Northern Forests

"-200. But that's not counting the 8th wing, which should arrive soon."

Yraku was boiling with rage as another priest announced the losses of the night. They had made a habit to travel out of daylight, as experience had told them it was somewhat safer : most mortals were sleeping at night. But what about the Garis ? The mighty priest had no idea but the little opossums had made a living hell out of the horde, be it at day or at night.

Of the 24.000 Grigs, only 19.000 were left. Many had died for sure but a lot of bands, scared to death or simply willing to try their luck with some outposts, had deserted. No word from them.

Wondering to what extend the "Funky Flowers" were a blessing, he went to his tent. Among the many fetishes and holy items, a cage made partially out of poisonous vine was hanging to the branch supporting the whole tent. Inside it, the prostred form of a "monkey". With his scepter, Yraku pocked the Gari.

"-Wakky wakky !! It's time for "Truth or Scream", sweetheart !!"
As the scepter began to glow with a dark red light, a evil grin ate Yraku's face. He asked no question, instead torturing the small mammal for a hour or so. When his lust for pain was satisfied, he stopped.
"-Pleasure before work, as usual. So, now, let's truly play. How far, yet ? We've reached the place you've told us about. Big dead tree, smelly purple fruits and a...decorative display."
How else could he describe the 26 skinned bodies of grigs nailed to the tree, their fleshy corpses full of maggots. Even if maggots were part of Xiren's worship, this treatment was somewhat gross.

It didn't take long for the afraid Gari to answer. Yraku nodded.
"-Good boy. Maybe I'll not cosplay the tooth fairy today. Maybe you'll keep those few remaining tooth you got. Or maybe not..."
When he went out, three other priests joined him.
"-So, what yours said ?"

------

The city was there. And this time, it was not empty. A careful watch, with complex light signal between the sentries through fairy fires, had been set around, above and below the city. No escape was possible for the Garis.

The grigs would take one day to rest and study their target and, at dawn, they would attack with all their might. Yraku and the priests didn't rest, however. Through a complex ceremony, they asked to Xiren to guide them but, furthermore, to send them a sign. A massive, ugly and poisonous sign. Three of the Kind Mother's holy centipedes arrived soon before night to lead the assault.

"-Brothers and Sisters !! Rejoice !! For tonight, we'll feast upon opossum's flesh !! And more important : tonight, you'll all get funky flowers !!"

A large, menacing cheer filled the air. Yraku was as glad as his followers to get his hands on some of the drug. Botanist as all Xiren's priests, he would love to study it and, more important, to use the Blood Flower's magic to make them grow. While he reflected over the potential of such a biological weapon, the rest of the priests gave the signal. The piercing sound of battlecries and flying arrows rose as darkness was breached by gloomy magical lights.