Discovery at Nerwolix

by C. G. Coppola

  Rushing forward, I start to retrieve my Traxpire when Reid notices me. It only lasts a moment but that’s all the Vermix needs. In his moment of hesitation, one of the Dofinikes grabs his leg mid swing and with it, slams Reid to the ground with a loud, rippling smack.

  The world stops.

  I reach for the whip in my pocket. All I see are the two Vermix; all I can focus on is them towering over Reid’s motionless body and something inside me snaps. They must see me coming because both look up. But I don’t stop. With the handle gripped firmly, I reach back and let it fly. A loud crack permeates, snapping into the back of the Dofinike that slammed Reid to the ground. He falls to the side with an agonizing cry just as his partner leaps toward me. But I’m already bringing the whip down and this time, the razor thin edge slices him in the eyes and snout. Gripping his face with his talons, he howls and stumbles back, crashing to the dirt.

  But it’s not enough.

  Blood pumps through me, demanding retribution, demanding brutal vengeance that will satisfy this rage. There’s not enough time. If I was able, I’d take the whip to them over and over, lashing until they were a puddle of mush and bone and still the desire to hurt them wouldn’t abate. But because I don’t have the luxury of time, I swap the whip for the Traxpire and blast a fiery orange hole in each Vermix. With a final yelp, they still, their bodies lying motionless like Reid’s.

  I race for him.

  “Baby?” I whisper, dropping the gun and gripping his face in my hands as I kneel beside him. I’m fighting back tears already, praying that it’s not too late, that that sound wasn’t as bad as it seemed. “Baby?”

  He’s not moving. He’s just lying here, in my arms, and I don’t think I remember how to breathe. My chest swells with a thousand pound knot and I can’t hear anything. There are Traxpire explosions and Brulily darts flying overhead but none of it exists. Nothing matters until I know I’ll see Reid looking at me again. I suck in a deep breath and wait. Just wait. It seems like hours until his eyes slowly blink open, confusion setting in.

  “Reid?” my heart thumps, my eyes watering. “Oh God… can you hear me?”

  “Yeah,” he blinks with the same confusion as if trying to piece together how he got on the ground. “Are you okay?” he pushes himself up on his elbows. “Where are—”

  “Female kill both Dofinike,” Warze throws a hand out and jerks Reid back to his feet. My pulse skyrockets, terrified he won’t be able t o stand but Warze already has his hands on Reid’s shoulders, helping him keep balance. He has it after a moment and the Zingfinold releases him. “Kill with Vermix weapon.”

  “The Traxpire?” Reid turns to me.

  “Not at first,” I hold his face in my hands, searching his dazed eyes. “You sure you’re okay?”

  “Yeah,” he nods. “I’m fine. What’d you use?”

  “The whip.”

  Reid cocks a brow. He looks like he’s going to say something but changes his mind at the last second. “You know what happened to Jace and Booker?”

  “Other humans high in trees with Tizno.”

  “They safe?”

  Warze nods. “Want to know your location.”

  “Have them meet us down here,” Reid gestures to the surrounding pile of Vermix corpses. They’re littered a bit ahead, through the trees and up around the curve of the mountain. “We can regroup and get a better idea of where they’re looking for the Floating Ruby,” he turns to me. “And you can have Sampson let Hozfin know.”

  Warze nods and scrambles high into the trees, disappearing in seconds.

  “Are you sure you’re okay?” I ask.

  “I’m fine,” he massages his neck and then frowns, glancing to my side where the handle sticks out of my pocket. “Did you really use the whip on both Vermix?”

  I nod.

  “Why not just the Traxpire?”

  “It was the first thing in my hand and…” I darken, my blood starting to boil as the raging feeling resurfaces. “I wanted to use it on them. To hurt them like I thought they’d hurt you.”

  “Wow,” he rubs his chin, considering. “That’s uh… that’s kind of hot.”

  “Really?” I blush.

  Reid smiles with a wink. He looks behind him, at the slain Vermix bodies and I let out a deep exhale. I’m still convincing myself Reid is okay. Everything is moving so quickly, so swiftly that I don’t even have a moment to rewind and replay what’s happened. We’ve separated from Warze and the two Rogues but Reid is here. He’s alive and that’s all that matters. Leaning my head against the slight green slope, I close my eyes. I’m tired. Utterly exhausted. And we still have a long way to go.

  “Hey,” he whispers, glancing over my shoulder and then back at me. “Have you heard from Sampson?”

  I shake my head. “I’ll let him know what we’re up to.”

  “Make sure the others are okay.”

  I close my eyes and focus on the Fychu like I have been all day. Clearing my mind, I access that internal voice I’ve grown used to using.

  Sampson, we’re at the southern base of the Hylas Mountains. I’m with Reid in a safe place. We got separated from Jace and Booker but Warze left to bring them back. How are things at the city?

  A beat and then, Fallon! It’s good to hear your voice. We’ve taken control of the city again, but I fear it’s because the majority of Vermix have left to join the others at the Hylas. Everyone is safe. Are you sure you’re in a secure place? The majority of Reuzkimpart’s forces are near you.

  We’re fine for right now. The Zingfinolds have been taking out a lot of the Vermix. There are still a good amount, but not as many as earlier.

  Do not celebrate yet—I fear Reuzkimpart is bringing in even more Vermix.

  “More?” I gasp aloud.

  “What?” Reid turns to me with a frown.

  Holding up a finger, I concentrate on Sampson again. What is Hozfin planning to do?

  He’s lost some tribesmen already and that is more than he’s willing to give… I think he may go full force on this.

  What does that mean?

  Hozfin will attack from the ground and the sky.

  The sky?

  The Ludins. He’ll fly over the mountain and attack from above. He’s preparing his forces now.

  What do we do?

  Hold out for a little while longer. I suspect by the morning that the Vermix will be in full retreat. Hopefully, we will be able to capture Reuzkimpart before he can escape. Tell me, is Reid there with you?

  Right next to me.

  Please inform him that Tucker and Walker will be part of Hozfin’s aerial attack. I’ll have them focusing on the southern base of the mountains. They’ll be departing shortly.

  I’ll let him know. Have you heard from Jothkore? Does Thias want to intervene?

  At this time… no. He’s still staying silent.

  Alright.

  Please be careful, Fallon. I’ll be in touch soon.

  Same.

  I look to Reid who’s already waiting for an explanation. “Sampson says the city’s doing better but that’s because most of the Vermix have relocated here. And he thinks Reuzkimpart’s bringing in more forces and right now Thias doesn’t want to help.”

  “Fuck,” Reid rests his head back, closing his eyes. His chest rises and sinks again. Rises and sinks. “We’re about to get overrun… we can’t just sit here,” he looks at me. “What’s Hozfin’s plan?”

  “Attack from above… with the Ludins. He’s launching an aerial attack and Tucker and Walker will be part of it. They’ll be flying over here, at the southern part of the mountain.”

  “An aerial attack?” he leans forward. “Really?”

  “But I think Sampson’s staying at Zinnollo with the others.”

  “That’s good. It keeps the girls safe… and Werzo and Able,” he blinks, looking at me again. “Did he say when?”

  “Soon.”

  “What’s happening soon?” Jace asks, Booker and Warze right behind him.
r />   “Hey,” Reid clasps both Rogues on the back. “Good to see you guys. Listen, Hozfin’s planning an aerial attack.”

  “With Ludin?” Warze frowns.

  Reid nods. “Fallon says it’s happening soon.”

  “How soon?”

  “Probably now,” I step closer. “Sampson says Reuzkimpart may bring in even more forces. But he thinks with the Ludins, the Vermix will be in full retreat by morning.”

  “If Ludin attack,” Warze scratches his furry chin with a nod, “Dofinike will leave.”

  “How do you know?” I ask.

  “And if so,” Jace laughs, “why hasn’t Hozfin done it yet?”

  “Ludin difficult to control. Danger to rider as much enemy and Zingfinolds only have few trained well.”

  “Do they breathe fire or something?” Jace asks.

  “Breathe fire?” Warze raises a brow with confusion. “No. No breathe fire.”

  “Then why are they so dangerous? You said if the Ludin attack, the Vermix will leave.”

  “Ludin dangerous for talons and beak. Bite and grab and tail swing around,” Warze leans in. “No wise be near Ludin when in attack mode—very dangerous.”

  “That must be why Hozfin hasn’t wanted to use them yet,” I turn to Reid. “He probably thought they could manage without. But how,” I turn back to Warze, “do you get them in attack mode? Or are they always in it?”

  The Zingfinold shakes his head. “No. Ludin attack when hungry.”

  I wait a moment for him to go on until his meaning fully settles in. “You starve them?”

  “Brings anger and then release on enemies.”

  “I can imagine,” Jace laughs. “But how do you know they won’t attack the riders?”

  “We do no. Riders on back—far from beak and teeth. Enemy on ground—viable meat.”

  “Well shit,” Jace scratches his head. “That could get ugly.”

  “And if they’re hungry,” Reid says, “we don’t want to be anywhere near them. Alright, we’ll stick down here during the attack. You said Tucker and Walker would fly over the south side and I’d like to find the Rogue Leader if possible. Hopefully Sampson and Hozfin assume correctly—that the Vermix will be in full retreat by the morning. If not, at least a handful more will be gone.”

  “More than handful,” Warze says. “Single Ludin fly over, kill fifty in second.”

  “Well, that’ll up our odds,” I say.

  “Yeah,” Jace laughs, “unless we’re one of those fifty. And I’d rather not be.”

  “That’s why we’re staying here,” Reid says. “Right here. “Everyone still got their defenses on them? Traxpire, Brulily,” his eyes wander to me with a small smirk. “Whip?”

  I grasp the handle.

  “Good. If any Vermix approach, we take care of them—not the Ludin. I don’t want to increase our numbers and draw attention when they’re flying over. Understood?”

  We nod.

  “Come here,” Reid takes my hand, leading me away from the others. He glances back at the Rogues and Warze for a moment before focusing on me. “Listen, if any do approach, let me take care of them, okay?”

  “I can handle it.”

  “I know you can,” his mouth curves into a grin, “believe me. But for now, leave it to me. Okay?”

  “Why?”

  “I want you safe.”

  “Uh…” I stifle a laugh, “have you looked around? Do you know where we are?”

  “Exactly,” he steps closer. “We’ve been through too many close calls.”

  “Reid, I can handle myself.”

  “I know you can. But I’m not willing to take any unnecessary risks. We have Jace, Booker and Warze with us. Hopefully Tucker and…” he rolls his eyes, “Walker soon too. I want you safe and protected and if you don’t have to attack, I don’t want you to.”

  “This is war. People—”

  Reid shakes his head, gently clasping my face in his hands. “No. Not you. Anybody but you.”

  I bite my lip.

  “If we have help, let them help. I can’t get distracted thinking about your safety. Okay?” his fear and sincerity are palpable. “Please.”

  “Fine…” I begrudgingly nod. “I’ll let the others have all the fun.”

  “Thank you,” he kisses my forehead.

  “I thought you liked what I did with the whip?”

  “I do…” he blushes, squeezing the back of his neck, “…more than I should.”

  “Oh yeah?”

  “Uh…” he laughs, with a huge grin. “It—”

  “Here they come!” Jace says. “The Ludins! They’re here!”

  Chapter Twenty-Three: Ludins

  Reid whips around.

  He threads our fingers together and we race back to the others, keeping low to the side of the sloping mountain. The top of the Eckles shake, the rounded lime Yulus swinging back and forth as a large shadow flies over head, casting an impressive wingspan against the orange Traxpire explosions. Another one quickly follows, heavy gusts of wind rolling toward the mountains. A shrill cry fills the night, breaking the relative silence. After a second, the cry is echoed and the entire sky is suddenly filled with the piercing sound.

  “Must no make noise,” Warze says. “Draw Ludin near.”

  “Then how’re we going to meet up with Tucker and Walker?” I whisper.

  A quiet moment passes before Reid looks at the Zingfinold. “We’re going to need bait.”

  “But you said not to have any Vermix nearby,” Jace frowns. “I don’t want them swarming us.”

  “Well, they’re going to land around here anyway and when they do, they’ll want to feed on something… preferably not us. Warze,” he turns to him. “Do you think we can snatch a few Vermix real quick? Keep them alive so when Tucker’s Ludin lands, it can have a little snack? Suppress that hunger?”

  Warze nods. “No many, though. If too many Vermix, more Ludin land here.”

  “Got it.”

  “Come,” he jets into the darkness.

  “Stay here,” Reid turns to us. His eyes find mine. “We’ll be back shortly.” He must see that I want to say something—stop him from going—because he offers a reassuring nod. He then runs off into the black after Warze.

  Jace leans against the mountain and slouches to a seat. “Your boy’s going to just go ‘grab’ a few Vermix for bait,” he shakes his head with a laugh. “Boss is crazy.”

  Booker nods. “He’s brave.”

  “We’re all brave,” I say. “Every one of us. Reid is just a little… insane.”

  “Well he’s got Warze,” Jace shrugs. “And that motherfucker’s a killing machine.”

  I look between the two Rogues. “How many do you think they’ll bring back?”

  “Maybe two? Three?” Jace turns to Booker who offers a simple shrug. “Can’t be more than a handful. Warze said too many and it’ll draw more of them. And frankly,” he exhales, “I’m not too eager to see the one Tucker and Walker are bringing. That fight the other day was enough.”

  “I wonder how you ride them,” I muse with a glance up. “Maybe they have saddles or something?”

  “I don’t think the Zingfinolds are saddle-people.”

  A loud cry fills the sky and on instinct, we duck. Orange blasts shoot high into the darkness, illuminating the Ludins’ soaring silhouettes. Suddenly, the entire night is lit up with the bright Traxpire explosions as the giant birds screech overhead.

  “God I hope they don’t find us,” Jace inhales.

  “It’s just the three of us,” I peek past the mountainside and my heart stops. I jerk back. “Shit.”

  “What?” Both Rogues ask.

  “They’re coming—a whole swarm of Vermix. They’re rushing down the mountain.”

  More orange blasts shoot overhead as a new wail echoes in the night. I peek past the slope again, finding an entire wave of Dofinikes leaping down toward the forest base with Ludins sweeping low, snapping with their pointed black beaks. The Vermix
turn and fire Traxpires in response, lighting the darkness with the bright, blinding blasts.

  “They’re leading them right toward us.”

  “We have to move,” Jace says.

  I shake my head. “Reid said to stay here. If we leave, he won’t be able to find us again.”

  “Well we can’t stay right here,” he pokes his head out. “If the Ludins don’t find us then the Vermix will and I’m not on board with either.”

  “Then where do we go?”

  “There,” he points to the trees ahead. “We’ll hide in them until they pass. When Boss and Warze come back, we’ll spot them. Come on,” he takes my hand and with Booker on my other side, the three of us race toward the only possible shelter.

  We get there just in time because the swarm of Vermix come racing down the southernmost tip of the mountain, the large birds flying overhead. Orange blasts fire up, darkening the Ludin silhouettes which soar down and skim the ground, grasping Vermix in their pointed beaks. Shrieks fill the air, snarling and hissing and wails and the sound of Traxpires all bloom upward, creating a cacophonous soundtrack to match the horrific scene.

  One Vermix races toward the trees, seeking shelter like us, but he’s snapped in two by the Ludin’s beak. I cover my mouth, praying Reid and Warze aren’t in the middle of it. But how would I know? There’s too much movement, too many bodies running… how can I tell if they’re in there?

  Please don’t let Reid and Warze run into it. Please.

  “We should get to higher ground,” Jace reaches for one of the Yulus. “Come on.”

  Before he’s able to get a firm grip, Reid and Warze drop beside us, peering through the trees at the stampede of fleeing Vermix. The Zingfinold hoists three squirming Dofinikes over his shoulder with ease, frowning at the scene ahead. Placing a finger over his mouth, Reid looks between us. We stand, watching the Ludins soar down and snatch Vermix mid-run, some snapping the Dofinikes in two while other Ludins attempt ripping them from their pointed black beaks.

  “Jesus,” Jace whispers.

  “It’s effective,” Reid turns to Warze. “How long will this go on?”

  “Ludin stop attack when full.”

  “And they just started so… it’ll be a while,” Reid looks at me with a slight frown, something ticking away behind his eyes. “I wish there was a way you could communicate with Tucker.”