluttered quietly in the breeze that broke through the tree line, many questioned this man who wore the regalia of a Cathar. Sure, many of the senior ranked members of the order had access to such magics but, even then…not a one could summon a creature made from living storm clouds.

The dimness of the moonlight above from the brilliance of the shimmering body above soon found itself blocked out by the very clouds the man had brought together. The people beginning to stumble on tree-roots and gnarled underbrush as the man took notice and acquired several fallen, decent sized branches as he’d halt the group, “Hold, come together and hold these steady.” Handing them off to those who would carry torches and bringing the ends of them together as a flash of flame ignited the tips of the wooden staves.  The comfort orange hue of flames filled the air alongside the smog left from the burning wood, it was  a temporary solution but, one that helped these people find their way through the bleak forest floor with little effort.
"So..." one of the men spoke up, standing side by side to the Mage, "Who are you? Are you truly a Cathar of the Church of Avacyn? I have never seen powers like yours before wielded by the members of her holy Number." the irony in that statement still drew forth from the man's words, even if Avacyn and her flocks had become beacons of destruction, the people still referred to her as their greatest hope and guardian.

"I am simple a defender of those who need help, I am sorry I could not get to you sooner. There are more and more people across the lands who need the aid of those who can stand up for them..." his words were kind, meaningful, and clearly honest as he spoke his throat caught his voice, it was indeed hard for the man to watch innocents go to the slaughter. "Thank you." a voice called from behind them, the young woman from before who was now carried by a shoulder of a young fellow, the crowd in unison soon joining in on the notion.

He'd say nothing, just simply smiling at those who caught his line of sight. The group moving quietly through the tree-line for a time longer until the group found the edge of their efforts, a steady hill that lead down to the nearby beach-communities as joy turned once more to dread as the sound of battle resounded in the small valley as flights of tendril laced wings had begun to swoop down upon the fortifications of the Cathars who had come together there.

The bell-tones ringing as thatch roofs burned in the night sky as the people stared in Awe, the man coming forth to the front of their number with eyes wide with not surprise but, anger...a frustrated anger as he'd curse under his breath. 'When will this senseless slaugther end...?' he thought to himself, signalling the group to extinguish their flames but, it was far too late as a chorus of maddening laughter came from above as blood soaked pinions and tendril laced appendages began a dark scavenger's dance over the small group of refugees.
"Get BACK to the treelines!" He'd push those under his protection back as a rain of spears began to descend upon them swiftly. Catching his leg in a slicing motion as he'd steeth back a breath as out from his hand came a disruptive gust of wind! Sending swooping attackers back into the clouds with a violent betrayal of their own wing span! The people huddling against trees as he'd join them in a squat, "What will we do now? We're surrounded on all sides! We can't go back now!" The voices came, panic once against striking them...he had to do something but, at this point the Exhausted man was drained of thoughts and ideas.

He'd clutch his wound and from his belt he'd strip cloth and tighten it around the bleeding thing. "I cannot protect you any longer." he spoke as eyes darted to his frame, "I want you all to gather together and when I give the signal, you are all to run as fast as your feet can carry you to the Shoreline. The cathars will see you are untainted and do their best to grant you entry." He'd look to them all and saw the fear in their eyes, their doubt, their sheer terror.

"Do not fear." he said, "For your greatest strength is the courage you carry in your own hearts. Trust in me that I will protect you from the flights above and trust the men and women who hold the fight on the wall..." he'd stand with a steady limp, wincing as he saw the maddened angels above begin to swoop back around...they had every plan to leave no survivors. His jaw clenched as he drew his blade, a throwing his hand out as the people scurried to their positioning as he showed himself to the flight of once beautiful protectors turned abominations.

"DOWN HERE!" He'd throw his hands up as he began to run with a limp away from the group as he'd make as much noise as possible, "COME ON YOU WINGED HARPIES! DOWN HERE!" that's when a flash of blinding white magic shot from the edge of his blade and struck one of their number, disintegrating it with a searing purging spell as that most assuredly had garnered their hatred and fury as the rain of spears and limbs began to descend on the man...

Taking one last look behind himself as he caught the group dashing down the hill, a few tumbling over but, looking like they'd make it as he'd let out a sigh of relief. He was battle-worn and exhausted himself, he doubted that he could take on the dozen or so winged beasts himself but, if he could buy time for those people...he'd gladly give his life if without a second thought to help. Letting out a chuckle despite himself, "For all the good it will do, I pray that they see the next day."