The Battle of Neanheim

The moon went pale, when she looked at it. She smiled gently, the wind playing with her hair. The night was closing on, but the sun was still visible - red and burning, like a devil’s fire. Nothing new to her - a warrior, without a home. She felt the light breeze, preparing herself for the final battle. There was still time, but she just felt it in her blood - a wonderful feeling. Neanheim was the place the battle was to be acted. It was just a game for her, and yet she knew it was a lethal one. And she did enjoy it.

Her sword has been created to kill, not only to hurt. Once up over her head it fell only to bring total destruction. So be it. The fate will be fulfilled.

Her eyes glimmered with passion, her breath was steady, as she approached her destiny. In her mind there rose the images of her beloved - the one waiting in the high tower of the City of Seven Towers - Juk-al-imani. The one and only, sorceress of the city. It was her, that made the proud warrior weep in her loneliness, but smile in front of the unknowing crowd. Foolish ones. They thought she fought for them… But she did not…

The warrior did not look back, as she approached the battlefield. It was still empty, grass swaying calmly in the evening air. The woman's thoughts flowed slowly as she remembered the sorceress of the city.

* * *

The lady of the tower… My beloved. Why have you decided to wage war against them?… It was not the wise thing to do, not at all. But you did, and I am not the one to question your decisions. The city will not fall, even if I have to pay with my life for its safety. The armies will march, the soldiers will die on both sides, but there is one trick I can use… I can combine all the minds to work as a one man, as a one soul. The protectors of Juk-al-imani will work as if they were one organism, not even knowing they do… I will be their common mind, no matter if I have to pay for it with my life. You kissed me on this last night and I could not bear your tears, my lady. You shouldn’t have. It is not so easy to destroy me, even if I seem so defenseless as I do now. 

I remember it well, when you told me, there was going to be war. Nothing surprising… I should have expected it, knowing the wealth of Juk-al-imani and the appetites of your neighbors. So.. I was not caught unprepared, when you told me, the city will be under attack in a few days. Alas, I am a warrior. It is my job to make others feel safe. And I had good motivation, to defend the city of Juk-al-imani. YOU! Far too much, to leave it be…

I can go back in time with my thought as far as looking at you for the first time. You are incomparable to any human being I know. No, you cannot be compared even to the few immortals I had a doubtful pleasure of meeting. Your hair. Long and dark, like a lonely night, seeming to be shining in the pale moonlight. Your lips, full and welcoming, so intent and commanding, when you wanted them to be so.

And yet, you smiled, to welcome me. It was like a lightening, swift and deadly. This moment I gave you my soul, although I didn’t even realize it then. I simply admired your perfect silhouette, flawless breast and the face of a dark angel. You asked me who I was - a good question, I admit. I really don’t know it myself, you know. But, for you, I restricted myself to one simple description - a warrior. Nothing more, nothing less.

From the moment I saw you I admired you, I adored you, I desired you. My beloved… You must have seen it in my eyes, or felt it in my breath, as you spoke to me then. You have made me your slave, even if you exaggerated nothing of me. 

Neanheim is waiting for me. The two armies will crash, only one will win. And that will be ours, my lady… My life means nothing. I shall perish, that is the price for victory, that I know for sure. But who cares… But no. I know you love me, forgive me for being unjust. You will mourn me, but you will rejoice with the city that had been saved. Fare thee well my lady, for it is the last time we see each other. The time is closing on on us and Neanheim is to drink the blood of the warriors in abundance. But I am ready my lady…

* * *

The warriors thoughts ran faster as the emotion grew within her.

I remember our first kiss, innocent and burning at the same time, the unbearable communion of souls. It broke me, as it did you. We were one, if we wanted it or no. One soul, one mind. Complete ecstasy…Far too dangerous to reveal to any human being. 
So the battle would start in just a few minutes. Not wanting to surrender, to proud to bow your head in front of anybody, you waged war against the forces of light, yourself not belonging either to darkness or light.

I was to be your ultimate weapon, the way of destroying your enemies, but suddenly it turned out the cost was too high for you. Quite unfortunately, I must say, my lady. For I am not the one to be meddled with…. Not even if the price is my life.

Neanheim… Neanheim… Neaheim... How many times have I repeated this cursed name. With pleasure and never with fear. 

Sudden sound tore the warrior out of her meditation. All senses hightened she prepared herself for battle, it was time. She easily attuned herself to the mind of the sorcercerss of the tower and to the feelings of all her army. Familiear with telepty she begun a silent monologue towards her beloved.

I can hear the clash of armors in the distance, THEY are coming. My mind is surrounding so many entities that it is almost unbearable. I can feel the zeal of our soldiers, their excitement... Soon, I will feel their pain and fear of death as well... And I hope I can stand it. If I fail, we will have no second chance.

I can see our enemies at last. So shiny, so bright, so powerful they seem in the crimson rays of the setting sun. As if the blood was already covering their cuirasses. White wings of their dragons, silver armors of their fearless knights. They will all perish here if I have anything to say about that. The army of light will go into the eternal darkness, no matter how many invincible wizards and unbeatable war mages they have brought with them. No matter...

The chanting becomes louder and louder, their heavy steps make the earth tremble. I can feel the thrill of battle run through our soldiers - they are ready. Wonderful sensation of thousands of hearts beating for only one purpose - to win. 

A thunder of war cries is rolling over the cursed plain of Neanheim. So let us run towards our destiny. They did not expect to meet such un army, our pour opponents. Never could they be as united as we are, never could they be as deadly determined.

The first arrow is going through my body. No, not through mine, but the heart of one of my soldiers. I will have to get used to this feeling. My magic is strong, the wind starts to howl around us and the clouds flow like mad through the suddenly darkened sky. Our enemies will no longer see Juk-al-imani, nor will they see us, when we attack. The shrieks of dying are around us, like the never silent bells. 

But there are mages, whispering their incantations, creating walls of fire, burning flash and bone of my men, of me. The pain is everywhere, it becomes my universe, I have to revel in it now. Otherwise I would have gone crazy. My soldiers feel nothing of it - it is all mine, they have to attack without fear. How many dead, I cannot count.

The rain comes when I call it. Silvery drops cool the burning bodies, put down the fires, wash frowning faces. Lightening comes out of the distant clouds, restlessly killing our enemies. But they are not that fragile - shields of sun made by their wizards protect them well. 

Ahhh, they spotted me, no matter I've been just a soldier among others looking exactly like me. They know the source of our strength now and they will not miss that chance. I can feel their minds looking for mine, there's only a moment left. That should be enough. I trace them back, find the weakest of them. He's young, inexperienced, proud of his skill - a perfect prey. It is so easy to sneak among his thoughts, past all the security barriers he managed to create. Weakling... Now, you will fight for me, boy! 

He is powerful indeed and I do enjoy wielding his magic, especially against his allies. They burn in a hellish fire, they scream under the final touch of death itself when the frost of neverending winter goes through their bodies. It will take some time, before other wizards know what have hit them.

No! I have been caught! The pain... unbearable... or so it seems... My body is no longer there, of that I am sure. But my mind still exists, together with my army. They will not defeat us so easily!!! 

What is this? Thousands of wings beating the air above our heads. My lady, you have sent us your hawks and eagles. For certain death... Your favorites, to help us win the battle. Or maybe, but I don’t dare think so – maybe you felt my agony and sent them to my rescue. The majestic birds fall down like a hurricane upon our enemies, tearing them with steal beaks and talons. They choose wisely, as if they were able to think. It is your mind that commands them, is it not my lady?

Under this offensive the wizards fall, stunned for a moment, unable to recite their incantations. I am free, to wage destruction upon them now. My power is immense, greater then I could ever imagine. Being only a spirit I fell no more pain, but I can make people suffer so easily. None shall escape my wrath. The ground trembles, falls apart and so are our enemies. No mercy will be shown. The fury of my soldiers is like a narcotic, at the same time giving me power and sharpening my senses. The destiny has been fulfilled, my lady. Our enemies are no more...

We shall never meet again, my love. Your birds are coming to your tower. They will bring you the news of the victory. My soldiers are going home, every one in his own direction. There is no more common mind, there are only many exhausted man in tattered clothes. I am falling apart, as they go, laughing, drunken with triumph. Juk-al-imani will be safe for another thousand years. Do not cry, my love. For I will always be by your side.