[IRP] Return to the Dread Isle

[Alusq]

"Why—" Not even that word managed to escape Renata's mouth by the time the morph disappeared. She'd already had the feeling none of them were interested in answering questions, not even the one capable of speech, but she still had to try. There was nothing in the way of useful cover in the main room, but the rooms on either side showed promise. Renata took a few steps to the left as she assumed a combat stance and braced herself...

... and the morphs did nothing. They already knew exactly what Renata was thinking. They knew this place too well. The aberrations, superior in number, were waiting for their adversaries to come to them. She stared down the figures, but it was difficult to make out any details, silhouetted as they were against the ethereal torchlight. The angular shape of armour and the swaying of robes were all that revealed themselves. Not only was this group larger; they were well rounded. Another second passed, and the shaft of a weapon swayed. She counted the sets of angled pauldrons... One, two, three...

A pair of golden eyes stared back.

Renata's own fear was what saved her: if not for her unnerved stumble back, the arrow now clattering upon stone tile would have struck her square in the neck instead of glancing her shoulder. Only a flesh wound, but the battle hadn't even started. The group of morphs quivered as their forms began to shuffle around like a black sea. Renata's hand abandoned the hilt of her sword and opened her tome. This wasn't a battle she would win up close with a sword... wasn't even a winnable battle, in all likelihood.

One thing at a time. If she could see her enemies, that would be a good start.

Once again stepping forth, Renata shouted the incantation, aiming at the morphs front and centre. The damage would be negligible, but it would illuminate the greatest number of them.