Tread Lightly – Among Monsters And Men

*********************

Elizabeth Stroudwater

 

Coughing and wiping the smoke out of my eyes, I shout at the top of my lungs, using Ether to get my voice out further with Inspire. As I do so, I crouch down, narrowly dodging a loosed arrow as a soldier is instead hit by it. The guilt strikes deep, but I keep my focus, shifting on my toes.

 

"Gather up at the front two cars! Motherbound have surrounded us! Unknown numbers and unknown strength! Wounded! Man the cannons and Gatlings! Uninjured! Wield your Ether and Claymores to keep them out of the train!"

 

Shuffling of feet is all over as I pull an unmoving body away from a window, slipping my finger over their neck to check their pulse. None.

 

Damn...

 

Sighing, I drag him away and take his rifle for myself. Then, I slide to his position and take aim, finding innumerable targets. As the train sits motionlessly in the train station, I attempt to focus on the closest target, but the cacophony of combat is deafening. The sound of gunfire and battle rings in my ears as the train is ambushed by a massive force of enemies. It's a scene reminiscent of my recent days in Bent, where we were constantly under siege. Only it is far worse. Back then, I was hidden within the walls, covered by maps and battle plans.

 

I've trained for this. I can do this.

 

With a deep breath, I steady my aim and fire, the rifle recoiling against my shoulder as I take down one foe after another. All my Sigils are Lawmen, built for commanding, but until the smoke clears from the ambushing bomber that left Millie unconscious, I need to help hold the train. The soldiers around me join in the fray, turning the train into a miniature battlefield. The air is thick with the smell of gunpowder and the echoing sound of gunshots.

 

The enemies seem to be never-ending, their numbers overwhelming. I feel the weight of responsibility on my shoulders as I try to protect the train and the powerless inside from this relentless onslaught. I can't fail Johnny. He left me here to defend and command the remaining soldiers of Bent. Marshall's soldiers. I can't let them down.

 

Firing rapidly, I manage to fell twelve foes before my rifle clicks, empty of ammunition. With no time to spare, I swiftly grab another rifle from the fallen comrade beside me to my left, their body recently falling with a blackened nail sticking from their skull, and continue the fight even as they lie unmoving. My heart pounds in my chest, adrenaline coursing through my veins as I frantically squeeze the trigger.

 

The months spent trained by Edward and then mentored by Millie have taught me much, and firing a gun is one of the lesser ones. Though, I never slacked on marksmanship practice, hoping to one day be as good as Johnny is naturally.

 

So, I'm able to aim around the few Majors that depart the train to better fight outside its walls, their 5th Sigils allowing them some leeway in the battle. But many of them struggle to break through, even with their powerful skills. I see a man stringing a key on his instrument, sending a shockwave of sound that makes many Motherbound, glowing with Darklight, shake violently before falling to their knees. Then, a partner of his follows up with a pair of daggers attached to slim wires that slices many together with a single cleave.

 

Finally, behind them is a woman who toys with a series of darts in her hands, throwing them at any who come near. She lays out dozens of Motherbound before any even gets near her. I think that's the group Wyatt spent some time with. He told me about them just yesterday.

 

Gritting my teeth, I fire and kill a Taintwrought that was approaching him awfully close. Rich, I believe, was the musician's name. Can't let any of them die! Again, again, and again, I run through multiple Colts in just moments without wasting time to reload before the smoke clears, letting me more effortlessly see the situation.

 

We're being slaughtered. The region in front of me with Rich and his two teammates at the 5th Sigil is relatively fine, but the entire back half of the train is a bloodbath. Cursing, I stand and push my way through wounded that are screaming in agony toward the back.

 

"Sorry! You, you, and you! With me! Now!"

 

I pick out three 3rd Sigils that I recognize, powerful but not powerful enough that their absence will make or break the protection of the front. We still have the Conductor, after all. Marshall chose him specifically for his Absolution skill to protect the train. Though... Wyatt did mention that he had no Sigil. Odd. I wonder why he couldn't see it.

 

The three nod and follow me backward as I unsheathe my Claymore and Colt from my hip, retrieving a brief glimpse of the past from Edward's training in my mind.

 

**********************************

Months ago, deep within Blackreach

 

I stand face-to-face with my instructor, Edward, feeling the weight of the sword in my hand and the comforting grip of the Colt in the other. I am forever grateful that Primrose managed to snag this deal for me. It couldn't have been easy because of how busy the Bloodied Beast is.

 

Shaking my head inwardly, I focus on Edward as we circle each other in the training courtyard, a hidden place beneath Blackcrink, a major city within Blackreach's borders within the depths of the sewers, our eyes locked in a fierce yet respectful gaze. The light above, flickering constantly, casts long shadows upon his face as I gauge how he will move. Usually, he lets me make the first move. But not today. He knows we will be leaving soon. I think he wants to make sure I'm ready.

 

Edward is a formidable swordsman even without his Ether, and I feel honored to be trained by him. Even using Adrenaline Surge and all the skills I could with Ether, I couldn't beat him without using it. He reminds me of Johnny in that way, for the gunslinger could likely kill anyone below the Wondrous stage without even a lick of Ether. But Edward's taught me everything I know about fighting with blade and gun, a deadly combination few can master. Not that he uses it too much anymore, preferring to focus on his Power and Claymore at once.

 

He calls it being a Coltsword, a rarity as most would instead learn only one or the other or simply focus on their Ether. Johnny is also well-versed in the act, but not many others are. But today, I am determined to prove myself and show him I can be as skilled as he is.

 

He acts first, darting forward with shifting and odd footsteps that make him hard to predict, but I raise my Claymore in time to meet his. Our blades clash, sparks flying in the air. I twist the edge as I sidestep, attempting to raise my Colt to his head for a 'checkmate,' but Edward is quick to recover, and with a swift move, he cuts a small nick on my cheek. It stings, and I know I've let my guard down.

 

"Weakness."

 

Edward stares at me firmly, his voice echoing in the courtyard.

 

"Don't assume your opponent will simply take the cards you deal them. Act as if they will always know your next move. We dance with lead and steel, not gowns and tea."

 

I nod, wiping away a trickle of blood from my cheek with the back of my hand. It's a small reminder of my mistake, but one I won't forget.

 

"You have the potential to be great."

 

Edward continues, his eyes unwavering as he flicks his blade outward, leaving droplets of my blood on the ground. Then, he lifts the edge and points it at my face, only inches away from me. I flinch, but his authoritarian gaze compels me to harden my resolve.

 

"You are naturally demanding, capable of leading. Even just your voice is hard to ignore when it enters a room. But to lead requires one to be great. But greatness comes with sacrifice. You must be willing to endure pain, to face your fears, and to learn from your mistakes."

 

I listen intently to his words, understanding the gravity of his advice. He's been through countless battles, and I know he speaks from experience.

 

"Again. This is the last time I'll guide you with the blade. Kill me—no more checkmates. If you have the opportunity, take it. I want to see your guts."

 

I take a deep breath, absorbing his guidance. My cheek throbs, a constant reminder of the lesson he's taught me today. Then, I take a deep breath before charging at him, ready to show him what I have deep inside. However, I realize deep inside that I've never actually landed him in a checkmate before.

 

I'm no Wyatt. Hell, I'm no Earl, either. The two I compare myself to are beyond me, but... I don't want to fall behind.

 

I won't fall behind.

 

****************

 

"Form a line! Leave the wounded for later! Medics! Focus on those that can return to combat in seconds!"

 

I bellow loudly to the entire train as I rush through, Inspiring them all as I can. And taking a chunk out of my Ether saturation, I add Empower, fueling each human recipient of my voice with my Ether to bolster their focus and physical strength, not just their mental.

 

The soldiers respond to my command, lining up and following my lead as I take a quick second to unleash a volley out a window at a Stigmatic that got way too close to the train for comfort. Together, we release a barrage of bullets, cutting down the Stigmatic and the many Dreadmarked and Taintwrought behind him. The train becomes a fortress of its own, pushing back the attackers and turning the tide of the battle.

 

But it's not enough. The middle is fine, but the back is struggling. I doubt they heard me earlier with the conflict over there. Forcing my way through as I reload my Colt with one hand, I examine the cars.

 

The air is filled with the sound of gunfire and the cries of the wounded. But we stand firm, united in our defense of the train and its precious cargo, the Unsigiled. The following car I enter is where the Boone family resides, and I heave a sigh of relief as I find Lennox guarding them by pummelling a Motherbound into the steel floor of the train, asking his questions to it, only these are far more brutal. At the same time, several other soldiers defend the powerless siblings of Virgil.

 

"Come, come, come! Everyone head to the front! It's safer there!"

 

They listen to me with quick 'yessirs' and 'yes, mams.' Smiling grimly, I push Nora, who is carrying a wide-eyed Esther, behind me.

 

"It'll be fine, Esth. I'm here!"

 

She doesn't return my enthusiasm, but I grit my teeth and continue onward with the three soldiers behind me. Together, we push deeper, quickly finding a currently peaceful car. I step inside it slackjawed as I see the two Rougarou that Johnny brought with him, sitting and licking their wounds.

 

I had no idea they came with us on the train. Did he hide this from us!? No... he probably didn't feel like adding them to the tally of soldiers and fighters was right, as they just wanted a home. Stepping past them, I speak to them, knowing they at least understand Chero.

 

"Head to the front. It's safer there as more are gathered in the front six cars."

 

Rou nods, standing slouched as his height is far too large for the train. But he moves to block my way, putting a claw the size of my torso in front of me.

 

"Do not. Dead."

 

Shocked, I repeat his words for confirmation.

 

"All dead?"

 

Rou nods as Ka shambles past me, the older Rougarou commanding her.

 

"All."

 

Sighing, I move out of the way for him to brush past me. His fur is covered with blood all over, and my heart sinks in sadness for the dead in the last three cars. At least the Bado were all in the fifth and sixth cars, leaving us with only two hundred or so soldiers at most and a few dozen Bado. Beside me, as I pivot around, I find the three soldiers I brought shaking in fear.

 

Scoffing at them, I sprint past them back toward the front. But I quickly stop as Rou rips a Taintwrought through a window and bites their head off. The sight stuns me for a moment before I shake my head and recover my resolve. Returning a sorry smile, I haul the three back toward the front.

 

In just a moment, Rou and Ka break their way back to the sixth car, and with me beside them, they aren't attacked by the soldiers. We then scuttle to the third car so I can better command. I try to have the Rougarou leave me, to focus on themselves, but they won't. So, I decide to ignore them as Rou goes on a rampage outside the window next to me. He's a 6th Sigiled, but he tears through a Dreadmarked that is of similar size and stature.

 

As always, Johnny is right. The most significant gaps in power lie in the 6th Sigileds, for only the greatest of the great can reach the next leap. But that shouldn't worry me for now as more and more wounded or piling up.

 

And the battle rages on, my throat turning hoarse from shouting over gunfire, I know we can't keep this up. Rich's group is tiring, slowing their defense as even Rou has wounds outpacing his speedy recovery. The webbing of my left hand burns with agony from all my shots fired, while my right shoulder feels like lead from all my swings with it.

 

Realizing I would do more work outside the train than inside, I step out and join Rou in his rampage. With each footfall, my training kicks in, and I swiftly assess the battlefield. The Rougarou on this side of the train, Rou unleashes his fury upon our foes, tearing through them with savage strength. I focus on a nearby Stigmatic, moving with the grace that Edward has instilled in me. My blade slices through the air as I swiftly approach them, staying out of reach from any projectiles, and I deflect their strikes and find openings to counter-attack.

 

The Colt in my left hand proves to be just as deadly as Edward always said it would be. Sidestepping a slash from the Stigmatic's frenzied claw, I raise my Colt to remove its head. But, I don't overextend, prepared for its spiky tail to strike at me, and I pivot, parrying the tail with a burst of Ether through my arm and my Colt. Then, as it's off-kilter, I stab my Claymore into its neck. While I do so, I spot a faraway Motherbound, crouched with a finger pointed at Rou. Lifting my hand, shaky from the recent impact, I take aim and fire repeatedly to scare it off, the sharp cracks of my shots intermingling with the Rougarou's ferocious snarls.

 

Continuing, I dart between Motherbound, evading their blows with ease, always staying one step ahead as I carefully follow Edward's training. Many of these Motherbound are near or slightly beyond my Sigil, but I either evade and lure them to Rou or kill them myself. My movements are swift and calculated, and I strike with deadly efficiency, dispatching my foes with swordplay and smoking lead. Each scuffle is close, my life hanging on by a thread, but as they pile up, my heart slowly settles to a peaceful calm.

 

I think I understand why Wyatt is so abnormal in these situations. His heart must always be calm. Without fear, how could it ever accelerate?

 

My thoughts only depart the battle for a split second as I witness the elder Rougarou's might. Rou's presence is a force to be reckoned with, creating a whirlwind of death among the Motherbound. But it is not enough. There are simply too many of them. Slowly, gradually, we are forced back to the train under constant gunfire. But before our backs touch the train's steel, a lightning bolt fills the air with an acrid smell.

 

Skyswain swoops down with her wings, her recent growth in skill evident as she uses her speed to charge and hurl spears of electricity at a multitude of foes. And following her is a cloud of noxious gas that expands to sink down into and incapacitate a dozen Motherbound. That one is Primrose. Then, after the two women arrive, a figure so swift he seems to be a shadow slams into the ground, bursting dirt and debris all over before Tomas dives into the enemy with two drawn longswords.

 

As they do so, a man steps beside me, holding an arm against the train's steel as the Undead seems exhausted. His weary face eyes Tomas as he speaks to me.

 

"There's a battle going on at the library, but Johnny sent us here. Glad he did, too. I gave Primrose, Skyswain, and Tomas all the help I could with my coins, so I'll spend the rest inside shooting a gun. Always wanted to fire a Gatling! Good luck!""

 

Scoffing at Silas as he shimmies his way back into the train through a broken window, I return to the battlefield with my eyes. And amidst the chaos, I become focused once more, my senses attuned to the slightest movements of my enemies. I channel Edward's teachings, embracing the blade as an extension of my will. My whole body is sore, weighing me down, but I continue as I shout to the soldiers behind me.

 

"Just a little more! Hold on! Tomas is here with backup!"

 

The sounds of battle are overwhelming—the clang of swords, the thunderous gunshots, and the growls of the Rou reverberate in my ears. But in the midst of it all, cheers fill the air as well, morale raising once more as my body feels entirely drained from the final use of my empowering skill of Ether. I step forward to fight again, but a hand grabs my shoulder and pulls me back.

 

Turning, I find it's Silas.

 

"Come on, girly. You're way too tired to join that. I can see your arms shaking. Come inside with me. You've proven yourself enough."

 

I go to argue, but the moment I take a step, my knee gives out, and without Ether to supplement it, I fall. But as I fall, two deathly arms catch me and drag me to the train. Silas curses the whole way he carries me back.

 

"Why can't you guys ever learn? Rest when you're tired. Pushing too far will only kill you. Tsk tsk. Y'all gotta learn to relax. If you don't sleep, when will you? Not when your dead, that's for damn sure."