Valen took flight as Sitra and Storn darted to either side. The mace ploughed into the beach, sand exploding in a great wave. Cole and Eliza covered their eyes, temporarily blinded. Before the last bit of sand fell to the ground, the three beasts charged with speed unfitting for creatures so large.
“Focus on the largest one!” Valen called from above the bellowing Domina.
Sitra and Storn set upon the biggest creature before it could retrieve its weapon. The hairy behemoth faltered as the two warriors collided with its chest like a pair of battering rams. They didn’t wait for it to recover from the blow, but hacked and slashed with their munisica. They moved faster than Cole could see by moonlight, but they seemed to have the upper hand. The beast howled as they carved at its flesh, showering the sand with blood and hunks of hide. The other two Domina ran around their wailing comrade, ignoring its human-like squeals, charging with single-minded determination. They appeared hell-bent on reaching Cole.
“Flash!” Lileth’s voice rang clear through the chaos. The unit responded by covering their eyes as Lileth landed in front of the Domina, arms outstretched.
Eliza clapped her hands around Cole’s eyes and ears. A painful ringing pierced his ears as harsh white light stabbed through Eliza’s fingers. When Eliza released him, he saw the three beasts bent over, covering their faces and moaning in agony. Valen shot a beam of emerald light from his hands, forming a pool of muddy, flowing sand around the two smaller Domina. He flipped his palms upwards, sending torrent of sand pummeled the two, burying them entirely within a few seconds. Lileth alighted atop the pile, smacking her hands against the side with cold murder in her eyes. Cole felt a chill in his feet as the ground beneath him started icing over, stinging his soles. Steam rose from the pile of sand beneath Lileth, accompanied by muffled cries of pain.
The largest Domina stumbled drunkenly, one leathery hand rubbing its eyes and the other blindly searching the sand for its weapon. Seizing the opportunity, Storn jumped for its neck, but the beast’s horn caught him under the arm, stopping him in mid-air. The Domina gave a curious jerk of its thick neck, confirming what the whims of battle had gifted him. A grating laughter rumbled from its chest as the beast abandoned its search, shaking its head like a dog with a rat between its jaws. Storn loosed an agonizing wail before silence took him.
Enraged, Sitra roared. She ran straight up the beast’s leg, leaving deep gouges with every step. The Domina shot a hand out, catching her around the middle, crushing and squeezing. Her face screamed in pain, though her mouth made no noise.
The Domina’s belly shook with laughter as it gripped tighter still, ignoring Sitra’s munisica, which were raking deep into its hands and forearms. A series of muffled pops sounded from her torso, and Sitra went limp.
Storn still dangled like a wet towel. A spiral of crimson blood formed in the sand at his swaying feet. The Domina slammed Sitra’s lifeless body against the ground twice before heaving her into the now glowing sand pile. It then set its eyes on Storn, nostrils flaring at the smell of his blood. It cocked its head so that the hot blood flowing from Storn’s armpit poured into its mouth. Storn awoke suddenly, flailing and searching with his feet for anything that would take some weight off the sharp horn. His bladed foot found the Domina’s face and stabbed indiscriminately. For a moment it seemed he would be free, but the beast snatched Storn’s foot, holding it in place as its own blood joined Storn’s in its maw. Pain, which seemed to be of no concern for the Domina, finally overwhelmed Storn. He sagged limply as the Domina yanked his foot, working its horn deeper with every tug. A grunting laugh shook the creature’s belly.
Cole could no longer stand by and watch. Abandoning all reason, he tightly gripped his dagger and ran for the Domina. He didn’t care what might happen to him, he couldn’t stand by and watch the monster butcher his friend. He faltered and fell as a jade disc screamed over his shoulder, missing his head by inches. Spitting out a mouthful of sand, Cole looked up to find Storn suddenly on the ground with the Domina’s severed horn. Cole glanced behind him to see Valen standing with his hands together as in prayer, another jade disc crackling to life between his palms. The momentary distraction gave Lileth time to pull Sitra from the burning sand, Passion glowing over her fingers as she tended to Sitra’s wounds. The Domina loosed a mournful bellow as its fingers searched the smooth stump of its severed horn.
“Eliza! Snap out of it!” Lileth yelled. “We need you!”
Eliza stood at the edge of the water, her face matching the Fear that Cole felt. She blinked, her eyes darting about as if she had just been woken from a daydream. She twisted, vanishing in a splash of sand before reappearing next to Sitra. Rosy light poured from her hands into Sitra, who thankfully arched her back in a deep breath.
The Domina shook its head, confusion boiling over to fury. Its Aenerian eyes snapped wide as it found the one responsible. Valen flicked one of his hands out, sending another jade disc towards the Domina. Cole dove out of the way as the disc buzzed through the space he had just occupied. The Domina snatched Storn’s squirming form off the ground, using him as a shield. Shock fell over Valen’s face. He grimaced in concentration, throwing his arms wide. The jade disc shattered into harmless flecks that trickled over Storn and the Domina.
Changing direction, the Domina thundered its way towards Cole, raising Storn over its head like a club. Cole scrambled to his feet, dropping his knife. He wasn’t going to make it, the thing was way too fast. He barely took a step before something struck him across the back. He winced, opening his eyes to see the ground shrinking below him. He twisted and found Lileth’s arms wrapped around his middle, rushing wind filling his ears. They flew higher, away from the fight. The smoldering pile of sand exploded as the two smaller Domina emerged looking entirely unharmed.
“Stay in the water,” Lileth called over the wind.
“What?” Cole cried out, or at least tried to before his stomach lurched up into his throat.
He was falling, then he was under the water again. He didn’t want to hide in the water, he wanted to help. His head bobbed above the surface and he immediately set for the shore, all weariness forgotten. Cole paused in waist-deep water, taking in the battle before him.
His unit fought with such savagery that he quickly realized why Lileth had wanted him out of the way. Storn and Sitra were back on their feet dashing about like a pair of dervishes made of Rage and claws. Lileth and Valen attacked from the sky, diving on the heads of the beasts with their immaterial wings. Besides the missing horn, none of the Domina appeared any worse. They didn’t even seem tired. The largest had recovered its mace and was swinging it in great sweeping arcs, the air humming with each miss. It was terrifyingly nimble for such a massive creature, dancing with the mace as if swinging a pillow. The unit worked in unison, never focusing on one enemy or staying in one spot for more than the blink of an eye. Valen sprayed a gout of fire directly into one of their faces while Lileth assaulted another with a volley of snapping lightning bolts. The magic surged with deadly force, but only seemed to slow the Domina momentarily. They were simply too massive.
Cole watched with bated breath, wincing whenever the Domina landed a blow, which became more frequent as the fight wore on. Eliza was now fully active in the fight, playing her role as healer. Each time someone was struck by horn or claw, she would appear from nowhere, healing light pouring from her hands before she vanished in a splash of sand. Lileth and Valen landed on the shoulders of the one-horned Domina, driving their claws as deep as they would go into the creature’s head. Their munisica had little effect, other than anchoring them to the beast’s shoulders. Unable to detach themselves, they each felt a full blow of the colossal mace. Eliza appeared in a flash, tending to their broken bodies.
After a few minutes the battle had shifted entirely. The group was no longer landing any hits, and the Domina had somehow healed from the ones they had landed. Sitra and Storn rolled and dove in an attempt to create space. Each time they dodged a mace or c
law, they found their backs facing another attack. The unit was trapped in a circle of hooves and teeth. The wicked mace whistled through the air, finding a new victim with every blow. Eliza could no longer keep up with the wounded, having to focus on defending herself instead.
The Domina slowed their attacks, ceasing them altogether as the unit wilted before them. They knew their prey was both crippled and exhausted. Now it was time to savor their meal.
Time seemed to slow for Cole as the sound of his heart throbbed in his ears. He swayed on the spot, his mind wandering. He knew where he was, but something about the scene before him was blending with a previous memory. Here he was, a mass murder about to take place before his very eyes, but part of him was no longer on the beach. He was lying in a cold puddle, watching his brother’s final moment. Joshy was so sure of himself, holding out his stupid hat as he gazed into Cole’s eyes with a knowing grin, as if he knew a secret that would make everything better.
“I know.”
“No Joshy!” Cole screamed, tearing himself from the memory. He was back on the beach, but something terrible and powerful began to thaw the Fear that chilled his limbs.
The largest Domina paused, curiosity bringing its murderous glare to Cole. The Domina lowered its mace and spoke in a language that sounded more like a hacking cough than words. One of the smaller Domina grunted in response, stalking over to Cole. As the beast drew near, Cole felt the odd power surge from somewhere deep. The Fear shrank back as something else rose to the surface, anticipating and eager. Without conscious thought, Cole found himself stepping towards the Domina. The beast paused, bemused by Cole’s change of behavior. The Domina’s fleeting confusion turned to savage pleasure as it tore into a run, bearing down on Cole with Hunger in its eyes. Cole didn’t blink or change his course. It pleased him to see the beast charging. They would meet all the sooner and would have an outlet for whatever roiled up inside him. The Domina seemed to take ages to cross the gap. Cole felt as if he were going to explode, like he was a spring coiled to its limit. To his fury, the Domina never made it to him.
Just a few paces away, the beast smashed into an invisible wall, a sickening crack sending it bouncing back on its haunches. Its limp body rose into the air, encased in a sphere of shimmering green light. The remaining Domina were similarly affected, thrashing and slipping inside their frictionless prisons. The three orbs came together, joining to form a larger sphere with all three Domina inside. It was then that Cole noticed a tall figure descending from the sky, silhouetted by Oberon’s chromatic hues.
Chiron landed softly on the beach, ignoring the three monsters’ roars of protest. He swept over towards Cole, who was now shaking in silent fury, barely able to contain himself. The power was still rising.
“Release it, Cole,” Chiron said in a voice as calm as a summer breeze.
Cole couldn’t respond. He could barely hear Chiron at all. An overwhelming destructive desire was taking hold, searing him from head to toe. He needed an outlet, to unmake, to kill.
Chiron’s voice sounded as if it were a mile away. “Release it, or it will destroy you.”
He could hold it no longer. The old Aenerian would have to do. Vision flashing red and black, he lunged at Chiron, seething fury pounding through his veins.
Cole suddenly found himself lying on his back with no memory of how he got there. Chiron leaned over him, a hand on his chest. Cole’s skin was boiling hot, as if he were just pulled from a fire. Steam rose from his clothes as he gasped for air.
Chiron smiled, taking his hand off Cole. “That’s better I think.”
Cole sat up, tearing his cloth armor off. His skin was cherry red and painful to the touch. He dove headfirst into the water, the relief immediate. He could almost hear himself sizzling under the water. Climbing back onto the beach, he saw Chiron helping the others to their feet. Cole walked around the imprisoned Domina, not daring to get too close as they wailed and thrashed against each other.
“Thank you, Master Chiron.” Storn rose to his feet, his crippled leg having just been restored.
“Think nothing of it, my dear Storn. I hope you managed to land a few hits before your leg was taken out of the fight.” Chiron then turned to an unconscious Valen, running a hand along his body, amber light beaming into the open wounds.
Valen’s eyes popped open. He sprung drunkenly to his feet and assessed the scene before him. “Wise One…” He bowed his head low.
Chiron set a steadying hand on Valen shoulder. “If I had been a bit wiser your unit would not have met such misfortune. Speaking of, you are one short by my count. Where is young Deekus?”
“Ask the Underkin.” Valen jabbed his chin at Cole.
Cole hid behind Eliza, who graciously stepped aside to reveal him. All eyes were upon him.
“What has befallen Deekus?” Chiron asked.
Cole paused as guilt coated his heart. He felt somehow responsible for Deekus’s death. “I only got three gratia stones from the sea bed, so Deekus went to the deeper waters to try for an omnistone.” He faltered, stomach churning with horror as he pictured what he thought was a tentacle coming out of the coral. “He…he got sucked into the coral. He’s gone. He’s dead.” Cole pulled at his hair, wringing salty water down over his eyes. “I should have gotten more gratia stones. I was too tired and scared to go down again. It’s my fault Deekus is dead.”
Chiron shut his eyes, turning his head as the grief stung him. Cole noticed once more the thick ropey scar that ran up Chiron’s neck. “Cole, I assure you, not one of us here would blame you for Deekus’s death. He was one of the most capable of our students, but he was young and in this case, foolhardy. This was an extreme situation, and not even I imagined that you would be the one to go for the gratia stones, let alone the omnistones. There was nothing you could have done to save him. I will ask something of the unit, however. Why was young Cole the one to go to the bottom? He is the least experienced of you and posed the greatest risk.”
Everyone dropped their eyes to the sand.
Valen stepped forth, holding his head high. “The spells required to keep one alive at such a depth were too taxing for one of us to maintain while also retrieving a stone. The Underkin is inept with all forms of magic, though his smaller frame was easier to enchant. After three stones he refused to go back for another. Deekus claimed that he could reach the omnistones by his own power, though we originally decided against it as the risk was too great. Both Deekus and the Underkin knew the risks and agreed to everything before we started. It was a good plan, and it worked well enough until the Underkin deviated from it.”
“And now, do you think that your plan was the best course of action?” Chiron asked.
“At the time it was the best we could come up with,” Valen replied, holding Chiron’s piercing gaze. “Our plan was sound. The Underkin’s actions were not.”
Chiron’s eyes sharpened, holding Valen’s for a moment longer. “I think it’s time we return to The Sill. Gather your things, and let’s not forget the gratia stones that you worked so hard for. Grieve on flight, for when we return we will discuss these events in detail.” Chiron paused as a drawn-out, whining moan came from the Domina behind him. “Ah, I almost forgot our friends here.”
Sandy cape flapping behind him, Chiron twirled and approached the imprisoned Domina. The beasts groaned in their orb, but appeared to have finally tired themselves out. Chiron opened his palms, closing his eyes as a pacified smile spread across his face. The spherical prison filled with an occlusive white smoke. Bursts of snowy lightning outlined horns and hooves, as well as the unmistakable figures of Aenerians.
“Grotton’s promises are not so sweet now, are they?” Chiron then lowered his head and clapped his palms to the sphere. “I release you.”
Cole stepped back a few paces, snatching his dagger from the sand. Surely Chiron wasn’t about to set those monsters free? Cole watched in awe as a playful barking came from the cloudy sphere, followed by what looked like three wolves that
dropped to the ground below. Each was the size of a horse and their coats were made from moss instead of fur.
“I hope next time your pride is not so easily purchased.” Chiron warned them, “Off with you now, before the others come out.”
The wolves scampered down the beach, nipping at each other’s tails. A moment later the sphere flashed as a trio of massive creatures crashed into the sand. They had horns that twisted around their stony skulls before jabbing out in front of their wrinkled snouts. Leathery skin hung loosely over bulging muscle. Their front arms were short with curved, spade-like claws. Broad hooves on their rear legs looked perfect for pushing them through any terrain. These creatures were not happy or playful like the wolves. They had a murderous air about them, arching their spiny backs as they made a line for Chiron.
“You are livid of course,” Chiron said, still smiling. “If you wait but a moment, the ones who betrayed you will be at your mercy.”
The creatures stopped, looking to one another before the largest one snorted and sat back on its hind quarters. The two smaller ones followed suit. The smoke cleared in the green orb, revealing three naked Aenerians, one man and two women. Fear painted each of their faces as they struggled to remain upright in their slippery prison. Chiron dropped his arms and the sphere vanished as they fell to the sand.
“I hoped that we would have progressed beyond Grotton’s temptations, but you three are shining examples of our darker impulses.” Chiron measured the three Aenerians with a sour look. “You disgust me.”
“Please don’t kill us!” said one of the females, dropping to her knees. The others seemed too scared to talk.
Chiron replied, “I have my flaws just like any other, but I do pride myself to say I don’t make a habit of murder, even when a situation warrants it.”
Relief flooded the woman’s face. “Thank you, Wisdom Walker. Thank you!”
Chiron ignored her. “But I cannot speak for your recently freed slaves. I wonder, do you think it murder if a creature is merely hungry? Carnivores need to kill in order to survive, it’s only natural. But I suppose one could argue that by walking away, I could be held accountable to some degree, for these hungry orrix will surely do you in.” Chiron bit his lip, shaking his head. “Ah, this moral conundrum is too twisted for my weary mind. What I will do is strip you of Grotton’s gifts and let things sort themselves out. What do you think?” Chiron asked the horned beasts beside him.
Saving The Dark Side: Book 1: The Devotion Page 28