Paragon of Destruction

Arran felt a moment of apprehension when Snowcloud asked him what to do. He was anything but a strategic genius or a seasoned commander, and he felt a moment of doubt at his ability.

Yet after the series of disasters Stoneheart's group had suffered, it was clear that they could not be trusted to lead — perhaps they had learned from their defeats, but Arran wasn't willing to take that risk. Not when his life was at stake.

Snowcloud, meanwhile, knew even less of tactics than Arran did. For all her power, she lacked experience in real battles. And, seemingly aware of her limitations, she had now put the burden on Arran.

Arran clenched his teeth, suppressing his anxiety. Of all of them, he was probably the best choice to come up with a strategy — something that did not bode well for their chances.

"The clearing," he said, turning to Stoneheart. "Does it have any exits other than the valley?"

Stoneheart shook his head. "The surrounding hills are too steep, and the woods too dense. Perhaps a small group could make it out, but…" He didn't finish the sentence, instead casting a gaze at the dozens of recruits and villagers in the camp.

"Right," Arran said, silently cursing Stoneheart for placing his camp in a natural trap. "So we must fight. Snowcloud, take a position at the back of the clearing, along with any archers among the recruits. The moment our foes emerge from the valley, hit them as hard as you can, and kill before they're able to reach you."

"That won't work," Stoneheart cut in. "There are too many of them. We'll be overwhelmed in moments."

"We're not joining her," Arran said. "You and I will take up positions ahead, along the side of the valley. As the raiding party passes us, we'll flank them and attack from the side. Those in the middle and the back won't make it to the clearing — and if they do, it won't be fast enough to make a difference."

"That's suicide!" Stoneheart objected loudly. "The two of us can't take on all of them by ourselves!"

Arran groaned. "The valley is narrow," he said, controlling the anger he was beginning to feel. "And dense with trees. They'll have to spread out to get through, and we'll hit them just as the first few reach the clearing. There should be too much chaos for most of them to even find us."

"Then wouldn't it be better if we attacked from a distance?" Stoneheart asked. "Get up on the hills on the side of the valley, and attack them from range?"

"No," Arran replied curtly.

"Why not?" Stoneheart insisted.

"Because they're Body Refiners, you granite-headed moron," Arran snapped. "If you stand on a hill and pelt them with fireballs, one of them will eventually get the right idea and put an arrow through your thick skull."

Arran's sudden outburst caused Stoneheart's recruits to look at him in shock, and even Snowcloud appeared startled.

Stoneheart himself, however, was merely silent for a moment, then nodded. "You're right. So what do we do?"

"We charge into their midst," Arran said. "As long as we create enough chaos and confusion, they won't be able to group up and overwhelm us, and they'll get in each other's way when they attack us. Those who make it to the clearing will be killed by Snowcloud, while we take care of the rest."

Stoneheart was quiet for several moments. "It will be dangerous," he finally said, a thoughtful look on his face.

"There are several hundreds of Body Refiners coming to kill us, and we're trapped in here." Arran let out a sigh. "Of course it'll be dangerous. If any of you can come up with something that isn't dangerous, I'd be glad to hear it."

He looked at Stoneheart and the recruits surrounding them. Although they looked uncomfortable, none of them spoke, and after a few moments of silence, Arran turned to Snowcloud.

"You'll be the meat grinder at the end of our trap," he said. "You'll have to hit them with a barrage of attacks until the attack breaks or they're all dead. Can you handle that?"

She nodded. "I just have to attack any who make it to the clearing, right?"

"Right," Arran said. "But you can't let up for even a moment. The entrance to the clearing needs to be a massacre — if they get a chance to gather their wits, they'll group up, or attack you from range."

He knew well what an arrow fired by a Body Refiner could do to a mage, and Snowcloud would be their most obvious target. Yet hers was the most important role, and while Arran himself was too weak to handle it, he didn't trust Stoneheart enough for the task.

"I understand," she said, resolute despite the anxiety in her voice. "But what about you? I know you're strong, but you'll be right in the middle of it."

Arran shrugged. "I have my sword and my armor. As long as I only face a few at a time, I should be fine."

That wasn't the entire truth, of course. Although he thought he had a good chance of surviving in the middle of a group of panicked Body Refiners, he knew that a single mistake or even a bit of bad luck could cost him his life — and if both he and Stoneheart fell, the battle would be lost.

But there was nothing for it now but to fight with all the fury he could muster, and he pushed aside any doubts and hesitation he still felt. Right now, distractions like those would not serve him well.

"Do you have armor?" he said, turning to Stoneheart. The tall man was dressed in ragged robes that would do him little good in battle.

"I don't," Stoneheart replied. In a soft voice, he added, "I lost my void bag in the first battle."

Rather than punching the man as he wanted to, Arran reached for his own bags, then took out the robe Jiang Fei had given him long ago. Although it wasn't the strongest armor he had, it was the only piece that would fit Stoneheart.

"Wear this," he said. "It's enchanted, and it will offer you at least some protection."

Stoneheart did as Arran said, putting on the robe. Although it was wide enough to fit him, on the tall man's frame it looked comically short, barely reaching his knees. Still, it would be better than nothing.

Snowcloud had already put on an armored coat of her own when they first headed to the burned village — a bulky brown thing that did not seem to fit her particularly well.

"Ready?" Arran asked, looking at Snowcloud and Stoneheart.

Snowcloud nodded, and Stoneheart did the same a moment later.

"Snowcloud, you attack the moment you see the first enemy. Stoneheart, you attack when you hear either me or Snowcloud attack. And whatever you do, keep moving, and cause as much damage as you can — don't give them a chance to group up."

"I guess this is it," Snowcloud said.

"Good luck," Arran replied. Then, he gestured to Stoneheart. "Let's go. We've already wasted too much time talking — it won't be long before they arrive."

They set off at a run, Stoneheart following closely behind Arran.

"Are you strong enough?" Stoneheart asked as they neared the entrance to the clearing.

"I suppose we'll find out soon enough," Arran said. If he wasn't, they would all be in trouble.