The Weapon Master

• Posted by Premier Eden August 6, 2013 - 794 views

            The arrow thudded against the shield with a dull thud, causing it to rock from the force. The nord drew his short, brutal sword from his back, before running at the archer. The falmer drew its own sword as the Nord drew near, and swung brutally toward the sound of his footsteps, hoping to end the confrontation quickly. The Nord brought up his shield, the sword harmlessly glancing off, before the Nord thrust the sword deep into the pale flesh of the falmer, its red blood staining the skin as it flowed to the floor. The corpse slowly slid off the sword, landing in the pool of red on the floor.

            Deeper within the ruin, the hum of machinery intensified, followed by the sound of metal sliding, clicking, and thudding on stone. The metal protectors had noticed the scuffle, and were not amused. The nord sheathed his sword, before hefting his mace, the head made of dark steel, scarred and nicked, before steadying himself behind his shield. The first of the automatons to show was a spider worker, its legs tapping and clicking as it swarmed over the rubble. The worker leaped, only to be crushed by the mace midair, the boiler powering it rupturing from the blow, spewing scalding steam through the cracks. After the Nord detangled his mace from the spider's remains, a whisper silent twang sounded through the hall. The Nord reacted immediately, bringing his shield to bear just in time to have a dwemer bolt slam into the shield, piercing it just above his hand. The dwemer sphere followed shortly after, its sword glinting in the magical lights. The first blow was stopped by the Nord's shield. The second blow never connected. As the automaton reared back to strike, the mace swung, catching the contraption in its artificial sword arm, breaking the joint and causing the sword and arm to bounce away. The mace swung again, this time smashing in the chest of the machine, shattering the soul gem powering it. The now powerless sphere slumped down, clanging loudly, its echoes bouncing down the hall, before they were joined by another noise. Through the murky darkness of the entrance to the hall, the massive, heavily armored, ornate body of a centurion stepped into view, towering over the Nord. It's cold, unchanging visage glared down at the Nord, before it swung, steam rushing through its joints. The Nord charged in return, ducking beneath the blow. The battle was joined, but far from over. The Nord grinned. This was his element, this was his home.