Realm Walker Omnibus

by Erik Weir

  “Feels…so good…,” Draygon grinned before whipping his blades away, the two angels falling in large chunks to the rooftop.

  Angels attacked with the fury of storms before Draygon turned to them and whistled. The spear points were within inches of his body when the sonic explosions sent them hurtling in all directions and falling from the sky.

  Victor’s heart pumped with slivers of pain. Two bolts of energy shot from the roof and dived down toward him. Portia’s eyes darkened as she looked at the two bolts of energy. Victor’s eyes widened as the bolts struck him and blended with his soul while releasing two points to the goddess he served.

  The crowd around Victor rippled before light burst into view. Golden wings formed as spears, swords, maces, and crossbows appeared in hands. Halos shined above heads as much of the crowd shifted from calm to contained fury. Those who did not have wings and halos, stepped back while those with warrior spirits flexed golden wings, ready to charge the dark thing who claimed their sisters and brothers in battle.

  Draygon rushed to the side of the roof and looked down with insane eyes. “Victor! This is my first of many gifts! Let’s destroy the Valis realm together!”

  Before Victor could respond, Umus bent powerful legs and burst upwards like a comet. Hand open, a thick mace the size of large car appeared as immense wings flashed out. The god reached above the height of the building in a blink of an eye and looked down on Draygon in judgment.

  “You have forfeited your existence. What are your last words before I carry out judgment,” Umus boomed.

  “Valis dies tonight,” Draygon seethed before dark power surged around his body and exploded.

  The shockwave struck Umus, sending him flying backwards before his wings stretched out and he hovered high in the sky. Victor looked up as a hand touched his shoulder. Looking down, he saw Lily’s firm expression as she stood at one side of him. Next to her, Portia stood with her gaze on the swirling darkness above.

  “We have to get the people out of here before it becomes a bloodbath,” Victor said with a dark edge.

  “We can stop this madness,” Portia said with a strong tone.

  “I’m with you,” Lily said with conviction.

  High above, Draygon stood with bent knees, shoulders heaving as black and purple energy flared around his form. Eyes bled darkness as he grinned at Umus.

  “Death and madness for all,” Draygon shouted before black energy streaked out in every direction.

  Amid the empty streets across the city, rippling black portals appeared. They hovered a foot off the ground, pulsating with unnatural light. Black hands and arms stretched out before drops of abyssal black bodies poured out. White eyes burned hot as jagged mouths gaped and gasped. Haunting shrills and screams echoed off walls and down streets as many more poured out. Across the city, thick streams of shadows entered the Valis realm, howling for blood and warmth, some cackling in mad delight. The nightmarish spirits turned into floods and they darted forward, snaking through streets and searching for living warmth.

  Bright Tower citizens at the edges of the celebration ran for their lives, swaths of shadows rising up and coming down like a dark tide. Screams burst along faraway streets before bodies were sliced, cut, eaten, or pulled apart. Blood splattered and smeared walls before the shadows raced along, looking for more.

  Angels charged in all directions, bodies taking flight and glowing spears in hands. Many caught sights of the shadows and shot at them like cannon fire. When they reached the howling spirits, light cut into darkness and the shadows screamed in agony. Black bodies were cut into pieces, but the flood of spirits continued, unabated by the fighting light.

  Umus gave an annoyed huff before charging toward the mad Elder Spawn. Draygon kept his wicked grin as darkness continued to fall from his eyes.

  “Let’s keep you busy, shall we,” the Elder Spawn said before his dark power surged.

  At the edge of the city, a line of darkness appeared before it began to stretch out. Something pale stabbed out of the long, thin portal, foul energy falling like mists. Umus halted his charge as his senses blared to life with uncompromising evil. Cold blasted across the tropical air, plants withering away as a stench floated over the city.

  Umus turned his body, a halo appearing above his head with spikes, forming into a glowing crown. Ancient eyes stared as the god squared his jaw. The pale tendrils continued to stab out from the darkness until the very fabric of the portal stretched wider. Something pushed at the opening and as it pushed through, horrific slathering sounds filled the chaotic air.

  A pale white humanoid creature pushed through the portal. A long white leg stepped into the waters surrounding the island city. Tentacles writhed from the mid-point of its scaly face while large black oval eyes vibrated with power. Long arms and a torso made of skin and bones entered the Valis realm. White leathery wings were next, flexing through the portal. The monster was as large as the citadel as it stepped into the water. It moved with little urgency toward the city, alien eyes seeing only the glow of a god angel.

  “An Elder…,” Victor whispered before he looked away, the sight of it trying to crawl into his mind.

  Umus spun his giant mace before he flashed forward, his angelic form streaking across the sky toward the giant abomination. “I haven’t fought one of your kind since my youth. Have at you!”

  The Elder was silent as it moved toward the city. Umus roared as he lifted his mace and slammed it against the monster’s chest. The force of the blow was enough to send a shockwave, blasting the ocean outward and forming huge waves. The Elder stepped back with one pale white foot before it leaned forward and slashed at the flying god. Umus chuckled as he blasted upwards, out of the swinging monster’s hand. Streaking up and then down, he brought his mace hard into the Elder’s face. The strike blasted air outwards, but this time the horrific creature did not stumble back. Long white fingers and hands reached up to grab at the annoying god angel while Umus continued to fly like an iron insect in a storm.

  On the streets, angels fought like golden soldiers against the tide of darkness. Shadows leapt, only to be stabbed and cut down. The flood grew as shadows pushed at each other, trying to taste the bleeding warmth of bodies, madness consuming their screeches. A panic began to fill the area around the Citadel as angels began to fall one by one to the ravenous hordes.

  Portia turned her head, her gaze marking choke and defense points before she spoke. “Engage internal defenses,” She commanded as her halo flared with power.

  Victor and Lily looked around as parts of the buildings glowed with golden light. Cubes of energy separated and shifted at dozens and dozens of places along the walls and on top of small buildings. Portia stared out, information filling her mind. The cubes reformed and melded together, taking the shape of white cannons and turrets. Angels backed off as halos glowed brighter. Shadows pushed at the edges, trying to spill their blood with every rake of black claws.

  Turrets and cannons targeted the shadows as they whirled to life. A breath later, they exploded in bursts of light. Shadows screeched as they were cut down almost instantly. Black shadows were torn apart by light, large holes in their forms before they fell into writhing heaps of darkness. The counterattack was brutal, light filling the streets as the darkness was torn asunder.

  For a brief instant, Victor thought they had a chance. Heaviness filled his heart as shadows broke away from the main forces and glided up or crawled toward the turrets. The white machines turned, blasting anything that moved too close, but even with their power, the shadows surged, ending their shattered lives but drawing closer. When one took hold of a turret and bent the white metal, it sparked and exploded. Portals across the streets surged with more and more shadows and they moved with a single purpose to kill and maim everything. One by one, the cannons and turrets blinked out, no longer functioning as the impossible river of darkness spilled into the realm.

  “No,” Victor said as he grabbed Lily by the shoulders and looked into he
r wide eyes. “We can’t win this! We need to evacuate the city before everyone is killed. Contact Cassandra and have her send everyone who can fight.”

  “How is that going to help,” Lily with an edge.

  “We can’t stop the shadows, but you and the others can help defend Valis’ people while they escape,” Victor nearly shouted above the mayhem before turning his gaze to Portia. “Can everyone swim when they reach the water?”

  The angel turned her attention to Victor, “The walls of the city will reconfigure to escape ships on my command.”

  “Do it! If we don’t get the people out of here, the shadows or that Elder thing is going to kill everyone!”

  Lily gripped Victor’s arm, “What are you going to do?”

  The Blade looked into the succubus’s red eyes. Fear mingled with her crimson gaze, giving off a glimmer that she already knew the answer, but didn’t want to believe it.

  Victor smirked. “While Umus is keeping the Elder thing busy, I’ll keep Draygon busy.”

  “You ca…,” Lily began before Victor pulled her in close, embracing the demoness.

  “Please, call the others. Don’t fight me on this. Our priority is to save the people.”

  “Your priority is to stay with me,” Lily said, her voice cracking.

  Victor held her close, lips to her ear, “I need my Shield to help the people. When they are safely away, come back to me and we can finish this monster, together.”

  Lily was silent for a few seconds before she barely nodded her head and pulled back. Victor watched as she stepped back and stood next to Portia. The Champion gave the succubus a warm smile before turning his back to her. A point of Strength flowed into Victor’s Jump ability. Legs bending, energy surged until he pushed off the ground and bounded up into the air, flying higher and higher toward the tendrils of darkness spilling from the building.

  Lily’s eyes watered before she closed them, letting her voice cross realms, her heart aching with fear and the unknown.

  ***

  Cassandra walked along the stone path of the village. A voice touched her mind, words cascading along her spirit. The tall Keeper gave a small nod before her own power flared across dimensions and worlds. When the ropes of power connected with Vala’s chosen, they listened intently.

  Dawn and Night stepped from their home and into the street, walking toward the giant woman. Others appeared from their homes, making their way closer as others in distant realms looked to the skies, listening for the Keeper’s words.

  Cassandra turned to face the slyths, war maidens, dragons, succubi and warp spawn. Beyond the veil of reality, slingers and resistance fighters listened with every fiber of their spirits.

  “Our Blade and Shield are fighting to save Valis from Draygon’s power. They have asked for any who can and will assist with defending the people of that realm from extinction. We are here to serve Vala, but we are here to serve those who would love,” Cassandra’s voice vibrated along time and space.

  The Keeper lifted her head, eyes scanning across faces of those gathered. “There will be no judgment on your decision. Time slips away. Who will go and fight?”

  Vala’s realm rippled as many bodies stepped forward, their hearts glowing with protective might.

  ***

  Victor soared upward, glass windows blurring past him as he ascended. The air on his face calmed his spirit, drinking it in for a moment of peace. Thoughts quieted as a rush of purpose caused his heart to beat with power. When he cleared the roof, it almost seemed like he hovered before he fell and landed on the stone and metal surface.

  Draygon had moved to the center, black and purple power pulsating around him. The sound of shockwaves could be heard in the distance as Umus continued his relentless assault on the Elder thing. Blending with the shocks of power, screeches and screams played on like a demented symphony in the bowels of Hell. The wind picked up, stirring Victor’s hair as he glared at Draygon.

  The Elder Spawn kept his manic grin as he held his hands out to his sides, power nearly engulfing his form. “Come to watch the play with me?”

  “I’ve come to end it,” Victor said as he called up his stat screen and shifted it to the side of his vision.

  Victor Hobbs

  Acolytes Unlocked- 42/77

  Divine Orbs- 2

  Powers to Unlock-0

  Spheres of Influence

  Str (Gaia)- 13/12

  Con (Nano)- 11

  Int (Abyss)- 3

  Will (Holy)- 6

  Wis (Mind)- 10

  Cha (Shadow)- 3

  Swords

  Iron Sword

  Elemental Sword

  Gun Blade

  Bone Sword

  Cursed Blade

  Sphere Abilities/Powers

  Mind

  Speak/Read/Write Languages

  Transmutation

  Unseen Hand

  Enchant Weapon

  Gaia

  Increased Strength/Speed

  Animal Tongues

  Jump

  Animal Shapeshift

  War Form

  Summon Monster

  Nano

  Heightened Senses Upgrade

  Body Enhancement/Repair

  Interface Upgrade

  Weapon Upgrade

  Armor Upgrade

  Power Suit Upgrade

  Shadow

  Holy

  Light Aura Shield

  Soothing Touch

  Healing

  Abyss

  Impulse Control Touch

  Draygon gave a small nod. “Too bad you don’t understand what I’m trying to do for you…for us.”

  “I understand. I understand you’re insane and I need to put you down like a rabid animal,” Victor said sternly.

  “If you understood, you would know I have trillions of shadows at my command. I called an Elder Thing to this realm and set it loose. My power grows with every moment and when I’m strong enough, I’m going to consume your goddess. I will ascend and I will bring peace by murdering those who oppose me and madness to those who love me. I will be the point in time where everything changes. My rule will last until all heat leaves every universe and then I can rest on my throne of souls.”

  Victor, I am with you, but don’t say what I think you’re going to say.

  The Blade smirked, “Alright Vegeta, time to cave in that fivehead of yours.”

  Draygon’s brow raised, “Vegeta? Who’s Vegeta?”

  Vala’s Champion stepped forward, mentally spending influence. One Constitution activated his Power Armor ability. Nano-drones ejected from skin pores and spread out, connecting under his clothes to form a flexible metal skin. Victor stepped closer, armor covering his head and face, leaving only slits for his eyes. One points of Strength channeled into his muscles, making him stronger and faster. A point of Will energized his new Light Aura ability, a golden light engulfing the Blade. Right hand out, a bone sword emerged from his wrist and slid into his hand.

  “You’re holding back,” Draygon said as he stood his ground.

  The Blade said nothing as he approached until he was within five feet of the Elder Spawn. The wind touched them as fighting glowed down from below on all sides. A trickle of fear touched the champion but a fury boiled in his stomach. Death and Love watched as Victor took a short breath.

  Kick his ass!

  Victor nodded and flashed forward. In a long blink, he was before the Elder Spawn, left fist pulled back. Draygon smirked as the Blade blasted his fist forward and was stopped short in the Elder Spawn’s hand.

  “You disappoint me,” Draygon grinned.

  Victor smiled as he channeled ten points of Strength. Power blasted his muscles and rode his body like a hurricane. An alert appeared in his vision, indicating he could lift twenty-five thousand tons. The titan tier power level flared as he flicked one finger in Draygon’s hand.

  The shockwave boomed as the Elder Spawn was hurtled back. Draygon’s eyes widened as his left hand lashed out and grabb
ed the railing on the opposite side of the roof, metal bending. Body floating for a moment, the Elder Spawn flipped his body and landed while his right hand dangled like a broken thing.

  Draygon’s hand snapped back to normal but Victor moved like he was teleporting. Darkness surged as Victor landed a punch in the spawn’s stomach. Draygon bent forward as Victor’s bone sword flashed up and then down, too fast for the human eye. A shadow stabbed out and Draygon parried the blow, his black sword cracking. The air blasted out in all directions.

  “You’ve become stronger,” the Elder Spawn grunted.

  Victor let go of his sword, hands grabbing the spawn by his shirt. Muscles glowed under skin as he lifted him up and smashed him down on the roof, caving it in. The Blade followed Draygon down as they smashed through two more floors before stopping. Fists flashed like pistons, punching the spawn in the chest and face. Draygon roared as power burst. Victor was lifted and thrown against a wall, crashing through into another room.

  Draygon flashed through the hole just as Victor summoned his bone sword. It flew into hand just as Draygon was bearing down on him. The bone blade parried the black sword, arms on both vibrating as energy arced along their bodies.

  Draygon was about to say something when Victor’s heel slammed on the monster’s knee, kicking it out and knocking him off balance. Falling to the side, Draygon watched as Victor’s left hand grabbed his neck and threw him like a rag doll. The wall exploded as Draygon’s body landed and rolled. Arms and legs working, he was back on his feet, a black sword in each hand.

  Victor stood up and marched toward the hole. “The one thing I have learned about you so-called higher beings are that when you spend your energy on grandstanding, you use a lot of power. I assume the portals and summoning an Elder Thing must be draining you. That makes you meat for the grinder.”

  “Vala chose well,” Draygon cackled.

  Victor stepped through the hole when Draygon burst forward like a shotgun blast. Swords whipped at each other, creating sparks the size of hailstones. Furniture around them was blasted or sliced away. The fury of attacks cracked walls and blasted out windows.