OVERTURE to Nocturn, Second Movement (Part Five)

The armor of a Gaunt is easily the most impressive and fearful thing that mankind has been able to produce in the realm of Paxia. Crafted from the bones of some long forgotten abomination, a marrow structure akin to natural chalk carves out a blasphemous effigy, augmented in effect by the obsidian peaking out of the cracks and openings in the bone layer. Like a great skeleton of destruction, walking briskly with a newfound youth and a royal purple cloak adorning the skeletonic armor, Battlepriest Aequitas' footsteps echo in the halls of the cathedral-city.

He stops when he reaches the front of a great and decorous chamber, where a motley of soldiers, refugees and residents of the city eagerly gather.

"Officer Grandamme. Approach," and the mob moves aside to create an aisle.

Meekness is something Roderick is not well known for, but for once he looks as fearful as Ridiculous following up behind him. "Yes, sir." He notices from the corner of his eye more of his own allied troops in their white uniforms. A few of them recognize the man from many a late night brawl or revel, and nodded to their comrade in arms.

"The scouts inform us that your figurings on the movement of the Benefactors are certainly true. We are preparing for battle, and now that the lay people are safely secure far into the city, I will be representing the Gaunt force for one final time."

Roderick's foot is tapping uncontrollably as he waits for bad news. "Yes", coming out of his mouth like a croak, he tries again. "Yes, sir?"

"I am to understand you are the last survivor of your squadron, charged with the duty of releasing the fool behind enemy lines, is that right?"
"Yes sir"
"And why the fool."
"Sir, benefactors only seem to plague humans. We believe that the fool, who is a fluke among them, may serve as an alternative fighter whom the enemies will not engage."

The poor fool is too confused to even be sure what his name is now.

"Regardless, officer Grandamme, the fight will be coming to us. We will not have any time to wait for your army.You and the fool are to await the oncoming wave of attack and serve as a special task force. You will travel on the parallell line of attack to our walls and round them to the front of the city, where we I will smash the rest of them. Understood?"

"Who is to accompany us, sir"

"We will" drone several voices in unison.

Turning around, a new throng of Paxian soldiers stand in a line, all of them with a strange quality to their eyes.
Leading the pack is an officer with his cap on at a bad slant, hand on his hip, and a cocky grin, with white hair and badly burnt skin.