Chapter 18 : Walkway showdown

Looking over toward Christ she sees him standing deep within the hallway almost out of sight pointing above her. She looks up to see nothing, but she hears footsteps moving toward the staircase. Do I go for the stairs or the far-walkway? Switching her focus between the two points, her crossbow sight now setting between the two points.

She sees a guard on the walkway break into her view running with a hand-crossbow. Sprinting toward the Northern wall, which is above the base of the staircase. “Only one target—-” Lisa moves the crossbow toward the man, leading only a few steps. Holding her breath she fires the bolt, slamming against the wall behind him. “Visible at lower Eastern wall,” the man shouts. With one hand as he sprints he pull fires mid stride.

Lisa fingering a bolt out of the pouch, she sees his striding aim. Not good! She stares at the man, inhaling a short breath, she feels the hairs on her neck stand. Now! She rolls left toward the South, where she entered from. The bolt flies across the room dinking off the back wall. Finishing her roll she slams another bolt into the crossbow.

The man makes it to the southern wall, when an elven woman with flowing blonde hair dashes into view. She wields two crossbows in her hands passing her first target. Lisa takes aim at the man, who is slowing down, when the hairs on her body raise up. Throwing herself forward onto the ground, another metal clank sounds off from behind her. On her stomach, she looks up to see the elven woman switching her lead foot. Spinning around, the elven woman extends her hand letting loose another bolt.

Lisa throws herself off the ground, a sharp pain shoots up from her leg. Letting out a wail, she can feel the tears welling inside her. She looks down to see a bolt stick through her calf, blood pouring from the exit wound. Her hands shake, as the jolt of pain turns into a slow burn radiating throughout her leg. Teril, I ain’t going to be moving as much now. Should I rip it out? Quickly reaching down to touch the bolt, the electric shots of pain shoot up her leg with the slightest movement.

Lisa gulps sitting back on the heel of her good foot, sliding the other one of to the side. Taking aim again, she aims at toward the man, who is reloading the bolt. Pulling the trigger, the bolt flies true toward its target. Her heartbeart drum frantically in her ears, watching the arrow soar. The soldier dives out of the way, onto the ground. She can see a thin black object fall off the walkway toward the base floor. At least some good news, she grabs two bolts, sticking one in her mouth and loading her weapon without looking at it. The feeling on her hands tell her exactly what her hands need to do.

Turning her attention toward the elf who ran out of her vision toward the South. She listens in to hear the clanking noise of small crank along the South-West area, where the elf would have disappeared to. Leading the sight of her bow, she holds her breath. The seconds seem like hours, her lungs start to whine for air. Lisa feeling pain in her chest, where are—-, the elf shoots out. Quickly throwing the crossbow a little more ahead of her, she fires.

The bolt flies much low, Teril! That was too low! Clenching her teeth, she watches the elf aim her bolts dead at her. Lisa reachs for another bolt, when she notifies the bolt strike the elf in the left knee, as it hits the ground. Her left collapses throwing her off balance toward the edge. The elf tumbles over the edge, barley catching the ledge. Both handcross bows tumble to the ground below.

“Syvia hang on!” the man calls out firing a bolt down. Flying wild it hands off course, the bolt isn’t even a threat. Leading her shot, Lisa fires at the man, missing as he rolls below the shot. Quickly loading up another shot, she fire again. Striking the wall directly in front of him, “Come on!” Setting a third bolt in place, she hears.

“Lisa, to your right!!” Christ calls out from her left and above her.

Turning right she sees a new man at the top of the steps sights already in place. She swings the crossbow toward him, unblinking pulling the trigger. Frozen in place, she watches her bolt fly as the new man does the same. Time slows down as the bolts pass within voeti of each other, the sound of her heart in her ceases in this moment. Her bolt strikes the man in the head, as a thud slams into her right breast. The air rushes from her lungs, falling off her heel and onto the floor. Looking down, she sees a bolt sticking from her chest.

She can feel the rod deep within her, each breath generates waves of fire across her body. With each breath taking less air in, she can feel a tighten across her body. A wetness streams across her cheeks, Christ. . .where are you? Lisa lays prowl out on the ground, trying to minimize the inferno flowing over her body. Looking up with only her eyes, she sees hanging at the end of the southern walkway. His hands on the sides of the walls, similar to a spider clinging to the side of a building. How are you—-”

Lisa watches Christ pull something from his mouth, peaking over the edge he whips his arm in a throwing motion over the edge. Her vision fades in a blink, opening her eyes again, Christ is gone. Tracing the rim of the walkway, she sees Christ walking toward the elven woman, being pulled up by her comrade. Christ makes a quick flick of his wrist toward them.

Lisa’s vision fades again in time to see the elven women falling to the ground. Her screams cause pounding in Lisa’s head as the shriek plays over and over, into a single unending high pitched noise. The sound of the woman’s head slamming first on the floor strikes Lisa’s like a shockwave, only deepening the maddening racket. The elf’s body lay crumpled on top of itself in a heap.

Turning her gaze to the ceiling, she coughs up blood. A barron cold numb starts at the wound radiating slowly out snuffing out the infernal pain washing over her. I should have stayed with them, she thinks as her eyes grow heavy and the numbness washes over her.

She feels a tidal wave crash over her, a warmth blankets her. The noise no longer there, opening her eyes, Nixon stares down at her. “Nixon? What are you?”

“Cluck,” Nixon steps on her face before jumping to the floor.

Christ leans over her, “Welcome back Lisa. Nixon thought you were dead, but I knew you were a trooper.” He pushes himself off the ground, extending his hand toward her, “Come on lets get up and go, only one room left.”

The fuzzy feeling in her head fades and she inspects her body. The armor is still damaged, but the blood is no longer spilling from the penetrations. Lisa runs her fingers over the wounds and feels they are no longer open wounds. Looking back up at Christ, she slaps his hand away lifting herself to her feet. “I just almost died, if I didn't just die. I am going home! Why would I risk my life out here, if I am gonna die away from the ones I am trying to save.”

Christ waves away the accusations, “You weren't going to die, calm down.”

I hate how he act like nothing is a big deal, its like nothing phases him. “Calm down. . .Calm. . down, Christ. . .I was shot in the chest. Do you know what that is like?” She throws her arms out to the side, dropping to her side with a slap.

He taps his lips with his finger. A bit of blood gets on his mouth, giving him a lush red imprint. His elbow rest in his palm that hangs across his stomach, flicking his wrist with a finger pointing her way, “yes.”

Lisa slides the staff in its holster on her back, picks up the crossbow, and turns to walk away. “Of course you would, but it doesn't change the fact I am done. If I am going to die, it will be defending Pa and Ma.”

Christ cracks his neck with a smile. He inhales, putting on a serious face, “You will be killing them if you walk away from here.”

Lisa stops in place turning her head toward him, “What did you just say.”

He takes a step forward, “You refusing to do what it takes to save the ones you love, makes you no better than the one who kills them. You might as well go and slit their throats tonight. Save them the pain of being slowly slaughtered tomorrow.”

Lisa turns away walking to the door, Teril you Christ.

Scratching his head, “What would your father say?”

Lisa’s skin crawls, her head ignites with a burning sensation, her face flushes red, “You don't get to speak about him! You didn't know him, you don't---”

Pointing at her once more, “But what would he say to just giving up on something to save the one's you supposedly love, just cause you got hurt?”

Lisa remains silent looking at him with a heat in her, thinking about the last time she saw her father alive. He stood in the door, with his weapon in hand. He said he would keep us safe at any cost. . . not saying another word she walks past him toward the steps.

Watching her walk past a small smile forms, “By the way you did a great job back there, your not the best shot in the world, but much better than a novice. I may have use for you at this rate.”

I hope you die, Lisa takes her first step on the uneven stairs, looking down at the smooth skin on her chest that just a short time ago had a metal rod through it. I hope you just get kicked in the dick.

Christ sakes his head, walking behind her, “Good talk, oh and your welcome for the Slow Res potion I gave you.”