[ IP ] Final Stand

Alathors breath fogged in warm mists into his face as he stumbled past the thickets and brambles of the forest. Arrows in the backs of his legs, his chest and his back hindered his ragged forward movement. He glanced up to see how far he had come into the once peaceful forest of his youth, now muddied and bloodied with the battles of war. 
 
 Alathor grunted words of prayer and jerked his battle pike into a better grip, turning back to see the path he had dripped blood upon. He blearily saw the broken and rusted swords half-buried in the mud. 
 
 `` You can not run any further, little half-man.'' 
 
 Alathor looked up, blinked sweat out of his eyes, and squinted, his ashen hair sweat-stuck to his brow. 
 
 `` I'm not looking to run anymore, you ugly excuse for an Orc.'' Alathor spat, blood flying from his lips. He watched the Orc's face as the words finally sunk in. The brow lowering, and nostrils flaring before the Orc stomped towards Alathor. 
 
 `` I am Duluk! I will be the end of your life, and your family will not grieve you, they will not have time. I will kill them slower than I will you.'' Duluk shouted with anger. 
 
 Duluk stepped forward once again, the distance between Alathor and the Orc shortening. Alathor knew his time was growing short, and realizing so, closed his weary eyes. 
 
 Alathor prayed for strength, his voice weak and dry. 
 
 `` Oh dearest gods, hear my plea for I am wrought with pain and despair. Give me thy hands so that I may take strength from your hearts. Know that I have been your humble and brave servant and that I follow you until the kiss of death. Give me courage and strength for I know my time has come.'' 
 
 Duluks laughter grew in volume upon hearing Alathor's plea. The howling bounded off the close knit trees, muddling Alathors balance, and causing him to lean on the end of his pike. 
 
 `` Your prayers will not work, you puny half-elf. Your gods have forsaken you, you are not worthy. Now give me your name so that I may shout it as my battle cry as I relish killing your broken family.'' Duluk chuckled, pulling his bloody scimitar from it sheath. 
 
 Alathor's strength flagging, spit, 
 
 `` My name is Alathor, and though I die on the field today, I will not be alone.'' 
 
 With the last words, he lurched forward and thrust his pike into the shoulder gap of Duluks iron armor. He severed the leather under covering, and with it a minor artery. Duluk grunted, the impact felt more than the pain, and brought down the pitted scimitar into the back of Alathors neck. 
 
 Alathor gasped in reaction, the clang of the sharpened metal into his armor jarred him, throwing him into an upturned sword, the impact forcing the dulled blade under his chest plate and through the softened leather covering, into his chest. 
 
 `` You will not best me, you weakened substitute for an elf. I am Duluk!'' 
 The Orc spat over Alathors dying huffs as he turned to find Alathors home. 
 
 Alathor did n't hear Duluks exclamation, he only felt the blood that streamed from his lips as his cold hands inched to his chest. 

