Chapter 34: Battle on the Plains

"Oh no!" exclaimed Zentarou. "They're already here!" Fighting had erupted in full on the plains near the city, which indicated that somehow the Gaia defenders had been forewarned. Dregan studies the field, and frowned slightly.

"Something's not right. They're not fighting like before," he observed. "The demons aren't committed to it."

"Trolly-molly! Look!" Orko had spotted a fearsome sight indeed, a loaded ballista. But it wasn't aimed at the defenders on the ground. It was aimed at the dragon!

: Hold on: As the ballista bolt, like a huge arrow, shot through the air towards them, Natar braced, then winged out of the way. A second bolt was already being loaded. :I'd say we annoyed them last time: the dragon mused, just before dodging.

"Well, those ballista bolts are annoying me." Zentarou took aim, and hit the weapon perfectly with a fireball. "There. Now I'm no longer annoyed." He grinned. Orko, Dregan, and Zentarou unleashed their spells, but Vivi hesitated for a moment, searching the battlefield. There! He saw his friends right in the thick of it, even Garnet, though he would bet Steiner had resisted that every step of the way.

Suddenly, they saw a blue serpent, a huge one, arise from seemingly nowhere. Vivi smiled, knowing what it was, but the other three gasped as a tidal wave swamped the demon forces, destroying some of them.

"Trolly-molly!"

"Wow!"

"Impressive." Dregan studied the effect t, then nodded. "Use water or ice based spells." The mages nodded and followed his lead. Vivi saw many of the defenders looking up and pointing as spells and Natar's magical breath wrecked havoc with the demons.

My sons aren't n the fight, Vivi noted. Good. They may be good mages, but this is out of their league. He used his Waterga spell liberally, rather than Flare or Doomsday. Somehow he felt he should save his strength.

"These demons are up to something," Zentarou growled. "Some of them have bows, but aren't firing. They've got at least one more trick up their black sleeves."

"Be alert," advised Dregan. "I think the mystery attack will be directed at us for a change." He but a hand on Vivi's shoulder. "Do you see your friends?"

"Yes. They're fighting the demons." He pointed, and Dregan nodded.

"Courageous friends." Vivi smiled proudly.

: I believe I see the 'trick' you were looking for: Natar suddenly informed them. They followed his gaze to see another large wavy patch of air, like before. It formed into a demon as big as Natar, with a reptilian mouth full of teeth, razor-sharp claws, and a powerful tail. It looked skyward at them, and roared. Then the full significance of the threat sank in, as it stretched large, bat-like wings.

"Uh oh..." from Zentarou. "This doesn't look good." The beast launched itself into the air and right at Natar. The Twilight Dragon inhaled deeply and waited, then released his breath weapon right in it's face, before flying out of the way, roaring back at it in fury.

"Ha ha! Excellent shot!" laughed Dregan, raining down more spells onto the demon army below. Natar wheeled around to face this new opponent.

: Hold tight: he warned. : I might have to more very abruptly.:

"Will do." Orko was making good use of his wand, casting spells none of the others had seen him use before, such as making water spouts appear out of nowhere to drench the demons. For about ten long minutes, Natar dodged the demon beast's attacks, striking with his breath weapon when possible. It seemed as if they might just win,

Abruptly, a ballista bolt, fired from who knows where, flew up not an inch from Natar's nose. He blinked in surprise, his attention diverted, and the demon barreled towards them, head down like a battering ram. The ballista had provided just a split second of distraction, but it was long enough. Natar couldn't get out of the way in time, and the demon collided with his with tremendous force. The Bretheren Arcanum tried valiantly to hold on, shouting from surprise and more than a bit of fear - the demon's head was very, very close - but their grips failed, and they tumbled off!