The Soul Eaters (The Thin Hex Line Book 1)

by Gwyndolyn Russell

  "How do you do that? You always said using your heart was not the solution." Yaaranam said.

  "I was taught that as well and I must say that it is wrong. I'm sorry I taught you that. I believe our hearts and souls matter more than we give them credit for. Being away from the influence of our Emperor has opened my eyes to a lot of facts that they never mention. We were taught wrong, Yaara."

  "Father, that's heresy! You mustn't speak like that!"

  "What more could they do? I am exiled under false pretenses and they wish for my head on a stake. They sent you, my own beloved daughter, holding your rank and position hostage, to bring me home to my death. There is something wrong in that. You were smart to leave."

  She tried to speak, but he stopped her.

  "We should cut to business. There are more important things to discuss." He looked to me and Fenris. "Here on this map I've marked areas I suspect the artifact may be hidden. I've also marked where I've seen the eos concentrate most of all. They seem to gather here frequently." He put his finger on a red circle on the northern coast.

  Fenris stared down at the map.

  "Do you know anything about the artifact?" I asked.

  "Unfortunately, no. The eos have whispered about its strength and value. I know they have been making plans to stop you," he pointed at Fenris, "from getting a hold of it. Everything they have been doing this last month has been to stop you at all costs. Hounding you and luring you away from the northern region."

  "I thought actions seemed...different." Fenris clicked his teeth. "It must be near. The strongest of them would guard artifact."

  "You know, that is interesting." Nostradamus said. "When those...skaginvar were chasing us, they could have easily gotten us, but they didn't. They were herding us. Weren't they?"

  "Are you saying they were using us to lure Fenris out? That must be why they attacked when they did and stayed with the truck."

  "They knew Fenris protect you." The valkyrie nodded.

  "They fucking used us."

  "They are quite intelligent." Vactubstein stated. "You can sense the artifact, yes?"

  Fenris nodded again.

  "You could lead us there."

  Fenris put a claw to the map where one of the red circles marked. I leaned in closer to see. It looked like a fjord on the northern coast.

  "That's where they like to gather." he smiled and looked at me. "With the help of your pet eos and Tunaaka we should be able to handle a fight. Tell me you have weapons."

  "Okay, first off, he's not an eos. He's a valkyrie. They are completely different."

  "Valkyrie? He looks and acts like an eos, I assumed he was."

  Fenris gave a grumble and shook his head.

  "Valkyrie created to fight eos. Protect humanity."

  "Created? I see…" he rubbed his chin. Pulling on the crimson hair of his beard.

  "Jackal!" A voice called from out of the cave. "Jackal! Fenris!"

  "Friends of yours?" Vactubstein looked at me.

  "Looks like the cavalry's finally arrived!"

  Our names were called again. I hurried out to the entrance, Fenris right behind me.

  “Jackal!” Reaper ran up to me, grabbing me by the arms. “What happened? Are you hurt? Is everyone okay? Where’s Fenris?” He looked up over my shoulder to see Fenris stepping out of the cave. “Fenris! Oh, thank God. You two are all right. Where’s Nostra and Yaara?”

  I coughed, holding up a hand to hopefully make him stop shaking me all over the place. The painkillers were finally kicking in, but it still hurt to breathe.

  “They’re coming. You’ll never believe who else we found.”

  Nostradamus was next out. Then Yaaranam.

  Reaper visibly gave a sigh of relief, his shoulders dropping. I finally looked behind him. He brought every able bodied soldier. Mjolnir was sitting up in the lead vehicle, resting against the mounted, multi-railed weapon. Ten trucks in all excluding the one we had with us, each one filled to the brim with soldiers hanging off the backs and sides.

  “Fucking hell, you brought an entire platoon.” I squeezed his shoulder.

  “You said you were going for the artifact.” Reaper shrugged. “Not gonna let you guys go in alone.”

  Fenris grumbled, lowering his head.

  Reaper frowned and grabbed his elbow to reassure him. He must have just noticed the pin on his chest.

  “They all volunteered.” He said softly. “Every single one of them is here to back you up.”

  The lights in the cracks suddenly reversed. They flowed downward. Fenris pulled his cloak to cover up his body.

  He never had help before. He was always sent into the lion’s den completely alone. Left for dead and never trusted to do anything, but kill.

  I smiled at him.

  “I told you, Fen. You’re family.”

  “Captain,” Yaaranam smiled. “I want you to meet someone.”

  “Who could that be?” He looked to where she gestured to see Vactubstein walking up, helmet tucked under his arm.

  They both stopped in place and eyed one another.

  After a few moments of silence, Vactubstein finally spoke up.

  “Reaper?” He raised a brow.

  “Dragonborn?” Reaper almost choked the name out.

  The moment he said it, it clicked in my head. No wonder I felt weird about that guy. I didn’t even recognize his armor since it had been painted black. The horns on his helmet, the claws on his feet and hands.

  “Whoa, wait. You two know each other?!” Yaaranam gasped.

  “Fucking hell, this whole time...I didn’t even recognize you.” I crossed my arms.

  “I see you became a Captain after the war?” Vactubstein smiled and stepped closer.

  “And you’ve…” Reaper looked to Yaaranam. “Been exiled. Yaaranam is your daughter?”

  “Yes, she told me a little about you. Never mentioned your name. Thank you for taking her under your wing.”

  “I have to say it’s good to see you again. I’m glad it’s under more pleasant circumstances.”

  “You two fought each other?” Yaaranam asked.

  “Yes, pup.” Vactubstein smiled at her. “We met in the field and had a wondrous battle. You certainly bested me then.”

  “Honestly thought you kicked my ass.”

  “You definitely handed it to him. Think Spectre’s been the only other one to do that to him.” I chimed in.

  “Spectre, another name I know. That was...Ah, that woman alpha hunter. Yes, she, too, was phenomenal. Is she here as well? What of your sidekick? Jackal was it?”

  Reaper gestured to me and I raised my hand.

  “Yeah, I was there to save his ass every time.”

  “Spectre...isn’t here this time.” Reaper’s head lowered.

  Vactubstein clapped his hands together. “The odds could not be better! I see you have brought your foot soldiers, too. How fortunate!”

  “Yaara, why didn’t you tell me your father was the Dragonborn?”

  “I...I didn’t think it’d be important. I didn’t exactly trust you at that time.”

  “She was still a child when they filled her mind full of hate for humans. Please, I hope you can forgive her for any hardships she may have brought.” Vactubstein stated. “I know she is...quite unprofessional.”

  “You’ll be happy to know she’s made herself a home on the Syndicate. We wouldn’t have gotten this far without her.”

  “Great! Come, we should hurry before it gets dark. I am afraid our position may be compromised here.”

  “I take it you will lead the way?” Reaper asked.

  “Yes. Allow me and Fenris to take the first position together.”

  “Oh, Yaara, check Charlie down there; brought your armor.”

  “Wow, really? Thank you, Captain!” She ran down the line of trucks.

  “Hey!” Mjolnir called, “This is a great reunion, but my finger trigger is starting to hurt!”

  “We’re leaving now.” Reaper stepped
back over to the lead vehicle to get into the passenger seat.

  Vactubstein went for his mount, and the rest of us got in my truck and skipped the line in front of Reaper. Yaaranam, once in her armor, sat down in the gunner’s seat, equipped with a much larger flamethrower. Fenris waited a few meters in front of us for Vactubstein to join him.

  Tunaaka snorted at the wolf, who snapped its teeth in reply.

  FORTY-SIX

  Fenris and Vactubstein took off at top speed right off the bat. Jackal hit the pedal hard to keep up, nearly spinning out across the gravel. Tunaaka, the geihildra, was not as fast as Fenris, nor was it as fast as the trucks. The wolf ran far ahead, becoming a dot on the horizon. It frequently stopped to keep an eye on the convoy and the surrounding area.

  Topped at only 30 miles an hour, it would take them the better part of the day to reach the fjord. By time they got there Fenris was crouched on all fours at the cliff edge. It peered down the few thousand feet to the ground below, watching the crowd of eos.

  Tunaaka, panting and huffing joined it. Vactubstein leaned over the beast's neck to better see what was happening below.

  The trucks came to a stop several meters back, with a few of the soldiers jumping out.

  Reaper and Jackal joined Fenris and Vactubstein at the edge.

  "How's it looking? Reaper asked.

  Vactubstein held up a finger to hush him.

  Silence.

  There were probably four hundred eos down there, gathered together and facing one of the stone walls that made up the fjord. There was a cavern open there with a few streams branched from the ocean fed lake flowing inside.

  For there to be so many wild animals gathered together, the silence was unbearable. A few of the eos messed with one another. These were the youngest of them; only hatchlings. The largest of the beasts, all with sharp, flesh tearing teeth had plenty of room around them since their smaller counterparts cleared out from under them. The bats from before were clung to the cliff faces, obnoxiously big heads aimed down towards the cavern.

  The skaginvar from earlier that managed to escape with its throat torn out was near the front of the line, head bowed low. They recognized the mangled face.

  Reaper had even noticed the beasts that stalled him in the woods. Alive and well among the front lines. They were sat upon a large boulder, their attention on that cave.

  "Something is speaking." Vactubstein whispered, letting his hands rest in his lap.

  Fenris dug its claws into the edge of the cliff leaning most of its frame off it. Its head tilted side to side.

  Reaper watched the wolf's ears twist and turn with each pull of the neck. It, too, was mesmerized by the unheard voice. When he looked to check on Jackal, he was also paying attention. How could he hear it, but Reaper not? A look over the shoulder showed confusion from the others waiting at the trucks. Eager to head down and slay dragons.

  We mustn't let that beast near our treasure. A disembodied voice roared. It was like a shriek through a megaphone. The kind of sound that sent chills down their spines.

  It is one valkyrie! We are many! The voice continued.

  Whoever brings me its head will receive the blessing of the Great Dragon! Eternal power, more than you could dream. You will never hunger again!

  The largest of the eos roared as loud as their lungs allowed. The entire fjord erupted in a series of hollow shrieks and howls as if the dead were rising up to wreak havoc across the world.

  "God save us." Reaper spoke in a quiet tone.

  "The great dragon? Who could that be?" Vactubstein looked to Fenris.

  The valkyrie's jaw clattered uncontrollably. Claws repeatedly dug in and out of the dirt. That black smog of khexide fell from its mouth like drool.

  Jackal was frozen in place, crouched down next to Fenris. His eyes were wide open. He couldn't believe he heard an eos talk. What did it mean by eternal power? A great dragon? Why did that name put a dagger in his spine? He doubted himself; he wouldn't be able to help at all. Not against these monsters.

  "If we find their alpha, their leader, we should be able to end the battle quickly." Vactubstein stated, looking at Reaper. "I fear they may focus your wolf friend. They want his head."

  "They've got another thing coming." Reaper said. His heart was already pounding the inside of his rib cage. He thought about the past. His previous achievements in war and the game he and Fenris played. That was the valkyrie attempting to teach him about the tactics of the eos. Vactubstein was right. The alphas were key. Prove your strength. They only listen to those that are more powerful than them.

  How powerful would a leader of so many monsters be?

  Fenris couldn't wait any longer. The mention of the great dragon made its blood boil with unchecked rage. The chains embedded in its body tightened, only angering it more through the pain.

  The wolf leaped off the edge of the cliff.

  "Fenris?!" Reaper shouted. He hurried to the edge to watch as the valkyrie seemingly sprouted a third hand far bigger than its own hand to slow its fall by scratching the stone face.

  "He is angry." Vactubstein stated. "Let him lead. We will follow him and use him as a distraction."

  "He's going in like an idiot." Reaper frowned.

  "Have faith, comrade! There is more to him than you know." He pulled the reins to turn Tunaaka. "We must hurry! You don't want to miss all the action, do you?" The geihildra took off, headed for the natural ramp down to the bottom of the fjord.

  "Liam, you all right?" Reaper asked.

  He swallowed. "Yes, sir. I...had no idea eos could talk. Fenris said they were mindless."

  "You heard it?"

  "Yeah."

  "Get your mask on. We need to go."

  They ran back to their trucks and jumped in. Jackal took the lead and followed Vactubstein down the path.

  Fenris was already on the ground. As they made their descent, they could see smaller eos flying this way and that. They couldn't see Fenris very well, but it was carving a path through the horde.

  When they got down there and near the crowd, the vehicles slowed down from max speed to about a quarter of it to let everyone, but the drivers and gunners out. Boots on the ground, the young soldiers were ready, crying out for blood as they charged head first into the rear of the horde. Vactubstein seemingly led the charge, holding his rifle over his head and roaring out. Tunaaka called as well, reared up, and charged in.

  Just as expected, the eos were heavily distracted by Fenris. They tried to surround the valkyrie. They stomped on one another. Threw each other around. They had no care for their brothers and they hardly noticed the humans. They wanted the valkyrie's head. They wanted the power that would come from it.

  The soldiers paused for a moment. What the hell were they doing here? Not a single eos so much as glanced at them. They were focused on each other, themselves, that valkyrie. The soldiers didn't exist.

  One of the soldiers, startled, opened fire. Then they all did. The eos still gave them no attention. Even when their brothers next to them fell in a hail of gunfire, no one cared.

  The trucks charged into the fray, bulldozing through the smaller monsters and dodging the feet of the larger ones. The gunner's held down their triggers lighting up the nearby creatures in projectiles and fire.

  It was too easy.

  They mowed right through fifty, or more without any turning on them.

  Explosions of bigger weapons rang through the fjord, reverberated from the cliffs. Roars of anger and challenge thundered through. Shrieks of pain and fear pierced into the stench of the air. Black smoke, presumably Fenris' khexide, fogged the field at waist height.

  Through the chaos, they could see the valkyrie leaping from one large eos to the next, giving fatal blows to the head, neck, and stomach. Limbs were ripped off. Smaller monsters and the dying were crushed under the careless weight of their betters.

  They were piling on Fenris, multiple jumping and latching onto it's back only to be torn off and thrown into the wa
iting mouths of the skaginvar, and other theropods.

  "How's it looking in there?" Reaper said into the radio.

  "Something's weird." Jackal answered. "They're ignoring us."

  "They're fighting Dragonborn," Reaper stated.

  Vactubstein, still upon Tunaaka's saddle, was in the middle of the fray. He had the reins wrapped tight around his wrist while he fired his rifle. The tamed beast had exposed spikes on its tail, the biggest of which was three feet long. It smacked the eos around, impaling them upon those spikes and throwing them off. The two were surrounded just like Fenris and fighting for their survival.

  "Yeah, something ain't right, Captain." Jackal stopped the truck.

  A sitting duck and still nothing paid them any mind. All around them were corpses.

  The ground shook, throwing some of the soldiers off balance. Then came the sound. A low growl. Thumping feet.

  Nearby valkria, the theropod eos tall enough to look a man in the eye, shrieked and ran in all directions. One, in its panic, jumped onto the hood of Jackal's truck. One look over its shoulder and it ran across the roof, right passed Yaaranam in the gunner's seat.

  "Oh, fucking Christ!" Jackal said, not realizing he still had the button held down on the radio. "Hold on!"

  He slammed the stick in reverse and stomped on the gas.

  A skaginvar, the one with the mangled face, was coming for them. It stomped towards them, tail swinging behind it. One of the guns on its side whirred to life, littering the ground in a hail of bullets moving up towards the truck.

  "Fucking shit!" Yaaranam shouted. "Is that the same bastard from before?!"

  "Yeah, and she's pissed!" He yanked on the wheel, sending the truck sharply to one side and over the corpse of an eos. Back into drive, he hit the gas again and took off with the beast on his tail.

  "What's it have against us?!" Yaaranam pulled the trigger to send a burst of flames into the monster's face.

  Jackal suddenly slammed on the brakes. They skidded to a halt. The beast kept going. No brakes of its own, it stepped right over them a few more steps before stopping and turning around.

  He took off towards the beast this time. Just as it was about to bite down on them, he gave another sharp turn, drifting off to the side. He nearly hit the driver's side against a tree.