by Troy Snyder
Alexander looked on as his friend held fast onto the giant. It became almost like a rodeo. Laughing inwardly to himself for a moment, he decided it would be best to help out. He formed two ropes like the ones he used to stop the missiles and wrapped them around the wolf’s front paws. This was as far as his plan went however and soon he too was being dragged round by the bucking wolf.
“Raixo!” Alexander yelled over the rushing wind. “I think this was a bad idea!”
“No,” Raixo yelled back. “I’m almost there, his face in almost within punching range!”
Alexander knew his friend’s stubbornness and determination could only be matched by his own. With a growl of his own he yanked on the taunt cords and managed to bring himself steady lying flat on his back on the ground. Before the wolf could pull him back up instinct kicked in, amethyst energy shot from his boots launching him forward yanking the wolf’s paws out from under it.
With the bucking out of the picture Raixo easily managed the rest of the distance to the wolf’s head. Another leap into the air landed him on the snout of the menacing creature. Balling his meaty green fist, he slammed it with all his might into the wolf’s glaring eye.
Alexander released the ropes before the beast could jolt like he knew it would. As he did another howl of pain shot through the area. The wolf reared backwards sending Raixo flying into the air and landing on his back side next to Alexander.
“Told you I’d punch it in the face,” Raixo said with a grin as he stood and rubbed his backside.
“Looks like you just pissed it off more,” As Alexander spoke the beast collected itself and was beginning to circle them. “What’s the plan now?”
“I got nothing. I was hoping while I did that you’d think of something. I was just having some fun. From the looks of this thing though, it doesn’t look like we’ll make it back to the ship without being mauled.”
“As much as I wish to have more people at my side, I’m at least glad I got you. Makes you an honorary Demon Boy.”
“That means a lot my friend. More than you know. Let’s show this fenrir who is boss.”
Alexander opened his mouth to reply but the wolf saw an opening in their distracted conversation and lunged forward. The two men dodged the oncoming attack splitting up again to give them a bigger advantage.
After his roll to avoid the behemoth Alexander noticed he was close to the glacier they had been taking the ice from. Looking up he saw their chance at victory. A piercing whistle grabbed the attention of Raixo and he pointed upward. Raixo saw what he meant and nodded, but it meant one of them was to be bait and, seeing as he was in a better position for it, it would be him… again.
Attempting the whip again, Alexander sent it at the wolf with another crack, but this time the wolf was intent on its target. Instincts and feral ability allowed the wolf to feel his prey’s energy wavering.
“A warrior can hold a simple construct like an axe and shield for hours,” Alexander remembered his mentor Athils saying. “But constantly changing or making complex things will take a toll on the mind and body. This will leech your energy very quickly. Couple that with fighting, it’s like you flushed all your energy away. Best to keep it simple, weapon and shield. Smash and slash.”
Alexander knew full well Raixo would be feeling the effects of energy loss too. They needed help, or to finish it quickly he mused. His attention was snapped back as Raixo let out a cry. Raixo was attempting to block swipes from gigantic paws on his shield, but even at his size and strength he wouldn’t last more than a few blows.
Thinking quickly Alexander ran over to the group of Craxi watching the battle. “Quickly, I need someone’s alcohol canteen!”
Reluctantly one of the warriors parted with his canteen and watched as Alexander ran back behind the beast. He opened the flask and the smell curled his nose. It was the strongest alcohol the Craxi made, more like antiseptic than a drink. He moved quickly stuffing a cloth into the alcohol soaking it then leaving a tail hanging out of the canteens lip. With the lighter his father had given him, never far from his side, he lit the cloth and sent it hurdling toward the beast.
It was not enough, the flames that burst from the canteen quickly dissipated one the wolf’s thick, wet fur like it was nothing, even with the burning alcohol. The wolf continued to hammer away on Raixo’s shield. Alexander moved closer and prepared to strike with his whip again, but there was no need. Finally, the smoldering hair was dry enough and caught light once more burning in a single area, small, but enough. They burnt into the meat of the wolf’s hindquarters.
A yelp escaped the beast, but it did not falter in its counter. At a blinding speed, the behemoth whirled around slamming its paw into Alexander before he could react. Alexander was sent flying back into the mountainside. Luckily, he covered his back in armor to dampen the blow, but the damage was done. Gashes seeped blood across his chest and he knew full well ribs were broken. Barely even noticing he fell to the ground in what seemed like slow motion.
As he tried to rise pain shot through his chest and arm. He saw know his left arm, the one he used to block the blow, was missing at the elbow, but strangely the was little pain. Raising his head enough he could see the beast approaching, a look of hatred on its face. The last thing he heard was the guttural roar of Raixo and the crumbling of rocks above him as his eyed faded to black.
Chapter 22:
Alexander woke in the medical bay on the Craxi ship Valhalla. A strange sense of Déjà vu overtook him at waking up in a hospital bed after a fight, but he shook it off. His vision was blurry but he could see the cup of water on the table to his left and realized he was parched. Reaching out to grab it only revealed the wrapped stump of his left arm. Visions came flooding back to him and pain shot through his chest.
Quickly he laid back and waiting for the pain to subside. As his vision began to clear he saw another figure in beside him. Arri was right by his side, she had fallen asleep with her head resting on his bed. Not being able to repress the laugh at the sight of her drooling, he went into a coughing fit.
Arri’s head shot up looking around for an enemy. She saw Alexander and tipped the stool she was on rushing to help. He eased as she held him in an upright position and sipped the water she gave to him. Then with her help he slowly laid back.
“Thanks,” Alexander said.
In response she just nodded.
“How are Raixo and the others?”
“That’s what you’re going to ask? You nearly died. You’re missing an arm. You were out for several days, but all you have to ask is how the others are?”
“I’m sorry, what’s wrong?”
“What’s wrong? You scared me half to death. When I saw them carrying you on board I almost lost it.”
“So, you do care.” He said with half a smile.
“No, I just… shut up.” With that Arri stormed off leaving Alexander alone with his thoughts.
Thoughts were quickly interrupted by Antonio tossing back the curtain and walking right in planting himself on the stool and begin eating the bread from the table.
“So, what happened after I passed out?” Alexander questioned.
“Well Raixo went nuts punching the glacier side and a giant icicle fell down straight into the wolf’s head. Apparently, it went according to plan, except you nearly dying.”
“Yeah that wasn’t supposed to happen.”
“Everyone nearly shit themselves when you were carried in. You looked like you were put through a blender.”
“Thanks for the wonderful imagery.”
“No problem, the Valkyries stabilized you when you got on board, barely. Now they were waiting for you to wake to reattach your arm and heal your wounds, something about it being easier to connect with your energy when you’re awake.”
“I see,” Alexander held out his left arm and looked at it. “It feels like it is still there.”
“Yeah, it’s called Phantom Limb, or something like that. Saw a T.V. show on it once. Anywa
y, I’ll go get the Valkyrie to come patch you up. Just in time for dinner too. Odin has been waiting for you to wake so we can have a feast of a mighty victory.”
“Alright, thanks man. Meet you up there as soon as I’m on my feet.”
After what seemed like an age of waiting, a Valkyrie entered the curtained off area dressed in an apron and carrying a glass box filled with a dark blue liquid.
“I’m guessing that’s not pudding.” Alexander said with wry smile.
“It’s a type of preservative, you could say, for limbs or body parts. It keeps them alive and strong. I’m here to heal you and reattach your arm,” the Valkyrie replied.
“I thought healing took a large amount of energy and would drain people quickly.”
“Maybe to the untrained lumbering oafs we call warriors, but to a Valkyrie it’s an easy task. We train to use our energy for healing, so it comes easier to us. Your injuries took several of us to stabilize, but with the state they are now it will take only me.”
“I guess I’ll sit here quietly then.”
As the Valkyrie set down the glass box next to the bed she began to talk casually and slipping on her braces. “Your Broushin bride-to-be seemed quite concerned about you.”
Alexander watched as the metallic liquid from the brace covered his torso. “How so?”
“When you were brought on board she never left your side. Then never stopped asking questions about your condition even when stabilized.”
“Doesn’t really sound like her,” Alexander said wincing as a sharp pain shot through his chest.
Before the Valkyrie could respond to him a popping noise came from Alexander’s chest. “It appears we missed one of your ribs, it’s back in place now.”
“I never would have guessed,” He wheezed through clenched teeth.
Laying there, Alexander could feel the gashes on his torso begin to pinch back together. He was becoming numb to the pain, but a weird sensation took over. It felt as if his own energy was being pulled out of his wounds. It must be her connecting with his energy somehow to heal him like Antonio had said.
“She does care for you and I can see you care as well. You both try not to show it, but there is something there.” The Valkyrie calmly chatted as she finally finished repairing the wounds on Alexander’s chest.
“Maybe I should try to talk to her more after this.”
The Valkyrie nodded and moved Alexander’s bed so he could sit up. She took the stump of his arm and wrapped it in the metal. “This will hurt. It is going to reopen the wound and begin repairs to ensure the limb fits properly and correctly. Also, the liquid the limb is in will enter the wound during the reattachment process. It can cause hallucinogenic effects from minor to sever in some cases. In other cases, it can cause almost a drunken stupor. So, after the limb is attached we will be monitoring you for several minutes until I can nullify the effects.” While she spoke, another Valkyrie appeared at her side.
“That’s fine, thank you for the warning.”
Alexander closed his eyes and prepared for the pain of opening the wound. It was quicker than he imagined, and less painful. The healing energy took effect right away dulling the initial shock as the wound opened.
With the other hand the Valkyrie slid the lid of the glass box back and reached in. The liquid dripped down off the limb as she drew it out. Thick dripping liquid filled the entire room with a sour stench. As she moved the limb into place the thick blue liquid dripped everywhere bringing the smell even closer to Alexander’s nose causing him to become nauseous.
After the limb was in place the Valkyrie used both hands to cover the entire limb in the liquid metal. At first there was nothing, but soon a tingling sensation appeared as if Alexander’s entire lower arm was asleep. Soon the tingling was replaced by pain as blood rushed back into the limb and feeling began to return.
Alexander pinched his face in pain and clenched his good hand into a ball. The Valkyrie worked quick to stimulate the limb and ease the pain. When she was finished the metal retreated back into her braces and she rose from her stool. Wiping the blue liquid off Alexander’s arm with a rag then picking up the glass box she left closing the curtain behind her after the second Valkyrie passed through.
Alexander looked down at his arm. He lifted the arm and clenched his fist several times experimentally, each time it sent a tingle through his arm. Laying back on his bed looking at his hand, he traced the scar that was quickly disappearing.
______________________
Arri was sitting on a bench outside the medical area for some time lost in thought. She had seen several Valkyries come and go along with Antonio and several warriors injured in training. All she could manage to do though was stare at the wall in front of her. She was mad, at herself, and that stupid human. Why did she let him see her soft side? All he did was make jokes, but the talk last night... It brought a new side to their relationship.
The pressure of someone else sitting on the bench took her attention away from her thoughts, it was Antonio. What could he want she thought.
He handed her a bag with some sort of dried meat in it. Seeing her confusion, he decided to speak. “It’s beef jerky. Something I brought from earth. You’ve been here for several hours. You need to eat something.”
“Thanks,” She said dryly. She took a small piece out and began to nibble on it.
“What’s on your mind?”
“Nothing.”
“You can lie to me if you like, but unless you’ve been secretly communicating with the wall for the past several hours there is something bothering you.”
“Alexander, that’s what.” She said testily.
“I see, you two in another argument?”
“Yes, no… I don’t know anymore. At first, I hated him. I did not want to marry him at all. We always argued and couldn’t stand to be in the same room. Then he started being nice to me at random and our talk last night...” She trailed off. “And when I saw them carrying him on board near dead… I… I just almost lost it.” Arri cupped her face in her hands.
Antonio reached over and placed a hand on her shoulder. “So, you care for him?”
“I don’t know. He’s just been sweet lately. He recently made me a necklace from random bits he found around the ship. It wasn’t anything spectacular, but it was very sweet of him to try. I yelled at him and told him I’d never wear something like that.”
“I understand. You felt like you should have been nicer, that you should have given him more of a chance.”
“Yes,” Arri said letting out a light sob. “He almost died!”
As Arri’s tears began to fall, a Valkyrie exited the medical room and headed toward them. “The healing is complete now, you may see him.”
Antonio rose from the bench and stretched his arms above his head, cracking his back in the process. Wanting to get to his food he figured he should get this over with and bring Alexander to the dining hall. “Thanks, we’ll head in.” The two of them began to enter the medical center when Antonio grabbed Arri’s arm. “I want to tell you something before we go in there. Alexander does feel for you, and he will give his entire heart to you should you let him in. However, I do have one request. If you’re not going to take this seriously, walk away. Find a way out of this contract you two are in. I will not stand to see my brother hurt. He’s brought me back from the deepest despair; I won’t see him fall into it.”
Arri put on a smile and took back her arm. She walked confidently toward the curtain which housed Alexander. Reaching it she reached out her hand gingerly to take back the screen, but her hand froze as she heard his voice.
“Hey you, yeah you out there!” Alexander called. “I hear you sneaking around all sneaky like and such. If you work for that stool I kicked earlier it was his fault. He started bad mouthing me so I tipped him over and shoved a pillow between his legs.”
His words were slurred and seemed forced, but he sounded quite amusing. Arri had to suppress a laugh rising in her throat. She
put on a deep voice and shouted back, “This is the bed from across the room. The stool told me to come kick your teeth in.”
From behind the curtain came a crashing noise of several things falling along with a dull thud. Above the other sounds came the words ‘oh shit’ from Alexander. Arri threw back the screen to see what was happening.
“FIRE!” Yelled Alexander as the curtain opened completely.
A pillow flew through the air with the force of an arm completely sheathed in the liquid metal of a brace giving it extra force. Antonio took the pillow right to the face and was sent flying backward onto the ground with a grunt.
Alexander came flying around the bed, grabbing Arri into a bear hug and spinning here around before putting her down. “Arri, my sweet! Have you seen the bed? He’s after me.” All the while he was speaking he hid behind Arri with his hands on her shoulders, looking around cautiously.
“No, I think he may have run off when he saw me coming.” It took all of her strength to stop herself from laughing.
“Thank you! My hero!” Again, he wrapped her in another hug. A groan came up from the ground and Alexander nearly jumped into Arri’s arms. “Oh, Toni. What are you doing on the ground and why did you take my pillow?”
Antonio removed the pillow from his face and sighed. “Sometimes I wonder why I put up with you.” He said as he rose from the ground.
“Perhaps you should sit down,” Arri said guiding Alexander to the bed. She traced her fingers along the where the arm had been reattached.
Alexander rubbed his temples to stave off an encroaching headache. “That stuff really messes with you,” Antonio said tossing the pillow on the bed. The Valkyrie had worked most of the liquid from his system but some had persisted.
Arri helped Alexander lay back. “You have no idea,” He said letting out a sigh of relief.
“You should have seen Arri, she was in tears before we came in.” He said with a wink.