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)

Bar at war

Crossing boundaries ignites distrust and controversy.

The man's name was Corll. He told Lila he would not forget what she did for his leader's son and insisted she'd meet him as soon as possible. She had nowhere to go, so she agreed and they left Ferinta, the city of Necromancers. Corll helped her to understand her world better and told about how Necromancers had been the first 'releasers' to interfere with the existence of souls and how the Reapers came to the lands with their own beliefs and powers. Lila was obviously a reaper, using the power of souls to channel magic skills. Corll most vividly told about the youngest faction, the Rebels. He himself was one, and his leader was called the Soulless. He was a Rebel whose soul had been stolen in an extraordinary extraction performed by a legendary Necromancer. It had lifted all limits to his morphing powers, allowing him to become the most feared warrior in their modern history and king of all Rebels, uniting them in their quest to save the souls. By nightfall, they had reached the border to the Soulless' lands, but Corll insisted they would rest at an interesting bar and inn. Lila smiled as they entered. There were both Necromancers and Reapers sitting at the tables, though never at the same ones. Corll smiled at her and talked out loud.
"Now look here, Lila. These releasers are lurking around near our border to fight against the forces of our Soulless leader."
The whole bar was in awe, as there was obviously an alliance between a Rebel and a Reaper. None of these releasers was fond of the Rebel entering. Add to that the old grudge between them making the Necromancers distrust their like-minded Reaper allies and tensions rose. When one of the Necromancers started insulting Lila, and Reapers in general, all hell broke loose. Lila smiled, for she did not bother engaging the enemy without restraint. She just didn't grow tired of testing the limits of her powers. She fought Necromancers and opposing Reapers. She fought alongside Corll, without having to use her magic on him. She dodged and punched, enhanced his powers and supported him. Everyone seemed to want everyone else dead. Lila laughed aloud as she knew the night was young and this bar was a miniature of her new found war.



(Written in Syringa Cross; episode 11 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)