Shadows to Life

A sudden groan from above them was the only warning Helix needed; he launched himself sideways into the wizard as a segment of the balcony above crashed down. The witchlight bounced off to the side and flickered as they both lost concentration, and for a moment, the remaining light grew hazy and unfocused. The chattering of the Hobyahs suddenly exploded into screaming chaos, like a storm wind, and Helix screamed as shadows drifted across his outflung arm. He lunged back in time to recover a stump; his arm just below the shoulder was gone.

“Hooooh... hoh... hoh... hoh...”

The sound boomed throughout the theater, deep and gravelly. I was almost below Helix's hearing as it rolled around the expanse of the room, but the Hobyahs became silent. He struggled up to his knees, trying to stop the blood pouring from his shoulder with his remaining hand. 

“Hoooh hoh hoh hoh hoh hooohhhh...”

It reverberated in Helix's skull, chattering his teeth, as he started to lose consciousness. Above him, he saw the Unbeliever, witchlight in hand, swing his arm around the room. Searching. The fae light faded with Helix's awareness.

“Hoh hoh hoh hoh hooooohhh...”