Victory of life

Like every gift, life comes with a price.

The feast was great but Lila felt uneasy. Her eyes wandered around, keeping an eye on her four surviving officers. If they would mention their retreat, she didn't know what the others would do to them and her. They seemed to feel the same about her, as their eyes crossed more than once. She tried to ignore the empty seats at another table. It was common to save the seats of brethren who had fallen trying to prevent a defeat. After a great meal, of which Lila had only had a nibble, the Soulless entered the hall. A devious smile masked some of the fat on his cheeks.

"My dear Rebels! Yesterday was a great day! We conquered the Necromancer city Ferinta and the Human mage's castle of Oocklace Peak! We will quarantine the people inside and make sure the threat remains contained."
He paused mysteriously and looked at Lila's table. Her officers looked away. Her dreamy gaze, on the other hand, was captured by the Soulless' piercing eyes.
"Aside from those great victories, we lost two other battles. May the souls of our dear Brethren roam alongside our ancestors forever!"
Another pause.
"I would also like to mention Lila. One of my little mice told me about her retreat two days ago. She will fight alongside the common soldiers in a victorious battle next time, or die there. I will not vouch for her until she has done so."
His words hadn't left the hall yet, or most of the attending Rebels started moving closer. They saw Lila as a disgrace to their race and wanted to punish her for her cowardice. She decided she would accept her fate, but her officers wouldn't let her. They understood the meaning of life now, and were thankful for the second chance she had given them. Lila saw the determination in their eyes and hers started emitting a lilac glow. The four Rebels turned into massive black bears, bigger then she had ever seen. Their eyes fiery red and their muzzles salivating, hungry for blood. Their will to live proved to be a great catalyst for her powers. She felt better than ever before and drew her own sword too. The Soulless was watching the display of power with an honest smile on his face. He turned to the doors and as he was leaving:
"Enough..."



(Written in Syringa Cross; episode 15 of the web story)

Bloody platter of siege

Seize each and every opportunity, for it may be your last.

Lila had never been in a battle of this scale before. Her heart was pounding in her chest as enemies and allies alike dropped dead around her. Her clothes where covered in blood and she didn't even know if they were winning.  She and her officers were stationed not too far from the enemy wall, but just far enough to avoid being pierced by arrows. Not long into the battle, the news came that they were greatly outnumbered and defeat was imminent. It was an ill prepared siege and the defending forces had received reinforcements just before the attack. Lila had no overview whatsoever and didn't even know her officers by name. They despised her, they didn't like her orders and even laughed at her when she proposed a retreat. Apparently, Rebels do not retreat in the face of danger. Ever. 

In this case though, Lila saw no danger, only failure. She sighed. One of the officers had enough of her attitude. He walked up to her to show her what it was like to be a Rebel and raised his sword. Lila saw no danger again and her eyes gathered a lilac glow. At that moment, a spear pierced the officer's heart. Immediately after, another one joined him in death. About thirty men had made it to her band of six officers. The lilac glow was already empowering her soul and she smiled. The officers turned into gigantic black bears because of her magic and their berserk mode defended her and her pride. Skin was torn, limbs snatched off and heads smashed to bloody pieces. Some bears wouldn't make the retreat, but the ones that did, would survive the day. She'd rather be a living coward, able to prove herself another day, than an heroic corpse, lying in the mud.

(Written in Syringa Cross; episode 14 of the web story)

A blood red square

When you can't go on or back, stand tall and fight with the weapons you possess.

She started running without hesitation, but some black bears stood in her way very quickly. The lilac glow filled her eyes. The bears did not know what happened to them and they started fighting among each other. As she looked around, some soul enslaving Necromancers started to advance towards her. She sighed. The two bears charged them and fought viciously. The square was filled with confusion and chaos. A band of soldiers came rushing towards the fight and turned against the Necromancers too. They were no ordinary ones though, as their army of souls was massive and easily cut through her converted bears and humans. Blood colored the streets and the smell of death was everywhere. Another few Necromancers joined the fight, and that's when the man from before joined the battle. He took Lila by her arm and created a magical shield around them, deflecting every projectile swung at them. Her eyes brightened and she turned her magic towards the man. His magic exploded and the whole square was hit by the huge shockwave this created. Souls incinerated, people were thrown in the air and windows shattered. Lila took the surprised man by his hand and together they ran towards the house. There, Lila realized she was too late. The mistress of the house, who was still under the remnants of Lila's spell, was sitting on the ground, weeping over the recently murdered boy. Lila walked closer and put her hand on the woman's head. She let hers down quietly.

(Written in Syringa Cross; episode 10 of the web story)