Belly of the Beast

by Warren Thomas

  “Fuck me to tears,” Raven said.

  “Victory is mine!” Dakar roared at the heavens.

  Chapter 96

  “No, no, no,” Jessy whispered.

  Tane lay on his back, with Dakar standing over him. Defeated. Seconds from death. And she played a part in bringing her cousin down, and helped the Black God win.

  “What have I done? How could I be so stupid?”

  The Tyrian, elf, and Vikon warrior charged Dakar, distracting Him just enough for Tane to scramble away. But then Dakar quickly forced them all back to the forge. The God faltered, giving the forge a wary look.

  “You will continue to make Swords of Power for me, swordsmith,” Dakar’s booming voice commanded.

  “I will not.”

  “Then I will have you all sacrificed upon My altar, and devour your immortal souls.”

  Jessy’s breath caught. Was there anything worse than losing your soul? She struggled to comprehend the very idea of her, or anyone’s, soul being eaten. No eternal reward, or punishment. Just an end of existence.

  She shook her head. Unacceptable. That went against nature. If nothing else, it proved the depths of Dakar’s evil.

  Nizar moved up to Dakar’s left rear, holding the Sword of Power across his uplifted hands, as if he wanted to present it to his God. She moved closer, watching every move anyone made. Her heart hammered harder and harder the closer she got to Dakar.

  Evil radiated off the God. He stank of the Pit, as well. Her skin crawled as she stopped to Nizar’s left rear, careful to keep the priest between her and that most evil God. Only she held her sword by the hilt.

  “I grant you one final chance, swordsmith,” Dakar said. “Continue to make Swords of Power for me. Or my priest Nizar will start sacrificing your friends on my altar.” Dakar looked back at Jessy. “He’ll start with your cousin.”

  “No! Leave her alone,” Tane screamed, rage and despair warring across his face.

  I can’t allow Tane to make that unholy choice, she thought.

  Jessy stepped closer to Nizar, and then thrust her sword into his back. The priest bowed back, eyes huge as he flung his arms wide.

  She tried to grab the Sword of Power out of Nizar’s hands, but he lost his grip before she could get there. The sword clattered at his feet, and then he spun to face her. His foot struck the Sword of Power, sending it skittering across the floor.

  Dakar spun on her, roaring his fury as he lifted a massive fist to smash her to mush. She looked up and gasped. He caught her eyes, and she felt His vile magic wash through her, freezing her to the spot. No escaping death.

  My soul, she thought. Please, Ashtar, save Tane.

  Chapter 97

  “Jessy!” Tane screamed when Dakar turned on her.

  Nizar turned on her as well, and Tane spotted the sword in his back. Joy burst within. Jessy found her way back. Then he spotted the Sword of Power clattering toward him.

  He only froze for a second. “Thank you, Kamain!”

  Tane and Armin lunged toward the sword at the same time. He snatched Kamain’s Wrath up before Armin. The Vikon warrior tried to take the blade away in his rage for vengeance. Quinn yanked Armin off, while Raven came up beside Tane in support.

  “I’m with you,” she said. “Kill him!”

  Dakar slanted a look back at him. That hesitation was enough. Jessy broke free of her stupor and darted away. And rage filled Tane as he charged Dakar.

  “Die, you monster!”

  The uplifted fist came down and back at Tane. He dropped and rolled under that vicious blow, coming back onto his feet inside Dakar’s guard. Tane thrust straight into the bestial God’s belly, and then twisted his blade back out. Blood followed the blade out, but only a little.

  He heals too fast!

  “The heart!” Raven screamed. “Stab Him in the heart!”

  “Cut off his head!” Armin shouted. “Kill him! Kill him!”

  The Vikon warrior broke free of Quinn. Dakar took another swing at Tane, forcing him to backpedal. Raven raced past him, and almost got within striking range. But Dakar backhanded her, sending the Tyrian warrior flying over Tane.

  Armin attacked Dakar’s right flank while he was distracted with Raven, thrusting his sword into the God’s side. Dakar snarled as He spun on Armin.

  “Run!” Tane screamed.

  The Vikon, face a mask of rage, attacked again. He slashed Dakar’s fist when the God tried to punch him. Then he stepped up on Dakar’s bent right knee, surged up, and thrust his sword through the God’s throat.

  Tane didn’t see any sign it hampered Dakar at all. Instead, the God seized Armin by the throat with his left hand. His right reached for the Vikon’s head.

  Boom!

  The white hot energy arrow against Dakar’s left flank.

  “Joelle!” Tane cried, but turned to find Raven wearing the bow rings. She sent another energy arrow into the God.

  Boom!

  “I will devour all of your souls!”

  Dakar lifted Armin above his head with both hands. The Vikon had a knife in each hand, and was still trying to get to the God. Tane thought Dakar was going to throw Armin across the chamber. But he didn’t.

  Another arrow struck Dakar’s chest, right over his heart. Boom! And then the unfazed God bellowed in rage, and yanked Armin straight down across his knee.

  Tane, Raven, and Quinn all cried out in horror. Armin had a shocked look on his face, and then he went limp.

  “You murderer!” Tane screamed, and charged.

  Dakar smirked at him as he dropped Armin’s body to the floor and started to rise. Tane remembered both Raven and Armin as he closed, inside the God’s guard. He noticed Dakar tense, expecting a thrust into his belly again. A very painful wound from the Sword of Power, but one that would instantly heal nonetheless.

  It can’t heal if I don’t pull the sword out, Tane thought.

  Tane jumped, bringing his left foot down on Dakar’s right knee. His momentum pushed him upward and forward, even as he picked his spot and thrust with all his might. Dakar tried to lunge backwards, but too late.

  “Yes!” Quinn cried.

  The Sword of Power thrust into Dakar’s chest, right through His foul heart. Tane didn’t relent until the crossguard pressed against His unholy flesh. And then the God spun and cried out in pain.

  Tane went tumbling, landing headfirst on the floor. He rolled away, head spinning. The maelstrom thundered furiously from the portal in the middle of the temple. Was it louder now? Tane shook the cobwebs out as he struggled to his feet.

  “That’s a mortal wound,” Quinn said, suddenly seizing Tane. “You did it.”

  Tane stared at Dakar a moment. “No. Not yet.”

  Dakar frantically tried to get a grip on the hilt, but whether it was Kamain repulsing his hands, or the God had become mad with desperation, he had failed to do so. But Tane didn’t trust in luck.

  Pointing past Dakar at the maelstrom. “We have to get him into that! Help me push him in!”

  Tane took off after Dakar. He veered around to put the wounded God between him and the portal, before charging in and smashing into him. Dakar went reeling backwards. Then Quinn raced up, leaping high, and kicked Dakar in the chest with both feet. That sent the God back toward the maelstrom swirling out of the portal, but he stopped short.

  “My turn,” Raven said as she ran past, leaping up to kick Him with both feet.

  Her lighter weight didn’t push the massive God back much, but left him teetering at the edge of the portal. Tane’s eyes narrowed, and he took off running as fast as he could. He jumped up, and slammed both feet into Dakar right next to the embedded Sword of Power.

  Dakar cried out in rage and agony. He started to topple backwards. Tane’s eyes light up with joy, until Dakar’s burning red eyes locked on him. The falling God snarled and reached for Tane.

  “No!” Quinn cried, coming in fast and leaping up to kick Dakar the rest of the way into the portal.

  Only D
akar seized the half-elf’s leg. Tane and Raven lunged toward them, reaching for Quinn’s outstretched arms. But Tane knew they were too late.

  “Quinn!” Raven screamed.

  And then they were gone. Tane stared at the portal as the maelstrom reversed, and started flowing into the portal. He looked at Raven, who knelt beside him, tears flowing.

  Tane looked around the chamber. Jessy was over nudging Nizar with her foot, making sure he was dead. Joelle’s body remained unmoving beside the wall, with Armin’s crumpled body between them.

  Raven opened her arms, and they fell into each other crying.

  Chapter 98

  Tane stared at the holy forge for the last time. For two weeks he’d toiled over it, making four more Swords of Power. Not welded blades, but true swords.

  “May this forge never be needed again,” he said.

  “Agreed,” Raven whispered, while Jessy nodded.

  The two women flanked him in the ancient temple. Neither wanted to return, but Tane needed it. One last look to ensure everything was truly finished. Dakar was gone, sealed away forever.

  He turned and walked slowly over to the middle of the chamber. They stopped at the edge of the dais. Tane was tall enough to see the four, silvery Swords of Power forming a cross over the sealed portal. Their runes glowed the orange of a hearth fire. Black-streaked dark red marble filled the hole where once Dakar emerged and unleashed the maelstrom. He was told it sealed itself.

  I suspect it was really the Arisen who sealed it. Probably Kamain.

  The people of Caeren promised to place a bronze plaque there to warn against removing the Swords of Power. They’d already drilled a hole in the marble floor to hold it. The rest of the chamber had been cleaned, leaving the marble gleaming in the still glowing lights above.

  “I wonder how long those lights will glow after they seal the city again,” he asked.

  Raven shrugged. “It was Dakar’s magic that lit them, so I’m surprised they’re still giving light. I suspect the light will fade soon.”

  “Hush,” Jessy said. “Never speak His name. Don’t test fate like that.”

  Tane touched Raven’s hand when she started to reply. He’d had enough arguing to last ten lifetimes.

  “Let us pay our last respects,” he said, turning for the door.

  They left the temple. The Progressional remained lit up as well. The citizens of Caeren had cleaned it. And they’d and constructed two small mausoleums of white marble. One for Quinn, which remained empty. The other held both Joelle and Armin. Tane asked that they be laid to rest together, arm-in-arm. Together for all eternity.

  “Do you think their souls – “ Jessy started.

  “Shh,” Tane said. “They are together. Do not even consider anything else.”

  Jessy and Raven nodded. The very thought that… Tane’s heart hammered. He had to distract his chaotic mind by reading the tombs. Both proclaimed that Quinn, Joelle, and Armin were great heroes. Their names would be spoken in every temple across the land. The priests and people would praise their sacrifice, and pray for their immortal souls.

  “Sleep well, my friends,” Tane whispered, placing a hand on each marble tomb. “Together, we fought the good fight and won. I will forever be grateful for the time we spent together, good and bad. You honored me with your friendship. Thank you.”

  He stepped back to let Raven say her good-byes. Jessy hugged him, tears flowing.

  “I wish I’d known them like you did,” she whispered.

  After Raven, Jessy’s prayers for them were short. Tane led the way out of the ancient dwarven city. They found most of Caeren’s citizens outside waiting in the late afternoon cold, children up in trees. There were no Arisen priest as yet, but the Lord Mayor bowed to them.

  “You won’t seal the city until after a priest arrives to give the Last Rites?” Tane asked.

  “Yes,” the short, rail-thin man said, nodding.

  Indeed, all of the survivors looked on the verge of starvation, yet they labored hard to honor Quinn, Joelle, and Armin. Tane was grateful.

  He looked past them. Seven horses waited. They were all the mounts the two groups rode coming to Caeren. Tane was grateful they hadn’t eaten the horses. Beyond them waited three warhawks and riders. King Borric of Kestsax sent them to carry Tane, Raven, and Jessy back.

  The thought of flying scared him. Also, dread welled up. What would he find when he got home? The town was abandoned last he passed through. How many still lived to return home? What about his family? How many, if any, would return? Tane dreaded finding out as much as he needed to know.

  “Fly or ride?” Raven asked. “You’re call, Tane. Either way, I’m with you all the way back.”

  “Flying will get us home tomorrow,” Jessy said, looking a little excited. “Riding a horse just hurts my backside.”

  It had rained and snowed most of the last two weeks. The roads were a mess. It could take twice as long to get back to Kestsax on horses. Even longer and more miserable if they walked.

  “What do you want, Raven?” he asked.

  “I’d rather fly, but riding doesn’t bother me either.”

  He nodded. Turning to the Lord Mayor. “We accept King Borric’s generous offer of the warhawks. The horses belong to you, Lord Mayor. Please take good care of them.”

  “We will, Hero,” he said. “Thank you. And again, it hurts us deeply that all of our wealth was stripped away by the Dakarian priests, for we want to shower you all with gold. Thank you for everything you’ve done, Tane Kyleson.”

  They bowed to the Lord Mayor, and all the people of Caeren bowed to them. Then Tane led Jessy and Raven to the three warhawks. All three looked brown to him, but Raven referred to them as “golden.”

  The riders all wore head to toe leather. Raven claimed it protected them from the wind. Apparently, warhawks could fly long distances quite fast. So fast that the wind could “burn” a person’s skin like the sun. Seemed unlikely, but he was about to find out for himself.

  “Riders, we are ready to go,” Tane said.

  The three riders, two men and a woman, smiled. The blonde woman waved Jessy over, while Tane and Raven split between the other two. The warhawks laid down like a chicken in the roost, allowing everyone to easily climb up into the two-person saddles.

  Tane paused to study the saddles. They looked much like horse saddles, with one seat in front of the other. As best he could tell, they were constructed similarly with leather over a wooden frame. Four wide straps held the saddle in place, all coming together at a buckle in the middle of the bird’s chest. The female rider’s saddle was died white, while Tane’s saddle was left natural, and Raven’s saddle was red.

  The people of Caeren began chanting, “Long live our heroes!”

  Tane looked past them at the entrance. The fallen were the true heroes. They sacrificed everything.

  The rider helped him strap down into the saddle, giving Tane a sheepskin cloak to keep him warm, before taking his place in front.

  The warhawks rose up at a verbal command. And then, before Tane could steel himself, his bird leapt into the air. Vast, powerful wings thumped loudly. Tane felt it against his breastbone. But the bird rose up over the surrounding forest slowly, not straining at all. Looking back, he watched Jessy’s warhawk, and then Raven’s follow him up.

  They flew in a spiral well above the city. He looked down upon Caeren, empty at the moment. Tane had looked down from Kestsax’s city walls, and thought that was high. Riding a warhawk gave him an all new perspective.

  “How high will we fly?”

  The rider shrugged. “Couple hundred feet at least. We could reach a thousand feet or more, but it’s easier for the birds to fly lower.”

  They turned north. Side-by-side, the warhawks flew so fast the wind thundered in Tane’s ears. Soon, he found himself averting his eyes, feeling the burn as tears flowed.

  “Relax and enjoy the flight,” the rider called back over the wind. “Look to the sides and down. It’
ll be easier on your eyes. The land is beautiful this time of year.”

  Well, it was all white, with the rocks and trees looking dark against the white glare. Still, it was a winter wonderland as long as he avoided looking at burnt out towns and villages.

  Within a few hours he started seeing people on the few roads. They were trudging home in the cold and wet. He felt bad for them, while he sat high above wrapped in a very warm cloak. Well, his face, ears, and legs were quite cold.

  The warhawk’s motion proved similar to a horse’s, just not the least bit jarring. That rolling motion lulled him into a daze by sunset, and then into a fitful sleep afterwards.

  Chapter 99

  “To the right! Go right,” Tane cried. He pointed. “Over there. That’s my home village.”

  The rider veered in the desired direction. The other two birds fell back a bit and followed. Tane sat up straighter. His empty belly gurgled and pinched, but he no longer cared. Home.

  “That’s smoke coming out of that chimney,” he said. “And over there. And there.”

  Tane counted six chimneys with smoke rising straight up about two hundred feet, where upper-level winds disbursed them. As they neared Bracklin, Tane sought his family’s home. His excitement died when he spotted the house. No smoke. No sign of life.

  He looked down into the muddy streets as they flew five hundred feet above. Just a handful of people were out and about. They were too high up for him to recognize anyone. Obviously no one from his family. Were he and Jessy the last two?

  The warhawks turned toward Kestsax. Once the city had felt so far away. Yet, he could see the haze of smoke above the city from above Bracklin. It wouldn’t take the birds long to reach it. Just as well.

  I want to get this thing with the king over and done with, he thought. Jessy and I will wait at home for the others.

  After two weeks, he’d really hoped his family had made their way home. He had no idea how far north Dakar’s horde had traveled, but it didn’t move very fast. The fact no one had made it home dug at his nerves. Not what he was hoping.