Killing Monsters

by R T Islington

  Crow had made his way to Archie whilst Hiroki duelled the giant, he bought Archie to his feet who shrieked in agony. “My fucking ribs Crow!” groaned Archie. “I’m fucked, just leave me, help Hiroki.”

  “Not a chance, If I cannot move you, I’ll protect you until the end.”

  Jadar had also made it to Archie’s aid. “Protective formation now.” Upon her command a group of shieldmen circled around Archie and locked into a defensive formation, Archie was laid upon his back again and Jadar and Crow looked on as Hiroki continued to duel.

  Hiroki jumped, rolled, and flipped past every attack the giant launched, the giant had begun to tire, and his attacks became increasingly sluggish as he grunted beneath the sweltering sun. Hiroki still knew he had to deliver the killing blows, he glanced at the mass thick bronze armour trying to find its weakness whilst still goading the giant.

  “The children you’ve killed, the women you’ve raped, they will have their vengeance from beyond the grave,” bellowed Hiroki.

  “Shut up!” roared the giant. He launched another mighty swing of his hammer which looked set to hit Hiroki however the strike was parried. Time stood still and those that looked on were in shock, with one hand Hiroki’s katana parried the mighty axe which knocked the giant back again and Hiroki moved forward to land the finished blow, he had spotted the weakness of the giant’s armour.

  Hiroki had noticed there were slight gaps between the joinings of the armour, and though only inches wide a well-timed strike could penetrate through the gaps and severe the giants flesh, it was Hiroki’s only way of winning, he decided to lure the giant in. “It’s time to end this duel. I know your armours weakness,” warned Hiroki.

  “Is that so boy?”

  “Come, charge at me, we will both put everything into these final strikes.”

  The giant caught his breath and smiled viciously, he grasped his axe and readied himself for his final charge. “I’ve decided, I won’t kill you. I’m going to keep you alive, chained to my bed! Every night I’ll fuck you until you bleed and then, when your skin, bone and broken, I’ll cook you alive!”

  The giant began charging and Hiroki noticed, when his arms were stretched, those inch gaps became slightly bigger. Hiroki stood firm and lowered his stance so he could counter the giants attack, the giant swung his axe and missed once again and Hiroki saw the opening he desired, just below the giants exposed elbow.

  “You're finished,” yelled Hiroki as his katana pierced the armour with precision, cutting the giants arm clean off. The giant shrieked and grasped his severed limb as the blood sprayed into the air like a red fountain and as the giant fell to his knees and dropped his axe, Hiroki swung again, taking the giants head from shoulders, Crow and Jadar cheered.

  “For the fucking War Hogs,” a foot soldier yelled as he gazed upon the headless giant, though they were all visibly shocked at how the young swordsman had defeated the colossal monster.

  A group of War Hogs flocked to the dead body and placed the head of the giant upon a spear for all their enemies to see, lion riders and bronze warriors looked on in despair as the giants head was perched upon the spear and hoisted into the air, the eyes were still open and the look of shock was still slapped across the giants lifeless face.

  “Now finish them all off,” ordered Hiroki. The War Hogs began pushing back their enemies, the sea of lion riders and bronze cladded brutes seemed to get thinner.

  Archie managed to muster some words as Hiroki approached. “You were masterful, Hiroki, not even Yoshihiro moves like that!”

  Hiroki made his way to Archie and ordered his fellow commanders. “I’ll guard Archie, you two, finish the fight.” Jadar and Crow, now revitalised, charged off to join the mass slaughter of monsters. Hiroki grasped Archie’s hand reassuringly and spoke to his long-time friend. “It’s my turn to look after you now.”

  “You’ve become quite the swordsman Hiroki Mitsue.”

  Hiroki gazed off into the distance, into Yoshihiro’s direction. “I learned from the best.”

  Across the battlefield Yoshihiro had commenced his duel with Jerome and his lion. The lion charged as Yoshihiro’s body tingled with excitement at the thought of slaying the warlord and his mighty beast.

  The lion was quick and launched itself at Yoshihiro with the power of a thousand arrows, the lion swiped at Yoshihiro across his black cuirass, tearing the thickened slabs of black onyx clad leather clean off, again the lion turned and attacked, this time however Yoshihiro dodged and slashed at the lion. Yoshihiro had made contact, but the lion's thick hide cushioned most of the strike. The lion only bled slightly.

  “Jerome,” bellowed Yoshihiro. “Your lion is braver and tougher than you. Are you going to stand there and let your beast do all the work?”

  “Don’t worry, you cocky bastard, you’ll feel my wrath soon enough.”

  Before Yoshihiro could respond the lion sprung into the air, again continuing its relentless assault, Yoshihiro slashed at the beast however the thick red mane again cushioned another fatal attempt.

  “It will take something special to put you down, won't it, you fearsome beast.”

  Yoshihiro knew how to rid himself from the lions assault, he could quite easily have taken the lions legs however he looked into the lion's blood drunk eyes and felt the fiery spirit of the beast, he also knew the magnificent cat was no doubt just as much a slave to Jerome as his human victims were, Yoshihiro wanted the lion for himself!

  The lion leapt at Yoshihiro with its front legs spread wide and its sharp claws poised to tear his skin clean off, suddenly Yoshihiro saw his chance, he dodged to the side and slashed the underbelly of the lion which was not covered by a thick hide. The lion yelped in pain and fell to the floor, it tried to get up, but the laceration was deep and opened up even more as the lion struggled.

  “Useless beast.” shouted Jerome. The wicked words shocked Yoshihiro as the lion had been a loyal companion to Jerome for many years, and as Yoshihiro glared down upon the beast, he finally saw pain and fear in the animal’s eyes.

  The giant lion laid upon its side panting heavily, scared and in pain, the lion could sense its life was about to end until Yoshihiro did something extraordinary. On approach, he stroked the lions head, the lion growled mercifully, he ran his fingers through the thick red mane of the mighty beast that was rough and strong and again he caressed the lions side, the thick brown hide was tough and muscular and Yoshihiro whispered into the lions ear. “Rest, brave lion. When the battle is over, I will give you a life worthy of such a beast.” shockingly the beast licked Yoshihiro’s face which seemed to be a kiss of gratitude, a beastly thank you to the man that was to free him from the warlord that owned him. “Now Jerome, will you fight me?”

  Enraged and angered, Jerome charged towards Yoshihiro as blood dripped from the fur waistcoat of the warlord, the blood of countless War Hogs he had butchered. Jerome’s silver longsword clashed against Yoshihiro’s katana and the sound of steel hammering steel rang out across the battlefield.

  Jerome was strong and overpowered Yoshihiro, knocking off his kabuto helmet and kicking him to the floor. “Perfect, now I can see your face clearly when I take your life you bastard.”

  Yoshihiro parried the strikes from Jerome’s attacks, as he rose from the floor, he blocked masterfully and moved effortlessly and it seemed as though Yoshihiro seemed to harbour perhaps the greatest gift a swordsman could possess, the ability to improve during battle and read the moves of an opponent.

  The smell of blood was in the air and Yoshihiro could sense his War Hogs winning, he goaded Jerome. “The giant has fallen at the hands of my student, you will fall next and then the battle will be over, I warned you not to walk this path foolish warlord.”

  Jerome made a fatal mistake, seemingly knowing he was physically stronger, he attempted to barge Yoshihiro again, and as their swords clashed Yoshihiro span to the right and slashed Jerome’s side, blood squirted into the air as Jerome fell, Yoshihiro stepped to the side and stru
ck again, this time downwards cutting across Jerome’s back diagonally.

  The laceration was deep and exposed the flesh, muscle and spine of the warlord, there was no blood, the cut was clean and deep and only pink flesh was to be seen.

  Jerome rolled to his side. “I’ll take you down with me, you’ll see soon.”

  “Speak no more Jerome, learn from your mistakes and come back in another life a better man.”

  Yoshihiro brought Jerome to his knees and placed his katana to the side of Jerome’s head. As Yoshihiro looked up, Ragrim, Jadar and Crow had made their way to him as the lion riders and bronze foot soldiers began retreating, fleeing off into the distance now the battle had been lost.

  Ragrim placed his hand upon Yoshihiro’s forearm. “It’s time, finish this.”

  “Fucking fools,” laughed Jerome as he coughed up blood. “You’ll never unify the Centre Plate and you’ll never defeat the East. Death awaits you all and I’ll be waiting in the afterlife.”

  “Yes, you will,” declared Yoshihiro, and with one strike he decapitated the evil warlord, his head span into the air full circle and dropped to the floor before rolling to a standstill.

  The War Hogs roared and cheered throughout the battlefield, men hugged and embraced each other, songs of victory bellowed across the blood soaked plain and Jadar, Crow and Ragrim bundled Yoshihiro to floor, shouting and cursing affectionate complement’s at their leader, Yoshihiro laughed and Jadar even kissed Yoshihiro upon the lips which lead to more roars of celebration as the War Hogs celebrated their victory.

  Yoshihiro rose up and delved into a small satchel that was tied around the waist of the dead warlord, it seemed he had moved the power cube from the satchel of the lion and hid amongst his possession, he was too run off with it if he sensed defeat.

  Yoshihiro withdrew the power cube as the commanders and soldiers gazed upon its glowing beauty.

  “What splendour.” Ragrim said, mesmerised by its beauty.

  Crow took the artefact from Yoshihiro for closer inspection. “Well, it certainly looks as though it fits the task of summoning a mighty dragon! The diamonds, its glow, its fucking amazing.”

  “Don’t get too attached,” declared Jadar. “Remember it's going to Vanya and the elves soon.”

  Yoshihiro sighed and spoke reluctantly. “Yes, though I hope they know how to use it. The legend of the power cubes is shrouded in mystery, even the elves' knowledge of it is vague.”

  “Don’t forget, they need another three before they can do anything!” declared Ragrim.

  Yoshihiro smiled. “Good point. I wonder how they will attempt to find the remaining three.” the swordsman seemed to drift off and ponder on this thought.

  The War Hogs continued to celebrate on the blood stained field and Yoshihiro and his commanders made their way over to Archie and Hiroki, Yoshihiro’s eyes filled with water, as did Hiroki’s as they gazed upon each other like farther and son, sharing a moment of unspoken love upon the most barbaric of environments, and as Hiroki rushed over and threw his hands around Yoshihiro, a spine tingling roar was heard!

  The War Hogs and the commanders turned in horror, off into the distance Terrance was seen running with a horrified expression upon his face, what followed was something of nightmares, something that few beings had ever seen and lived to the tale, a berserker troll chased Terrance and descended upon the War Hogs in an unstoppable rage!

  Chapter 21:

  Killing Monsters

  The once fleeing lion riders and bronze barbarians began running back towards the War Hogs in fear as the troll charged towards the battlefield and bellowed a monstrous howl that seemed louder than thunder.

  “RUN!” shouted one of the lion riders, it was too late as the troll that stood at thirty feet tall crushed him with its club.

  The troll’s skin was grey and due to the thickness of its hide, it looked more like a charging boulder, it was covered in mass amounts of animal fur that it clothed itself with and donned necklaces and bracelets made for human skulls, the trolls head was large and its eyes were black and soulless and when it roared, its giant yellow teeth looked more like gravestones and the stench of death and rotten flesh could be smelt with each roar as it began its assault. The monstrous troll was huge, far greater than the experienced monster hunter Jadar had ever seen, and to make matters worse, the abomination that charged towards them was a berserker troll. Unlike their native cousin’s, berserker trolls tend to grow a lot bigger and live solitary lives deep within mountain ranges, only ever venturing out to hunt and feed, their skin is thick and hardened unlike the common trolls who have leathery saggy skin and the aggression levels of berserker trolls are also much higher. Its known throughout Dragons Continent that common trolls will hunt and kill humans, dwarves and elves to feed, taking back any survivors to their dens to be kept as livestock and to torture and cook, however the berserker trolls will wipe out entire settlements and kingdoms due to an uncontrollable rage before they even start to feed.

  The troll descended upon the battlefield, in futile attempts spears were thrown at the giant troll, most missed and the ones that hit, did very little damage. The troll roared with rage, grabbing up soldiers and crushing them in its vice like grip, it swung its tree-like club knocking down and crushing many more soldiers.

  Yoshihiro knew of the task that was rampaging towards him, he began commanding his men yet again for another battle. “Archers, fire your ruby tipped arrows now.” Yoshihiro turned his attention to his foot soldiers. “Grab your spears, aim for its legs, stop its movements.”

  A flurry of explosive arrows rained down on the giant brute, the explosions burned the tough flesh of the troll but did very little else to stop its rage, spearmen charged at the trolls legs, most were stamped upon and crushed and those that evaded a crushing death were picked up and bitten in half. The troll swung its club viciously from left to right, clearing wave upon wave of War Hogs as Yoshihiro looked on at his men who were no match for such a beast.

  Crow gasped in fear. “I can’t believe this, they did it, those fucking scumbags actually unleashed such a creature.”

  The troll rampaged closer and closer to Yoshihiro and his commanders, slaughtering indiscriminately, it didn’t matter whether it were the remaining lion riders and bronze cladded soldiers that remained on the battlefield or the victorious War Hogs, nothing could escape the trolls rage, and as the troll moved towards Hiroki and Yoshihiro the ground started to vibrate, green lightning sparked and shot through the battlefield which was followed by a mighty green flash that was blinding, Hiroki covered his eyes, the flash was followed up by a shockwave the sent the troll flying back, and upon regaining his sight Hiroki looked up to see Vinnakeon and Tawarkion standing in wait!

  Vinnakeon had teleported them here, and again it seemed to take a toll on the elves body, he leaned upon his grand staff to keep himself afoot. “Now, Tawarkion!”

  Tawarkion shot a golden woodlander arrow true, it soared through air gracefully and struck the troll with pinpoint precision dead centre in his left eye. The troll roared and stumbled back again, clutching at the wound as red puddles of blood dripped from its eye. “Great shot Tawarkion,” bellowed Vinnakeon. “Now, leave this to me.”

  “What are you doing here?” asked Yoshihiro frantically.

  “You’ll know soon enough, let’s just say Vinnakeon wanted to help an old friend,” declared Tawarkion. “As for myself, I grow bored of Darius and my mission is complete. My king and queen await me.”

  Vinnakeon made it to his feet and stumbled towards the troll who had risen and began charging. The great elves' staff levitated and remained in the air horizontally in front of Vinnakeon who stretched out his arms in front of him and roared as he conjured more power, the troll crashed into an invisible barrier and could not move forward. “I can’t hold him forever,” declared Vinnakeon before turning his attention to all the War Hogs. “FUCKING DO SOMETHING!”

  The troll roared as it pushed against Vinnakeon’s inv
isible wall, the elf pushed back, trying desperately to keep the troll at bay as they battled for ground. Again, and again they pushed against each other, the brute force of the troll against the seemingly impenetrable force field of Vinnakeon.

  Hiroki looked down upon the floor in frustration, his fists trembled as he clenched them. “Fuck it, the time is now.”

  “What are you doing Hiroki?” asked Tawarkion.

  Hiroki pulled from his pocket his gold and silver dragon flute, he roared, “Thunder. I need you!” and began to play his melody, a melody that would summon a golden scaled bringer of death, and upon playing his melody Thunder soared through the sky and set his sights on the troll!

  Thunder shot through the air, the young dragon no longer looked like a juvenile, instead the mighty dragon emerged like a beacon of hope, his speed was phenomenal, his aerial movements were perfect and he blasted green dragon fire from his mouth as his demonic red eyes glowed and locked onto the troll.

  Vinnakeon had exhausted himself and dropped to his knees in defeat, he looked up at the troll that raised its club once more as the barrier could no longer protect the elf, and as the swing from the mighty club slammed down upon the floor like a pendulum, Thunder had gotten to Vinnakeon first and grabbed hold of him by his shoulders and propelled him into the air. The troll roared in anger as it looked up at the young dragon that had flown off into the distance, he dropped Vinnakeon at the feet of Yoshihiro and turned his attention to the troll again.

  “Time to finish this,” roared Thunder who propelled himself into the air again, Hiroki didn’t even have time to speak to his beloved dragon as Thunder flew through the air again at great speed.

  The dragon flew towards the Troll and blasted the colossal monster with a wave of rich green fire that seemed to glow just like his thick golden scales, the thick grey rock like skin of the troll began to burn and peel and clumps of flesh dropped to the floor, the troll cried out in pain. Lunges and swings where hurled at the Thunder as he flew through the air ducking, dodging and passing every attempted strike from the troll who had become slower and began to succumb to the pain of the dragon fire, Thunder soared up high and dive bombed downwards, scorching the troll head on with more fire, the trolls face had now been incinerated and its black soulless eyes were no longer visible as melted flesh began peeling away. The troll dropped to his knees and threw its club blindly at Thunder with great power in a last-ditch attempt at hitting the young dragon, Thunder evaded the projectile and hovered over the troll who was now defenceless.