Legacy of Chaos

by Jackson Bale

  My---mouth---is---open---wide,---staring---at---the---sheer---devastation---that---strike---had---caused.

  Fuck!

  Shaking---my---head,---I---refocus---on---the---battle,---finding---that---the---birds,---which---are---uninjured---and---still---able---to---fly---had---completely---retreated.

  Apparently,---losing---most---of---their---number---after---one---engagement---is---not---something---they---are---used---to.

  But---then---again,---I---lost---a---couple---of---my---own---undead---due---to---the---impacts---of---the---much---larger---birds,---followed---by---gravity.

  I---frown,---noticing---that---many---of---my---bone---discs---have---lost---their---connection---to---me.

  Damn,---it---seems---that---too---much---contact---between---discs---and---living---foreign---flesh---will---immediately---destroy---my---connection.---Probably---should---have---tested---them---before.

  I---scratch---my---head---with---a---sigh---as---I---start---looking---through---the---eyes---of---my---remaining---desbats.---I---notice---that---the---volare---have---all---gone,---no---longer---circling---us.

  I---then---turn---towards---Janie’s---location---under---a---log---and---wave---my---hand,---signaling---her---that---the---battle---is---over.

  She---nods---before---standing---up---and---walking---to---me,---finally---getting---a---full---view---of---the---blood---and---dismembered---parts.

  “Are---you---ok?”---she---asks,---already---knowing---the---answer,---her---eyes---staring---at---the---grotesque---sights.

  “Yea,---it---actually---was---easier---than---I---thought.---The---birds---seem---to---have---tunnel---vision.”

  She---gives---me---a---confused---look.

  “It’s---a---term---that---means---single---focused.---They---had---no---strategy,---just---hit---fast---and---fly---away.---They---ran---into---my---discs,---aiming---for---my---undead.---They---died---for---it,---though---I---did---lose---a---couple---of---minions.”

  Janie---nods---in---understanding,---her---head---shifts---to---look---behind---me.

  “YOU---MAKE---DEATH!”---Groknak---roars---loudly.

  “Groknak,---stop---goddam---yelling.---It’s---annoying.”

  Groknak---quickly---closes---his---mouth,---eyes---staring---at---me---with---revelry---and---fear.

  Good.---He---can---be---trained.

  “Groknak,---do---you---still---want---to---fight---Zorren?”---I---ask,---pointing---at---the---[Berserker]---who---is---removing---entrails---from---his---scales.

  Groknak,---to---his---credit,---widens---his---eyes---and---quickly---shakes---his---head.

  *Chuckle*

  Heh,---so---he---saw---what---Zorren---did.---Can't---argue---with---him,---Zorren---destroyed---that---body---thoroughly.

  “Well,---Groknak,---it’s---good---you---have---a---very---high---strength---stat,---especially---since---we---have---a---lot---of---meat---to---drag---back---to---my---base.”

  The---minotaur---gives---me---a---questioning---look.

  **********************

  To---Threm,---the---job---of---making---sure---that---the---camp---is---organized---and---the---wood---is---being---cut---down---and---dragged---within---the---walls---is---actually---rather---boring.

  All---she---does---is---sit---and---watch---for---threats.---She---doesn't---even---have---to---do---anything---else---since---everyone---is---completely---and---utterly---motivated---to---work.

  Darrow---is---helping---his---men---cut---down---trees.

  Tella---is---in---the---forest,---watching---for---non-existent---threats.

  Lilly---is---standing---guard---at---the---gate,---her---subordinates---guarding---the---food---and---water.

  And---Marcia---is---having---her---group---work---with---some---of---the---wood,---cutting---them---with---sharp---crystals.

  As---for---herself,---she---has---her---group---dragging---the---trees---while---she---supervises---everything.

  Moving---her---head,---she---leans---from---the---top---of---the---wall---which---she---is---sitting---on---and---looks---down.

  ”Lilly,---any---idea---how---long---until---he---comes---back?”

  Lilly---yawns---and---looks---up,---”No---idea.”

  She---pauses,---unfolding---her---arms---and---stops---leaning---against---the---gate,---”Do---you---know---what---his---plans---are?---I---thought---we---were---going---to---fight,---but---this---is---boring.”

  To---the---boring---part,---Threm---would---have---to---agree.---As---for---the---other---questions…

  “He---wants---to---build---a---safe---place---first---before---we---start---fighting---and---gaining---levels.---He---doesn't---want---to---see---us---die.---He---needs---us---to---become---stronger---before---we---start---heading---towards---the---next---floor.”

  Lilly---nods---and---then---shrugs,---her---understanding---of---tactics---is---limited---to---combat---and---nothing---else.---She---doesn't---understand---the---needs---of---a---large---group.---Things---like---shelter,---food,---protection,---a---place---to---craft---or---sharpen---weapons.---All---of---it---is---required,---all---of---which---her---father---had---taught---her---the---importance---of.

  Sighing---and---turning---back---towards---the---forest,---she---notices---Tella,---sprinting---towards---her,---her---group---and---Darrow’s---following---behind.

  Realizing---that---something---is---wrong,---Threm---jumps---off---the---top---of---the---wall,---spinning---in---the---air---and---landing---gracefully---with---a---twirl.

  “Lilly,---get---your---people.---It---seems---we---may---have---trouble.”

  Lilly---reacts---by---jumping---to---her---feet,---a---smile---forming---on---her---face---as---she---runs---inside.

  “Report”---Threm---exclaims---as---Tella---draws---near,---taking---quick---breaths.

  “Minotaur,---a---lot---of---them.---Almost---forty.---They’re---coming---this---way.”

  Threm---lifts---an---eyebrow.

  “I---see.---Then---we---should---prepare---for---combat.---Get---your---group---behind---the---walls.”---she---orders---before---running---full---sprint---towards---the---returning---group---to---organize---Darrow’s---men.

  __________________

  The---first---of---the---Minotaurs---come---through---the---trees,---massive---hairy---things---with---large---horns---and---hooves---for---feet,---while---wearing---necklaces---and---charms---of---bone.---Many---of---them---are---sporting---some---form---of---leather---clothing---mixed---with---bone,---but---the---amount---differs---per---minotaur.

  In---their---arms,---they---have---clubs---of---bone---or---wood---but---lack---any---armor.

  “What---classes---do---they---have.---What---levels?”---she---asks---Tella---next---to---her.

  “Most---of---them---are---[Warriors]---in---their---twenties.---A---few---are---[Bashers]---of---the---same---level---while---the---big---one---is---a---level---43---[Chieftain].”

  Threm---focuses---on---the---[Chieftain],---finding---that---he---looks---a---bit---different---than---his---own---kind.---Bigger,---in---the---taller---sense,---but---also---more---muscular---as---well.---His---body---seems---to---even---have---thicker---hair---while---his---head---has---four---prongs---sticking---out---instead---of---two.---And---in---his---hands,---he---holds---a---yellowed---bone---club---the---width---of---Threm’---waist.

  She---frowns,---getting---a---feeling---that---he---will---be---the---most---difficult---to---kill.

  Even---so,---a---smile---forms---on---her---face---as---she---watches---her---kind---stand---ready,---organized---in---formation---at---the---front---of---the---gates.

  Darrow’s---group---is---in---the---front,---holding---massive---shields---of---bone---and---spears,---the---shields---locked---next---to---each---other---with---small---openings---on---the---sides---for---spears---to---flick---out---and---strike.

  Thoric---had---called---it---the---spartan---phalanx.---A---style---of---group---combat---that---protects---against---almost---all---forms---of---attack---while-
--being---able---to---deal---damage---as---well.

  Her---own---group---is---spread---on---the---walls,---waiting---to---jump---down---and---join---at---her---discretion.

  Like---an---unorganized---horde,---the---minotaur---trample---forward,---following---their---leader---who---is---in---front---of---the---pack.

  He---stops---twenty---feet---before---the---soldiers,---looking---at---them,---confused.

  The---[Chieftain]’s---own---men---stop---behind---him,---also---looking---confused.

  After---about---half---a---minute---of---staring,---the---[Chieftain]---opens---his---mouth.

  “I---AM---CHIEFTAIN---OF---HARD---ROCK.”

  Loud,---bordering---on---annoying,---the---[Chieftain]---yells,---looking---expectedly---at---the---group---in---front---of---him.

  Silence---passes---and---nothing---happens.---A---very---confused---expression,---or---at---least---that's---what---Threm---thinks---it---is,---forms---on---the---[Chieftain]’s---face.

  “Where---Chieftain?”

  And---for---the---first---time,---Threm---understands---what---just---happened,---”Darrow,---don't---engage---until---I---say---so.”

  Taking---a---deep---breath,---she---steps---forward,---Darrow---nodding---and---ordering---his---men---to---move---aside,---giving---her---enough---space---to---meet---the---[Chieftain]---in---front---of---her---people.

  The---[Chieftain]---takes---a---look---at---her,---even---more---confused.

  “I---am---Threm,---[Lieutenant]---of---the---[Hero]’s---army---and---currently---highest---ranking---individual---here.---Why---have---you---come?”

  The---[Chieftain]---blinks,---looking---down---at---the---puny---person,---and---then---immediately---starts---to---roar---with---laughter,---the---other---minotaurs---joining---in.

  It---takes---about---a---minute---before---the---laughter---subsides,---the---[Chieftain]---smiling,---”tribe---now---mine.---You---weak---chieftain.”

  At---that---point,---she---realizes---that---the---fight---might---not---be---avoidable.

  Threm---unsheathes---her---blades,---giving---the---[Chieftain]---an---annoyed---look.

  “You---want---fight?---You---small.---You---weak.”---the---minotaur---adds.

  But---Threm---ignores---his---comment,---walking---towards---the---minotaur,---her---blades---extended---at---her---sides.

  The---[Chieftain]---doesn't---move,---confused---by---what---the---puny---person---wants---to---do.---He---has---been---the---leader---of---his---tribe---for---a---long---time.---None---could---best---him---in---combat.---All---who---tried---had---failed.---Even---his---son---Groknak---who---was---stripped---and---banished---when---he---also---failed.

  Like---a---switch---flipping,---Threm---bends---her---knees,---accelerating---her---whole---body---forward,---“[Cross---Cut]”,---her---twin---blades---slashing---towards---the---[Chieftain],---aiming---for---his---throat,---cutting---through---all---of---the---fur---and---possibly---an---inch---into---the---throat.

  She---jumps---away---as---fast---as---she---had---engaged,---her---eyes---widening---in---surprise.

  That---strike---was---aimed---to---completely---remove---the---head,---not---barely---draw---blood.

  To---her---surprise,---the---[Chieftain]---scratches---his---throat,---finding---blood.---He---smiles.

  “YOU---STRONG.---I---FIGHT---NOW!”---the---[Chieftain]---yells,---showing---his---yellowed---teeth.

  Like---an---angry---bull,---he---lifts---up---his---makeshift---hammer---and---slams---it---towards---her.---His---speed,---though---surprisingly---good,---cannot---compete---with---hers.---Unfortunately,---the---weight---of---his---strikes---makes---the---ground---shake,---throwing---her---footing---off.

  But---even---so,---she---jumps---left,---right,---backwards,---moving---away---from---the---strikes---as---they---descend,---causing---the---ground---to---rumble---from---each---impact.

  From---the---corner---of---her---vision,---she---finds---that---the---other---minotaurs---are---just---watching,---not---even---moving---to---help.

  Taking---a---quick---breath,---she---dodges---forward,---beneath---the---legs,---“[Penetrating---Slice]”,---her---sword---glows,---striking---out---at---an---impressive---speed,---cutting---fur,---barely---even---getting---any---blood.

  The---[Chieftain]---moves,---his---arm---flicking---out.---She---dodges…---mostly.

  A---part---of---his---arm---hits---her---on---the---side,---slamming---her---away,---forcing---her---to---roll.

  Like---an---enraged---beast,---he---pursues,---slamming---down---his---hammer,---forcing---Threm---to---move,---to---dodge.

  As---she---does,---she---finds---her---side---hurting,---inflamed,---though---not---restricting---her---movement.---As---she---dodges,---her---thoughts---spiral---out.

  This---is---not---good.---My---blades---can---barely---cut---him.---His---fur---is---too---thick.---His---movements---are---erratic---and---fast.---His---strength---is---outrageous.---If---I---had---better---footing,---maybe---I---could---wittle---him---down.

  She---jumps---away,---barely---dodging,---the---[Chieftain]---getting---seemingly---faster---and---angrier.

  “STOP---MOVING.---NEED---SMASH,”---he---yells---angry.

  And---then---a---reminder,---a---memory---of---a---few---days---ago---comes---pouring---in.

  “Threm!---Stop---focusing---on---hitting---me.---Blade---dancing---isn't---about---killing---or---cutting.---It---is,---at---its---truest---form,---a---dance.---A---dance---of---avoidance,---of---speed.---Do---not---think---about---dodging---or---attacking.---Focus---on---the---dance,---the---rhythm---of---your---surroundings.---Focus---on---dancing---and---never---stop.---Just---move.”

  “I’m---such---an---idiot.”

  Like---a---switch---turning---on,---her---movements---change,---blades---flicking---out,---twirling,---though---she---is---still---dodging.

  Faster…---faster…

  Her---movements---become---faster,---less---erratic,---her---dodges---minimal,---starting---to---utilizing---the---shaking---ground,---improving---her---rhythm,---her---movements.

  Only---the---dance---matters.

  The---memory.---The---thought.---It---forms---in---her---mind.

  She---jumps,---moves,---twirls,---even---landing---on---top---of---the---club---sometimes,---her---blades---constantly---flicking,---twirling,---hair---and---blood---in---the---air---around---her,---untouching.

  Two---minutes…Three---minutes…---Ten.

  The---fight---continues,---the---[Chieftain]---starts---to---slow,---his---fur---covered---in---blood---while---Threm---continues---her---dance,---cutting---small---wounds,---hundreds---of---them,---bleeding---the---[Chieftain]---dry.---He---eventually---passes---out,---falling---on---the---ground,---splashing---causing---a---huge---puddle---of---blood---to---splatter…---Thoric’s---enchant---doing---work.

  And---then---she---stops,---her---breathing---hard,---swords---completely---covered---in---blood.---She---looks---down,---the---[Chieftain]---had---died,---no---longer---breathing.

  And---then---she---hears---it,---the---cheering.

  **************************

  Walking---out---of---the---forest,---I’m---greeted---with---a---very---unexpected---sight.---Close---to---forty---minotaurs---are---dragging---trees---alongside---his---[Soldiers],---their---strength---greatly---increasing---the---work---pace.

  I---turn---around,---watching---as---Groknak---struggles---to---pull---the---makeshift---sled---filled---with---corpses.---His---fur---was---completely---wet---from---sweat.

  “Is---this---ok?”---Janie---asks---beside---me,---also---noticing---the---sight.

  “Well,---it---should---be.---Seems---like---Threm---is---more---capable---than---I---thought.”

  As---I---make---my---way---to---the---camp,---I---start---ordering---my---undead,---both---new---and---old,---to---fly---inside---and---to---unload---the---meat---that---I---wasn't---able---to---put---on---the---sled.

  This---causes---the---minotaurs---to---stop---working,---quickly---yelling---‘death’-
--several---times.

  But---that---doesn't---last---long---once---the---Gejan---explain---the---situation---to---them…---and---about---me.

  “Keep---moving---Groknak!”

  Groknak,---having---stopped---to---see---his---brethren,---immediately---starts---pulling---again---at---my---behest.

  As---I---get---to---the---gates,---I---am---greeted---by---Lilly---who---eyes---me---with---a---smile---while---also---saluting---me.