Darius could feel Peter at his back. They had been friends since boyhood, and Darius trusted no one like he did Peter. It had been almost impossible for him to tear himself away from the battle to fetch Mercius, but Peter gave him one of those looks that said I'll be fine. Just go. As soon as Mercius came, though, Darius jumped back to Peter's side and began hacking away with his axe, defending his friend's back, just as Peter defended his. He saw out of the corner of his eye Mercius lead a small group of men toward the gate and had shouted to Peter that they had to clear the courtyard.
Even as the thought came to Darius that he couldn't lift his great axe one more time, he saw Jax rushing into the courtyard, his blades glistening with black blood, a group of defenders at his back.
Within moments, the courtyard was free of demons and the gate was being boarded and reinforced. Darius put his hands on his knees next to Peter and caught his breath for some time. Finally he straightened and looked at Peter and grinned. But something wasn't right with his friend: there was a look of confusion on his face.
"You look like you've seen a ghost, man," Darius said lightly. "Shit, they're only demons!" His attempt at humor went unheeded as Peter continued to stare at the newly retaken gate. Darius moved closer and said, "What is it?"
Without turning, Peter said, in his usual quiet tone, "Where's Mercius?"
Darius looked up and realized that the man was nowhere to be seen. The pair simultaneously ran toward the gate. Darius recognized one of the men that had helped Mercius retake the small gate and said, "Where is Mercius?"
A look of shame passed over the man's face, mixed with a strange adoration. He simply pointed toward the gate and said, "He fought his way out. We couldn't keep up and we couldn't get him to stop."
Peter and Darius shared a look then ran up the stone steps to the top of the wall. The demons had ceased their attack on the wall, and it appeared that the Druradorans had won the day. Glancing down into the field, however, they saw that the demons hadn't retreated. They had instead converged on a spot in the middle of the field, and were seething around a small open space. There was a line of corpses leading neatly from the gate to the huddled demon horde.
Darius muttered, "Fuck," then strode from the wall, feeling Peter follow him.
When he reached the small postern gate, Peter grabbed his arm and spun him around. "What are you doing?" he asked quietly.
"What the fuck do you think?!" Darius roared in response. "I'm going after him."
Peter shook his head and said simply, "You'll die, as will he."
"Then so be it!" Darius shouted, tears welling in his eyes.
Peter sighed and said, "Calm down, my friend. I do not wish to leave him to his fate either." He paused, then said with a grin, "But we'll need some help."