by Erik Weir
Victor ignored her as the rubble moved in the building and Draygon stood up.
“What a waste. All of that to slow me down for a few seconds,” the spawn chuckled.
Victor stayed his ground, “It was enough time to know what I have to do.”
The Blade lifted his hand again. Draygon looked through the hole of the building and began to walk when the very structure began to creak. Glancing up, walls cracked and the entire building fell in. Victor controlled the devastation as it crashed down on the Elder Spawn. Dust flew up, but every brick and steel beam crashed down onto Draygon, forming a giant, pointed pile of rubble.
Victor let out a sigh as he calmed his heart. Senses dialed to eleven, he could feel Draygon move, clawing his way up through the debris, but it didn’t matter anymore. The Blade took hold of the key of knowledge and inserted it into his connection with Vala. The tingling in his body grew with each passing moment until he held his breath and turned the key. Spending every last point of his influence, a tether expanded and power flooded Victor’s heart and spread out into his body. Knowledge poured into his open mind, filling it with light. The illusion of control, pain, joy, and sorrow was blasted away as Victor understood what it meant to be a Champion. Energy penetrated every cell of his body as Vala’s power drowned every thought. It was all and nothing, life and death. The universe made sense and chaos taught lessons across all beings.
“So…this is what’s it is to be a god,” Victor smiled.
Chill tried to crawl away as a larger shadow clawed at his back. Light flashed and a blade of light penetrated the side of the larger shadow. Its eyes widened as it turned its misshapen face to Victor.
“I’m sorry Dad, but you’re hurting my friend,” Victor said sadly.
The shadow roared before it splintered into a thousand pieces of darkness.
Victor turned to Lily who stood with staff in hand and shock in her eyes. “Take care of Chill. I have to take out the garbage.”
Draygon burst from the rubble and looked down on Victor. The spawn’s maddening grin melted away as golden light bathed the Blade’s form. Pulling his legs free, the spawn slid down to the base, eyes drinking in the confidence rippling off Victor in waves.
“You…you did it. Now…I can consume you and ascend!”
Victor smirked. “No, now I finish what I promised.”
“Come on then,” Draygon hissed.
Victor’s body blurred forward, his fist crashing into Draygon’s cheek. The spawn’s face twisted away, eyes round from the impact and surprise. Catching himself, he ground his boots into the street, concrete flying. Victor pushed on, his fists drawing back and slamming again and again into the spawn.
Lily watched as the very air and ground shook. Draygon punched back and the air ignited in fury. Black aura blazing, the spawn struggled against Victor’s light. Fists crashed and pounded into each other as the entire island began to tremble. Victor smiled, showing all of his teeth as he grabbed Draygon and burst forward. The spawn’s back smashed through wall after wall. Draygon could barely move as his body was used as a battering ram. Victor pulled back an arm, a blade made of light appearing. He pushed the spawn through walls and buildings, stabbing with each passing second.
Draygon put his lips together to whistle when a golden fist slammed into his jaw, breaking it.
“Not a chance,” Victor grinned before halting his advance.
The two titans were on a deserted street when Victor lifted Draygon and smashed him into the middle of it. Not letting go, he lifted him up and pulled back a fist. Fingers opening, a ball of light appeared in his palm.
“Too strong…,” Draygon gurgled as black blood leaked from his mouth.
“Maybe in a few thousand years, you’ll understand the light and the dark,” Victor grinned. “But for now, remember this moment…HADOUKEN!”
Victor slammed the ball of energy into Draygon’s chest and it exploded. Draygon’s fiery body arced through the air and crashed into another building. Cracks webbed out as Draygon fell. Before he reached the street, Victor was there, violently grabbing the spawn and slamming him into the street. The entire area rumbled and several damaged buildings fell in the distance.
“How…,” Draygon gurgled as he looked to Victor in disbelief.
“Love..uh..finds a way,” Victor laughed before driving his fist into Draygon’s forehead.
A fist-size hole smashed in and darkness poured out as Draygon wailed. The debris in the area levitated up as pulse of power rippled. Victor looked down with confident eyes as Draygon screeched in agony.
“We were meant to do great things! Victor! We were meant…,” the spawn trailed off before his body cracked and shattered in black, wet chunks.
The Blade stood up, “No, this was how it was supposed to play out. Goodbye you piece of shit.”
The sounds of plasma fire and the shockwaves of power vibrated along the city.
“Time to save the realms,” Victor smiled and shot up into the air.
Columns of smoke rose into the air. The Xull warship fired into space as comets exploded. Umus tried to land a blow on the Elder Thing when its hand snapped out and backhanded him. The god flew back and stopped in midair, a hand rubbing his jaw.
“Tougher than you look,” Umus shouted before he dived back toward the abomination.
Umus readied his giant mace when a figure appeared at his side. The god looked over to Victor’s smiling face, golden body, and grin.
“Can I join you,” Victor asked.
“Of course, my lad, of course,” Umus laughed.
Umus and Victor dived down toward the giant monster. Umus lifted his mace while Victor pulled back a fist. The monster reached out to grab and crush them when their lights shot past and struck it directly on the chest. The Elder Thing stumbled back, but not before the god and Champion slammed into it again. With an odd moan from nonexistent lips filling the sky, the thing fell and crashed into part of the city, the wall and then into the ocean.
Umus stuck out his chest and cheered. “Thank you, Victor, but it’s not finished. Save my people while I teach this monster several more lessons.”
Victor nodded and flew off as Umus hefted his mace and flew down with courage in his heart.
Drop ships filled to capacity and began to float up. Many pulled back to the last remaining ships while firing at shadows. The enemy became disorganized, lashing out at everything, the streets turning into a foaming frenzy of violence. Wynn fired into groups of shadows when a light flashed and she was suddenly on a drop ship. The fox woman looked around as light flashed again and again, her team appearing aboard with confused expressions in their video feeds.
Angels, succubi, women, and dragons were all aboard the last drop ships, bewildered looks on their faces. Shyryth held Astor’s cold body in her arms, but wet eyes could not hide the shock. Drop ships lifted off and floated up to the Xull warship.
Across the city, Lily helped Chill to stand up. The shadow’s eyes sagged as he clutched at the Shield.
“We have to make it to one of the drop ships,” Lily said as she pulled him along.
The shadow let out a grunt, “Victor…is in trouble…”
Lily looked to the shadow, “What do you mean?”
Light flashed and Victor stood before them.
“Time to get you both on the ship,” the golden Champion smiled. “The portal allowing the comets to come through is closing but slowly. I’ll have to…,” Victor grunted and clutched at his chest.
Lily reached out but Victor stepped back.
“I can feel it…the strain…,” Chill said weakly.
Lily turned to Victor, “Your body is not meant to have so much power.”
Victor kept his smile, “I just need to save everyone. Hold tight.”
The Champion scooped up the demoness and shadow and launched into the air. Light streaking across the city, a drop ship’s doors were about to close when Lily and Chill appeared inside. The metal doors locked shut as man
y others looked to the succubus and shadow in surprise.
Chill fell to the floor as Lily rushed to a window. She watched as Victor streaked off.
“Victor,” Lily screamed.
Victor flew through the air, the wind caressing every glowing nerve. When he flew to the edge of the city, he watched as the Elder Thing slowly began to get up, Umus wailing on it with his mace. The god angel turned his gaze to Victor’s floating form and smiled.
“It’s okay boy, I’ll keep this monstrosity busy. Take care of our people until I return.”
“Umus I…,” Victor began before another sharp pain stabbed at his heart.
The fatherly god nodded his head, halo burning bright. “You’re running out of time. Save our people. Build from the ashes and never let them destroy your spirit!”
Umus let out a hearty laugh and dove down to the rising Elder Thing, mace glowing with celestial light.
Victor nodded before turning and looking up. The drop ships docked and the bay doors closed. Cannons continued to fire into the sky as the rain of comets continued. Beyond them, the black portal began to close. Thoughts rushed through Victor’s mind as the Xull ship’s engines burned to life. The ship began to move, blasting at the comets and firing missiles. The ship began to ascend, but now that they were moving away, the comets came roaring down.
“This is going to hurt,” Victor said as his light grew brighter.
Vala’s Champion burst forth like a small comet. Streaking into the night sky, he aimed with a fist out toward the nearest comet. Light and sound boomed as the Champion shattered the comet from the sky. Flying through the debris, he smashed into another, followed by another. Pain stabbed again, but Victor ignored it. He had to destroy them all or the realm, even the planet, may never recover. He spiraled upwards, smashing comets to dust. The power, the energy, the knowledge filled his core with such light. He never wanted it to end.
When Victor reached space, the silence cooled his spirit as the portal closed and three remaining comets fell toward him. Power leaked away as the pain grew to a point, he could not ignore it. Clutching at his chest, senses felt the Xull ship leave the atmosphere.
“I’m sorry Vala,” Victor said in his mind as he flew toward the remaining comets.
Fist out, he smashed one to dust, followed by another. The last one loomed over him and he surged toward it, the pain in his chest nearly too much. Victor faltered as the pain stabbed into his mind and radiated throughout his body. The comet smacked into him and he was knocked away so hard, his body went spiraling through space.
“No…,” he whispered in his dying mind.
The Xull ship came up from below, Victor’s body tumbling through space. The comet fell from the sky and toward Valis’ greatest city. Umus looked up as he stood on the Elder Spawn’s massive chest, wiping his brow. The brightness of the comet bathed everything in white light.
“It will all be okay,” Umus smiled as the comet struck the city.
The bay doors were open as a shield prevented the vacuum of space from sucking the people out. Portia stood, watching as a huge explosion rippled through the atmosphere, her heart heavy. Lily watched as Victor’s tumbling body floated closer to them. Wide red eyes stared as the ship moved closer and in the last moment, Victor passed through the shield and tumbled onto the cold metal bay floor.
A crowd rushed to the fallen Champion but Lily was already there, turning him onto his back and in her arms. Victor’s eyes stirred as the golden aura faded away. He focused on Lily’s face and a weak smile bloomed.
“Hey you,” he whispered.
Lily poured healing energy into him, “Don’t let go!”
“Too…late…love…you…,” Victor smiled before the light faded from his eyes.
The succubus shook her head as tears flowed, “No! Victor NO! I won’t let this happen!”
Buk knelt to Lily’s side and placed an armored hand on her shoulder. Lily’s shoulders trembled before he knocked the arm away.
“Cassandra! Bring us home,” Lily shouted to the universe.
Mist appeared around the demoness and Champion. The crowd stepped back as the two were enveloped and faded from view. Portia continued to stare down at the planet, tsunamis radiating outward as the sky filled with black smoke.
***
Hard stone touched Lily from underneath. The succubus held Victor close, putting an arm under his legs and lifting him up. The mists parted and Cassandra stood with sorrow in her eyes.
“We have to bring him back before his soul is gone,” Lily shouted.
“Take him to the springs. Get in the water,” Cassandra instructed.
Lily moved with Victor in her arms. In moments, she was by a hot spring and stepping down into it. Healing energy flowed from her arms and hands, but Victor was cold to the touch. Body sliding down into the water, Lily held him close, tears staining her lilac colored skin.
“You can’t die…I won’t let you die. I love you Victor. Please…wake up,” Lily sobbed.
Cassandra stepped to the pool’s edge, shadows covering her eyes. “Lily…”
“He…can’t…,” the succubus cried.
Lily looked up to the crescent moon. “Vala, I give my life for his! I give it all! Don’t let the man I love…die…”
Dawn, Night, and Chill moved and stood to the right and left of Cassandra. Lily wailed, Victor’s body slipping under the water. The succubus was about to let go when a fire burned bright. Hands holding Victor’s body, she spent every drop of influence and right before the last point was gone, lightning stabbed from the clear sky.
The bolt arced down and struck Lily. Energy boiled and swirled around her as she pumped every drop of life into the dead husk. The energy never stopped, Lily screaming. Victor’s body convulsed and convulsed again. Cassandra, Dawn, Night, and Chill looked down with wide eyes. The spring boiled as Lily’s screams echoed off the mountainside.
Victor’s eyes shot open and he burst from the water, taking in the deepest breath of his life. Energy dying, Lily fell forward, Victor catching her. A lock of white crawled along her raven black hair from her right temple to the end of her long hair. Victor caressed her face as she slowly blinked. Cassandra, Dawn, and Night cried as Chill gave a wide smile.
Victor held the demoness close, stroking her cheek, “Hi.”
Lily snuggled closer in the water, “Hi…yourself.”
“You didn’t give up on me,” Victor smiled.
“And I never will,” Lily said with a weak smile.
The Blade and Shield kissed while Cassandra fell to her knees, Night and Dawn hugged each other and Chill gave a small clap of his black hands.
Eighteen
Victor lifted a heavy stone and placed it off to the side. Wiping sweat from his brow, he watched the slyths and War Maidens clearing away rubble while Vonn and Yex were painting a statue of Vala. The Blade could see that Vala’s temple was starting to look better. With a little more work, the temple would be fit for worship in a few days.
Lily sauntered in with a glass of wine in each hand. Victor smiled as she handed one to him and they both drank deeply. Eyes looking up, Helana and Kelora crawled along the damaged wood and stone roof, pulling out the decayed pieces while Vindrel hovered above with new boards. The succubi threw pieces away before signaling the dragon to hover closer with the supplies.
“Where’s Shyryth,” Victor asked.
Lily’s eyes darkened. “She is still by Astor’s grave. I think she will need more time.”
“I think we all will,” Victor swirled his drink.
Lily reached out and took Victor’s free hand. Leading him outside, the demoness stared up at the black sky.
Victor took another gulp before he spoke, “Has anyone been able to commune with Vala yet?”
“We have all tried, but nothing. She hasn’t appeared or whispered in our dreams. I think…bringing you back weakened her. Cassandra said to be patient. She will return when she is strong enough.”
Vic
tor nodded. “I woke up to having more Divine Orbs.”
Lily sighed. “While you were recovering, I slipped back to the Valis Realm. I spoke with Portia. The single comet that struck the planet nearly destroyed it. She told me that the other locations faraway took serious damage and few survived. The atmosphere has turned toxic but Xull has offered to help. They will keep the ship in orbit and they are designing equipment to terraform the realm to the way it was.”
Victor raised an eyebrow, “They can do that?”
Lily nodded. “In the Xull realm, there are many planets with Xull civilizations. It may still take years, but Valis will return to what it was.”
“What about its people?”
“Some are still on the Xull ship while many more are in the Xull Realm, separated from the populace so they can recover in peace. Wynn and the others will be diplomats when they decide to interact with others in the realm,” Lily said and took a drink.
The crescent moon glowed with ethereal light as the man and succubus stared up at it.
“Kira and Skye have begun recording Vala’s stories and teachings. Cassandra has been talking their ears off, telling them everything she knows. When the town at the base of the mountain is restored, we will have books to add to the library.”
Victor reached over and curled his arm around Lily’s waist, glancing at the lock of white hair, “Are you…okay?”
Lily was silent for a moment before her lips parted. “I feel a little weaker, but I should be fine. No more dying.”
The Blade nodded. “No more dying for any of us…promise.”
Lily looked down. “We are closer to raising Vala from the dead. Vala’s enemies will grow as it draws closer.”
“One problem at a time,” Victor said as something caught his gaze from beyond the moon.
It was faint at first but soon, they began to dot the sky. Victor tapped Lily’s hip and she looked up. Smiles blooming, the Blade and Shield gazed on twinkling stars in the distance. Shining like diamonds, they covered the black sky in wondrous, dreamy light.