Fighter

by Isaac Hooke

Malem swooped low and Aurora threw him the crystal sword. He caught it out of the air, and spurred Lantos toward the six Paragons.

  The demon was quickly taxing, so Malem had to feed stamina to it again. As the Balor approached the mountain pass, Malem was beginning to doubt Banvil would have the energy to surmount it.

  Glitra abruptly attacked Corinne, striking her with a whip to the leg; the light wrapped around her ankle, and Glitra pulled, tripping the Paragon. Corinne fell, crashing to the ground. The land rumbled all around her.

  With Corinne momentarily out of the way, the remaining Paragons were able to concentrate their attacks on the demon. They whipped repeatedly, drawing out chunks of black flesh from the demon’s back.

  Banvil howled in pain, and raised one leg over the mountain pass, but was unable to muster the strength to lift the other.

  Malem couldn’t afford to feed the demon stamina, not again. He had already drained too much from himself, and the others—if he took more, they’d all be lying exhausted on the ground, useless.

  He sent Lantos toward those Paragons. A malicious smile formed on Glitra’s face as she continued to beat Banvil to death.

  Lantos came in from the side, and Malem swerved the winged horse to the back of the light beings, before diving. He brought the pegasus close enough to the back of one of the Paragons so that Arathal was within striking distance. And strike he did, carving a long gash down the Paragon’s back.

  The Paragon shrieked, spinning toward him. He withdrew the glowing blade near the small of her back, and when she attempted to strike him out of the skies with an elbow, he sent Lantos first lower, and then higher, feeding the winged horse fresh stamina from the blade. He gave the rest of the endurance to Banvil, and the demon straightened under the assault.

  Two other Paragons turned to concentrate on him, this latest threat, while the other three continued attacking Banvil.

  Now, Metals! Malem sent. I could use some distractions…

  Ribbons of light came in at him. These were smaller than the light tendrils they had cast at Banvil, but they came in much greater numbers. Malem knew Lantos wouldn’t be able to dodge them all…

  But then time slowed down around him and the winged horse. He spotted a glow on the ground below and realized Grendel had granted him speed. He darted in an out between those slower whips, and weaved between the three Paragons, striking them intermittently. Their howls of pain sounded deep and low-pitched because of the way time had slowed around him.

  The sword took stamina from the Paragons and spiked his own to incredible levels. He began to feed that stamina to Banvil, and at the same time, he reached out instinctively, searching for other animals or monsters to call to his aid. It was then that he felt a presence out there he hadn’t noticed before.

  Corinne.

  Ordinarily, Malem couldn’t sense Paragons. But for some reason, she showed up: probably because he had weakened her so severely earlier. Or perhaps that final attack from Glitra had brought her over the edge.

  Whatever the case, she was the only Paragon on their side. And thus, the only one who could send them home. But she needed strength to do that. Strength she did not have.

  Not yet.

  He had never tried to Break a Paragon before, and he wasn’t sure it would work. He reached out experimentally and found he could wrap his will around hers. She had been weakened enough, then.

  He squeezed.

  She fought him.

  But with all the stamina he had flowing through his veins—taken from the other Paragons—combined with the speed boost Grendel had given him, Corinne had no chance. The suddenness, and ferocity of his attack, allowed him to Break her in moments.

  In fact, it was little different than Breaking Banvil.

  He was forced to release Lantos as she expanded to fill thirty-four slots in his mind, the same number as Banvil. That left him two slots away from his maximum of seventy.

  The excess stamina flowing through his veins readily absorbed the endurance cost of the Breaking, and he fed the remainder to Corinne, and her brightness grew.

  Open a portal home! he commanded Corrine as she rose.

  I can create a portal, she told him. But it won’t be big enough to fit your demon. I need more time to recuperate.

  Then I will feed you more stamina! he told her.

  No! she sent. Do not harm my friends!

  29

  Malem had no choice and ignored her pleas. Banvil was still being beaten to death by Glitra and two others beside him, and the demon would need more stamina before it could return, anyway.

  He had been training Lantos by applying physical pressure with his legs each time he issued a mental command, with the hope that the latter eventually wouldn’t be needed. It worked with ordinary animals, but the pegasus was far from ordinary, of course. However, given that he no longer had a link to the animal, he had no choice but to test that theory.

  He squeezed his thighs together and applied more pressure on the left leg than the right; the pegasus responded instantly, flying down, and banking hard to the right, heading toward the closest Paragon. The light being swatted at him, but Malem and his mount still had Grendel’s speed buff active, and Lantos dodged.

  Malem sped past the Paragon’s flanks, beneath its arm, and struck out with Arathal. The low-pitched shriek of the light being filled his ears, and he spread the resultant stamina between Corinne and Banvil, giving more to the former, but enough to the latter so that the demon could rise.

  Open the portal! he told Corinne when her brightness surpassed even that of her companions.

  She hesitated. Perhaps she was angry that Malem was striking at her companions, or maybe she didn’t want to face their wrath when she allowed the demon to escape.

  Do it! Malem sent. Or I’ll be forced to keep attacking the others to keep Banvil alive! I refuse to lose my powers, and the link I have to my companions. I won’t let you kill the Balor! You know I’m right in this. You know that balance must be preserved!

  Finally, Corinne spread her arms wide, and a vertical line of light appeared behind the half circle of Paragons. It elongated, the bottom and top sections spreading apart until they were the same height as Corinne herself, and then the line expanded, becoming a square of light big enough to fit a Balor.

  Banvil! Malem sent. The way home!

  He fed the remaining spare stamina in the sword to Banvil. The demon lifted its leg away from the mountain pass and turned to shove through the Paragons. The demon took several impacts from their light whips but stumbled though the portal beyond with Goldenthall still on its shoulder and vanished.

  Flee through the portal! he ordered the others. Metals, help any laggards!

  With leg pressure, he directed Lantos toward the bright tear in reality.

  Below, the other companions on foot were already dashing through, following. There weren’t going to be any laggards for the Metals to aid.

  Jack, meanwhile, was retreating along the shoulders of the mountains nearby. He waved at Malem and called: “Good luck!”

  Malem nodded and followed the Metals toward the light portal.

  Is everyone else through? Weyanna asked.

  Yes, Malem replied. Take the portal! Before Corinne changes her mind!

  The three dragons entered the portal ahead of him. Malem followed close behind, with whips of light coming in at him. After Grendel had passed through, he had lost the speed buff, so he had to rely on Lantos’ natural dexterity to avoid the attacks.

  And then he struck the light rectangle: warmth and brightness enveloped him.

  It faded, and he was flying over a forested region: whichever part of his world corresponded with the same location in the Light Realm. He could see Banvil below, the demon’s hips and upper body easily protruding from the tree tops, and he felt the others near the demon. There was no sign of the gate, which Malem assumed was one way, just like the original path to the Light Realm had been.

  Corinne felt so very far away
in his mind. He could no longer communicate with her.

  He waited a few moments to make sure no one was going to follow. Corinne had once told him that the Paragons were too weak to travel to this realm, and those that could needed a conduit to do so, just as Corinne herself had needed Grendel to enter this world. He wasn’t entirely certain how much he believed her. Banvil had been able to pass through with ease after all, as had Malem and his companions. Then again, he didn’t really know much about Paragons. She was probably telling the truth… that the strain of entering this realm was far too great for them to bear.

  When he was satisfied that none were coming, he released Corinne. He freed her only now, rather than earlier, because he hadn’t wanted to risk her closing the portal on him before he entered. The last thing he needed was to be trapped in that realm without his companions.

  He used his freed slots to Break Lantos again, because he liked having the creature in his head. He took only a slight stamina hit since the animal had been Broken previously and fed it some spare stamina as a reward for not fighting him.

  He closed with Banvil, and landed in the small clearing the demon stood in.

  “What a journey,” Xaxia said as Malem dismounted beside his companions. Goldenthall was among them, though he stood apart from the others.

  “So, you spoil my plans of world domination once again,” Banvil boomed in complaint.

  “That’s what I’m here for,” Malem said. “I’m an agent of balance of sorts myself, I suppose.”

  “Don’t get a big head or anything,” Grendel said. “He’s comparing himself to a Paragon, now…”

  Malem smiled, and then gazed up at Banvil once more. “So, are you able to open a way back to your own realm from here?”

  The demon nodded. “I can. Though I’d prefer to stay here with you. We can conquer this world together.”

  “You know I can’t allow that,” Malem said. “And I think the Paragons wouldn’t be pleased, either.”

  “Who cares about the Paragons,” Banvil said. “With that sword, we can destroy them all if they interfere.”

  “Sorry, big guy,” Malem said. “There will be no conquering of this world. I have a kingdom already. I’m happy with it. Hell, it’s hard enough for me to manage that tiny chunk of the world as it is. I couldn’t imagine trying to rule it all.”

  “Then let me stay here alone and do as I please?” Banvil said.

  “Conquer the world as you please, I don’t think so,” Malem told the demon.

  Banvil sighed. A great sound like a hurricane. Then the demon nodded slowly. “I will go back, then. You fought well, Breaker. I thank you for saving me, despite what I did to you, and what I have done to you since you were a child.”

  “Yeah,” Malem replied. “You’re welcome, I guess. I do need you. If you didn’t grant me the power you do, I’m not sure I’d spare you. Not with the threat your continued existence imposes. Not just to me, but to the world.” He instinctively reached for the amulet that was wrapped around his throat, shoved beneath his armor, but stopped himself.

  “The world is safe, when I leave,” Banvil said. “I cannot return. Well, unless you invite me, by seeking the Darkness in your head as I have taught you.”

  “But Corinne closed the way,” Malem said.

  “Most ways,” Banvil said. “Except one. Through you. But as I told you, you must invite me, first.”

  “That’s good to know,” Malem said. “Though I have a feeling I won’t be inviting you for a long time. If ever.”

  “Yes, well, there’s no guarantee I’ll obey your summons, either,” Banvil said. “Even if you do not release me, you will have no influence over me while I am in the Black Realm.”

  “Oh, I’ll release you,” Malem said. “You use up too many slots in my head for me to keep you bound while you’re away. But tell me, you’re going to be safe in the Black Realm? If you return here?”

  Banvil glanced around. “This territory once belonged to Denfidal, I believe. It is now Manu’s. However, these lands are well away from Manu’s headquarters. I shall be safe. Besides, you’ve returned me almost to my full strength, so any monster, Balor or otherwise, that attacks me will regret the act. I intend to return to my own territory, and resume command of whatever remains.”

  “And begin building up your army, no doubt,” Malem said.

  Banvil shrugged. “I must prepare for the inevitable attacks the other Balors will make.”

  “Farewell, Demon,” Malem said.

  “Feel free to remove that talisman around your neck whenever you wish,” Banvil commented.

  “I don’t think so,” Malem told the Balor.

  Banvil cackled, then turned around. A portal of pure blackness appeared behind the Balor, in a manner similar to the light portal: it started out as a vertical line that grew into a rectangle of darkness.

  Banvil stepped through the portal, and then was gone. The blackness winked out, leaving only the empty forest.

  The demon felt very distant in his head. He released Banvil from his service, freeing up the slots.

  “So, it’s done,” Weyanna said, looping an arm through the crook of his elbow. “We bested a Balor yet again.” She rested her head on his shoulder and sighed.

  “We won,” Malem agreed.

  “I know there were times where you hated it, but the crown doesn’t look half bad after everything we’ve been through, does it?” Weyanna pressed.

  “No, it certainly doesn’t.” He pulled away from her to address everyone. “Well then, let’s go home.”

  “Can I ride dragonback this time?” Timlir said. “Seeing as how you have a pegasus?”

  Malem shrugged. “Feel free, Dwarf.”

  “What about me?” Goldenthall said in his normal voice. “Where will I ride? Well, assuming you’ll still have me? After what I’ve done?”

  “Of course,” Malem said. “You had no control over what Banvil did to you. And besides, you’re my direct communications link with Banvil. I assume you’re still the demon’s Black Sword…”

  “I am,” the former king agreed.

  “You don’t sound too pleased about that,” Malem said. “I could have ordered Banvil to release you. You should have spoken up.”

  “No,” Goldenthall said. “I kind of like the powers that come with being a Black Sword. Plus, I wouldn’t be of any use to you if you severed the connection.”

  “All right,” Malem said. “And in answer to your earlier question: you’ll ride in Weyanna’s talons.”

  Goldenthall slumped. “Very well.”

  As the others loaded up, he glanced at Grendel, who lingered next to Weyanna. She watched Wendolin clamber onto the white dragon’s back but did not follow.

  Malem waved her over.

  “So,” he said. “This mission is done. You told me you would not stay. Is this where we part?” He indicated the forest around him. “Is this to become your new Dark Wood?”

  She searched his face, but then her eyes became moist, and she shook her head. “I could not bear it. I already admitted I’ve grown attached to you. I told you I wouldn’t stay, that I couldn’t… but I’ve changed my mind. I go where you go. For now, at least. Maybe I’ll change my mind one day. But until then, I am yours.”

  He grabbed her hand in his and squeezed. “Thank you.”

  He released her, and she loaded up onto Weyanna’s back, securing herself behind Wendolin with the harness the tree elf provided her with.

  Malem glanced at Aurora, who seemed similarly hesitant, standing as she did on the ground next to Sylfi.

  What about you, Summoner? he sent. I agreed that you could go once the mission was done. Would you like me to release you? I believe I can do it, since you were Broken by means of the collar.

  Then again, he might have been wrong about that. But either way, she could still go, and move far enough away so that she was beyond his influence.

  But then she smiled wanly and shook her head.

  I think I�
��ll stay a little longer, she sent. I still have so much more to learn about my past… I’m not sure I want to go out into the world alone without that knowledge. Besides, we have so many more adventures left to experience, so many battles to fight. She glanced at Gwen. Plus, she was right about the sex… it’s too good to give up.

  With a wink, she clambered onto the dragon’s back.

  The Metals took to the air. Weyanna scooped up Goldenthall as she did so, and the man shouted in outrage, spewing muffled curses.

  Smiling, Malem mounted Lantos and spurred the steed above the forest.

  The pegasus and the dragons flew across the treetops and headed into the setting sun.

  Thank you for reading!

  See the next page for an important note.

  Monster Tamer

  A quick update: the author who had my books pulled from Amazon is once again threatening to sue me for using the word “Tamer” in the series title. He wants me to rename the series and “cease and desist” using the word Tamer because it’s damaging to his brand—even if he has no brand because Amazon banned him from publishing on their site. According to his lawyer, harem readers are a clueless, unsophisticated lot who are confusing my books for his.

  I don’t plan to give in, since I’ve never bowed to bullies, even if changing the name will have no effect on sales. It’s the principle of it. He can sue me, but he will lose, just as another author lost when she tried to prevent people from using the generic word “cocky” in their series’ titles. Just google cockygate if you’re curious how that worked out for her.

  Anyway, with all that said, the other author’s shenanigans are growing tiring, and are souring me on this series. I hate to say it, but I probably won’t continue writing it. I’d like to thank everyone for coming along for the ride, and I hope you’ve enjoyed reading these books as much as I did writing them.

  I do plan to write a spin off series at some point, so let me know what you’d like to see in your review for this book.

  Take care, and I hope to see you soon…