by Troy Snyder
"Hiding in a hole and waiting to be slaughtered is best for your people?"
Zarin's voice rose in response, "We're not war mongering buffoons like your two races! We have other concerns."
Odin stood and his chair flew backward. "ENOUGH!" His voice echoed off the walls and the room fell silent once more. "I'll disregard both of your comments in light of the situation. You are both representatives of your leaders, act like it." Both Arri and Zarin looked down shamefully and it took all Alexander had not to laugh at the comparison between them and disciplined children. Odin rested both hands flat on the table. "If the Alfar do not wish to go to war that is their right. Be warned, however, we will not come to your aid in the future. Arri, Alexander, let us leave in peace."
As the words escaped Odin's lips, screams of people lit up the room from the outside. All looked toward the door, even the scribe. No one could react before an explosion shook the ground sending chairs toppling over.
"I thought you said you were leaving in peace!" Zarin yelled in accusation.
"This is not us." Odin called back starting toward the door.
Chapter 29:
The doors to the meeting hall flew open. Acrid smoke filled the lungs of the group as they took in the sight of trees burning. All around shouts and screams of the once hidden Alfar filled the air. Confusion was everywhere as the Alfar citizens attempted to put out the blazes and gain control of the situation.
Another explosion shook the ground and tore a hole into the canopy above. "This... This can't be real..." The words of Zarin were filled with awe and fear.
Alexander's eyes were locked on the opening in the canopy. "Odin... That's a planet."
Fighter aircraft in the shape of snake heads shot by the opening with blinding speed. Moments after they passed explosions were heard in the distance.
Odin grabbed Zarin by the shoulders and shook him to his senses. "Pull it together Zarin, this is not your first battle! Gather your forces and prepare a counter attack. I need someone to escort us back to our ship and permission for the Valhalla to enter the atmosphere."
It took a moment before Zarin registered the words. Odin shook the seven-foot lean elf like he was a rag doll. "Right, yes." He called to the nearest soldier who was attempting to stomp out a small fire. "Quick, take them to their landing site while I gather the troops. Meet me back at the barracks. Odin, you have my permission for your ship to enter the atmosphere. Do not make me regret this."
The two nodded at each other before breaking off. With their speed the jungle was much thicker on the way back it seemed. Sounds of explosions could be heard all around as they group ran back to the landing area. Alexander's breath was coming in rasps and he cursed himself for growing soft.
Alexander tried to speak through gasps, "I thought you said ships were only for space warfare!"
"Well apparently Quetzalcoatl decided he did not like that unspoken rule." Odin yelled back.
The clearing was in sight when a shot exploded behind the group. Alexander heard nothing but ringing as he looked around the open field he had been flung into. Odin was already speaking to an officer near the ship, not a scratch on him. He was carrying the Alfar in his arm like a doll and yelling at one of the Valkyries they had brought with them.
Alexander was shaking off the effects of the blast as Arri ran over to him and helped him to his feet. She was shaken up from the blast but no serious injury that Alexander could see.
"We're heading back to the ship." Arri called of the cacophony.
Alexander nodded and headed toward the carrier with her, but as the reached it he stopped short to talk to Odin. "They'll be landing troops on the ground. I won't leave the Alfar."
Odin was already shaking his head. "No, the Alfar wish to fight alone. We will support them in the air, but we will not commit to a ground battle. They refused the alliance but as a show of respect I'm willing to go so far as to lend them air support for an even battle."
Alexander shoved Odin who barely budged at the push, but all the Craxi and Broushin around stopped moving at this confrontation. "Damn you and your pride! There is no 'even' fight here! That's a planet in the sky! You want an alliance with the Alfar? Get off your damn ass and show them you will aid them without reservation!"
Odin grabbed Alexander by his tunic and lifted him off the ground like he was nothing. "Do not die on me, you got that? Raixo, pick ten soldiers to stay behind with you and Alexander. The rest of you come with me! We need to get our ship in the atmosphere and our troops on the ground."
Alexander was set down and the group loaded onto the carrier with a roar for the coming fight. Arri stayed behind for a moment but said nothing. He could tell she was conflicted about wanting to stay but knew Odin would not allow the princess of the Broushin to be put into harm's way. Something should be said he though, but no words came to mind. Instead, he did what they had never done before. Wrapping Arri in his arms their lips met. She tensed at first then eased returning the kiss. It quickly broke as there was no time to spare, but true feelings had been shown and both knew on some level they needed the other. Gathering his troops quickly Alexander took off into the jungle following the highest concentration of energy he could somehow feel, he did not look back to see Arri.
Judging by the growling coming from behind him the Craxi were pumped for battle. He felt much better knowing he had Raixo by his side though. Raixo had become a good friend, a Demon Boy, and he felt a pang of fear for the others not with him. Trent returned to the ship and Antonio was somewhere out toward the island. They would be fine he convinced himself.
The group had been running for some time when the sounds of battle reached their ears. Without warning they found themselves bursting into a clearing. All around Alfar warriors were in combat with snake like men. Flashes of white energy from the Alfar clashed with the red from the snake men.
"Craxi, on me!" Alexander yelled.
From behind him Alexander heard a menacing roar from the Craxi troops. Shields and axes formed in each of their hands from their braces and they began to slam them together in a deafening cacophony. Alexander let forth his own growl as he charged the enemy.
The snake men did not know what hit them. Craxi slammed into their left flank with sheer size and strength that sent several snake men flying. Without hesitation several were cut down before they could gather a defense against the new enemy. In the distance Alexander could hear shouts from Zarin and cheers from Alfar troops at the sight of the Craxi offensive.
Alexander faced down a red and black snaked man the size of a Craxi. He knew just by the stance this warrior was not to be taken lightly. The giant snake man wielded a two-handed sword of jet black metal that radiated energy. Wind rushed above Alexander’s head as he ducked just in time to avoid it from being separated from his body.
The second swing came from Alexander's left, but he rolled right under it and around to the enemy’s flank. Before Alexander could raise to his feet to take advantage of his flanking maneuver the giant struck with blinding speed. Another swipe of the sword came at him and Alexander took it on his shield. The shield held, but the force of the strike sent him flying sidelong into the dirt and his arm went numb.
The shield fell away as Alexander rose to his feet with his left arm hanging limply at his side. All around the battle raged, but his mind was processing none of it. He couldn't think, fear gripped his mind. His throat went dry and he could not even call for aid. This giant was too much for him.
Energy from the sword threatened to overwhelm him as it was raised above the giant’s head. Alexander was on one knee and he knew he would not be able to handle the strike on the shaft of his axe. He raised his axe anyway in a desperate attempt to fend off the strike, but he knew in his heart there was no hope. This was the end for him.
A deafening clang forced Alexander's eyes open. Raixo stood above him with his shield dented by the impact of the enemy’s blade. His muscles were flexed causing the veins in them to show and his teeth were clenched in a
vicious snarl.
Raixo shoved his shield forward causing the snake man to step back. He did not give him the opportunity to recover though. Raixo moved in keeping his shield up but taking heavy swings that contained such ferocity they seemed as if they could fell a tree in one strike.
Alexander got to his feet while Raixo held off the giant. He watched as the two menacing beings faced off. Both had the same height and muscular build and both possessed the same vicious certainty they would win.
Not knowing what to do Alexander looked around. The tide was turning and the Alfar and Craxi were gaining the upper hand. Snake men began to fall back, but in his gut, Alexander knew it was not a defeated retreat, it was too orderly. He had to rally the troops into formation, but it seemed the bloodlust of the Craxi had taken hold.
"Raixo!" Alexander called trying to fight the growing pain in his arm. "Raixo, we have to regroup!
It was obvious that no sound was reaching Raixo. He stood eye to eye with his enemy and was not going to back down unless he died or his enemy did. Alexander knew he had to intervene, they needed to regroup.
Timing was key, Alexander knew. If he was off he could get caught by a strike from either the snake man or even Raixo. A clang came as Raixo's shield took another blow from the enemy and Alexander knew he had to act at that moment. He entered the space between the two giants and with all the strength his one arm could muster slashed at the mid-section of the snake man. His small stature gave him complete advantage to slip in between.
The snake man fell back in surprise holding the gash in his stomach. Alexander could feel the warmth of blood moving down his axe to his hand. He was somewhat disappointed the wound he inflicted wasn't fatal, but it did not matter at this point.
"Raixo, snap the hell out of it! We need to regroup!" Alexander cried standing between Raixo and his target.
Raixo looked down and at first did not register the small human, but he quickly shook off his bloodlust and regained control of himself. The situation on the battlefield did indeed seem odd. The snake men were falling back, but slowly. Raixo saw the intelligence in regrouping. Unlike most of his people Raixo had noticed strategy was important in battle as well as a strong arm and an axe.
"What the hell?!" Alexander screamed as he was scooped off his feet and carried away by Raixo.
Alfar were also regrouping led by Zarin. They formed a near perfect front line of what looked like bark shields and deadly silver spears. Their plumed helmets waved in the breeze that was picking up in stark contrast to their stone like formation. Alexander was placed behind the line and Raixo ran off to gather his troops. He had to physically pull one Craxi warrior away from a fight who continued to swing as he was dragged away screaming insults at the enemy.
The gathered Craxi stood in their regular no-formation formation. They looked like a rabble compared to the tight nit group of Alfar working in perfect unison. Three Craxi had been lost in the fight and the rest bore wounds of varying degrees but all were ready for more and their eyes shown with excitement.
Alfar closest to the Craxi eyed them out of the corner of their eyes and shifted uneasily. Zarin’s Alfar had taken heavy losses and they were unsure if they would have to fight the Craxi beasts as well.
Snake men gathered in another tight nit formation around the large red and black snake man. Two sides stood opposite one another and it was obvious neither wanted to make the first move. It quickly became obvious why the enemy had fallen back and did not want to move in.
A ship flew overhead carrying an enormous crate below it. As soon as the crate was dropped and struck ground the snake men retreated into the forest with speed. Alexander's stomach clenched tightly. He knew something was coming, but he had no idea what to expect.
Noises started to come from the metallic crate. At first Alexander thought he was imagining it, but once the group of snake men was gone and silence fell, the breathing from the crate was heard by all. Breathing began to intensify and a ripple of fear went through the Alfar ranks.
"Steady!" Zarin called to his men. "Whatever comes from that crate stay together! The Alfar will see victory this day!"
Raixo saw Zarin's steadying of his men and felt inspired to say something to his own. "Craxi warriors, let's smash its face in!" The ripple of growls through the Craxi men showed it was enough to inspire them. Does not take much Alexander thought to himself.
Once again, the breathing took center stage and then the sides of the metal box began to bow under the pressure from within. Bowing but did not appear as if they were going to break. The crate began to rock as loud roars of anger and frustration came from within.
For a moment everything stopped and seemed still, after that, hell broke loose on the Alfar and Craxi. A side of the crate facing the troops flew off and the beast within came rushing out. Its face was contorted in anger. Spine like spikes protruded from its back and its one fist tightly clenched. Where the other hand would have been, was a blade that appeared to have healed into the stub itself and secured with a metallic circlet and chains. The entire creature was made of muscle and its skin looked a sickly green. Its head seemed deformed and bulbous at the top.
Immediately as the creature burst from its prison the Alfar in the rear of the formation turned and ran for the forest. They were followed by many others. Zarin attempted to rally his troops but the fear had stricken them all. The beast saw the Alfar running with livid red eyes and began a charge. Its good hand lifted the broke piece of the crate and with grace that defied a creature of such size it spun around and launched the piece into the air.
Retreating Alfar did not see the strike coming until it was too late. It came at them in a devastating spin that tore through everything in its path. Screams were quickly cut off replaced by the sound of falling trees that had been sliced down as if butter under a hot knife. The improvised throwing weapon only came to a halt after striking ground and falling end over end hitting a tree large enough to stop its already lessened momentum. No one knew how many, if any, civilians were in those trees, but if there were any they were sure to have been killed.
What seemed like an eternity while the metal piece cut down so many, was but mere seconds. The creature did not wait, it charged with a guttural growl straight for the remaining Alfar forces. Alexander was going to call out an order, but Raixo was more battle hardened and called out before him.
"Formation 3, CHARGE!" Raixo roared above everything.
Alexander attempted to keep up with the group of Craxi, but their large stride easily outpaced him. They were closer than Alexander had ever seen in a Craxi charge, this was a coordinated formation, not something the Craxi did normally. Their shields grew tall to almost the height of each person and they seemed to interlock, each axe forming into a longsword.
Craxi soldiers maneuvered themselves between the Alfar and the beast and braced themselves for impact. Before Alexander could catch up the two sides collided violently. Standing ten-feet-tall the and nearly three fourths that wide, the beast hit the shield wall with enormous force. Yet it had never come against battle hardened Craxi before. The wall held.
Swinging its blade at the Craxi, the creature roared at the Craxi shields. Four Craxi warrior broke off, two on either end of the line, and began circling the beast. This was a type of fighting that Alexander had never seen before from them. It was coordinated and seemingly well-rehearsed, not the first time fighting something like this he concluded, or at least something this size.
He reached the group as a Craxi soldier cried out in anger. The soldier had been caught in the grip of the beast’s good hand and was scooped off his feet. He was brought to the creature’s mouth kicking and screaming insults while laughing at the beast. Then with a chomp of the creatures mouth the insults stopped flowing. A headless body was thrown across the field and tumbled into the forest. Sounds of battle replaced by the sickening crunching from the monster’s mouth.
Zarin stood still in horror at the scene he just witnessed. The Craxi s
oldier was just beheaded and all he did was laugh until his demise. He could not decide if it was bravery or sheer stupidity, but he had no time to debate things. The Craxi were alone and he felt he needed to help.
Four Alfar men remained at his side, the rest had either been killed or fled into the forest. Zarin placed his two swords into the sheaths on his back and removed them and his plumed helmet. He picked up two spears of fallen comrades and began to charge into the fray.
He came within twenty yards of the fighting before coming to a halt. Only three Craxi remained along with the human, each fighting for their lives, things were going downhill fast. Zarin charged the spear in his right hand with the pure white energy and threw his whole body into the move of releasing it. With white energy glowing around it, the charged spear flew with such force and speed it whistled at it went.
Shock filled the remaining soldiers as the beast flew backward under the impact of the spear. Sticking out of its the left shoulder, the spear was nowhere near fatal. Another whistle came and the beast looked toward the offending sound. With a mighty fist the missile was struck down to the ground with such force a plume of dirt flew into the air and a crater was left in its wake.
A roar escaped the mouth of the giant and spittle was sent arching into the air. The beast charged. Time slowed. Nothing moved. Alexander could hear a voice within screaming at him. Arri? No. Someone else. Who? What? The voice slowly became clearer, his own. A whisper of himself.
‘Your energy. Use it.’ The whisper came.
‘What?’ Was all Alexander could reply.
‘You cannot die. Not yet. Use it.’
‘How?’
‘Feel.’
The whisper faded. Alexander could feel power welling inside him begging to be release. Those around looked at him afraid as time sped back up. He could not see it, but his eyes lit up with amethyst power as if there were flames seeping from him. Alexander looked at his hand, it was covered in amethyst flames as well. His skins felt nothing, but his insides burned. Muscles strained. Bones grated. The energy needed released. The beast continued its charge directly at him.