Realm Walker Omnibus

by Erik Weir

  High above, comets rained down toward the planet. The shield glimmered for a moment before the first comet struck. Energy rippled along the planet’s shield, distributing the energy before another comet struck and then another. Cracks miles long appeared in the sky as comets crashed into the shield. At least several dozen slammed into the shield, punishing it before the cracks grew wider.

  “We push forward, NOW,” Portia screamed as she took one step forward.

  Off to the side, Astor and Shyryth blasted shadows to nothing, arms rigid and aiming. Shyryth fired her last shot and then began to reload. Astor stepped to her side, firing perfectly aimed shots, mana bullets striking between the eyes. The slinger moved like a machine, but even she could see that the fight was beginning to turn.

  Shyryth flicked her wrists, chambers sliding into place and locking. She moved and fired while Astor reloaded. The dragon slinger remained calm, following her master’s teaching to the letter. Never panic, even when death is an inch away from snatching you away.

  Astor finished reloading and holstered her guns. Shyryth glanced to her master with a touch of concern.

  Astor knelt to the ground and un-slung the pack from her back. “Shyryth, fly with your friends.”

  “I won’t leave your side,” the red dragon woman said as she pulled triggers, six shadows dying one after the other.

  Astor opened the long pack and pulled out a metal cylinder with small cylinders packed together at one end. A lever crank was at the end of it and to the side. The slinger reached in and pulled out a long belt of glowing mana bullets. Hands moved with expert skill as she loaded the chain belt to the weapon and locked it into place. Taking the strap connected to it, she put it over her head as she stood up, hand on the crank.

  “Shyryth, fly. Burn a path from above while I cut one from below.”

  The dragon woman shook her head slightly, “No.”

  Astor stepped to the dragon and placed a hand on her shoulder, “You promised you would take my direction. I am directing you to fly and burn a path.”

  Shyryth glanced to Astor’s serious expression. With a growl, she holstered her guns and leapt into the air. The red dragon woman let her body convulse and change until she morphed into her true dragon form.

  “That’s my girl,” Astor smirked before turning her attention to the front of the crowd where angels tried to blast through the shadows.

  Breaking into a run, she raced along the outskirts of the crowd but behind the angels fighting shadows. When she came toward the front, she aimed the Gatling rifle. Portia glanced back to see the Slinger step to the line and shoulder her way through.

  “I’ll clear a path and you lead them to safety,” Astor ordered when she pushed past Portia.

  The angel commander watched as the Slinger planted her feet, grabbed the handle and began to crank it. The cylinders toward the front began to spin and immediately fired mana bullets. Shadows cried out as each bullet shredded their bodies like paper. The roar of the rifle clanked on, spitting out mana in its purest form. Astor began to advance, leading the way as Portia and many others joined in the carnage. A red dragon flew overhead, blasting out a stream of molten fire at the shadows, burning them to ash.

  Overhead, the shield glimmered before a fatal comet struck it. Energy rippled and shattered as the shield collapsed from the onslaught. Comets fell from the sky, barely touching the atmosphere when Portia’s senses picked up an energy signature.

  “Are we too late,” an angel shouted to Portia.

  The angel looked up and smiled before turning her attention and firing into the line of diminishing shadows.

  A wide portal appeared and something sharp and black emerged. Spikes pointed in all directions along the hull of the massive ship as it cleared the portal. Black metal with gray edges gleamed in the light as comets rained down from high above. The ship was the size of the city, floating a hundred feet above the citadel.

  “We are the Xull,” boomed from the ship, “We are here to provide protection and assistance to the people of Valis. Prepare to be extracted to safety.”

  Lily raised a fist to the air and shouted.

  Comets fell from the sky, burning toward the giant ship and the city below it. Missile hatches opened by the hundreds and giant plasma cannons rose up and came to bear. Power hummed along the gigantic ship before plasma cannons roared to life, followed by salvos of missiles firing into the sky. Plasma streams struck comets and shattered them to pieces as missiles targeted large chunks and rammed into them. The sky lit up in a cacophony of light and explosions.

  Under the ship, bay doors opened as a dozen battle suits moved to the edge. Each one was similar save for the metal animal heads. A battle suit with a fox head looked down.

  “Secure the area and make room for the drop ships,” Wynn commanded.

  Two power suits with ram’s heads high-fived each other. Others with tiger, panther and cat heads hefted up large plasma rifles. Wynn gave a nod before stepping off the edge and falling. The others followed, stepping off and falling toward the fighting in the streets. Behind them in the bays, drop ships hummed to life.

  Wynn watched as she free-fell, a symphony of light played out below. Shadows moved like worms against the angels, both sides fighting at point blank range. The fox gave the command and her thruster pack flared. Controlling her descent, targeting scanners picked up shadows and she aimed. Pulling the trigger, plasma bolts rained down, adding to the fighting as bodies turned and slowed their landing.

  Metal legs bent when they hit the street. Joints whirled as the power suits moved to the edge, towering over angels by several feet and blasting into the tide of shadows without mercy. Shadows screeched before plasma death silenced them.

  “Don’t give them an inch,” Wynn commanded as she held back the trigger, plasma light flashing against her black visor.

  Above, several large spikes from the ship blasted out in four directions. They soared down until they were right above the buildings and exploded. Oval pieces fell from the sky before lines of light ran along them. Sections of the oval pieces separated and expanded until sentries fell into the river of shadows from all sides. Sentries pulled rifles from the side of their legs and fired into the crowds. Simple digital eyes took in the scene as they landed and blasted at shadows. Light sparked as some sentries had their limbs torn off the moment they landed while others drilled plasma holes in everything around them.

  In the distance, Umus continued his relentless assault on the Elder Thing. The god slammed his shoulder into the monster’s massive chest but it barely moved. The monster’s alien eyes looked to the floating ship above the citadel and stepped forward, a long arm reaching out to rip it from the sky. Several plasma cannons aimed at the giant abomination and fired. Umus shouted with glee as he joined the hailstorm of plasma bolts striking the Elder Thing.

  Dawn and Night fired down a thin street, blasting anything that moved when something moved above. Dawn glanced up to see a shadow crawling along the wall and launching toward her. The elf lifted her plasma rifle and shot into it. The moment it was on her, a staff flashed forward and slammed into the shadow’s misshapen face. Night turned her attention to the shadow and blasted it with lightning as Lily moved to Dawn’s side.

  “Thanks,” Dawn said as she fired into the shadows.

  “Don’t mention it,” Lily shouted. “Xull is providing defense and rescue. We have to pull back.”

  “We have to find Victor,” Night said before whispering a word of power and blasting another shadow.

  Dawn touched her glasses as Lily called on her soul compass ability. The elf’s glasses shined for a moment, the shadows and walls bleeding away. The mystical glasses saw through ghostly walls until she spotted a few streets away a giant mammoth and Victor fighting Draygon.

  “He’s in that direction,” Dawn and Lily said at the same time.

  Night nodded. “I’ll get us closer.”

  ***

  The mammoth roared as it charged,
Victor at its side. The Blade fired the remaining rounds from his gun blade, Draygon laughing as his body shuddered from each strike. Chill and Victor’s father swirled, tearing at each other while the mammoth reared up, ready to stomp the Elder Spawn to dust.

  “It’s over,” Draygon chuckled as he opened his hand and darkness blasted out.

  The mammoth roared before darkness stabbed into its underside as it reared up. The prehistoric beast’s eyes widened before it was lifted up and crashed into a nearby building. The ground shook as the structure crumbled, a final whimper falling from the majestic beast before it slumped.

  Victor’s eyes blazed as he charged his gun blade again. Charging, he blasted at the spawn until he was within several feet. Draygon’s hand flashed out, slapping energy bolts away. Victor leapt with gun blade in hand and sliced downward.

  Draygon parried the sword with his forearm and simply stared at Vala’s Champion. “This is getting sad.”

  The spawn’s hand whipped away, the shockwave blasted away the last pieces of Victor’s armor and his body crashing into a wall, cracking it. The gun blade fell with a clatter as Victor slumped down from the wall. Warmth leaked from the back of his head as pain and confusion rippled. Darkness flashed repeatedly as the Champion fought to stay awake. Draygon laughed as Chill was knocked down, Victor’s father ripping him to shreds.

  “No…,” Victor said weakly before he saw a flash.

  An elf with long black hair and wearing a dark robe stood with her arms out. Lily and Dawn were before her. Eyes glanced around, seeing the fallen Victor and then turning to Draygon as his mouth moved but no words came out. The silence seemed to only grow as Victor fought to stay awake. Lily, Dawn, and Night launched at the crazed spawn, plasma bolts, lightning, and a staff crashing down on the laughing monster.

  “Girls…I’m…coming…to…help,” Victor thought he said, but even he didn’t hear his own words.

  Darkness closed in and then there was nothing.

  Eyes opening, Victor stood in a forest clearing. A shimmering pool glowed in the moonlight as Vala stood to the side, darkness covering her eyes. The goddess was still as a statue in graveyard.

  Victor stepped toward the goddess; eyes wide. “I have to get back into the fight!”

  “Valis is lost,” Vala whispered. “I can see the branches of fate and they all show the realm dying. I have brought you here to ask you to retreat so you may fight another day.”

  Victor shook his head, “I can’t. I won’t.”

  “Victor, I can feel the chains of control slipping away from your spirit. Do not let Draygon destroy your light.”

  “Everyone I love is fighting for their lives. I can’t…,” Victor trailed off when heat surged into his heart.

  Vala’s head bowed. “An acolyte from Valis has died. Her divine orb has joined you and I am closer to life. I take no solace in what transpires, but you must retreat for the benefit of others.”

  The Blade’s eyes widened as he felt another surge of warmth, followed by another. “They’re dying! I have to get back into the fight! I must…”

  A vibration ran along Victor’s spine and a familiar feeling latched onto him once again. A faint memory of his previous fight with Draygon glowed in his mind’s eye. A tingling he now understood washed over his soul with knowledge.

  “I understand,” Victor said in a low voice.

  A tear streaked down Vala’s pale white cheek. “Death whispers.”

  Victor looked to the goddess. “I’m sorry. Please forgive me.”

  ***

  Drop ships floated down as several areas cleared of citizens. The black ships landed and doors slid open. Sentries beckoned people in while other sentries jumped out and fired at shadows crawling across the side of buildings. Battle suits fired with impunity as angels helped citizens to board the ships.

  Astor stepped back, one foot at a time while she cranked the Gatling rifle. Portia gave commands as dragons swooped down and blasted shadows to dust. The Slinger sprayed mana bullets in wide arcs, her face blank and her heart made of stone. The roar of plasma and energy fire blanketed the area as many stepped onto ships. Above them, the Xull warship continued to fire at the incoming comets as missiles blazed into the sky.

  Shyryth turned in the air to make another pass when her keen eyes caught shadows surging. The red dragon’s eyes widened as the shadows pressed hard, their bodies blown apart by the Slinger’s rifle. Astor stopped spraying, concentrating fire at the incoming shadows when the rifle clanked and the cylinders grinded to a halt. Shyryth turned and barreled down, fire leaking from the sides of her mouth as her heart screamed.

  Astor dropped the rifle, hands moving on automatic. A flood of shadows bore down on the Slinger as she drew her pistols and pulled triggers. Shadows screeched as magical bullets blasted through them. The Slinger didn’t make a sound as the shadows rushed her instantly.

  Blood flashed as Astor grunted and stepped back. Razor sharp darkness slashed at her as she shot through shadows. When one died, two more crashed into her. Like feral monsters they clawed at her, but the Slinger fired until her rune-covered pistols clicked empty.

  Shyryth landed with a thunderous boom, fire and wings filling the area. Clawed hands grabbed at shadows and threw them into walls while angels shot at them. Tears streaked dragon scales as Shyryth pulled the last of the shadows off Astor and burned them to ash. Body shifting, she shrunk down to human size as angels fired into the wall of shadows. Scaled arms grabbed at the fallen Slinger and held her close.

  “Astor…,” the red dragon woman cried.

  The Slinger opened her eyes, kindness touching the edges. “I’m happy the last person I see is you.”

  “Lily can heal you. We have to find her,” Shyryth cried.

  “No…it’s over for me. I need you to do one last…thing…before I go…”

  “Anything,” Shyryth sobbed.

  “Tell Victor…to find…Dorian…Reins. Do that…for me,” Astor smiled.

  “I will,” Shyryth said through the tears.

  Several dragons landed around the dragon and Slinger. Vindrel, Izy, and Mildra blasted the shadows, their hearts aching for their dragon sister.

  “See you in the next life…,” Astor whispered before her eyes closed.

  Shyryth clutched her friend close, heat leaving Astor’s body and the dragon’s sobbing lost to the sounds of plasma fire.

  ***

  Victor’s eyes opened as pain writhed along his senses. Spending a point of Constitution, nano-drones began repairing his broken body. The process was slow as he called up his stats.

  Victor Hobbs

  Acolytes Unlocked- 45/77

  Divine Orbs- 3

  Powers to Unlock-0

  Spheres of Influence

  Str (Gaia)- 15/1

  Con (Nano)- 11/1

  Int (Abyss)- 3

  Will (Holy)- 6/4

  Wis (Mind)- 10

  Cha (Shadow)- 3

  Swords

  Iron Sword

  Elemental Sword

  Gun Blade

  Bone Sword

  Cursed Blade

  Strength and Constitution nearly used up; he knew he couldn’t last long in a fist to fist match. Eyes looking up, he watched as Dawn, Night, and Lily fought the spawn. Draygon lashed out while the three women kept him at bay. Night fired lightning bolts while Dawn sidestepped, firing plasma bolts. Lily was close, her body moving like a dancer, her staff connecting but doing little damage. Off to the side, Chill’s glowing blue eyes widened as Victor’s father slashed at him.

  Feeling returned to Victor’s muscles. The Blade slowly stood up and stumbled before catching himself. Struggling, he moved slowly toward the fighting.

  “Draygon,” the Blade shouted.

  Draygon’s eyes slid to the side, the sight of Victor hobbling toward them. “Still have some fight in you.”

  Lily brought her staff down and before it connected, Draygon’s hand blurred up and caught it. The succubus struggle
d until the spawn lifted her up and threw her. Night gasped as she opened her arms to catch the demoness. Lily hit her hard, the two falling to the street in a tumble.

  Dawn advanced, finger firmly on the trigger. Draygon blocked each bolt with his forearm as he grinned. The elf moved with determination as she closed the distance. Victor pushed himself to walk faster.

  “Dawn, get back,” Victor shouted.

  The elf ignored him until she was right on top of the spawn. Draygon’s fist flashed out, hitting the plasma rifle and shattering it. Dawn didn’t slow down as she leapt at the monster and clamped her legs around his waist. Draygon backhanded wide, but the elf let her torso fall back while holding herself around the spawn’s waist. The fist swung inches from her face and when it cleared, she snapped up onto the spawn like a viper. Draygon’s brow rose up as the elf grabbed his head and pressed her lips to his.

  The spawn’s eyes widened before they half closed. Dawn pulled back with a wicked smile until pain shattered her soul. Victor watched as Dawn whimpered, a black blade sunk deep into her side.

  The elf turned her gaze to Victor. “Kick his ass,” she said as she fell away.

  Victor’s heart took on jagged edges as a fire roared into a blaze. Spending ten points of Wisdom, the Blade’s hand lashed out with his Unseen Hand ability. Dawn was pulled from Draygon with an invisible force and placed by Night and Lily. The elf with dark hair grabbed at Dawn as she struggled to breath, blood soaking her clothes.

  “What did she do to me,” Draygon said as his legs began to shake.

  “Night night,” Dawn seethed with an evil grin.

  Victor struck out his open hand and a force slammed into Draygon, smashing him through a wall and then another wall. The tingling in his body grew to a fevered pitch. Lily placed a hand on Dawn, energy flowing into her. Night looked up to see Victor’s body begin to heave, power surging into his body.

  “Night, take them home,” Victor growled a command.

  Lily turned her head, “I can keep fighting!”

  “I will finish this fight,” Victor said in a dark tone.

  Night held her sister as her hand touched Lily’s arm. Arcane words fell from her lips, but before the word of power could be uttered, Lily knocked the mage’s hand away. Light engulfed the sisters before they winked out of the realm. Lily stood up, staff in hand and determination in her brow.