h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

*the flaming sword swings out of the darkness towards Lumien's throat, Syian ducks and launches herself at Nick trying to tackle him to the ground*

*the moans of the dead can be heard growing steadily louder*

*Blocks the strike easily, but just barely misses Syian as she breaks off her attack.*

Get out of the way!

~~Or at least have some subtlety! I'm better with the sword than he is- if you attack him with magc while he's busy with me, we might have a chance!~~

~~It is different here in the dead realm, this is his domain...and mine, be careful and take nothing for granted~~

*Syian moves away into the darkness*

*Nick begins to strike faster and faster*

~~Syian will elemental magic work in here, water hurts him~~

*Matches him in speed and care- suddenly, her other hand holds a dagger, which she weaves into the pattern of her sword strikes.*

~~NO! Gods no, do not use that magic here...the dead will overwhelm you~~

*Suddenly there are two Nick's, then three, then four....in seconds there are twenty Nick's each with a fiery sword surrounding Lumien*

Right then. You /must/ be afraid of me, then, to try that trick!

*Sheathes both the dagger and the sword, and casts a shockwave attack while spinning in a circle. The net effect is something like a bomb going off.*

*Gets dumped on her backside*

Ouch

*Throws her dagger at one of the Nicks, it sticks in his arm and the flesh smoulders*

*at least half the false Nick's are destroyed, the other ten or so advance on her, the begin spinning around her swiftly*

*from the circle one flaming sword strikes to her midriff*

[Syian] ~~Shaylar, can you find me...can you walk to me making no noise?~~

*Jumps backwards and draws her sword to block the next one. Suddenly gets an idea, and sword in front of her rushes at the spinning circle.*

~~If you're going to do something, Syian, hurry up!~~

~~I need Shaylar, she has two hands....*sounding very frustrated*...it's hard to fit together a tricky puzzle in the dark with one hand!~~

*the flaming sword strikes again, aiming at the shin bone*

*Gets the dagger to block it.*

~~Whatever you're doing, do it quickly!~~

*mutter* Where in the nine hells is Kazinishi?

*Heads towards the sound of her voice*

~~Syian, can you see me~~

*a small, pale blue light shines briefly illuminating Syian, she is struggling to piece together a stone puzzle on the floor*

You have to help me Shaylar, this will bind him to the river which will pull him beyond the ninth gate

*Nick draws another, ordinary sword and strikes twice, once at her legs and once at her abdomen*

*Heads towards the light and gets on her hands and knees and helps with the puzzle*

Does he have to stand here

No, it will bind him with my blood...he is bound to my blood and it will be his undoing

*she turns to look at Shaylar, her smile is slightly hysterical but her eyes shine with determination*

*she moves each piece into place with difficulty*

*Nick notices the blue light and stabs once more at Lumien before advancing on Shaylar and Syian*

[Nick] Oh daughter....

*Lumien sucessfully diverts the strike to the abdomen, but isn't so lucky on the low blow. Lumien winces and steps back as the sword cracks into her left shin. She returns to the battle, but with a pronounced limp.*

*Grabs her dagger*

Syian, he's coming what can I do to stop him

*Nick moves purposefully towards the puzzle, he brings his sword up to destroy it*

[Syian] SHAYLAR! LOOK OUT!