by Erik Weir
Victor gave a bloody smile, “Good thing I earned all that extra…credit,” Victor said as he looked past the War Wolf to the mountain.
Cassandra aimed an arrow, bowstring taut. “Vala, guide my arrow.”
The Keeper let the arrow loose. It soared down, curving through the air toward the large gathering of War Wolves. A wolf turned just as the arrow sank into his chest. It moaned a pathetic whine before the explosion ripped apart everything across the area. Bodies were thrown in all directions as the shockwave hit Flint and the War Wolves at the inner circle.
Fight!
Victor spent the last point of Will and Constitution. Gunblade sliding into his hand and the pain and broken bones moving to the background of his mind and body, Victor jumped up from the ground and aimed point blank at Flint. The War Wolf growled as an energy bolt blasted out and parried the bolt. Gunblade up, Victor brought it down as the War Wolf high priest parried it.
Sparks flew as the two exchanged blows, parrying each strike with their own. Victor pulled the trigger just as Flint knocked it away. Dirt and debris flew up as the blast hit the ground. The roar of plasma cannons filled the area as the APC barreled toward what was left of the War Wolves from the explosion. Victor tried to concentrate as he went blow for blow with the War Wolf as others were cut down in the background.
Shyryth took hold of the T-Rex’s head. Claws dug into flesh and bone as she pulled. The T-Rex roared and soon turned to a whine as bone cracked. The dragon pulled the top part of the dinosaur’s head clean off and threw it. The T-Rex slumped to the ground as Astor stepped closer, giving a slow clap.
Lily, Dawn and the slyths made their way down the ruined stone staircase, eyes on Victor as he fought the large War Wolf. Sparks lit up their location but Lily saw that it would take too long to reach them.
Dawn focused her eyes, her glasses glowing for a moment before the light faded away. “Victor is really hurt. He’s not going to last.”
Lily moved faster down the mountain, heart beating rapidly in her chest. The succubus glanced off to the side, her heart nearly stopping as Baaldir walked slowly toward the Blade and War Wolf.
“No,” Lily shouted.
Baaldir gave a sickly smile as he slowly approached, “Flint, stop playing with your food.”
Flint spun his spear and clashed against Victor’s gunblade. The gunblade went off, blasting a small crater in the ground as Victor tried to keep up. Body hurting and his will power burning away, he didn’t have any time left.
Victor miss stepped, his boot sliding across the grass a few inches. It was all the War Wolf needed as he spun his spear and drove the point into Victor’s stomach. The strength behind the strike brought Victor up and slammed him into the ground, pinning him. The Blade coughed up blood as he writhed, body not responding.
“Die with honor,” Flint said as he wretched the spear up for a final blow.
Time slowed to long ticks. Victor watched as death swam close, ready to take him away. Despite his power and Vala’s graces, it was not enough.
NO! FIGHT!
Victor raised a hand, darkness closing in. Pain flared as the Blade struggled to breathe and he choked on his own blood. Something in his heart writhed as it pulled away. The torment rose as Victor screamed with every last bit of life he still had.
Flint was about to drive his spear home when he hesitated, eyes wide. Darkness poured from Victor’s eyes and mouth, surging up into the air. The War Wolf growled and drove the spear toward Victor. The darkness formed arms and hands, taking hold of the spear and stopping the killing blow. Flint looked to the darkness as it formed a semblance of a body, two oval lights forming eyes and a twisted leer.
“Nobody tortures him but me,” the shadow laughed as it rushed the War Wolf.
Victor blinked, trying to keep his senses. Through hazy eyes, he watched as a shadow fought against the War Wolf. The black hands formed into sharp points, slashing away as Flint parried the shadow. Red and white sparks flew in all directions as the shadow coiled up its body like a serpent and flashed forward. Flint parried and was thrown back, landing on the ground.
Flint huffed as his legs swung around and he stood up. A magical bullet streaked across the ground and struck the War Wolf in the arm, sending his entire body spinning and hitting the ground. Astor marched toward them, gun raised and smoke coming from the barrel. The APC in the background was shooting and running down remaining War Wolves as they tried to scatter.
Lily had a clear view of Victor as he lay. “Rise…my love.”
The succubus pointed her hand as energy arced along her arm. With an internal sigh, power rushed to her hand and blasted out. A stream of white light surged from the mountain stairs, across the air and slammed into Victor’s prone form. The Blade blinked as energy poured into his body. Drowning in healing energy, the Blade smiled as his wounds closed and his influence returned. Energy continued to pour into him and he felt better than normal. The power was exhilarating as the Blade smiled wide as he launched up to his feet.
Flint was on all fours, bounding away as Astor stepped closer. Plasma cut down the last remaining War Wolves as Shyryth took to the sky, wings spread. The light coming from Lily faded and eyes rolled back into her head. Dawn caught the succubus as she fell and held her close as they sat down.
Baaldir walked closer, eyes burning with hate. “You are all full of surprises.”
Victor turned to the ten-foot God as he approached. Gunblade still in hand, he aimed and saw that he had two shots left.
Baaldir smirked. “If you attack me, I will be able to destroy you.”
“Then leave. Your army is scattered. You lost!”
Baaldir chuckled. “Despite Vala’s will trying to push me out, if I set up roots, I will poison her realm. The only thing standing in my way is you and I can crush all of you if anyone attacks me. In essence, I win.”
Astor moved to Victor’s side while reloading her rune covered pistols. “Killing a God will make one hell of a legend.”
Victor looked to the slinger and nodded. “It would…wouldn’t it.”
Baaldir eyed the Blade and slinger. “Let’s end this play.”
Cassandra pulled back on her bowstring, hand shaking. Energy weakly poured into the arrow as she fought to keep her hands steady.
“Vala…please give me the strength for…one…more…shot…,” the Keeper prayed.
Energy pulsed, her hands growing steady.
Cassandra closed her eyes. “Thank you,” She whispered and let go.
The arrow flew from her bow as her body crumpled to the stone floor.
Victor’s shadow looked up to the soaring arrow and grinned, “We fight.”
Baaldir kept his attention on Victor and Astor when his hand whipped out and caught the arrow. A second later, it exploded. Baaldir stumbled back, body smoking as his eyes blazed hot. Victor and Astor aimed and pulled triggers. Magical bolts blasted out, striking the God in the chest and face. Baaldir continued to stumble back as Astor unleashed her magical guns.
Victor let the gunblade slid into his wrist and let the Elemental sword slide out. Looking at his stats, they were full and brimming with power. One point of Wisdom slipped into the sword, the blade glowing white with electrical power. Lily’s words touched his mind and heart as he remembered what she said about using five points of his stats for a greater effect.
The shadow turned its head to Victor. “Do it,” it screamed in joy.
Victor activated five points of strength and his world was consumed with light. Muscles bulged from power. Victor never felt so strong in his entire life. An alert appeared in his vision, indicating he was able to lift ten thousand pounds and move at incredible speed. Energy arced along his body as he held his sword at the ready.
Astor fired until her guns clicked empty. Baaldir sneered as she charged. A red dragon swooped down as the slinger leapt up. Scaled hand lashing out, she caught the slinger and flew up just as Baaldir’s fist missed them.
Astor t
ook out glowing bullets from her belt and began reloading as Shyryth flew higher. “Keep us up so we can provide some air support.”
Shyryth nodded as she flew higher and watched the battle unfold. Victor leapt into the air at the standing God. Baaldir lashed out, missing the speeding Blade. Victor slashed his sword, cutting down through the God’s chest. The wound closed as Baaldir grabbed Victor as he fell. Lifting him up, he was about to smash him down when Victor stabbed his blade into the arm holding him. Energy flared as Baaldir let go. Victor hit the ground, rolled and was back to his feet as a stream of plasma bolts hit the God. Baaldir lifted an arm to shield against the incoming plasma rain.
“Ramming speed,” Wynn shouted.
May stepped down on the accelerator all the way. The APC charged across the grassy field until the vehicle slammed into Baaldir’s legs. The God stood as hands reached down and picked up the APC.
“Brace yourselves,” Wynn shouted as her hands reached out to the sides.
Baaldir tossed the APC to the side. It flipped through the air until it smashed into the ground. Baaldir huffed a chuckle until he turned to see Victor flying at him with a fist pulled back. The punch sent shockwaves through the air as Baaldir stumbled back. Victor hit the ground but surged ahead. Sword arcing, he slashed at the God’s legs in a blur. Wounds opened and closed as the God of the hunt rained a fist down. The Blade spun away as debris ejected into the air.
Magical bullets shot down from the sky, Astor aiming and firing as Shyryth opened her maw and let out a stream of dragon fire. Baaldir lifted an arm, blocking the fire and bullets when Victor charged in, stabbing his sword deep into the God’s gut. Baaldir swung his arm out, hitting Victor and sending him hurtling back. The Blade righted his body and hit the ground, sliding back to a stop. Power curling along his body, he charged while Astor and Shyryth pinned the antler headed God.
“I admire your tenacity but you need a God’s power to stop me,” Baaldir laughed.
A shadow surged up behind the God of the hunt. Black tentacles formed and lashed around limbs. Baaldir turned his head to see a shadow with glowing blue eyes smiling at him.
“Everything dies…even Gods,” the shadow leered.
Victor jumped into the air, sword in hand. Baaldir turned to see Victor coming at him. The elemental sword stabbed deep into the God’s heart and the momentum of Victor’s body slammed into his chest. The shadow pulled as Astor fired down. Baaldir groaned as he landed on his back, a thunderous crash shaking the entire realm. A burst of light from the heavens flared as Victor felt a whisper along his heart. The Blade let go of his sword as a bolt of lightning blasted down from the black sky.
Baaldir shouted in defiance as the lighting struck the Elemental sword and blasted into the God. The explosion rippled in all directions, Victor throwing up his hands before he was thrown. The shadow curled away before it was thrown to the ground. Astor and Shyryth braced themselves before the shockwave hit them, sending them spiraling to the ground below.
Light and fire died down. Victor was to his feet, walking toward the smoking crater. Reaching the edge, he peered down to see Baaldir lying at the bottom, sword still in his chest and cuts and bruises covering his body.
“Well played…Lust Blade,” Baaldir stated simply.
Victor held out his hand and his Elemental sword pulled from the wound and into his hand.
“Had enough?” Victor asked as he raised the sword up.
Baaldir gave a slight nod. “Vala has drained enough of my power to make this fight longer than expected. I’ve misjudged you, but that will not change the path of death for Vala, you, and all those who worship her. You have only bought a slight reprieve.”
Baaldir’s form began to dissolve into smoke. “A God can only kill another God. Let that be my last advice until we meet again.”
Victor smiled. “I think we were doing pretty good.”
“Champion of Vala, you have only scratched the surface of what is to come,” Baaldir smirked before his body dissipated into mist and floated away.
Victor let out a long exhale as the power in his body began to subside. A shadow moved closer and the Blade turned to it with sword in hand. The shadow lifted up black arms and waved them with wide eyes.
“Friend! Friend,” the shadow said.
Victor let his sword slip back into his wrist while eyeing the shadow.
The shadow nodded. “I know…we have a lot to talk about.”
Metal creaked and Victor turned to the damaged APC. Wynn and the other cat women crawled from the wreckage. Shyryth landed next to the damaged APC and helped them out while Astor slid off the dragon’s back and also helped.
Victor was about to join them when he looked to the mountain, Dawn standing and waving her arms. The Blade could barely make out Lily’s body at the elf’s feet. Heart leaping into his throat, the Blade charged toward the mountain.
Climbing over destroyed stairs, he looked up the entire time, fearing the worst. Time spun on as he climbed in haste. When he made it over the destroyed sections, he scrambled to Dawn as she held Lily in her arms. The Blade sunk down to his knees and pulled the succubus to him. Hand stroking her black hair, he held her close and felt for her heartbeat. Moments later, her eyes fluttered and the demoness looked up into Victor’s concerned eyes.
“Who’s the weak one now,” Victor smiled.
Lily returned his smile, “You still are…but maybe I can…help you get stronger.”
Victor held her close as she weakly lifted an arm around his neck. Dawn sat with a smile while the three slyths moved in close, scaly hands touching the Blade and Shield, hearts soaring.
Twenty Five
Victor held the bundled remains, eyes heavy. Lily, Wynn, Astor, Shyryth, the slyths and, the cat women stood around the open graves. Hox wiped away a tear from her scaled face while Wynn looked down to the three graves, two already filled with white wrapped bundles. The air was touched with heavy hearts as Victor lowered Hisk’s remains into the last grave.
Lily stood with white roses in her hands, ones she had plucked from a moon garden not far from the graves. The succubus looked to the small graveyard at the bottom of the mountain. The village at the bottom was nothing more than a ruin and the graveyard hadn’t been used in centuries. It pained the demon to think they had to use it now when they had just started their crusade. Fighting back tears, the succubus moved through the small group and handed out a white rose to each person.
Victor took one last long look to the bundle at the bottom of the grave before climbing out. Standing with those gathered, shadows lengthened under his eyes. Yex stepped closer, placing a hand on Victor’s shoulder. Astor and Shyryth looked down to the graves, hats dipped low to cover their eyes.
Wynn stared at the graves of Anita and Abby, her eyes containing a knowing darkness. “I didn’t know Anita long, but I knew she would be a force to remember. I hate that our time was so short.”
The fox woman dipped her head, a tear running down her furry cheek. “Abby was my second in command. I loved her just as much as I respected her. She was like a sister and I never thought the day would come where she was taken before me. Goodbye my Abby.” Wynn tossed a rose in Anita’s grave and then Abby’s grave.
Hox looked down to Hisk’s grave, tears streaming down her cheeks. “Hisk was our mother and sister. She protected and led us during many difficult times. When we lost everything to the Tusk Clan, all we had was each other. Now our clan has become one less but it is the biggest loss of our lives. We pray Vala has taken Hisk into her warm embrace for all eternity.”
Yex and Rhass moved closer to Hox, wrapping arms around her, sobbing.
Victor looked down with haunted eyes. “Hisk, Abby, and Anita were beautiful souls in such dark times. They fought bravely and they will be missed. I wish I could find the right words to say that will help us grieve, but all I can think of is how we must not let their end mean the end of all hope.”
Victor tossed a rose in each grave, “Sleep
well.”
Lily squeezed one of Victor’s shoulders while Astor squeezed the other. A moment later, all threw their remaining roses on the white bundles. Cat women moved to the shovels and piles of dirt, picking up a shovel each.
“We will bury them,” Wynn said in a commanding voice. “Once we are finished, we have to return to Xull to keep fighting the system.”
Victor and Lily nodded.
Astor and Shyryth moved to Victor and Lily.
“We will have to return to Eddor soon,” Astor said with a kind tone. “If you ever need our help again, call on us. We will be there.”
Shyryth nodded in agreement. Victor and Lily turned and gave the slinger and dragon hugs. When they parted from their embrace, Astor tipped her hat before turning and walking toward the mists. Shyryth gave the man and succubus a small smile before following the slinger to the mists.
The slyths helped the cat women as they buried their dead. Victor’s heart crumbled in his chest as he watched them fill in the graves with mourning eyes. Lily wrapped an arm around the Blade’s shoulder and gently pulled him away.
The pair walked to the base of the ruined staircase and began their haphazard climb up the mountain. When they reached stairs, it was easier, taking steps side by side, the lights of the village calling to them.
“They will not be the only ones we lose in this crusade,” Lily said with a somber tone.
“Vala will bring the realms closer to peace,” Victor said as warmth filled his heart.
The succubus nodded. The pair made their way up the stairs, closer to the village. When they reached the top, Victor tried to push away the faces of those they lost. Despite having a close relationship with madness and death, the Blade knew he could never truly become numb to their cold touches. It had entwined with his destiny and he knew he must swallow his rage against such an unfeeling universe.
A shadow emerged from darkness and stepped into the lantern light. Blue eyes opened as the shadow slinked toward Victor and Lily. The pair stopped to see the shadow approach them. Lily’s sad expression melted in distrust while Victor’s eyes sagged at the thing before them.