Storm' Fury: The Shenkar War

by Seth Libby

  Liam stepped to a nearby window and undid the latch to open the shutter just enough so he could get a good view of outside. At first he saw nothing but Lykaans going about their business but soon many began to stop and look off in the same direction. A few minutes later the object of their stares soon came into view as a party of twenty Shenkar warriors came into view led by a scrawny looking Lykaan. They approached Granshianka who was standing in the center of the village in a large open area. Directly behind Granshianka were four of the warriors that had been with the party that had been present for the Korgo fight. As the Shenkar party approached, Liam was surprised to see Lykaans going to one knee as they pass, bowing their heads and averting their eyes. This continued until the Shenkar party came before Granshianka who much to Liam’s further surprise, also went to one knee.

  “I am honored by your presence within my village, Captain Grie, what brings you here?” Granshianka said, although by the tone of his voice it did not sound as if he was honored. “I also must ask why you have brought the traitor, Liel, into my presence. When he was exiled he was informed if I ever caught him within my sect again I would kill him.” he continued as he looked up to aim an icy stare at the scrawny Lykaan that had accompanied the Shenkar group.

  Captain Grie did not bother to look at Granshianka but instead looked about as if looking for something. At one point his eyes fell upon the feast hall and remained there for several long moments before he continued his gaze around the village. Finally after several long minutes he turned to speak, his voice full of disdain.

  “Do not question me or where I go! As for Liel, he is under my protection and therefore beyond your reach. I suggest you remember who your people answer to or do you not honor the champions of the games?”

  Even from where Liam stood he could see and feel the anger emanating from Granshianka as he knelt before the Shenkar Captain.

  “I honor the games because otherwise I would not be knelt before you,” Granshianka said, his voice sounding as if he was barely holding his anger in check.

  As if sensing he might be pushing the sect leader too far, Captain Grie stepped away as several Shenkar warriors moved forward.

  “Yes, you have always been a loyal sect leader. Now let us get down to business! From what I understand you have killed a Korgo beast, is this true?”

  “Yes, it happened earlier today when we were gathering Grooba fruits.”

  “Why were we not informed of this? The Korgo beast is very dangerous and we should be informed when they enter an area where they are not commonly found. In addition to this, where is our tribute of Korgo meat? You know the overlord has laid claim to a set percentage of food stuffs collected as tribute to the champion. Do I need remind you of the consequences of those to betray the wishes of the champion?”

  Granshianka continued to seethe with anger as he knelt in place before the Shenkar captain.

  “I am well aware of the requirements set down by the champion. I have already arranged to have his percentage of our food stocks delivered tomorrow. As for the Korgo beast incursion, I did not feel a need to inform the overlord as it was nowhere near an area patrolled by your people nor was it anywhere near your manufacturing zones. I figured it would just be a waste of Shenkar resources and the overlord’s time.”

  Captain Grie looked sharply at Granshianka, trying to figure out if he should accept Granshianka’s explanation.

  “See that the tribute is delivered on time and unspoiled,” Captain Grie said, seemingly accepting Granshianka’s explanation.

  “It will be done captain, as I promised.”

  Captain Grie once again looked about as if looking for something before he spoke again.

  “I also have been informed you have visitors here in your village! Who are they? I demand they be brought before me now.”

  Granshianka looked up at this point, a confused look upon his face as he looked around then to Grie.

  “Visitors? I do not know of any visitors within the village except you and your warriors.”

  “Liel has informed us that he witnessed you returning from your hunt with several humanoids in tow. He stated he had never seen these creatures before and they were definitely not of this area or world. Are you saying Liel is lying?” Captain Grie explained as he walked around, looking about for these unseen visitors.

  “Yes,” Granshianka said simply.

  Captain Gries head whipped around to look sharply at the sect leader.

  “And why would Liel do this? He knows the punishment would be great.”

  “The reward would be greater, he has longed to take control of my sect and you already know he has already attempted this before. This is the reason for his banishment from the tribe,” Granshianka calmly explained, his gaze fixed upon Liel who cowered behind the Shenkar captain.

  Before Grie could respond a small dark blur launched from the shadows of a nearby building, straight at the captain.

  Grie saw the attack at the last possible moment and reacted quickly, his hand flying up to catch the shadow in midair. Garroon growled and clawed at Captain Grie, making every attempt to get at his throat. Captain Grie simply smiled as he held Garroon aloft.

  “It seems I have caught a would-be assassin, whatever should I do with him?” Grie said aloud as he laughed to himself.

  Granshianka almost came to his feet but just barely caught himself in time. However, the motion was not missed by Grie as he looked at Granshianka.

  “Do not think to interfere with Shenkar justice! An attack against a Shenkar warrior is an attack against Overlord Viero, current champion of Lykaa or did you forget already?”

  Granshianka’s muscled tightened along his back but he held himself in check. Liam did not like where this was possibly going and knew he had to do something. Looking about he spotted what looked like a cloak, albeit slightly large, that would hide his identity completely. Grabbing the cloak, he donned it and moved to a side window. Opening the window slightly, he confirmed he would not be visible to what was transpiring out front of the building and then climbed through the window.

  January 31st, 2014 5:47pm EST

  Lykaa

  Captain Grie held the struggling Lykaan child aloft by one arm as he looked down at Granshianka. Being stationed on this planet seemed more a punishment than anything else. Lykaa was a cold desolate planet not worthy of someone of his talents. He should be part of the main battle forces, commanding a warship. He had studied all his life to be the best he could be and had attained skills in combat that far exceeded many yet here he was on Lykaa, watching over a lesser race that were not worthy of his attention. If he had any say in the matter he would exterminate the entire race and set up automated systems for the manufacturing facilities.

  He felt nothing but hatred for the Lykaans and their pathetic sense of honor. Grie did not see much in honor; it did not keep people in line. He felt that fear was the best tool to keep the lesser races in line. Lessons need to be taught because otherwise these lesser races might think they are equal to the mighty Shenkar. Judging by how Granshianka had almost reacted to the child’s attack clearly stated that another lesson needed to be taught to those that attack the Shenkar.

  “This Lykaan attacked me! He needs to know the consequences of his actions as do any that think they can put their hands upon any Shenkar warrior,” Grie said aloud to the gathered village.

  Slowly Gried began to squeeze the hand that held the small Lykaan, constricting around its small throat. The smaller Lykaan struggled now, trying to free himself as he clawed at the hand that held him. Fear shown clear upon the small Lykaan’s face, knowing his death was coming. Granshianka, seeing, this was barely able to contain himself as he watched what was transpiring. Grie wished he would react as it would give him an excuse to slaughter the entire village. This was perhaps why Granshianka did not react, he knew his actions would damn his own people.

  Grie’s thoughts were distrupted as a sharp pain shot through his head from something striking h
im there, causing him to lose his grip and drop the Lykaan child. The small Lykaan fell to the ground but did not move except to gasp loudly for air. Grie felt a trickle of blood running down the side of his face and looked down to see he had been hit by a rock. Looking around he looked for the perpetrator and saw a figure walking from the shadowed area of two buildings, directly at him and the rest of the Shenkar. The figure was covered in a cloak that hid all but two black booted feet. The cowl pulled up to only show darkness where the head should be.

  Grie did not like the look of the stranger and motioned four of his warriors to intercept him.

  January 31st, 2014 5:48pm EST

  Lykaa

  Admiral Kelvin had explained the situation to the group, explaining everyone needed to remain hidden until the Shenkar patrol left. Naturally the entire group shifted to the outer chamber to ready themselves in the event the situation turned ugly. As Callen secured his armored vest he heard Gavin speak up.

  “Where is Commander Brennan?”

  The entire group stopped what they were doing to look around, looking for the commander. The answer to that came from Sabrina who was keeping watch by one of the windows at what was transpiring outside.

  “Oh, shit!”

  “Excuse me, Lieutenant?” asked Admiral Kelvin, a look of surprise and slight amusement upon his face at hearing the young female Templar knight, who was usually so proper, suddenly swear.

  “You guys are going to want to see this,” she said as she pointed outside.

  Everyone moved to the windows and and Callen saw the source of Sabrina’s outburst.

  “Oh shit,” Admrial Kelvin groaned out as he saw a cloaked figure walking towards the Shenkar captain, four Shenkar closing to intercept.

  It was pretty easy to guess who was secluded beneath even though they could not see. Everyone’s suspicions were quickly answered as the four Shenkar closed in, two bright red plasma blades ignited from the interior of the robes.

  January 31st, 2014 5:50pm EST

  Lykaa

  Captain Grie was dumbfounded as he witnessed the plasma blades emerge from the cloaked figure. The four Shenkar warriors reacted quickly to the threat, ignited their own blades and attacked. The first Shenkar to engage the unknown warrior slashed across his body, clearly meaning to decapitate his prey but his blade only passed through air as the warrior quickly ducked under the blade, spun and came up beside the Shenkar warrior, swinging one of his own blades in a backward motion that cleanly severed the head from the Shenkar’s body. As the mystery warrior decapitated one Shenkar warrior with one blade, his other blade came up to deflect the attack of the next Shenkar warrior. The two blades sizzled against each other as the warrior kicked forward with a black foot to take the Shenkar in the midsection with such force that the Shenkar warrior was thrown backwards into the one of the two warriors that closed in from behind. Both warriors became entangled and tumbled to the ground as the mystery warrior engaged the fourth Shenkar. Again, the unknown warrior blocked the attack with one blade but as this happened, the second blade quickly shot forward to impale the Shenkar through the chest. At this point the warrior stopped and stood still, waiting for the two Shenkar warriors to untangle themselves and regain their feet.

  It seems this unknown opponent would not strike down defenseless opponents.

  “How dare you harm a Shenkar warrior?!? Who are you, I demand to know!” Grie commanded loudly.

  The figure seemed to cock his cowled head sideways for a moment before quickly making a shrugging motion that allowed the cloak to fall away to revealed the figure beneath. Captain Grie did not recognize the race beneath but he had a suspicion based on descriptions he had heard that this was a human. But this could not be? Humans were supposed to be far from Shenkar Federation territory. As Captain Grie looked as the eyes he could not help but notice the danger within because clearly this human was a very dangerous creature. But when this human spoke, his voice low and cold, a shiver ran up Grie’s back.

  “Surrender and you will live. Fight me and you die.”

  Grie could not help but take an involuntary step back before he remembered the numbers he possessed and it steeled his nerve.

  “Do you truly believe you can best the remainder of my men and I? You are severely outnumbered so it is best you surrender to me and I will give you a swift death.”

  At this point the human extinguished his blades and hooked them onto his belt. Grie could not help but wonder if the human was actually surrendering and a spark of relief flooded through him. But the relief was short lived as the human raised both hands and blue electrical fire shot forth to engulf the two warriors who had finally regained their feet and were moving toward the human. Both Shenkar warrior’s convulsed repeatedly as the electrical current racked their bodies. Pain shown clear upon the Shenkar warriors faces but neither cried out in pain, either due to determination not to scream or the inability to do so due to the electrical current surging through their bodies. Finally, the electrical attack stopped and the two Shenkar warriors slumped to the ground, smoke rising from several spots upon their dead bodies.

  Anger and fear surged through Grie at the display he had just witnessed by this human. Still it was only one human and he, himself, did possess superior numbers. Yet again as this thought passed through his mind the surperior feeling was extinguished as three more humans emerged from the building behind the first human. The humans ran forward to join the first human, igniting plasma swords of their own. The odds diminished now but the numbers were still in Grie’s favor.

  “I still outnumber you four to one. Do not feel so confident! I give you the same offer as I did your companion, surrender and I will give you a quick death!” Grie said aloud, putting as much menace into his voice as he could to hide the uncertainty that bubbled beneath.

  One of the newcomers laughed at Grie and pointed to the human who had killed the four Shenkar.

  “Tell me, have you heard of Dala Dvierik because he is the one you face!”

  Grie’s eyes widened and he took another involuntary step back without thinking. He also noticed the uncertain looks that the rest of his men shared with one another. Up until now he had thought the rumor to have been false, stories to motivate the rest of the federation into fighting with as much ferocity as possible. Could this human be the subject of those stories? From what he had heard, the display he had shown when he burned down the two Shenkar with electrical fire matched up. No matter who he was he could not allow these humans to get away. He also needed to get word to the overlord that there was human incursion into Shenkar federation territory. If humans were on Lykaa then it stands to reason they knew why the Shenkar were here as well. Grie was willing to bet the humans wanted to destroy the manufacturing facilities. This was something he could not allow, even if it meant his own death. Turning to the warrior closest to him he whispered low so no one could overhear.

  “We will engage these humans! When we do so you are to not to engage but make your way to the overlord as quickly as possible and inform him humans have been found on Lykaa. He must protect the manufacturing facilities with every warrior we have until reinforcements arrive.”

  He did not wait for the warrior to acknowledge the order but only turned back to the group of humans as he retrieved his plasma sword from his belt.

  “We are of the Shenkar federation and you are the enemy!” With that he stepped forward igniting his plasma sword, a step that took every ounce of will to follow through.

  Around him all but one Shenkar warrior stepped forward, igniting their blades as well, while the remaining Shenkar shifted backwards towards the entrance of the village.

  The scene remained tense for several moments before the Shenkar charged forward. Grie was not sure what he expected but what happened next was no where near anything he possibly would have expected. As they ran to meet the humans, the Lykaans stood as one. As quickly as they stood, they lifted their short spears and threw them.

  It happened so q
uickly Grie did not have time to call out as spears rained down into his men. Spear after spear found their marks as one after another the Shenkar fell to the ground dead. The Shenkar warriors were so surprised by the Lykaan uprising that many did not know who to attack and just stopped where they were. Lykaan’s swooped in an engaged the Shenkar in close quarter combat. The Shenkar warriors that did not react quickly enough were often ripped limb from limb by the sheer strength of multiple Lykaans. Grie cut down a Lykaan that moved to attack him and sought out the humans, looking for the source of this uprising. The human he sought was currently engaged in combat with two Lykaans and had his back to Grie. As he closed in he poised himself to strike the human through the back when a glint of light past over his vision. Looking past the human he saw the source of the light, another human male leaned out of a window of the building beyond and was aiming what looked to be a rifle at him. He saw a quick flash of light from the barrel but before his mind could process the flash his head had already snapped backwards. The bullet, punching into his forehead, through his brain and exited out the back, Grie was dead before he hit the ground.

  January 31st, 2014 6:15pm EST

  Lykaa

  Liam sidestepped as the Shenkar fell forward, dead from Liam’s plasma blade that had pierced his heart moments earlier, and looked about for other combatants. All the Shenkar lay dead or dying from the battle with the humans and Lykaans. Of the human delegation, none seemed seriously hurt, but the Lykaans had three dead and several wounded. As he surveyed the scene, Granshianka approached him.

  “I am happy to see you are unhurt although I fear you have put your people in danger by helping my friends and I,” Liam said as he approached.

  Granshianka looked around the scene of the fight for a few moments before turning back to Liam.