Fireteam Shiloh Ch 12: Twisted Witch

Solomon dove past the doorway, tossing a suppression grenade through the opening. There was a brief flash of purple light as the grenade blinded the room. Lassiter slid inside, weapon drawn. He dispatched several ominous forms outlined in void energy and strafed to the right as Solomon crept in and strafed left. The void light quickly died, plunging the room back into darkness. Lassiter switched to a hand cannon so he could lift his left hand freely. In his palm he ignited a ball of solar energy, illuminating the room with a warm glow. The floor was littered with the frail bodies the enemies they had just taken out, but otherwise the room was empty. “Damn,” said Lassiter, frustrated. “Still no sign of Dakota.” Solomon tapped him on the shoulder to get his attention, then motioned to remain silent and pointed at another doorway on the other side of the room. A faint purple light emenated from within. Understanding, Lassiter followed behind his partner and approached the ominous entrance. They quickly pressed up against the wall on either side of the doorway in preparative stance. Solomon motioned to the Warlock again to take a look inside. Lassiter nodded and cautiously leaned forward so he could peer into the next room. What he saw sent a shiver down his spine. The room was not a room at all, but a great hall with several columns leading up to a huge stone alter. Behind it rose a strange device made of stone with the appearance of some kind of monolith. Upon the rock’s face was engraved an alien symbol, glowing harshly, bathing the room in an eerie purple. Lassiter squinted as he tried to observe the details of the hall. He could make out several shifting forms throughout the place, likely more of their cloaked foes, but what really caught his attention was the dark silhouette that stood before the alter. It was humanoid, but remained shrouded in a twirling black cloak, flowing around it in ways that defied the laws of physics. The Warlock was about to turn away when he noticed something partially hidden behind the evil creature. Something was laid out on the alter. He let slip a short gasp as he recognized the shape of a woman. “What is it Lassy?” Solomon whispered harshly. Lassiter backed away from the doorframe with intense distress. “It’s Dakota!” he whispered back. “She’s tied to an alter behind a bloody demon!” Solomon cocked his head in confusion and stole a quick glance into the hall, then popped his head back in almost immediately out of dread. “Traveler’s tidbits Lassy! How are we supposed to fight that thing?!” “How should I know?!” “You’re a Warlock, aren’t you? Devise a strategy!” “You and I both know I am the farthest thing from Warlock material!” Lassiter snapped, trying to keep his voice down. Solomon started to tiptoe in frustration. “What is this? What are you doing? Do you have to pee? What’s wrong with you?” The Titan grunted at the Warlock’s jab and took another quick peek into the hall. “Damn it Lassiter! There’s a god damn swirly-voodoo-demon-witch in there! This is bad cake no matter which way you slice it!” “Ooooo. Is it vanilla?” “What?” “The cake. Is it vanilla?” “I swear on Shaxx’s shins Lassy, one more wisecrack outta you and I’ll feed ya to the Hellmouth!” “Okay! Okay I’m sorry! Please don’t drop me in the Hellmouth again!” A surge of purple light cascaded from within the hall as the device behind the alter rumbled. Solomon ground his teeth. “We need to focus! Who knows what they’re doing to Dakota in there?!” “Okay, okay let’s think… there are two of us, so maybe we each just take a side and flank the enemy, or…” Another surge of energy burst forth from the device and the scream of a woman echoed throughout the chamber. The Titan jumped at the sound. “They’re killing her, Lassy!” “Well god damnit Solomon! Let’s just wing it like we always do!” “Fine! After you!” Without a second thought, the two threw caution to the wind and barreled through the door, guns blazing. The hall lit up with the flashes of gunfire as the Stalkers dropped dead, caught in the spray of bullets unaware. The ghastly form before the alter shielded itself from the spray with its ethereal cloak, then raised into the air with an intense shriek. Solomon and Lassiter made quick work of the Stalkers, but the witch’s shielding mechanism proved resilient. Lassiter cursed at the development. “Solomon! We need more firepower!” “I got just what we need, Lassy!” The Titan dropped his shotgun, the weapon disappearing into his armor matrices. His empty hands sparked with light as a new weapon materialized atop his shoulder. Solomon grinned as he aimed his rocket launcher. “Go back to hell,” he said, and pulled the trigger. A powerful rocket burst from the barrel and careened towards the twisted creature in the air. Solomon watched expectedly for the impact, but at the last second, the witch was suddenly enveloped in purple energy and vanished. The rocket continued on its trajectory and collided with the back wall, sending rubble flying in all directions. Seeing his chance, Lassiter rushed to Dakota’s side, but only made it halfway when something grabbed him by the leg. He crashed into the stone floor. Groaning, he looked down to find tendrils of purple rising from the floor and wrapping around his extremities. Before he could react, he was completely restricted by the glowing wisps. Frustrated, he glanced across the room to find Solomon in the same situation, tendrils pulling him to the floor. “Guardians,” a shrill voice echoed throughout the hall like nails on a chalkboard. Between the two restricted warriors, a blast of purple light gave birth to the ghostly form of the witch once more. The creature writhed with glee as she observed her prey. “What wonderful specimens. The Forgemaster will be pleased!” [url=https://www.bungie.net/en/Forums/Post/224417569?page=0&sort=0&showBanned=0&path=1]The Hub[/url]