Two intoxicating figures appeared from the water.
They scanned the area for a second, observing the battle.
Lybid noticed that one of the new Mavkas paused, her gaze blank. She didn't know what happened, but Lybid couldn't afford this brief moment of confusion slip.
Ancient runes lit up under her eyes.
Two Mavkas scattered in different directions.
Mavka which rushed left was blocked by a mud wall.
Earth split forming a large mud golem with glowing eyes.
Standing by Kyi's side, Yurko finally aimed his bow at the running figure, hitting her in the leg. She tripped and rolled over a few times.
Methodius threw his old sacred blade at her. It hit her right in the abdomen. Mavka's body dissolved into ashes.
It seemed the group had a clear advantage.
But they made a mistake.
If Mavkas can traverse the water, doesn't it mean that all water counts?
Suddenly, group heard a scream, it came from Yurko. A filthy clawed hand was sticking out of his chest, blood spurting in all directions.
His legs went limp and his eyes rolled up, he fell to the ground motionless.
Then Mavka looked at Kyi, whose hands started to tremble.
"In the name of…"
She jumped knocking him off his feet.
Boy fell, stopping him from reciting the incantation.
Methodius noticed it, but all he could do from that distance is a prayer, which still needed at least one-two seconds.
The Mavka who had attacked Kyi hesitated. Her claws, aimed for his throat, paused.
Kyi stared up at her, eyes wide with horror and pain.
And she saw him.
She saw him.
"Kyi…?" her voice distorted and twisted, yet loving.
Kyi didn't answer. Couldn't. His body was frozen.
Her breath hitched. Her eyes, dark voids, flickered with a faint reflection of light.
The Mavka's hand trembled. She stepped back. The river pulsed around her.
The next second she threw herself at the other Mavka, claws extended.
The two Mavkas collided mid-air, howling, tearing at each other with the frenzy of beasts. Black water splashed, glowing with corrupt magic.
"Sister! What are you doing?!" her shriek pierced through the heads.
Methodius stepped forward, his voice steady now, filled with strange calm.
"There is still light in her," his eyes widened in surprise.
He looked at Maksym, whose battle was probably the most fierce one, to confirm the situation.
He charged, cutting at her flailing limbs. One of his strikes sliced clean through her forearm. She didn't flinch, going for his head, he quickly dodged all the cursed water and her claws.
Her head fell, resting against Martyn's dead body.
Methodius didn't miss any more time and ran up to barely breathing Yurko and clasped hands together, kneeling down.
"Tu es petra mea et arx mea, fons omnis roboris mei. Te oro, Pater, ut robur tuum in me infundas. Adiuva me ut hoc tempus aegrotationis cum gratia et fortitudine feram. Domine, da mihi non solum robur corporis, sed etiam robur in spiritu et mente mea. Adiuva me ut praesentiam tuam consolatricem prope sentiam. Quaeso adiuva me ut hunc puerum sanem."
Lybid's golem crushed in pieces Mavka's figure.
She dispelled it, splashing mud on evil spirit's dead body(or at least what's left of it).
"After all you return into Rod's embrace."
After some hesitation she added:
"Amen."
Maksym turned only to see two Mavkas engaged in a fierce battle. His pupils dilated.
He couldn't believe his eyes, he even dropped his knife.
"S-Solomiya?!" his voice shocked, "Is that really you?!"