The Shattered Moon (A Divine Legacy Book 1)

by Alexander J Wilkinson

  “Rowan, are you alright?” She yelled into the storm.

  “Never better,” he panted as he came into view “Thank you.”

  “Where’s the horse?” she asked scanning the area.

  “Back there,” Rowan pointed behind him. Together they made it back to the royal steed, the poor thing lay motionless, an arrow in its neck. Shaya grabbed a red cloth bundle that was tied to the saddle, and they made their way towards the shoreline.

  ♦ ♦ ♦

  Beneath them crashed the angry waves of the vast sea, smashing against the shore, sending torrents of water splashing up into the air.

  “You only get one shot at this,” Shaya said handing Rowan the bundle and her bow.

  “No pressure,” he sighed as he unravelled the bundle. It was a thick steel arrow, a long thick rope tied to one end of it. Rowan readied the arrow aimed and waited. Shaya could see the concentration on his face, his eyes narrowed. Without warning, he let it fly. The arrow sailed through the air. Shaya squinted as it smashed into the black stone and wedged its self in the island wall. Shaya grabbed a Krarg knife from the ground and used it as a tent peg, anchoring the rope to the ground. After stamping on it a few times and tugging the line, the children decided that it was safe, or as safe as it was likely to get.

  “This is the part of your plan I hate,” Shaya said through gritted teeth, looking at the distance they had to cross.

  “Me too.”

  Shaya knew that if a Volanti had carried them, it would have been shot down if it wasn’t struck by lightning or smashed into the side of the island by the intense winds, but that didn’t mean she liked this plan any better.

  “I’ll go first then,” Rowan said reluctantly, Shaya wasn’t going to argue. Tentatively the young king grabbed hold of the rope, lashed his legs around it and dragged himself up. It didn’t take him long to get out over the water, where Shaya could see his expression turn from one of fear, to one of sheer terror. The waves roared beneath him, like a ravenous monster, hungry for anything that would fall into its maw. Shaya kept a lookout, she could still hear the battle raging on across the field, but so far, their infiltration had gone unnoticed. Wiping the rain-soaked blonde hair from her eyes, Shaya watched as Rowan reached the island. She watched him struggle off the rope and hop down onto a study surface a few feet below.

  That was one damn good shot, said the voice in her head, sounding a little bit like her uncle.

  Rowan waved her over, and the young girl’s throat suddenly went dry.

  It wasn’t until she could feel the spray from the bombarding waves below her that the ridiculousness of the plan truly sunk in. Her gloved hands were soaked and slippery, her armour was heavy and getting heavier as the rain drenched her. Stupidly she looked down and instantly regretted it. The sight of nothing but an infinite churning abyss made her go dizzy for a moment. Through the fog in her woozy mind, she kept telling herself to keep moving. The wind rocked her back and forth, up and down. The rope felt like it would give way at any moment. Determined, she pulled herself across, inch by terrifying inch. Finally, she saw Rowan below, waving her down. Thank the Goddess she had made it because it felt as if her arms were about to fall off. She let go of the rope and landed three feet down onto a patch of solid ground.

  “I’m never doing that again,” she said taking a gulp of air.

  “Agreed,” smirked Rowan.

  “Once this is over, someone can fly me off this rock, or I’ll live here forever because I’m not doing that again.” Shaya peered over the edge into the black surf.

  “Well, there’s only one way to go now,” Rowan said looking up. Shaya followed his gaze. The top of the island was roughly fifty feet above them. Luckily Shaya’s new king didn’t her swear.

  ♦ ♦ ♦

  “Greyborn,” Elle tore her blade from the Krarg’s chest and watched it slump to the floor. “Greyborn,” her voice was hoarse from shouting and from the smoke billowing from nearby fires that spat and hissed angrily as the rain poured down. She clutched her shoulder, a splattering of crimson ran down her silver armour, the pain was manageable. Her eyes darted around, all she could see was rain, bodies, flames and smoke. A typical war.

  “Benjin,” she stood on the outskirts of the battle, the fighting still raged beyond the smoke and darkness. A Volanti swooped right passed her, low to the ground, she snatched up a lance from the mud and rocketed towards the fray. An explosion of flame irrupted somewhere in the distance. Elle found it reassuring, at least a few of the Volanti scouts were still alive, for now. She heard an all mighty smash and saw two Krarg sail through the air. A pair of high-pitched screeches were cut short as they crashed to the ground. Ortuskuss was leaning on his war hammer panting heavily, he looked exhausted. Deep, ragged cuts covered his stomach, five arrows protruded from his back and side, but the great boar was still fighting.

  “Ortuskuss,” Elle shouted, her throat grating as she did.

  “Good to see you Ellesia,” said the Boaruss with a breathless grunt.

  “You’re hurt.”

  “So are you,” Ortuskuss pointed a thick finger at Elle’s shoulder.

  “It’s nothing.”

  “Where’s the king, and Benjin’s girl?”

  “Where they need to be,” Elle glanced over at the silhouette of the meteor.

  “You let them face that monster alone? Are you mad?” Ortuskuss looked furious, he stood to his full height “What have you done?”

  “What my king commanded. I don’t pretend to understand this war of Gods and monsters, but if those children believe that they can stop this, I can’t stand in their way.”

  “And little Shaya got dragged into this? What would Benjin say?”

  “He’d say he’s proud of her,” came a voice.

  Ortuskuss and Elle spun around, and through the smoke and rain walked Benjin Greyborn. His great broadsword was covered in thick black blood. He dragged it through the mud behind him. He had a deep gash above his left eye and a gouge in his breastplate. His left hand was folded under his right arm, he stumbled in the sludge as he made his way towards them. He slipped and fell to his knees.

  “Benjin,” Elle raced forward and grabbed him before he fell face down in the dirt.

  “Shaya,” he coughed “The king, did they make it?”

  “They made it.”

  “Good. Thank you.”

  “You’re wel-,” Elle suddenly froze as she looked down “Benjin your hand.”

  Where Benjin’s left hand should have been was a tattered bloodied bit of cloth wrapped tightly around a stump. It was gone, lost in the battle somewhere.

  “I wasn’t using it,” Benjin coughed a dull chuckle. “Damn lizard got lucky, I’m not as quick as I used to be.”

  Sounds of frenzied roars and shrill screeches echoed across the battlefield towards them, they were getting closer. From out of the haze came soldiers walking backwards, still fighting. They were being forced back, right towards Elle and the others.

  “The children are on their way, we have to buy them some time,” Benjin grunted.

  “Do you really believe that they can do this?” Asked Ortuskuss, picking up his hammer with a strained huff and resting it on his shoulder.

  “I do.”

  “So, do I,” Elle said sternly. “Now, on your feet soldier,” she grabbed Benjin’s bulky frame and heaved. Benjin struggled and wobbled on his quivering feet when Elle let go, but managed to keep himself upright. Elle turned and saw that there were dozens of limping, exhausted soldiers retreating towards them, followed by even more Krarg. The soldiers spotted them and rallied around the three tired warriors.

  “Report,” Elle shouted at anyone who would listen.

  “There’s too many of them, commander. We’re outnumbered,” said a Boaruss holding his ribs.

  “That’s nothing new.”

  Panicked cries echoed around them.

  “I’m out of arrows.”

  “They’re coming.”

  �
��There’s no hope.”

  “Run”.

  “Stand your ground soldiers,” Barked Elle. “Rally to me.”

  The nervous soldiers hesitantly ran over to Elle and the others. Forming a line on either side of them, and faced the coming monsters. Suddenly out of the smoke a dark shape flew out of the sky and landed hard and slid across the ground, coming to a stop just in front of Elle. She had her sword at the figures head before she realised who it was.

  “Aesal,” Elle lowered her weapon and Ortuskuss helped the Volanti to his feet. His wing looked broken, and his face was covered in soot and blood.

  “Ellesia, it’s good to see you in one piece,” he puffed.

  “And you.”

  “Here they come, commander. There must be a hundred maybe more.”

  Elle looked around, there must have only been forty, maybe fifty of them left, mostly wounded. All fatigued.

  “They’ve been pushing us further and further back this way,” he looked Elle in the eye, a pain-filled fearful gaze, “I believe they’re trying to push us into the sea.”

  Elle clenched her jaw and spoke through gritted teeth “Then we’ll push back.”

  ♦ ♦ ♦

  The climb was tough and slippery, Shaya’s hands kept sliding off the slick glass-like rock. Every time she looked up, she got rain in her eyes, blinding her. Rowan was slightly ahead, just above her. He kicked his boot into the rock for extra grip as he climbed. They were nearing the top, what they would find up there she didn’t want to think about. Although one wrong move and Rakmar wouldn’t have to kill them, they would be long gone, lost to the raging sea below. Eventually, she saw Rowan reach the top, his feet disappeared out of sight. When she finally reached the peak, Rowan grabbed her shoulders and heaved Shaya to her feet. Immediately Shaya drew her sword, Rowan followed suit. He could be anywhere, lurking behind any corner.

  He’s here. I can feel it.

  “Be on your guard,” she whispered. “He’s close.”

  The whole island was black, the glass like stone shimmered in the dim light of dusk. Jagged spikes stuck out of the ground, some the size of spears, others the size of houses reaching up into the tumultuous skies. It was so much bigger than it looked from the mainland. As they walked, they could see that it stretched out before them in all directions. Not knowing where to go, they just headed for the centre of the meteor. The rain pooled on the ground as it poured down. Shaya and the new king splashed their way through. Apart from the raging storm, there were no other sounds. They couldn’t even hear the battle anymore, just the pounding rain and the howling of the wind. Lightning flashed, sending shards of light reflecting against the blackness of the island. They stuck close together, swords in hand, ready for an attack that never came. Just when they had dared to hope that maybe Rakmar had gone, they heard the voice. That low, threatening rumble, as if the thunder above them formed words.

  “So, you have come.”

  The children jumped at the sudden sound. Shaya’s heart did summersaults then tried to jump up her throat, in a desperate attempt to escape. As the pair walked past a giant black spire that stuck up into the air, they saw him. The huge dark figure sat on the ground facing away from them. He was hunched over, his massive hands flat on the floor and he was glowing. His usual black shadow shimmered a dark purple colour. It swirled around him, snaking its way around his thick arms and armoured torso. The ground on which he sat glowed too. A purple aura undulated within the black stone. The fallen God’s head rose.

  “I have been waiting for you.”

  Chapter Twenty-one

  Shining Through the Storm

  “Stand your ground,” Elle bellowed, her voice raw. “Stand strong, stand together.”

  The final push. A hundred manic, blood-soaked, Krarg ran at them as fast as they could. Their terrible screams tearing through Ellesia’s ears. The remainder of the alliance stood on trembling feet and held weapons with unsteady hands. The sight was enough to give any of them nightmares, giant lizards, with razor-sharp teeth slick with the blood of their comrades. Crazed yellow eyes that pierced the gloom of the storm. Lightning flashed, revealing the sheer number of the creatures coming their way like a swarm of insects. The sudden flare of light also d several shapes in the sky heading towards Elle and the others.

  “Is that what I think it is?” Asked Benjin, his bleeding left wrist now strapped up by Elle against his right shoulder.

  “I thought they were gone,” Aesal smiled and let out a tearful laugh.

  “Your scouts?” Ortuskuss grinned.

  Aesal nodded and balled his clawed hands into determined fists.

  “Do you think they have any explosive powder left?” Elle asked hopefully.

  The words had barely left her lips when a mighty boom rang out, and a flash of flames sent a group of Krarg flying into the air. A second explosion ripped through another half dozen reptiles. The rest kept on running. Frenzied they raced, more out of fear of being blown to shreds than a vicious attack.

  “They’re scared,” said Elle with a spiteful grin “Come on, let's feed their fear,” she lifted her sword into the air. The soldiers around her raised their weapons. “Fight,” she roared, and the soldiers began to march forward to meet the horde.

  “Stay close to me,” Elle looked back at the exhausted Benjin.

  “Yes, my lady,” he breathed

  Elle smirked and shook her head. The alliance’s march turned into a run. Another explosion ignited several Krarg into a shrieking inferno. They ran through the crowd ablaze, sending their comrades into a panic.

  Aesal launched himself into the sky once more. Throwing his spear as hard as he could, it smashed into one of the lizards, breaking its chest plate into pieces. Ortuskuss squashed two hideous monsters beneath his giant war hammer and kicked another so hard it flew out of sight. The battle was brutal and desperate, everyone on the battlefield fought with everything they had. Elle could see it, her soldiers struggling to swing their swords, stumbling in the mud, barely being able to catch their gasping breaths before another onslaught came for them. Her arms felt as if they were five times their weight as she heaved her blade into the stomach of another iron clad creature.

  Another swarm of bulking Krarg covered in war paint ran towards Elle and Benjin. No weapons, just massive talons with claws the size of Elle’s forearm. She cracked her neck and readied her sword for another attack. The sword was heavy, and her legs felt like stone. Suddenly a Volanti smashed into the ground inches from where Elle stood. Arrows covered the poor bird’s back. She looked up to the sky and saw Aesal grab a leather pouch from another scout and nose dive towards her.

  “Move, move, move,” Aesal yelled as he plummeted.

  “Down now,” cried Elle as she crouched down, her hands over her head.

  The massive Krarg looked up, but it was too late. The flaming pouch fell between them and hit the mud with a subtle plop. The flames ripped through them like wet paper, sending scales and teeth into the gloom. When Elle opened her eyes, she saw Benjin. With a Krarg shield, he was huddled over her, protecting her from the blast. By her feet lay a legless Krarg. Blackish, greenish blood oozed from its horrific wound. Aesal swooped down and hovered over the smouldering creature.

  “Apologies commander, That was a little close. Are the two of you alright?”

  Elle didn’t get a chance to respond. It happened so fast, but at the same time, Elle saw it in slow motion. She was just a spectator, she saw it all, but could do nothing. The legless Krarg’s eyes snapped open, and the creature’s arm reached up in an instant. Its humongous hand grabbed Aesal’s head, and the blood-soaked claws closed around his face. Its jaws clamped down on the bird’s fragile neck. The Volanti cried a terrible scream as the lizard sunk its teeth in deeper. Elle shouted his name, but it was lost in a roar of thunder. Lightning forked above them as Elle raised her sword. The Krarg threw the Volanti like he weighed nothing at all. Aesal’s limp body smashed to the ground in a shower of crimson and dirt
. She swore the monster grinned before she buried her sword in its eye.

  She yanked out her bloody blade and dashed over to Aesal. Benjin had reached him first. He was stood frozen solid, his face grey. Elle saw the ravaged feathers, the red pooling around the twitching Volanti, soaking into the mud.

  “Aesal,” she heard her own panic in her voice and felt the horrible thundering in her chest. She dropped to her knees with a splash and put a quivering hand over the gaping wound. The blood trickled through her fingers, and she knew, it was futile.

  “Benjin, help me,” she yelled, her voice hoarse. She glanced over her shoulder and saw Benjin deflect a blow from a mace-wielding Krarg.

  “Fight,” Aesal whispered. Elle lent in close. “Fight commander. For our people. For all,” the life left his eyes as the words left his bloodied beak.

  Benjin smashed the butt of his sword into the teeth of the beast and sliced it’s tail clean off. It shrieked and crawled away into the storm. Another flaming arrow just missing the old man’s head.

  “Ellie,” yelled Benjin, as the reptilian archer began to reload “Ellie.”

  Aesal had saved her life, brought her and Benjin to the peaks, now she could never repay the debt she owed him. So much death. She could smell it in the air, it was all around her. Everywhere she looked she saw her soldiers battle and fall, as more Krarg surged forward.

  Was this really futile? Were Avem and Avis right?

  Uncertainty and sorrow were endless pits, easy to fall into. A hollow hole that would get her killed. Elle tore herself from the darkness that crept its way into her mind. Benjin impaled the archer and stumbled back towards her. He reached out with his only quivering hand and pulled her to her feet.

  “Every one of these things we kill avenges Aesal, avenges all we’ve lost.”

  “Then we slaughter them all,” Elle said through hate filled tears. With a fire inside her that burned away the fatigue, she ran towards a group of reptiles that surrounded more of her men. With Benjin at her side, they cut them down. One leapt into the air and dived at Elle. The warrior woman stepped to one side and swung her sword as hard as she could, taking the Krarg’s head.