December's Wrath
A rundown of the 15 SS fight between myself and Chris S in the first week of the Rhubarb Games Escalation League.
My Crew:
Rasputina
Ice Golem
December Acolyte
Opponent's Crew:
Pandora
Baby Kade
3 Sorrows
Rasputina rested her cheek against the icy back of her construct Sleet, as she observed the approaching enemy. The river had long been the unofficial border between Neverborn and December. If her spies were correct, the Neverborn planned an incursion today to destroy the farms and homes in the village of Rhadak. She had ordered the village evacuated as soon as she arrived. December was harsh mistress and did not tolerate the loss of her faithful.
She watched from behind the corner of the stone building closest to the pair of bridges and scanned the shrubs near the older wooden bridge. Although she could not see him, she knew that her bodyguard and sometime lover, Sergei was patiently waiting there for his opportunity to strike. A low, piercing wail that brought a spike a pain behind her eyes told her that the enemy had brought Sorrows with them. "Probably two or three." she thought, judging by the amount of pain she felt.
When the finally got close enough to see, she cursed and pounded her fist into Sleet's back as she recognized Pandora. "That blonde bitch!" she growled to herself. "I warned her what would happen if she crossed my path again." Pandora, flanked by a pair of Sorrows, arrogantly approached the far side of the great stone bridge as if she had nothing to fear. To her right, another Sorrow and the diminutive form of Baby Kade waded across the shallow river, between the two bridges. Rasputina gave Sleet a gentle push, propelling him forward as she advanced behind him. She hoped that her very appearance would make the contemptible Neverborn back away, but it was not to be.
Baby Kade emerged from the water, dragging his sodden, stuffed bear behind him. A moment later, the Sorrow glided effortlessly onto the dry riverbank, it's keening wail bringing a burning pain to Rasputina's head. Without warning, a large iron spike transfixed the chest of the Sorrow and it was dragged inexorably by an attached cable into a some nearby shrubs. Sergei appeared, as if from nowhere, and grabbed the head of the Sorrow, bending it backwards and finishing it off with his razor sharp blades
Rasputina advanced behind the huge form of her Golem. She gathered her power and flung it at the first Sorrow crossing the bridge. Ice and sleet swirled and cut into the body of the Sorrow and Baby Kade. Icy beads of sweat trickled from beneath her hat as she once again lashed the two lead intruders with December's might. Both Baby Kade and the Sorrow fell, covered in sheets of snow and ice. Baby Kade's frozen body fell back into the water and drifted slowly downriver.
Pandora, seeing the all but one of her minions out of action, gathered her power and directed it with all her fury at Rasputina. The spike of power burning her brain, nearly drove Rasputina to her knees. A narrow ribbon of blood ran down from her ears and nose. Rasputina said a quick prayer to December as she saw the bitch, once again, gesturing her way. She felt the chill of December's grace wrap around her and Pandora's spell shattered before it struck.
Rasputina saw Sergei break from cover, heading straight at Pandora, trying to draw her spells upon himself. Rasputina gave a wintery smile as she watched her bodyguard fire his crossbow, but the range was too far and his harpoon fell short. Knowing how hard it would be to cast a spell directly upon Pandora, Rasputina concentrated all her might on the Sorrow just behind the Neverborn witch. Once again, razors of ice lashed out in a huge wave that engulfed both of the intruders. Rasputina nearly fell unconscious as her vision went red. A huge, frigid wind lashed from behind and would have knocked her down had she not clung to the massive arm of her construct.
Rasputina gathered her composure as her strength returned. Sergei hovered nearby, not wanting to draw her ire by touching her without permission. His pale blue eyes showed a mixture of concern and awe. The concern she understood, but the awe was a mystery until her eyes focused on the bridge. Two unrecognizable forms stood frozen on the bridge. They were so covered in ice, that their exact nature was impossible to distinguish, Huge icicles hung from every point on the bridge, and the surface of the river was frozen over as if in the dead of winter.
Rasputina drew herself upright, straightened her hat and coat and brushed some snow off of her sleeve. She turned to Sergei and waved her hand at the small collection of buildings. "Tell the villagers that it is safe to return." Sergei looked over his shoulder at the two frozen forms. "What should I have them do with the bodies Mistress?" She looked towards the bridge with a face as cold as the heart of winter. "Tell them to leave them there until they rot as a warning to all who provoke December's Wrath." With her hand resting lightly on Sleet's arm, the Mistress of Winter disappeared into the woods.