Back? # **Chapter Twenty-Three: What Have We Here?** *Needlepoint Woods, 8:30 PM* *Music: Oogie Boogie's Song - Man on the Internet* After sending the heroes away, Nikolas braced himself for the inevitable. It was only a matter of moments before his sleigh crashed with him inside, and there was nothing he could do to save himself. His only comfort as he closed his eyes and awaited his fate was, if he had to die, at least his death ensured his passengers’ safety… The wet caress of snow against his skin told him that he had survived. His body ached and his heart pounded, but he was alive. Allowing himself a sigh of relief, he opened his eyes to survey his surroundings. It was cold comfort at best. He was alive, but his sleigh led in splinters beneath him. But that was the least of his worries: he was also surrounded by the icy blue eyes of Eira’s spectral riders, their nostrils flaring at the scent of their prey’s blood. And, looming over them all with his ever-present sneer was the demon himself. “Well, well, well,” Eira crowed. “What have we here? Looks like a poor, defenseless little Paladin on death’s doorstep!” “Make no mistake, fiend,” Nikolas spat. “I’m far from defenseless.” “Is that so?” Eira laughed. “Let’s see here: my darling little demons have you completely surrounded, your only means of escape is in tatters beneath you, and I’d be surprised if any of your bones are still intact after that fall.” “Not to mention,” he added, seizing Nikolas by the collar of his fur-lined coat, “that I intend to kill you right here and now.” The demon thrust his hand onto Nikolas’ chest, ripping through his tunic and piercing his skin with his talons. A bitter chill surged through the Paladin’s veins, icy knives writhing inside his body and freezing him down to his very soul. “N-no…s-s-stop…please…” Nikolas begged weakly, teeth chattering. “You had your chance, Paladin.” Eira snarled. “See you in hell.” Before Nikolas’ fate could be sealed, a brilliant ball of amber flames shot towards Eira, startling him into dropping his prey. “AGH! What the---” He swivelled, laying eyes on his attacker. “Yemi. You missed.” Yemi shrugged, tongues of flame curling around her outstretched palm. “Warning shot.” “Whatever. Out of my way. This isn’t your fight.” “As soon as you put your gangly little fingers on Nik, you made it my fight. As annoying as he is, I think I hate you just a little bit more.” “Paladin, I will warn you one last time — I’m not in the mood for your antics. I must take my leave: it’s almost time for my big performance, and Nikolas is as good as dead anyway.” He snapped his fingers, luring his spectral riders. “Darlings! Kill her.” Eira vanished as his bloodthirsty herd hurtled towards an outnumbered Yemi for what would surely be an easy kill. But unbeknownst to him, she hadn’t come alone. *Music: Christmas Eve / Sarajevo 12/24 - Trans-Siberian Orchestra* With a whistle, Yemi called her allies. Jinx and Soren emerged from behind the trees, armed and ready. “Whoever sends more of those suckers back to hell wins, and the loser takes them out to dinner?” Yemi wagered. “You’re on,” Soren deadpanned. While Jinx nursed Nikolas back to health, Soren and Yemi battled against the demons. The pair were making quick work of the swarm, aided even further once Nikolas joined the fray, back to his full strength thanks to the alchemist’s help. “Thank you for your aid, Jinx. Now, your services are needed elsewhere — if the heroes manage to free Eira’s vessel from his control, she’ll surely be in rough shape and need immediate medical attention. My fellow Paladins and I will check in with you once we finish cleaning up.” Jinx saluted. “Duly noted. Good luck — though considering who you are and all, I doubt you’ll need it.” He packed up his healer’s kit and darted down the forest path, disappearing into the night and leaving the Paladins to finish sending the spectral riders back to the depths of the Underworld where they belonged. With any luck, their leader would soon follow.