by C A Ardron
He struggled to his feet, breathing heavily and glared at her. ‘Who are you?’
She gave no reply but punched him in the chest as he got to his feet. She looked up as a terrible hissing broke through the noise of battle. Her breath caught as she saw him. Trine, mightiest of the green. He truly was above stature for his kind. His four arms were bulky, over-muscled to the point of being freakish, his body as long as any other sclithe she had seen but thicker, sturdier. His snakish, lipless maw revealed his bloody, amazingly long fangs.
Falcon swallowed and turned back to Harrier, he'd regained his feet and was now stood smirking, allowing her to take in his master.
‘Like what you see?’
Falcon barely managed to evade his sudden stab, his own, long steel claw unsheathing and reaching for her.
She tumbled over backwards, losing her balance amongst the out-jutting rocks. Harrier's sword came down, whistling towards her head.
Falcon put one hand out just in time and Harrier blinked in surprise as his blade became stuck in a block of ice. She drew a jagged breath and kicked the ice in front of her, forcing even more energy to flow through her, making the ice explode towards the Sarpien.
Harrier swore, trying to cover his face as the tiny shards hit him. There were several sharp screeches as Falcon fought her way to her feet and she swallowed. Trine had sent out his Legion Ligaments.
Her face set and she sought out Lion with her mind. Lion, we need Tiger and Dove now!
What are those things?
Falcon backed away from Harrier as one of the beasts, its thin reptilian body, brown-scaled and limber, scurried towards her on four long spindly claws that resembled steel blades more than legs. Those legs could skewer an armoured warrior within seconds, she knew that very well.
Its snout was small and narrow, but sported row upon row of serrated teeth. Trine, Falcon noted grimly, was not without a cruel imagination.
They're called Legion Ligaments, she told Lion quickly. The sclithe can use their power to fragment their life-force and create monsters. Each one is a living part of Trine, but they allow him to attack without endangering himself. They're as tough as the sclithe itself, no man-made weapon can pierce them, only magic, aura and elemental power. We need Dove and Tiger, I can't fight all of them by myself.
You can fight them? He sounded surprised.
You're asking me that now?
Harrier was wearing a fierce smirk as he lunged at her. Falcon managed to get her claw up just in time to stave off his sword but was forced to give ground, having no time to survey what kind of footing she was on. She hoped there wasn't any more dips or inconvenient rocks lying around.
A violent shiver ran through her as she bumped against something directly behind, knowing she was nowhere near the cavern walls.
Before Falcon could react, one strong arm pinned her arms against her body, while the other lifted her head up by placing a knife against her throat.
‘Well, my dear,’ Cobra's sinister voice whispered. ‘It seems you're out of luck.’
Falcon's breath caught fearfully. Cobra? Where was Leopard?
***
Leopard tried to catch her breath. It had been close for a while, despite his heavy armour, Cobra was amazingly fast and his preferred weapon was the energy whip. The arrogant sorcerer had let her be when the sclithe's bladed monsters had appeared, going back to his machine of death.
She was about pursue him when she saw two more Sarpiens enter the cavern. Leopard was thankful then she'd detached her stealth unit and given it to Jay. He was hiding near the cavern entrance, his shielded form hidden from the Sarpien's sight.
Her eyes stayed on the two Sarpiens, her blood boiling. Rhino, she had no interest in, but the other she glared at hatefully.
As Mantis drew his daggers and rushed down the steps to join the battle, Leopard made for him, her eyes darting around. Out of habit she glanced at her surroundings and that was when she saw it. Her breath caught, seeing Falcon had been double-teamed by Harrier and Cobra.
Cobra had her immobile, arms trapped and a knife at her throat, while Harrier was in the act of raising his sword, he was going to kill her.
For a split second, Leopard hesitated. For the first time in her life she had a clear path to Mantis, her mother's killer. What did Falcon matter really? She was as good as being a Sarpien. In the blink of an eye several different images flashed through her mind, memories of times in the last day where Falcon had demonstrated her kindness, her dedication and her hatred for Sarpiens. A hatred that rivalled her own.
To ignore her now would make her as much a murderer as Mantis. She spun on the spot, a throwing knife coming into her grasp as easily as always. She didn't throw the blade at Harrier but Cobra, knowing instinctively that Falcon would be able to save herself from the other dangers.
***
Falcon recognised that familiar whistling sound, but could not discern where it was coming from. An instant later a small knife found its target, penetrating Cobra's armour near the shoulder, not the one holding the knife thankfully.
It was enough, his tight grip on her was released and she elbowed him in the chest as hard as she could to get him away from her and half-spun towards Harrier, catching his sword arm firmly with one hand and punching him in the face with a heavy Cat-Paw.
As Harrier reeled back Falcon knew she was out of time, and though it was dangerous to leave the two Sarpiens behind her, she rushed away, gathering her inner strength.
The air turned chilly and hung with mist around her hand as she created the tool she needed now. A hefty, curved dagger, wrought entirely of ice coalesced in her hand. One of the swift and deadly Ligaments sped towards her, its jaws open in anticipation.
Falcon dodged its first attack, its teeth snapping at the empty air near her ear and she spun as it reared up, trying to stab her with its two front legs, or blades, she supposed.
Allowing herself to fall backwards she thrust upwards with her elemental dagger, shearing through the Ligament's underbelly. Her hand shook from the force of driving through its tough hide but Falcon did not relent.
Finally, with one last, high-pitched cry, the Ligament glowed, turning into shimmering dust before dissipating.
Falcon breathed a heavy sigh of relief, that was one down. Rolling over and onto her feet, she began to scan the area and was punched in the face.
She went down, the heavy punch winding her and making her face numb. Falcon could feel blood welling up in her mouth as she looked up at her attacker.
Jackal was looking down at her, helmet in one hand.
Hello, Karen, he said inside her head. You're really not good at dying, are you?
Falcon sought out the others with just her eyes. She found Lion, with three Ligaments between them, and Leopard was struggling to avoid Rhino's sledgehammer blows.
Her face set with determination. It looked like she'd have to deal with Jackal by herself.
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
Falcon clambered to her feet painfully, meeting Jackal's angry stare and spat the blood out of her mouth. She allowed the ice dagger in her hands to disintegrate and drew her twin steel daggers.
I liked your old armour better. It had more presence.
Falcon chose not to reply. Jackal liked to play the psychology game with his opponents, and she wasn't immune. He knew her like no other, and knew just what buttons to press.
Jackal hefted his blood-tinted sabre once and made his first lunge. Falcon parried quickly with her daggers and spun into the Spinning-Claw, she flinched as he caught her foot with one hand. She ripped herself from his grip and thrust with her daggers in an aggressive Double Talon-Slash.
He stepped back and swung his sabre, aiming at her chest. Falcon leapt quickly out of his reach before pressing her own attack again, this time coming forwards with an elegant Sweep-Strike, her silver daggers gliding through the air as she spun towards him.
Jackal ducked under them, making a stabbing motion with his sabre
. Falcon altered the swing of her right dagger and managed to fend it off as she backed away.
The two of them stared at each other, catching their breath.
You're out of shape, Karen, Jackal taunted. You used to be faster than this.
Falcon breathed through her nose, trying to keep the anger from her face. She sheathed her daggers and Jackal grinned as he too sheathed his sword.
Jackal was getting to her, and he knew it. There was nothing she could do about that, but as she rushed in with some Claw Strikes, Falcon tried not to think about how badly she wanted to wipe that smug expression off his face.
Jackal managed to block the blow to his face but not the ones to his stomach and chest. She heard him grunt as she followed up with a Cat-Claw.
Jackal caught her wrist with the Canine-Catch, smiling grimly. He yanked her towards him roughly and caught her on the chin with an Alpha Punch. Falcon reeled back but hadn't lost her wits. As she fell backwards she gathered her strength and threw a concentrated burst of aura energy at him. The small blue-tinged aura shot hit the Sarpien squarely in the chest, knocking him off his feet.
Falcon jumped to her feet and rushed back in with a Cat-Pounce. Jackal willingly took the flying punch in the chest and returned in kind with another Alpha Punch. Falcon staggered back from the heavy blow to the stomach but fought through her pain and leapt up into a Wind-Kick. The kick connected firmly with Jackal's chest and he stumbled over onto his back, winded.
There was an almighty crash that distracted Falcon from the fight and she smiled, seeing the appearance of the diver at the wide pool in the centre.
She decided to abandon her fight with Jackal and go to Lion's aid, who was trying to fend off the three Ligaments closing in on him.
As Falcon concentrated, re-forming the ice dagger in her hand, she saw Hawk and Dove fly up out of the diver. She stabbed at the nearest Ligament, piercing its thick hide near the spine ands ripping downwards ruthlessly.
As it started to disappear, Dove sent a shining white arc of laser from above, slicing through the two remaining Ligaments.
Falcon glanced back towards Jackal. He and Harrier were engaged with Hawk while Wolf had already taken up the fight with Rhino. Leopard had taken the opportunity to close with Mantis and Tiger was heading for the Power Converter, a determined expression on her face.
The Ligaments now dealt with, Falcon caught up with Tiger just as Cobra barred her path. He released his long energy whip, its thick length sizzling dangerously.
‘Come then, children,’ he crooned, ‘let the lesson begin.’
Falcon and Tiger shared a glance briefly. Tiger drew her runed short sword and it immediately flared up with furious flame, from the tip right down to the hilt.
Falcon decided not to draw her daggers. She knew she had to be at her best if she was going to face the Bronze Cobra, and knew she performed best with her fists and claw.
Cobra snapped his whip against the floor once and then it was sailing through the air towards them. Tiger instantly went for a Flying Cat-Roll to avoid it. Falcon went with the Avian equivalent, the Air-Spin.
As they landed they both pressed the attack. Falcon decided to go in with an Avian Lunge, since she knew Tiger would stay with Feline. The varying class combination might catch Cobra off guard.
No such luck. Tiger hesitated as Cobra unleashed several small fireballs, each one homing in on her. He turned to Falcon, extending one hand.
Falcon swore as a green bolt of energy erupted from his gauntleted fist. She swerved to avoid it and it blasted into the ground next to her, sending up a shower of dirt and stones.
She heard him chuckling within his sinister snake helmet as he sent his whip crackling out again. Falcon wasn't fast enough this time and it struck her on the shoulder. She grunted painfully, the charged metal shocking and numbing the area.
He turned and caught Tiger, the whip wrapping around her forearm and dragging her off balance.
Cobra's fingers flexed around the whip handle, letting its full power travel up the thick length. Tiger screamed as the energy intensified, bringing her to her knees.
Grim now, Falcon unleashed her own power. That tell-tale, chilly mist surrounded her hands again as she sent two long ice bolts towards the Sarpien.
Cobra managed to evade one but the other impacted off his chest and he reeled back from the thick spear. His grip on the whip lost, the energy current cut itself off and Tiger was able to shake the evil weapon off of her arm.
Cobra turned to Falcon, an angry growl emanating from him as he started to bear down on her.
Falcon stood her ground, she needed to keep him occupied. She saw Tiger behind him, starting to rise to come help her.
Destroy the machine, Falcon told her quickly. We can't stay here much longer or we'll be overrun.
Tiger glanced over at where Trine was hissing and flexing his huge arms. He'd created more Ligaments and they were even now heading towards them. She nodded and ran for the Power Converter, flaming sword in one hand and a fireball in the other.
As Tiger started to rain fire upon the metal structure, Falcon leapt into another Wind-Kick, trying to keep Cobra distracted.
He blasted her with an emerald beam of energy. Falcon gasped as it hit her. Hurling her back, she rolled several times across the sharp, uneven floor. Groaning painfully, steam rising up off her armour, she tried to move.
Cobra was as strong as all the stories she'd heard, more so probably. Falcon fought her way to her feet, realising she was no match for him. She turned to face him again anyway.
He'd found his whip again and she swallowed, she'd have to be quick to keep up with him. Falcon's attention was diverted as she heard an agonising cry from a few feet away.
She gave a sharp intake of breath, spotting Hawk falling to the earth, a Ligament tearing into his wings and back. Falcon started to go to him, but was surprised by Jackal once more. She went down under his powerful Alpha Punch.
‘Falcon!’ Someone cried out, she wasn't sure who. Tiger perhaps.
Falcon teetered backwards, trying to catch her breath after being struck once more in the stomach. Feeling very sick all of a sudden, she thought she might be bleeding.
She heard the sizzle of Cobra's whip but was in no condition to do anything about it. It sliced into her wings, making her cry in pain and she staggered back as Jackal made another lunge at her. Falcon gasped, realising it was simply a ruse.
Harrier was waiting for her. He kicked her legs out from under her and grasped her arms, pulling them tightly behind her back. She drew a ragged breath, struggling futilely against him.
‘So,’ Jackal's voice was pleasant as he and Cobra strode up to her. ‘It's the Silver Falcon, is it?’ He grabbed a handful of her pale hair, forcing her head back, his face hardening. ‘I'm going to personally oversee your coercion, Falcon. Then we'll see if you think I talk too much.’
‘Not on my watch, Jackal.’
Jackal started to turn and swore, ducking just in time to avoid Lion's huge sword. The captain swung again, scattering Cobra and Harrier, forcing them away from her.
Falcon fought her way to her feet, but it was hard. The pain across her stomach was immense. She turned just in time to see two of the beams fall off the Power Converter. Lion had already run to aid Hawk. Falcon began to move towards them but her legs buckled and she fell to her knees.
She tried to catch her breath, her stomach in agony. Falcon shuddered, knowing her old scar had been ripped open. She saw two Ligaments to her right. They were scurrying towards her on their thin, incredibly sharp bladed legs.
Falcon couldn't move, she put one hand across her stomach, defenceless. She gasped as a sudden bright sphere of light illuminated the area. Squinting up at it she became sure there was a person within that sphere. It burned with a type of pure, almost holy power as it sent out thick streams, burning through Ligaments and Power Converter alike, scattering the Sarpiens.
Trine roared in pain, and Falcon saw him slither
ing away into the darkness of his lair, wanting to escape the light.
‘Falcon.’
She turned her head, finding Wolf next to her.
‘It's time to go. Lion's got Hawk and Leopard's gone for Jay.’
Falcon really did try. ‘I...can't,’ she moaned, in too much pain to say much else.
Gently, Wolf picked her up, making her gasp.
‘Don't worry,’ he told her. ‘I won't let anything hurt you.’
CHAPTER FORTY
Jay allowed Leopard to drag him through the cavern, his eyes wild as he looked about at the carnage. He tried to pick out Falcon but couldn't see her amongst the fighting warriors and awful monsters.
There was a screeching, almighty crash as the Power Converter, dented and mangled, toppled onto its side after the white-armoured warrior with wings, looking like an angel, started to burn with incandescent light.
He felt a great satisfaction in seeing the Sarpien's prized invention come to earth but gasped as he saw it ignite. It was going to blow up!
Leopard grabbed him around the middle and picking him up, started to dash across the chamber.
He couldn't help but gape as the white warrior descended, the bright sphere around her lessening. As Leopard rushed with him towards the large vehicle which had come crashing up out of the water, the winged woman turned away. Raising her arms, her face became taut with concentration.
Jay gasped as a glowing shield began to form around the diver.
Leopard put him down. ‘Get inside,’ she pointed to the ramp.
‘But-’ he started to object, looking for Falcon again.
‘Now!’
Jay stumbled to the diver, afraid of her. He found several seats inside and picked one near the front, wanting to watch through the window.
He winced as he heard the Power Converter starting to blow and gaped at the rolling flames which spurted, reaching up for the ceiling of the cavern.