by Erik Weir
Victor stood by Alice, fist out and energy arcing along his limbs. Power seethed under Victor’s skin as he spent five points of Strength to create a greater effect. A timer counted down in the corner of his vision, giving him a little over ten minutes before the power drained from his body. Turning to the stunned Alice, Victor took her hand and began walking her back to the crowd. Lily, Shyryth, and Mildra rushed to the stunned woman.
“No matter what happens, protect her…protect everyone,” Victor commanded.
The Blade turned around and watched as Draygon slowly stood back up, a wide leer across his face.
“I think I only managed to make him mad,” Victor said as he lifted his fists, energy arcing along his body.
Draygon began to laugh as he stood up to his full height. The maddening laughter sent shivers down spines of everyone who heard it. The darkness behind Draygon began to grow like a black cloud. It touched the edges of town, inky tendrils moving across damaged walls and broken windows.
“Victor, what an appropriate name for Vala’s Champion, now that I have it, it opens many doors, but those doors lead to new questions,” Draygon chuckled.
“Leave before I punch you again,” Victor growled loudly.
Draygon laughed. “I must rescind the previous agreement because this is much too fun. Higher beings send a sliver of their power to their Champions but Vala is not following the natural order of things. She is sending more than a sliver. She has increased your luck as well. The shadow around your heart is adding protection verses beings such as myself. You have become a perfect storm of power if you use it correctly.”
Draygon took a step forward and then another. “But I have questions that must be answered. I have seen how the gods have searched out and not killed the many vessels containing pieces of Vala across the realms. Why is that? Why not end her crusade by forever destroying a piece of her spirit? I must understand why and to do so, I must kill one of several who carry a piece of your dead goddess, in the name of research.”
Victor checked the timer in the corner of his vision. He had less than nine minutes before his greater strength and speed drained away.
Draygon continued to step forward when the darkness behind him began to move. Eyes stared at the pairs of white eyes appearing from the darkness. Misshapen mouths opened as black supernatural bodies writhed like ghostly worms. Crisscross markings appeared around the unblinking white eyes as they moved as one behind Draygon. It seemed like the entire edge of town behind the powerful stranger moved like some cosmic monster from the abyss.
“Shadows,” Astor said as she hardened her heart.
“A thousand shadows to be precise,” Draygon seethed. “Let’s see what happens when I kill one of Vala’s chosen vessels.”
“Lily…Astor…Defend the townsfolk,” Victor said before his body burst forward in a blur.
This is a bad idea!
Draygon opened his arms wide as Victor barreled toward him, “Let’s learn…together!”
The world fell into moments before the entire town exploded into action. Victor appeared before Draygon; fists cocked. The strange man smiled as a storm of fists lashed out like machine gun fire. Arms up, he blocked Victor’s strikes, arms moving in a blur to keep up. The assault rampaged on before Victor lifted his heel and brought it down on the man’s leg. Draygon’s leg twisted out and snapped back into place instantly.
Vala’s Blade didn’t slow down as he unleashed another flurry of attacks, slowly driving Draygon back, but not landing a body blow. The very air vibrated from the strikes and parries as Draygon kept the Blade from landing a solid hit. Victor whipped his leg around, but Draygon lifted his knee, blocking each strike with his shin.
We need to move faster!
Victor spent another Strength point, increasing his strength and his speed moving slightly faster. It was enough for Draygon to miscalculate a parry, Victor’s fist hitting his cheek and sending him flying backwards. Shadows caught Draygon as they rushed past in a swarm toward the main force in town. Depositing him to the ground, the flood of shadows rushed around the Blade and Draygon as they howled for the living energy of the town.
Astor stared down the flood of shadows coming toward them. Slinger hands were on their guns, ready for the signal. Smiles formed as they watched the inky black horde rushing like a tidal wave toward them. Battle crazed insanity took root and fingers itched to pull triggers.
“Defend with extreme prejudice,” Astor spit before her hands snapped from her sides, pistol in each hand and pulling back on triggers.
A glowing point blasted out from each gun, crossing the distance in the blink of an eye. Each one struck a shadow in the center of their heads as they screeched and burned away from the mystical bullets.
“Kill them all,” Zeb shouted before pulling his guns and firing.
Slingers drew their guns and opened fire. Glowing bullets closed the distance to the incoming horde, blasting shadows to shards as more flowed past their fallen brethren. Many laughed as hammers cocked back and slammed into chambered bullets. Energy stabbed out as condensed mana-fueled power struck shadows. Wild screeches filled the night. Townsfolk dashed for the Spell swords and Casters while three dragon women launched into the air, their bodies growing bigger and scales erupting from smooth skin.
Lily turned to Spell sword Leader Aldus who already had a mana sword and shield up. “Protect them at all costs!”
Aldus simply nodded as town’s people rushed to them. Skye and Kira backed off as did Vonn and Yimer. Bullets streaked across the air, shattering and burning shadows to shards of darkness. The flood grew in intensity as they surged against the Slinger’s firepower. Shyryth stood by Astor’s side, guns out and firing, each strike true. The chaos was held at bay, but only for moments as Slinger guns clicked empty and several began to reload.
Vindrel, Izy, and Mildra turned into their true dragon forms. Leathery wings beat as maws opened. Vindrel centered her gaze on the bulk of shadows before taking a deep breath and blasting out thick streams of lightning. Shadows screeched as they were nearly ripped in half. Izy’s green dragon form hovered next to Vindrel, mouth opening and spitting out bolts of acidic mists. The bolts struck shadows, burning against their black forms as they continued to rush the Slingers.
Mildra’s sleepy eyes peered down at the small space between the incoming shadows and the Slingers. Mouth open, she hissed a stream of ice mists. It struck the ground and grew on itself, forming a makeshift barrier. Vindrel spit lightning bolt after lightning bolt, but the stream of shadows continued. Magic bullets penetrated the ice wall to slam into shadows.
Many shadows looked up at the three flying dragons. Black wings forming, they launched into the air, streaming toward the flying dragons. Vindrel swooped to the side, knocking Izy away as several shadows were nearly on her. The blue dragon blasted black bodies at point-blank range, splitting them to pieces while several more latched onto her. The blue dragon growled her contempt as claws raked across dark bodies. Izy flew back to her sister in battle, grabbing shadows and pulling them away. With powerful swings, she tossed the shadows away as Vindrel struggled to stay in the air.
Eric reloaded, clicked the chamber back into the gun and aimed just as shadows burst through the makeshift ice wall. Several Slingers opened fired as shadows came at them. The distance between them was swallowed up by the shadows until bodies leapt over the line of Slingers. Valen blasted a shadow and then another before several men and woman came down in front of him, slashing at any shadows getting too close. The slingers watched in astonishment as Spell swords sliced and cut at the incoming horde with practiced skill and unwavering courage.
“It’s about damn time you guys did something useful,” Zeb laughed before aiming both guns and pulling triggers.
Lily and Dawn fought through the chaos. The elf moved, spun and leapt from grasping shadows while Lily followed, energy filling her staff and cracking true with every strike. The succubus and elf struggled alongside Spell Swords
and Slingers, trying to get a glimpse of Victor in the distance.
Shadows formed a wide oval around Victor and Draygon as they surged toward the fighting line. The Blade pressed on, each punch and kick blocked by the monster threatening them all.
“Enough of this bullshit,” Victor growled as his gun blade slid into his hand and he spent a Constitution point to load it.
Draygon backed off as Victor aimed the gun blade and pulled the trigger. An energy bolt blasted out as Draygon lifted an open hand. The bolt slammed into the open hand and fizzled, leaving a wisp of smoke.
“It’s like watching a puppy struggle for dominance,” Draygon laughed.
Victor pulled the trigger in rapid succession as shadows streamed past. Draygon moved his hand, parrying each shot like they were harmless pebbles.
“Yea, get a fucking load of me,” Victor barked as he spent five points of Constitution.
The gun blade hummed with incredible power. The vibrations pulsed outward as the Blade aimed and pulled the trigger. Draygon lifted his hand to block the blast, but when it struck him, the explosion sent him flying backwards. Victor watched as Draygon’s smoking body scattered the shadows around them in different directions before he crashed into a small building, caving in the wall and splintering wood to kindling.
A stream of shadows turned and surged toward the Blade. Victor aimed the vibrating gun blade to the point of the incoming stream and pulled the trigger. The energy bolt shattered six shadows and scattered many others.
“Fuck yea,” Victor hissed before turning his attention to the giant hole in the side of a building, Draygon standing up and stepping through it.
“You do surprise me,” Draygon said before looking to the fighting not far from them, “But I have an experiment to complete.”
Shadows streamed past, taking hold of Draygon and lifting him along toward the fighting. Victor looked around as shadows converged on him. White eyes bore down on the lone Blade when he whipped his gun blade around and pulled the trigger again and again. Victor blasted holes in shadows, shattering them to shards of darkness. When he was down to last charge, he looked to the fighting line. Spending his last point of Strength, energy fueled his ability to jump. Legs bending, he launched into the air just as a wave of shadows rushed him, nearly missing his boots by inches.
Astor blasted shadow after shadow until her guns clicked empty. Holstering one, she started to reload when a shadow flew toward her. The Slinger’s hand moved with practiced ease as six mana rounds slid into the empty chambers. The shadow was nearly on her when the chamber clicked close; Astor lifted up the barrel and blasted the shadow from beneath its distorted chin.
“WOO HOOO!” Zeb yelled as he fired into every shadow that was too close.
Slingers continued to blast the incoming wave of shadows as Spell swords slashed at any who slipped by. Aldus was cold as ice, slicing through shadows and stabbing them in their heads. Monstrous screeches rang out with the orchestra of gunfire and the hiss of burning mana. For a brief moment, it looked like the Slingers and Spell swords kept the wave of abominations at bay. Valen pushed forward, blasting shadows while Zeb and Eric flowed with him, side by side. Vindrel and Izy tore at shadows, ripping them to pieces and blasting them at close range. Lily and Dawn held the line, fighting tooth and nail as shadows pushed against them. Mildra landed to the side, wings out to protect Skye, Kira, Vonn and Yimer while her frost breath blasted out. Mages unleashed magic attacks at any Shadow airborne or crawling along the sides of the line. It appeared they could win and for a brief instant, hope glowed.
“Don’t give these fuckers an inch…,” Eric shouted before a black sword stabbed into his chest.
Draygon moved from the shadows with depraved indifference as Eric coughed up blood. Eric’s eyes glazed over as he used the last of his strength to jam the barrel of his gun into Draygon’s face and pulled the trigger.
The mana bullet ricocheted off Draygon’s forehead as the light died in Eric’s eyes. Valen shouted as he rushed the monster, jabbing his guns into Draygon’s sides. Mana bullets blasted causing Draygon to stumble aside. Shadows launched toward the exposed Slinger and Zeb grabbed Valen and pulled him back so hard, the slinger stumbled and fell. Valen looked up with wide eyes as Zeb cursed and spit, firing at point blank range before shadows enveloped him. They moved like a mass of insects, blood exploding into the air and limbs flying in all directions.
The line faltered, shadows breaking through and lashing at warm bodies. Spell swords sliced and blocked before black pointed hands slashed and ripped at their bodies. Grunts turned to screams as chaos bloomed into a storm. Aldus sliced and cut, carving his way through when a shadow stabbed his arm and another into his side. The Spell sword didn’t make a sound as he sliced a disembodied head and stabbed his mana sword into an open mouth. Jagged teeth shined as Slingers and Spell swords were consumed, one by one. Astor stepped into the storm, blasting away shadows. Hands moved, fingers pulling triggers. When the mana bullet emerged from the barrel, the rune covered gun was moving to its next target.
Draygon shook off the attack when a presence filled his mind. He barely looked up when a thick energy blast struck him, slamming him face down into the ground. Victor fell from the sky, gun blade gleaming in the light. He roared down and landed on Draygon’s back, driving his blade deep into the exposed spine. Draygon grunted as he pressed his palms to the ground and pushed up. Victor fell back onto the ground. A shadow loomed from behind before an elf launched into the air, grabbed the shadow, swung her body around and stabbed at its black neck.
Victor glanced back to see Dawn savagely stab again and again the shadow as it screeched in pain. Draygon looked to Victor just as two mana bullets struck the side of his head. Astor and Shyryth aimed and pulled triggers again. Draygon growled as he crossed his arms, mana bullets striking and forcing him to take a step back.
“How annoying…,” Draygon said just as Victor stabbed his gun blade deep into his back.
With wide eyes, Draygon turned his head as Victor withdrew his blade, swung it around and aimed for the neck. Casually, Draygon lifted his hand and blocked the incoming blade, the sharp edge sinking an inch into Draygon’s arm.
Victor pulled back his blade for another strike when strength drained from his limbs. Arms shaky, Victor cursed as Draygon lowered his arm and smiled.
“Valiant effort,” Draygon whispered before he whistled.
The air pulsed before it exploded in all directions. Slingers, casters, townsfolk, shadows, dragons, everyone in the center of town were thrown backwards. Victor’s skin erupted in patches as blood dripped from wounds. The Blade fought to stay conscious as bodies flew past in a wave of beaten flesh. Body falling, Victor gritted his teeth as he hit the ground and tumbled back five feet before stopping. Cracks formed along wooden and stone walls and a short moment later, a building collapsed on itself.
Draygon stood at the epicenter, dark eyes surveying the carnage he created. Shadows struggled to rise up, white eyes wide and stunned from the blow. Shyryth crawled to Astor who was unconscious on the ground. Mildra moaned, her white scaled body dripping blood from ruptured patches along her body. Skye, Kira, Vonn, and Yimer lay beside her, struggling to get back up. Vindrel and Izy fell from the sky, landing on a building and shattering it to dust. Lily crawled among the bodies, Spell swords and Slingers staring up with lifeless eyes.
Victor spent a Will point. Regaining the use of his body, he stood up as some writhed in pain and others were still, bodies cooling. The Blade struggled, taking a step at a time, hard gaze on Draygon as he looked around in amusement. Lily continued to crawl, wanting to call out to Victor, but her voice failing.
Draygon ignored Victor as his eyes scanned the bodies and stopped on a moving body. Alice tried to crawl away, leg broken and trailing behind her as she used her hands and arms. Whimpers fell from her lips as she crawled over dead bodies, eyes too afraid to look back.
“Lily…,” Victor said harshly, slowly moving af
ter Draygon, “…Lily…I need…you.”
The succubus tried to stand up, but her own body wasn’t responding. The ringing in her ears prevented her from hearing Victor, but she could see he needed her.
Victor, fall to your knees. Don’t keep fighting.
Draygon stepped over the living and the dead. Taking his time, he walked toward Alice as she continued to crawl away.
“Lily…,” Victor said again as his Elemental sword slid into his open hand, “Heal…me.”
Draygon moved closer. Alice glanced back and cried out as she tried to crawl away faster.
“Do no fret little one. Your death will teach us so much,” Draygon said with a kind edge as he reached down and grabbed her broken leg.
Alice screamed as pain flared. Like a rag doll, she was pulled back to Draygon. The monster in a man’s skin reached down and grabbed the back of her neck. Taking hold, he lifted her up and held her before him like a hunter admiring his kill. Alice struggled, one hand grabbing his arm and the other hitting his chest.
“Lily!” Victor shouted as he spent five points of Wisdom, white and blue fire flaring along the sword’s blade.
The succubus exhaled as she gathered the last of her strength. Lifting a hand, she pointed it at Victor. Energy balled along her fingers until they merged and blasted out in a ray of light. Victor continued to stumble toward Draygon when light struck his back. Energy closed wounds and points returned to his Spheres of Influence. Victor’s body felt lighter as he darted forward. Flaming sword up and body freshly healed, the Blade roared as he charged.
Draygon turned to Victor barreling toward him, “Such a noble attempt.”
Draygon dropped Alice and she crumbled to the ground. Turning, he waited for Victor as he came at him. Sword up, rage took hold as Victor reached Draygon. Sword slashing, Draygon used his forearms to block the flaming blade. Fire and steel cut deep, but as soon as the blade pulled away, the wounds closed up. Victor grunted and roared as he spent five Strength points. Power booming through his body, Victor became a whirlwind of flaming sword attacks. Draygon grunted as he tried to keep up, eyes calm but his arms cut deep. The wounds closed at a slower rate, but Draygon continued to parry and fend off each blurry sword strike.