Terrified, the young Gnoll warrior soiled themselves as they fell unconscious to the ground. Taki landed atop the man like a wild beast, snarling and hissing as she turned on her limbs, retracting her tongue before tossing herself at the next victim. This one was a bit older, held his blade confidently in one hand as he charged at her. Electricity gathered around her body, the air currents shifting as she finished her spell with a hissing command. In a thunderous flash, she closed the gap and slammed into the charging Gnoll like a living bullet. Claws and fangs sank into the thick hide, scoring gouges of meaty red strips from their flesh.

As the beast howled in pain and tried to shove the shaman off, she sprang from his lacerated body to the next. With two of their comrades taken down so quickly, their formation was beginning to crumble along with their resolve. Sailing through the air in a graceful arc, one of the Gnolls aimed a heavy crossbow along the shaman's path. The metal limbs made a heavy thunk as the bolt went sailing through the air, though shaky hands threw the trajectory wide. Taki landed on the shooter, slamming their weapon into their chest as she drove the beast to the ground. She raked at their flesh with terrifying ferocity, shredding meat from bone as those remaining started to call for a retreat.

While she was flustered, she still was aware of herself enough to know when her opponent surrendered. She backed away from the others, allowing those still standing to gather their battered comrades. As they slinked back off into the forest defeated, a war horn rang out through the night.



Meanwhile, at the front gate:

Shuchu squared off with the remaining four shooters, gathered in a semi circle with their side arms drawn. One held a short sword with a small buckler, two held spears, and the last had a pair of short axes. They all rushed forward as the golem took a step towards them, then another. As the group came into range, Shuchu swiped their ranks with heavy limbs. The two spear wielders managed to brace against the blow, though the other two were caught in the sweep. A powerful shock jumped from the golem's body and into theirs, stunning them as the impact sent them sprawling.

From above, Hakaze had returned from town and descended on the battle. Flaring their wings out, the drake raked the spearmen with a powerful blast of their breath weapon. Tumbling end over end, the concentrated blast of air ended their possible recovery. Landing beside Shuchu, the pair squared off with the Gnolls as they were picking themselves up. A moment later, a loud trumpeting signal rang out from the other side of town. The Gnolls laughed and shouted curses before turning to run off into the woods at the retreat.

Tallgrass just looked up at the dark sky in shock at what just happened. The Gnoll thought the end was near as he felt his blood running out of the sword cuts on his body.
There was a shadow that ran by Tallgrass it was his two guards that charged Sarne. With their spears thrusting At Sarne.

The wings on Sarne's back receded into his back disappearing. Sarne's eyes were still glowing gold as he stepped back using the spears and tried to pierce Sarne. [1] The light of divine protection protected him there was no damage from the fierce thrusts of the spears. There was a flash of light Sarne could feel the release of light from his body in a burst. Normally this would heal allise in a 20-foot circle. This time the burst of light touching the Gnolls dealt scorching light damage to the Gnolls in that circle.

Their fur and armored animal hides burst into flames as amber's of scorched hide and fur blow in the wind. The two guards screamed and fell to the ground rolling in pain.

Tallgrass was also hit by the flash of light his breath was taken away by the pain and burn as he watched his Fur burn away with the wave of light He had been beaten and he knew it there was no returning from this the Light judged him and inflicted its punishment.

It was time to end this Sarne called down a pure energy cascading down from the sky. The light lit up the area that the Gnolls were in. The intense light was like the sun finishing them off their bodies turning to ash as embers blew away in the wind. It was over all the Gnolls that saw what happened were horrified by it. There was a pause in the fighting. Then Gnoll screamed as they fled into the woods and did not stop running they probably ran all night in fear back to their village.

The battle was over people after a minute of being quiet came from their homes cheering laughing and hugged one other. Sarne took a sigh of relief he was tired the battle had taken a lot out of him. Sarne was ready for some rest. Sarne walked to the back gate to see his men were still standing next to Taki. Sarne smiled and walked over to Taki "You are amazing," Sarne said with a smile.

[1] Divinities Blessing
[2] Piercing Light

Rejoining her side a few minutes later, Taki thanked each of her companions for their hard work. She rewarded Hakaze with a large treat and promise of something more when they returned home. She made her way to where folks were gathering the fallen and set about helping. It was always a terrible thing, no matter which side was 'victorious', lives were taken. She was solemn as the trio brought the last of the guards to the grounds. After a short discussion with those remaining, the shaman set about granting the fallen their Last Rites. Her words were few, though she wished their spirits peace and harmony in the next life.

Once that was done, she started making her way back towards the front gate. Several people stopped her along the way to thank her for helping, and she did her best to put on a kind smile and be gracious. In truth, she wished there had been more attempt to talk to the Gnolls, for the towns to work with them instead of driving them out again only to repeat the vicious cycle. Days like this made her want to build Spirit's Retreat into a full blown city, complete with protected rights, political neutrality and a sanctum for the downtrodden... but that was the kind of lofty goals that kings and empresses desired, and she was but a humble shaman with way more talent for magic than she felt was deserved.

She found herself once again at the back gate, mostly listening to Sarne's companions and the other surviving guards laughing and celebrating. In a week's time, this will be a distant memory to some, but Taki would remember the lives lost here...

"You are amazing." Sarne called out as he approached the group, prompting Taki to look up from her thoughts.

"I did what I could, which kept the town safe at least... it is still an unfortunate circumstance that there wasn't a reasonable solution to this though... it's difficult at times like this to feel that either side is morally superior."

Sarne paused for a moment thinking looking at Taki. "In war or battle I have always thought that sometimes there is no winner. Families all lose on both sides. Even the Gnolls have mothers and fathers sisters and brothers that will mourn their loss," replied Sarne humbly.

"I fought because these people did not need to suffer at the hands of the Gnolls. But I will go investigate why the Gnolls did this and try to rectify it. This way maybe the cycle will stop." said Sarne almost sounding like he was making a promise.

Other villagers started together and looked at the two as the Sun rose. Sarne turned to them "Today you were spared. Do not waste your second chance. The sacrifice of the Gnolls should be honed. Be sure to give the Gnolls their space and they should leave you alone. I will go see why they attacked and what drove them to this action." explained Sarne.

Sarne gave a slight bow to Taki placing his right hand over his Hart "It was an honor to have you at my side Shaman Shitakibo. You are an honorable person If you need me just call I come to your aid." stated Sarne then straightened up."I am off now to see what has caused this to happen I will see you again sometime," said Sarne with a smile.